Video picture access method and system capable of index manipulation for accessing a video picture without disturbing a user viewing the picture. Visual effect for allowing the user to check instantaneously whether the index manipulation conforms to user's intention. List display unit displays in superposition on a video picture a list containing reduced-size representative images for scenes included in the picture. Exhibition unit makes into appearance a display field of the list while extending stepwise the list over a time. User interface enables selection of a representative image of a scene to be next displayed from the list. Video reproducing unit provides such visual effect that reproduction of a video picture for the selected scene is started from the position of the selected image and a size thereof and makes transition gradually to a full screen picture.