ISML 2011: Shana blazes to Ruby!

ISML 2011: Shana blazes to Ruby!
Illyasviel von Einzbern garners Medallion


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
September 10, 2011

Powered by a 1770-1355 victory over Hinagiku Katsura, Shana blazed to the 2011 International Saimoe Ruby Necklace with a 12.232 calculation.

When asked by his fiancee Yuji Sakai about the result at the victory rally in Tokyo.

"I'm not surprised by the result at all," she said, munching on her 300th loaf of melon bread. "I'm a Crimson Flame Haze, and the Ruby Necklace that I'm wearing epitomizes the spirit of fire, so it was a no-brainer."

At that moment, the crowd laughed, causing Shana to blash and utter her trademark catchphrase.

"Urusai, urusai, urusa~~~~~~i! I was being serious when I said that!" At that moment, the crowd applauded, paying homage to her tsundere disposition. Then, the real Shana came out, brushing away a tear. "You guys...I love you all. I dedicate this Ruby necklace to all of you who supported me this year in the ISML. This is it for me. This is all I have.

"I won't let it go to waste. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I will treasure this moment forever." The crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

Katsura finished the Ruby necklace phase with a score of 11.567 but now is an odds-on favorite by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue to win the final necklace up for grabs, the Diamond.

Hitagi Senjougahara finished with 925 votes to earn third place with a calculation of 7.144. After earning 870 votes in the necklace round, Eucliwood Hellscythe emerges with Senjougahara as a legit contender to the Diamond with a score of 6.720 in the Ruby.

It's safe to say that K-ON! is on the path down the mountain after enjoying the view from the top last year.

Azusa Nakano earned 909 votes but was fifth in the calculation with a score of 5.912.

Defending ISML Champion Mio Akiyama may be seeing her defense start to wind down. Akiyama earned 801 voted to finish dead last in the calculation with a score of 4.884.

Haruhi Suzumiya never was a factor in previous necklace rounds she took part in, and this was no different. In the Ruby necklace round, she was last in the vote total with 750 to earn a disastrous score of 5.793.

It's also safe to say that the girls Puella Magi Madoka Magica may not be moe enough to win the hearts of voters around the world and could be shut out again next season.

Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Kyouko Sakura 1796-1660 to win the Ruby Medallion, while Noumi Kudryavka finished third, earning 1578 votes.

Haruka Morishima was fourth with 978 votes, Nanaka Shirakawa was fifth with 582 votes, Ana Coppola was sixth with 408 votes, and Konomi Yuzuhara was dead last with 378 votes.

Three other contests were on tap on Ruby Match Day 8.

In the first match, Hanyuu Furude, a former ISML contestant, bested Suwako Moriya 2,104-1935. Nagi was a distant third with 956 votes. Lisianthus was fourth with 903 votes, Karin Hanazono was fifth with 672 votes, Yurie Hitotsubashi was sixth with 484 votes and Pacifica Casull was last with 326 votes.

In the second match, Yuuko Amamiya edged Ayu Tsukimiya 1654-1584, while Hyouka Kazakiri was third with 1427 votes. Fionne was fourth with 816 votes, Dokuro Mitsukai was fifth with 775 votes, Kannabi no Mikoto was sixth with 739 votes and Rakka held up the rear with 385 votes.

In the third match, Reimu Hakurei, a prior ISML contestant, made up for Suwako's demise with a 2060-1868 upset victory over Tsukasa Hiiragi. Rika Furude could not replicate the success of her sister, finishing third with 1305 votes. Aisa Himegami was fourth with 736 votes, Akira Amatsume was fifth with 617 votes, Himeko Kurusugawa was sixth with 413 votes and Rei Hina finished dead last with 381 votes.

Only one necklace remains before the ISML goes into overdrive with the Tiara postseason battle royale.

Match Day 1 of the 2011 International Saimoe League Diamond Necklace Phase is scheduled for Sunday, September 18, 2011. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

And as always, keep it here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue and bongaboi.deviantart.com for continuing coverage of the world's premier anime character competition: the International Saimoe League!

2011 INTERNATIONAL SAIMOE LEAGUE

Top 16 after Ruby Necklace Phase

As of September 10, 2011

1. Mikoto Misaka (AQ)

2. Kanade Tachibana (TOP)

3. Yuki Nagato (AM)

4. Azusa Nakano

5. Ruri Gokou (SAP)

6. Shana (RUB)

7. Taiga Aisaka (EM)

8. Mio Akiyama (C)

9. Hinagiku Katsura

10. Haruhi Suzumiya

11. Eucliwood Hellscythe

12. Yui

13. Yuri Nakamura

14. Charlotte Dunois

15. Hitagi Senjougahara

16. Nadeko Sengoku

KEY:

AM = ISML Aquamarine Necklace Champion

TOP = ISML Topaz Necklace Champion

AM = ISML Amethyst Necklace Champion

SAP = ISML Saaphire Necklace Champion

EM = ISML Emerald Necklace Champion

RUB = ISML Ruby Necklace Champion

DIA = ISML Diamond Necklace Champion