To Aru Kagaku no Railgun - Ch. 149.2 - Crack Troops

[YamiryuuZero]

Judgement members work for the branch that belongs to their current school. However, this was a minor detail and the Railgun anime forgot about it, so they let Kuroko works all the time in 177th branch, which is the branch Uiharu is at.

And since the anime is so popular (much more than the novel and manga combined), the author just kind of ignored it and retcon that Kuroko works both in and out of her school. Which tbh seems pretty in character for her imo.

Kuroko being officially part of the 3rd branch but working at the 177th branch unofficially, because of her connections with Uiharu and Konori, instead and spending more time there also makes logistical sense.

Tokiwadai is known for the higher level ability users and the rich ladies even take self defense classes, so the third branch must be full of highly capable individuals. Meanwhile the 177th branch has one mid level and one low level ability user, and only one of them has high combat capability but her powers are not exactly meant for battle.

Having a user like Kuroko, with a high level ability and high combat skills, as reinforcement would benefit the weaker branch, especially since she synergizes so well with the other members. If there's a part of Academy City that Judgement can't function properly, that makes it an area viable for criminals to lurk in and use as hideouts (such as the Skill Out occupied zones), and that can spread to neighboring areas too. Having Kuroko on the 177th indirectly helps other branches as well.

I guess as long as she goes back to the 3rd branch from time to time to deal with a bit of work there, she can be officially on the 3rd but effectively on the 177th.

 

[zokoi19]

Kuroko being officially part of the 3rd branch but working at the 177th branch unofficially, because of her connections with Uiharu and Konori, instead and spending more time there also makes logistical sense.

it also makes sense because it's very in character for Kuroko to act like that.

Tokiwadai is known for the higher level ability users and the rich ladies even take self defense classes, so the third branch must be full of highly capable individuals.

well, here's a little something that just doesn't make sense (basically a plot hole) about this: the 3rd branch is understaffed. (source: https://mangadex.org/chapter/ac9e0180-1e9b-4e74-8065-56c94ab7c9a8/2)

Meanwhile the 177th branch has one mid level and one low level ability user, and only one of them has high combat capability but her powers are not exactly meant for battle.

Having a user like Kuroko, with a high level ability and high combat skills, as reinforcement would benefit the weaker branch, especially since she synergizes so well with the other members. If there's a part of Academy City that Judgement can't function properly, that makes it an area viable for criminals to lurk in and use as hideouts (such as the Skill Out occupied zones), and that can spread to neighboring areas too. Having Kuroko on the 177th indirectly helps other branches as well.

Also, Judgement is meant to enforce rules within their schools and maybe stop school bullies, Kuroko going around enforcing actual laws in and out of Tokiwadai, is just her acting out of jurisdiction.
Having Uiharu + Konori + a few more low level members are enough for 177th branch, because their school is also full of low level students. If they actually just work in their school boundary, they don't need much power.

Unfortunately, because they are protagonists of the story, Uiharu and Kuroko are constantly dragged in dangerous fights and power struggles, many of which are even outside of Judgement work.

 

[YamiryuuZero]

well, here's a little something that just doesn't make sense (basically a plot hole) about this: the 3rd branch is understaffed. (source: https://mangadex.org/chapter/ac9e0180-1e9b-4e74-8065-56c94ab7c9a8/2)

Tokiwadai's branch is UNDERSTAFFED? You'd think the parents of those rich ladies that want their daughters to raise their reputations in high society would be all about having them take extra curricular activities deserving of praise.

But Kuroko mentions most of the Judgement's work is paperwork, so it makes sense for her to ditch it and go help somewhere else where her fighting skills and teleportation abilities are far more valuable.

Also, Judgement is meant to enforce rules within their schools and maybe stop school bullies, Kuroko going around enforcing actual laws in and out of Tokiwadai, is just her acting out of jurisdiction.

And Aleister likely loves that type of person, since that means they help clean up the city from anyone that could interfere with his plans. Even if he can come with 5 thousands methods of getting rid of someone, letting the 13 years old mad teleporting lesbian take care of low level trash has to take some weight out of his mind.

 

[zokoi19]

Tokiwadai's branch is UNDERSTAFFED? You'd think the parents of those rich ladies that want their daughters to raise their reputations in high society would be all about having them take extra curricular activities deserving of praise.

they probably join other things? Like, I can see that going around cleaning/picking up trashes, or going around patrolling the school and city may be seen as rather unladylike, which is why they don't join Judgement.