A Certain Magical Index is a popular light novel series written by Kazuma Kamachi. It is set in a fictional world where technology, magic, and supernatural powers coexist. The story revolves around the lives of two main characters, Toma Kamijo and Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Toma Kamijo is a high school student with a unique ability called Imagine Breaker, a power that can negate any supernatural phenomenon. He encounters Index, a young girl who is part of the forbidden library known as the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Index possesses vast knowledge and is sought after by various magical organizations due to the secrets locked within her mind.
Describe how your vampires fit into each of these categories:
The Café must have dozens if not hundreds of threads focused on what is the best and while best is highly subjective, the suggestions found in the magazine are hard to argue against. With that said the typical kitsune practices restraint during feeding to avoid permanent damage, mostly out pragmatism and occasionally out of sentiment or even true love.
Index possesses vast knowledge and is sought after by various magical organizations due to the secrets locked within her mind. Throughout the series, Toma and Index find themselves caught up in various conflicts and adventures involving magic and science. They encounter numerous friends and foes, each with their own abilities and agendas.
Veritable magical vampire
Hey all, it's been a while since I've written a review. As John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." I am living proof of that. Speaking of living, cue ham handed segue! This review focuses on the obsessive unliving - or more accurately, obsessive undead. There's a new journal out! I love me some journals and this one is, in a word, brilliant. Okay, well maybe two words: brilliant and quirky. The Café's own orchid666 (K Neill) is the mad man behind The Magic Vampire Magazine. Let's grab our garlic, holy water, and crucifixes and explore this dark, mad product of a brilliant yet rather disturbed mind, in other words, my kind of people.
The Magic Vampire we are told is "a strange and lonely creature who spends most nocturnal hours obsessing over 52 bits of cardboard." Talk about hitting the mark when talking about virtually all card folk. And this obsession is not limited to the masthead of this mag. The design of the journal reflects a beautiful madness throughout. If you're looking for high production values, glossy photos, and the latest piece of floating furniture and other magically domestic accouterments, you've come to the wrong place. The Magic Vampire Magazine, hereafter known as TMVM because I'm lazy, has, and I hate to use cliches, a very underground look. Imagine Cervon's Castle Notebooks but written and illustrated by someone who drank 30 cups of espresso and gorged on five boxes of Cap'n Crunch cereal in 15 minutes. Sound fun? I can answer emphatically that it is!
The typeset of the TMVM is a good old font known as "handwritten." Every single page is handwritten, the paper stock is a riot of colors with each page having its own. Moreover, TMVM is literally crammed with information. Nobody told our friend about the use of white space and in this case we are better off for it. I think that the closest analogy is to imagine hand drawn posters from a punk or heavy metal club that you would see tacked on a pole. At first glance you might think that this is just too chaotic to read. I suspect that's the purpose. It's well known that P. Howard Lyons' classic Ibidem was designed such that Lyons wanted to limit readership. I don't think TMVM's writer wants to limit readership. Rather I believe that form follows function and this magazine invites you to engage in its beautiful deranged arcana on its own terms and is succeeds beautifully.
This journal is, at least with the first two issues, devoted strictly to card magic. There is a LOT of card magic crammed inside. It's in the margins, it's scrawled in glorious chaos with "editor" corrections, and fun little cartoons strewn about. Well, I don't want to spoil everything so enough about the design. How about the magic itself? Let's talk about it.
The first issue features excellent routines either original with the author or else brilliant variations of others' routines. I want to applaud the author for his superb crediting. He is just as obsessive about getting the credits and history of the routines right as he is about the magic itself. There are some "professional" authors who could learn something from this magazine. Anyhow, routines like Transylvanian Travelers, The Card of Nosferatu, The Leap of Death, and MANY more are superb routines. There is a very nice pass titled appropriately "The Borgo Pass" The mechanics of this pass are well explained and well illustrated. Even if you already have mastered a form of the pass, this is still worth exploring.
There is so much excellent magic just in issue one that I would end up breaking the Café's servers trying to describe each item. Rest (in peace) assured that you're getting your money's worth with this brilliant magazine. In addition to the magic there is a section titled "Ramblings From the Crypt that is a veritable treasure house of information that really is essential reading. Think of Harry Lorayne's "afterthoughts" in his books and Apocalypse and you have a general idea of what you'll find. I wish the section had been called "Crypt Notes" for obvious reasons.
Looking for magic from books you already own or books you want to purchase? TMVM doesn't disappoint. There is a page CRAMMED with book and routine suggestions from names like Walton, Bannon, Maven, Sadowitz(!), Swain and more. The Café must have dozens if not hundreds of threads focused on "what is the best" and while "best" is highly subjective, the suggestions found in the magazine are hard to argue against.
One of the many things I loved about Apocalypse is that Harry Lorayne would foot note what would be in the next issue and TMVM does the same! Issue three will features a section of do it yourself gaffs (as I write this, issue 3 is out) and there is an upcoming three card monte exploration, discussions about false deals with practical routine examples and again, so much more.
This review was a challenge to write simply because there really is SO much good stuff that this review would read like a latter day Potter Index. I should also add that this journal has the backing of Big Blind Media. Their products are among the best in magic. So while TMVM might LOOK like a hastily thrown together celebration of magic, it is in no way an amateur project. With great contributors and advisers like Liam Montier, Peter Duffie, Cameron Francis, and MANY more, you're getting a quirky but VERY professional product.
It's been a while since magic has had a monthly journal in the tradition of titans like Hugard's Magic Monthly, Apocalypse, and Richard's Almanac. I am overjoyed that there is a new one that for me is already a success with the very first issue. I do not give "scores" on reviews simply because I think they're stupid. So, I will conclude by stating that if you want a magazine crammed with great magic - and who doesn't? - I give The Magic Vampire Magazine the highest of recommendations.
N.B.: It is assumed that the purchaser has a firm grounding in sleight of hand. That said however, purchasers at every level of card magic will find something good here!
Hey all, it's been a while since I've written a review. As John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." I am living proof of that. Speaking of living, cue ham handed segue! This review focuses on the obsessive unliving - or more accurately, obsessive undead. There's a new journal out! I love me some journals and this one is, in a word, brilliant. Okay, well maybe two words: brilliant and quirky. The Café's own orchid666 (K Neill) is the mad man behind The Magic Vampire Magazine. Let's grab our garlic, holy water, and crucifixes and explore this dark, mad product of a brilliant yet rather disturbed mind, in other words, my kind of people.
Toma's ability to nullify supernatural powers often puts him in challenging situations, as he faces powerful enemies who seek to exploit his unique ability. The world of A Certain Magical Index is richly detailed, with a complex magic system and intricate political and social structures. The series explores themes such as the clash between science and magic, the consequences of knowledge, and the ethical implications of power. A Certain Magical Index has spawned a successful franchise, including a manga adaptation, anime series, and spin-off novels. The series is known for its blend of action, comedy, and drama, as well as its compelling characters and intricate plotlines. In conclusion, A Certain Magical Index is a captivating series that intertwines elements of magic and science in a compelling narrative. With its unique characters, intricate world-building, and thought-provoking themes, it has become a favorite among fans of the light novel genre. Whether you are a fan of action, fantasy, or intriguing storytelling, A Certain Magical Index is well worth exploring..
Reviews for "The Journey of Kamijou Touma: The Protagonist of A Certain Magical Index"
1. John - 2 stars - A Certain Magical Index was a tremendous disappointment for me. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and the characters lacked depth and development. I found myself not caring about what happened to them at all. The pacing was also incredibly slow, and it felt like the story was dragging on forever. Overall, I found it to be a tedious and uninteresting read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I really struggled to get through A Certain Magical Index. The writing was incredibly dull and repetitive, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story and unable to fully immerse myself in the setting. The narrative seemed to jump around without clear direction, making it hard to follow and engage with. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who values well-written and engaging storytelling.
3. Michael - 2 stars - A Certain Magical Index had potential, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The concept of a magical world coexisting with our own was interesting, but it wasn't executed well in this book. The magic system felt inconsistent and poorly explained, leaving me confused and frustrated. Additionally, the protagonist lacked depth, and I found it difficult to connect with his journey. The action scenes, which should have been exciting, were often confusing and difficult to follow. Overall, I was left disappointed and unsatisfied with this read.
4. Emma - 2.5 stars - While A Certain Magical Index had some intriguing ideas, it failed to deliver on its promise. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of monotony followed by rushed and confusing sequences. The characterization felt shallow, particularly with the female characters who often served as mere tropes. The plot twists were predictable and lacked impact. Overall, this book had the potential to be great but fell victim to poor execution and underdeveloped storytelling.
5. David - 1 star - I found A Certain Magical Index to be a complete waste of time. The writing style was bland and lacked any creativity or uniqueness. The world-building was weak, and the story felt like a jumbled mess. The main character's constant inner monologues were annoying and added nothing to the plot. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book, and I would strongly advise others to avoid it.