ISML 2010: Misaka leads the Topaz pack after Match Day 6

ISML 2010: Misaka leads the Topaz pack after Match Day 6


April 23, 2010

Mikoto Misaka is one impressive victory away from earning her first-ever necklace after a strong 3080-1754 whipping of Maria. An emphatic win over defending champion Hinagiku Katsura will certainly lock up the necklace, but Misaka herself is not one to leave anything to chance.

"If you look at my Aquamarine performance," she said after her contest, "the only reason why I lost the necklance is because Mio Akiyama earned more votes and had a superior winning margin. I can't see this happening this time around. However, I am wary of Taiga Aisaka and Shana. Those two have the ability to make my contest with Hinagiku Katsura an anticlimactic one."

"Obviously this must be the match that will determine the Topaz," said Katsura, who dispatched Chizuru Akaba 3137-1599. "I'm no stranger to winning necklaces like this. The most recent one I garnered prior to the Tiara was the Ruby last year, so I know what I am capable of.

"I think this will be an exciting contest for the voters to watch. No doubt about it."

Akiyama, who tore down C.C. 3113-1804, will be facing Saber to wrap up the Topaz campaign. "I don't think I will be able to  get the leverage I need this time to earn the Topaz even if I beat Saber," Akiyama said. "But I would love to stay unbeaten after this phase is finished. I think I can outlast her on Sunday."

"I have a huge amount of respect for Miss Akiyama," Saber (whose real name is Arthuria Pendragon) said after her 2734-1938 demolition of Minatsu Shiina. "However, I will not make it easy for her to finish this part of the tournament unblemished since I also have an intention to complete the phase unscathed, and so I look forward to it. I'll have a bash."

Aisaka cruised past Nagisaka Furukawa 2865-1911 and will wrap up her TOpaz run against Kyou Fujibayashi. Nagato, the defending Topaz holder, will need a strong performance over Shana (who blew apart Nanoha Takamachi 3246-1530) and some help from the voters to hold on to her necklace by early Tuesday morning GMT.

There is a clear-cut reason why Strike Witches is an overrated show along the lines of Sora no Otoshimono and Saki. Perrine H. Clostermann was throttled up and down by Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni's Satoko Houjou 2595-1144 in the special contest held on Thursday.

Once again, the Bakemonogatari girls got a free pass. Nadeko Sengoku broke loose on Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 2745-1737 while Hitagi Senjougahara crushed Ui Hirasawa 2821-1876.

Fate/Stay Night also picked up a sweep. Rin Tosaka whipped past Ruiko Saten 2663-1967 while Illyasviel von Einzbern took out Ami KAwashima 2639-2007. Finally, the SOS Brigade claimed a clean sheet. Haruhi Suzumiya wiped out Mihoko Fukuji 3648-992 while Mikuru Asahina took out Isumi Saginomiya 2627-2084.

In other ISML action...Nagi Sanzen'in shot down Ryou Fujibayashi 3142-1554, Kyou Fujibayashi burned Minori Kushieda 2856-1811, Holo chomped up Tsukasa Hiiragi 2783-1849, Fuuko Ubuki left Rika Furude seeing stars 2572-1767, Mafuyu Shiina crushed Chiaki Minami 2795-1549 and Yui Hirasawa flattened Mei Sunohara 2983-1680.

Fate Testarossa electrocuted Nymph 2824-1475, Kurimu Sakurano picked up a 2743-1547 win over Hanyuu Furude, Tomoyo Sakagami bulldozed Nodoka Haramura 344-959, Azusa Nakano cruised to an easy 3184-1501 victory over Ushio Okazaki, Konata Izumi prevailed over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 2473-2121 and Kagami Hiiragi tore apart Ikaros' wings 2780-1816.

The 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase will wrap up on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Vote on your favorite candidates at International Saimoe.com.