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10th Anniversary Blitz for A Certain Magical Index

Kazuma Kamachi's seminal light science-fiction/fantasy light novel, A Certain Magical Index, was published ten years ago. In honor of the anniversary, its publisher, Dengeki Bunko, is rolling out a bevy of Kamachi-related merchandise over the course of the year, while others are congratulating the writer in other ways.

Many of the writers, illustrators and animators who have known Kamachi over the years have left notes of congratulation with commemorative drawings on Dengeki Bunko's website. Below are a selection from Kiyotaka Haimura (Index's light novel illustrator), Sakae Saito (Heavy Object's illustrator), Chūya Kogino (the artist for the manga version of Index), Arata Yamaji (the artist of A Certain Scientific Accelerator), and Mahaya (the illustrator of The Zashiki Warashi of Intellectual Village). For more artwork, see the website here.

rainbow spectrum:notes, an artbook featuring the works of Kiyotaka Haimura, will be published on August 29. In addition to his work on Index, it will feature illustrations from his other projects, the light novels Maid Deka and Sprite Spiegel. It is a follow-up to the artbook rainbow spectrum:colors.

A new novel by Kazuma Kamachi will also be published. Entitled Mitou Shoukan: Blood Sign ("Unperformed Summons: Blood Sign"), it will tell the story of a vicious contest between highly advanced summoners and "a certain girl" in an early modern era town. It is illustrated by Waki Ikawa (the Tsuioku-hen arc of The irregular at magic high school) and billed as similar to A Certain Magical Index. Blood Sign is scheduled for publication on September 10.

Next, there will be figures of two Magical Index characters: Misaki and Mikoto. The Mikoto figure will be 65 centimeters high (about 2'2'') and wearing a swimsuit. It will go on sale in the September issue of Dengeki Daioh (July 26). The Misaki figure is still in the planning stages.

In addition, an "Ichiban Kuji" lottery dedicated to Kamachi will be held this winter; many of Kamachi's works will be available to read on Dengeki Bunko's mobile website, Dengeki Mobile Neo; and Mikoto's favorite drink, coconut soda, will be available in vending machines near the city of Tachikawa in Tokyo where Index is set (under the name Academy City). It will also include pineapple and "a little bit" of yogurt flavor.

Last but not least, in the winter a special edition of Dengeki Bunko Magazine, tentatively titled Kazuma Kamachi Magazine, will feature a story mingling the characters of Kamachi's various works. It is tentatively titled To Aru Majutsu-no Heavy-na Zashiki Warashi-ga Kantan-na Satsujinki-no Konkatsu Jijou ("The Circumstances Leading to a Simple Killer Princess's Marriage Were Certain Magical Heavy Zashiki Warashi").

More elements of the anniversary celebration are yet to be announced; Dengeki Bunko has at least six more promotions scheduled for the year.

[Via Otaku.com]