ISML 2010: Railgun rolls, Konata pulls off a nail-biter
Ami Kawashima, Nadeko Sengoku, Minatsu Shiina other big winners to wrap up Prelims
February 13, 2010
The final match day in Phase I of the 2010 International Saimoe League Premilinaries was full of suspense and blowouts. The result was a healthy mix of unfamiliar faces and all-too-familiar returnees qualifying.
For Konata Izumi, she could now breathe a big sigh of relief. And that's what she did at the Private Ryou Academy in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture.
"It was nerve-wracking, but now I get a chance to face off against Kagamin [Kagami Hiiragi] again," she said after her thrilling 1,623-1,617 victory over C.C. in Group 9 to qualify for the field of 50. "Give credit to C.C.; she fought a great contest. I have no doubt that she will breeze past Phase II."
Fans at the rally waved flags that had the Lucky Star logo and held signs of Izumi and Hiiragi together, as well as signs that said, "The KonaKona has returned!"
C.C. was optimistic about her Phase II chances. "I think I can finish the job," she said. "I just hope I'm not matched with somebody on an even keel with me."
Nanoha Takamachi was third with 1,426 votes. "It was unfortunate that I got placed in a group that gave me a 1-in-3 chance of making it in," she said. "Hopefully I will not have that issue this time in the second phase."
Meanwhile, in Academy City, rallies were held at Sakagawa Junior High and Tokiwadai Junior High for Ruiko Saten and Mikoto Misaka. Saten pulled off a surprise 1,718-1,647 upset of Shinku to qualify for the ISML field of 50.
"In a contest like this," she said at her rally," you don't need to be a Level 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 to succeed. You just have to be able to win, period. I don't have any powers whatsoever, but I got heart, and I was able to use it against a seasoned veteran in Shinku. I plan to give it my best effort in the 2010 International Saimoe League."
Notable signs, aside from Saten wearing Kazari Uiharu's trademark flower headband, included, "Aaaaah! It's unbelievable!", "Fliptastic!", "I'm wearing stripes under my skirt!", "Flip Me!", "No, Flip Me!", and "Don't flip those posers, I'm the one you should the whole world to!" Mion Sonizaki was third in that Group 13 contest with 1,084 votes.
Misaka, known as The Railgun for her patented attack involving a coin and electricity, blitzed past Illyasviel von Einzbern 2,386-1,587. Umineko no Naku Koro Ni was nothing but a mere bust, as Ange Ushiromiya finished a distant third with 585 votes.
"I came into this contest having a bad taste in my mouth from last year," Misaka said on her win at the rally. "I don't want to have to go through that again. This year, I plan to improve on my performance and make a run for that crown."
Notable signs in the crowd included, "Watch out, here comes Biribiri! (a personally hated nickname of Misaka given by Toma Kamijo)," "It's Railgun Time!", "Save me Onee-Sama! (a nickname given by Kuroko Shirai)", "Click Click BOOM!", and "ONLY! MY! RAILGUN!"
It was thought that Hitagi Senjougahara had a strong chance of qualifying from Phase I. However, very few expected Nadeko Sengoku to be the first one from Bakemonogatari to progress.
Known for her snake-like curse, beret and coat worn only by the shoulders, Sengoku stunned Fuuko Ibuki 1,931-1,628 in a Group 7 match. Ui Hirasawa's hopes of joining Yui in the tournament were put on hold until at least the next phase with 992 votes.
"Who ever would expect that I would be the one to make it through first?" Sengoku said with a laugh at a special rally outside Koyomi Araragi's house, surrounded by Tsubasa Hanekawa, Senjougahara, Mayoi Hachikuji, Araragi and Suruga Kanbaru. "I hope the others progress, but now that I am in this tournament, I hope I can do well in this tournament because it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me. Everyone, I thank you for your support!"
Some old-school euro disco played through the speakers of Hekiyou Academy in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Shiina, the older sister of already-qualified Mafuyu Shiina, wasted no time shredding Kobato Hanato 2,136-1,119 in Group 10. Ai Haibara was third with 1,092 votes.
"I was hoping Chizuru [Akaba] would join us from Group 12," MInatsu said after the contest during the victory rally. "Ah well. Three out of four ain't bad. I hope she get through in the next phase.
"Aside from that, me, Mafuyu and Kurimu are excited to be representing this school, this city, and this island in this tournament. Thanks for your support, guys. Now the real fun begins."
Ken Sugisaki, the vice-president of the Student Council, crossed his arms and nodded his head with closed eyes and a smug smile on his face.
With a two-point cushion in Group 12. Ami Kawashima needed just a tie to clinch a return to the field of 50.
She got more than that. Kawashima hammered Amu Hinamori 2,121-1,226 to finish first. Yuuki Kataoka was third with 949 votes.
"It feels great to get another crack at the big shots," Kawashima said after her victory. "Hopefully I can stop Taiga [Aisaka] this time, but let's see what happens."
In Group 6, Holo's return to the fold was complete after a 1,958-1,311 swallowing of Ikaros. Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) was third with 1,227 votes.
Minori Kushieda's comeback will have to wait another phase at the minimum, but she finished Phase I with a 2,080-1,586 stomping of Souseiseki. Kotone Kirishima never stood a chance, earning just 755 votes.
Finally, Tsuruya capped off her run with a 1,827-1,355 victory over Tomoyo Daidouji. Yoko LIttner was shut out with 1,131 votes.
In Group 7, Hayate Yagami thrashed Suo Pavlichenko 1,912-1,201. Eruruu was third with 837 votes.
Ai Enma capped off her run in Group 7 with a 1,875-1,331 victory over MIyako Miyamura. Akane Mishima was third with 904 votes.
Mei Sunohara defeated Koromo Amae 1,826-1,346 in Group 8 to spare CLANNAD blushes and return to the ISML field of 50. Yomi Isayama was third with 1,093 votes.
Nymph and Ayumu Nishizawa scored decisive consolation victories. Nymph shot down Sawako Kuronuma 2,100-1,008, while Beatrice finished third with 984 votes. Nishizawa flattened Mizore Shirayuki 2,134-1,198. Kirino Chiba was third in that match with 742 votes.
In other Group 9 action, Kaede Mizuno defeated Maria Ushiromiya 1,483-1,330, with Mayoi Hachikuji finishing third at 1,330 votes.
Mikan Yuuki also picked up a consolation victory, defeating Matsuri Shihou 1,509-1,295. Setsuna Sakurazaki was third with 1,133 votes.
In Group 10, Isumi Saginomiya clobbered Sakura Kinomoto 2,248-1,666. Kana Ikeda was a distant third in that match with 419 votes. Also in Group 10, Evangeline A.K. McDowell scored a 1,739-1,272 consolation win. Yakumo Tsukamoto was third with 1,037 votes.
Rika Furude, no stranger to moe competitions, stamped her return to the big show with a 1,7471,473 triuph over Suiseiseki. The defeat added to what was an underachieving display by the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls in Phase I. Utau Hoshina was third with 1,100 votes.
Index Librorum Prohibitorum kept hope alive for a return to the ISML main draw through Phase II with a morale-building 1,830-1,493 rout of Haruka Nogizaka. Akari Mizunashi never stood any chance whatsoever, managing just 855 votes.
Finally in Group 11, Sakuya Aizawa took out Moka Akashiya 1,833-1,230. Hanekawa was third with 1,135 votes.
Kawashima's Group 12 clinching victory made the contest between Akaba, Shirai and Hanyuu Furude anti-climactic. Nonetheless, Akaba prevailed 1,783-1,364, with Shirai takin just 1,301 votes.
Izumi Segawa scored a consolation victory, defeating Makoto Sawatari 1,621-1,447. Alice Carroll was third with 1,027 votes.
In other action in Group 13, Yuuko Amamiya defeated Kana MInami 1,714-1,212. Saki Miyanaga was third in the match with 1,064 votes. Nayuki Minase was also a winner in the contest, annihilating Teletha Testarossa 2,037-1,297. Sheryl Nome never came close, winning just 672 votes.
In Group 14, Chiaki Minami cruised past Rei Ayanami 2,006-1,352 , with Momoko Touyoko managing just 835 votes. Finally, Yuuhi Katagiri wrapped up her Group 14 run with a 1,757-1,338 victory over Shiori Misaka. Noe Isurugi was a distant third with 782 votes.
The first two rounds of regular season seeding will take place on February 14 and 16, 2010. The preliminaries continue with Phase II on February 18, 2010. For more information, visit internationalsaimoe.com.
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