A Certain Scientific Symbiosis

Academy City, a massive metropolis located in western Tokyo. In this city of 2.3 million people, roughly eighty percent of whom are students, special curricula designed to develop espers are implemented, and the students' abilities are classified into six levels, ranging from Level 0 (No Ability) to Level 5 (Level 5). It is an educational institution that boasts scientific technology far beyond common sense, where everyone is granted scientific abilities to live safely—a dreamlike utopia. However, behind the peace lies the existence of "Dark Side" organizations that undertake dirty work that must never be made public. "Item"—an elite unit composed of four girls. Kihara Itsuwa, who freely manipulates nitrogen and serves as the team's ironclad defense. Frenda Seivelun, who utilizes explosives and traps to toy with the battlefield. Takitsubo Rikou, who can sense the faint powers emitted by espers to track targets. And Mugino Shizuri, one of only seven Level 5 espers in Academy City. Before them appears a "fifth" girl. Meeting her leads "Item" into new darkness. This is a story depicting the daily lives and bonds of these rather unusual esper girls, steeped in violence, cruelty, and immorality, along with their unfathomable "darkness."