ISML 2009: Emerald 10 - A sneak peak of the 2010 season?
July 18, 2009
While Remilia Scarlet scored a 1820-1404 victory over Akari Mizunashi in Tokyo, Emerald Match Day 10 was a day in which possible ISML participants for the 2010 season were given their opportunity to impress.
Yuuko Amamiya of ef - a tale of memories defeated Da Capo's Kotori Shirakawa in Mexico City 1535-1070. Haruka Nogizaka, the franchise character of Haruka Nogizaka's Secret, defeated Akasaka's Minato Nagase 1517-1196 in Mumbai. In a battle of Macross Frontier partners, Ranka Lee crushed Sheryl Nome 1593-744. Yomi Isayama of Ga-Rei Zero trounced Tsugumi Aoba of Kannagi 1541-1077 in New York.
Chiaki MInami of Minami-ke, who missed the cut for this season, boosted her chances for a 2010 shot with a 1590-823 trouncing of Hidamari Sketch's Yuno in Shanghai. Kagura of Gintama argued her case with a 1606-894 beatdown of Neliel Tu Oderschvank in Lagos.
The people still love Matsuri Shihou. Thanks to their support, the Sola star took down Chaos;HEAd's Rimi Sakihata 1414-1104 in Los Angeles. A familiar face to Gundam fans, Lacus Clyne of SEED fame defeated Yakumo Tsukamoto of School Rumble 1493-1285 in Buenos Aires. And can we be seeing Asuka Langley Soryu playing her trade next season? Now known as Asuka Langley Shikinami, the free-spirited, competitive personality of the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise crushed Sailor Moon's Rei Hino (also known as Sailor Mars) 2088-619 in Seoul.
In a battle of endowed demons, Lala Satalin Deviluke boosted her chances with a 1592-1052 victory over Rosario+Vampire's Moka Akashiya in Karachi. In a match harkening to the first season of the ISML, Tsuruya earned a thrilling 1541-1524 victory over CLANNAD's Ryou Fujibayashi in Dhaka.
One thing should be for certain: there will be someone from K-ON! represented next season. So far, none of the major characters have been eliminated early in Japan and Korea. Bass player Mio Akiyama, regarded as the character with the greatest chances of progressing in any tournament for SaKura High's light music club of now-international renown; guitarist Azusa Nakano, exploited for her catgirl tendencies and tan; and the Hirasawa sisters-Yui, the bubbly, but quick-learning lead guitarist for the band, and her more proper and dignified younger sister Ui-were invited.
In Manila, Akiyama took down Nakano 1881-1151, while Yui easily got the upper hand over Ui 2019-886 in Cairo.
Saki is another show that you can bet will have someone represented next season. In a battle of rivals, widely-touted and widely-endowed Nodoka Haramura bested the flagship character of the show, Saki Miyanaga by the schore of 1284-818 in Jakarta. Also competing from Saki were both Koromo Amae and the taco-munching risk taker Yuki Kataoka. Kataoka won a close 1075-1001 contest in Paris.
In the closest match of the day, Riannon of Tears to Tiara defeated Alisia Melchiott 1036-1028 in Moscow. You can bet on these two making a run to be here next season.
Strike Witches has not been given much love on the other side of the Pacific, but four members of the 501st were invited to compete. In a battle of two Witches that have been celebrated as one of the strongest-if not the strongest-yuri pair, Sanya V. Litvyak defeated Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen 1415-871 in Lonmdon. Francesca Lucchini, the trouble-making, fang-flashing warrant officer of note, was no match for the franchise: Yoshika Miyafuji. She prevailed, 1038-846, in Lima.
Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo is another series you should look out for. Two of its flasgship characters competed today: Akiha Shishido and Itsuki Kannagi. Shishido prevailed in Tehran 1012-886. Alice of Pandora Hearts and Regios's Felli Loss could be potentials to enter next year's edition. Alice got the edge here, winning 1333-1215 in Bangkok.
Queen's Blade also makes a bid to be in next year's tournament. Nanael defeated Tomoe easily, 1203-624 in Bogota.
Winry Rockbell of Full Metal Alchemist had three words to say after her 1781-538 blasting of Allison Whittington of Allison and Lillia in Santiago: "I WANT IN!!!"
Also competing today were a number of famous male personalities. Lelouch Lamperouge was too good for Kyon in a 1883-1280 domination in Kinshasa. In a match of franchise guys, Mariya Shidou of Maria Holic scored an impressive 1453-1372 victory over Hayate Ayasaki of Hayate the Combat Butler!! in Toronto.
Ciel Phantomhive may have finished second to the Black Butler himself, Mr. Sebastian Michaels, but does that mean he would be considered to take care of business if there was a male division of the ISML? The 1270-1426 defeat to Makoto of Minami-ke suggests that it may not be time to seriously consider him right now. But the potential is still there, as the man who calls himself "One Hell Of A Butler" was managing the household while the master of the Phantomhive estate was conducting his match in Algiers.
Hey, if the CLANNAD girls can get the job done, why not Tomoya Okazaki? Sure he can. He knocked dow Ouran High Host Club's very own Tamaki Suou 1682-875 in Milan.
Nagahiko Fujisaki over Shigo Chara pounced on Kaname Kuroi of Vampire Knight, 1311-1133 in Madrid. Death Note's Light "Kira" Yagami prevailed over Jun Watarase 1625-1248 in Syndey. However, rumors that Yagami wrote Watarase's name in his book to deal him a swift defeat have yet to be confirmed.
Everyone's favorite Full Metal Alchemist, the world-famous Edward Elric, routed Kyouya Hibari of Reborn! by the score of 1702-1193 in Santo Domingo. And in an old-school showdown in Katowice, Inuyasha, the franchise character of the show with the same name, took out Yu Yu Hakusho's Kurama 1288-938.
After their match, Scarlet and Mizunashi were interviewed on the prospects of an International Saimoe League men's division.
"I think it would be great," Scarlet said, sipping tea (or was it blood? Hmmm). "See, we love guys that look cute. And having a men's division in the ISML will prove that there are androgynous personalities worth voting for. I support it."
"I don't know," said Mizunashi with a heavy blush. "To have guys fighting each other for a crown is a bit of a stretch for me to visualize. But I think it could be a great idea; we just have to see if it does get implemented."
The next phase in the 2009 regular season, the Ruby stage, gets underway on Monday.
