So, the first episode turns out to be largely a one-shot to be forgotten in the past (for now anyway). Apparently off-camera Tohma released the tormented antagonist’s girl from whatever curse had befallen her. So, we find ourselves at the real launch of a new arc, or so it would seem.

Long story short, a Japanese organization of black mages (one that noted hot chick Kaori Kanzaki from Season 1 is actually part of) has been after a certain nun. Her former partner in protecting Index, Stiyl Magnus, “abducts” Index to get Tohma in on the case looking for the missing nun; when on his way to where the meeting with the “kidnapper” is to be held, Tohma crosses paths with the missing nun herself, who seems cursed with a classic anime case of no direction sense whatsoever. I mean, she’s worse than Tohma, who’d be completely lost without Google Maps (or whatever it is) on his cell phone.

So, unfortunately for them and a young, fairly cute red-headed nun who joins the fray (I didn’t stop to get her name, sorry), the targeted nun is stolen right from under their noses. That is, a triangular hole through the bottom of the concrete road is created by magic and she’s pulled down. Slick. Very slick. This is a hard group to go after, very secretive, but they figure a few things out as the Roman Catholic Church (with support from the Church of England) gets busy setting up a base camp for operations there in Academy City (which for newbies to this show, is on the western edge of a near-future Tokyo where psychics and high tech roam naturally).

During this, we get some completely obligatory panty shots, Tohma hearing a female scream and barging in on a shower involving Index and the red-head (both nude but we don’t see anything important), and the red-head moving up under Tohma’s sleeping bag and calling him Daddy.

For these crimes and general annoyance, Index goes CHOMP! on Tohma not once, not twice, but three times, for those keeping count. (Well, I just did for you but never mind that…)

So. Intrigue, mystery, magic, possible showdown between friends, anticipated return of a hot girl character (in some capacity), an abduction (not counting the “fake” one), a race against time, and slapstick, slightly perverted comedy.

Hey, it’s what people watching this show have come to expect. It’s also done very well.