ISML 2010: Railgun on the doorstep

ISML 2010: Railgun on the doorstep


April 2, 2010

The 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Phase continued with Match Day 6, and Mikoto Misaka is now one victory away from securing the Aquamarine necklace. She crushed Nagisa Furukawa 3001-2093 on Holy Thursday.

"The job's not done yet for this one," Misaka said. "And even if I were to win on Sunday, it will still boil down to the numbers. I don't know who I'm facing, but Mio Akiyama can still jump past me if I don't win emphatically enough. So nothing should be left to chance."

Misaka will be wrapping up the Aquamarine against Taiga Aisaka. A win will certainly seal the deal for either one. Aisaka scored a businesslike 3101-1887 decision over Chizuru AKaba.

Akiyama herself will have more to gain from her match against Yuki Nagato on Match Day 7 after a 3157-1934 dismantling of Kotomi Ichinose. Nagato scored a 3126-2015 win over C.C. A victory for the main protagonist from "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" would inject new faith in the well-established SOS Brigade.

"The voters will be itching for a change," Akiyama said. "I think I can do the spearheading honors."

Hinagiku Katsura shouldn't overlook Kyou Fujibayashi, who took down Mikuru Asahina 2913-2116. But the student council president of the Hakuoh Academy argues that it isn't anything unmanageable.

"If you look at my recent match today, I dismantled Maria 3558-1151," the denfending ISML champion said after her contest. "Not only am I capable of putting up a good fight against Kyou, but I am capable of winning it handily."

In spite of the ambitious intentions, there is a chance that Katsura will be on the outside looking in even if she goes perfect because Saber and Shana are also unbeaten heading into Showdown Sunday, where they will be facing each other in what will be an exciting swordfight.

Saber, known also as Arthuria Pendragon, tore past Nanoha Takamachi 2932-1992 while Shana burned Minatsu Shiina 3411-1676.

Other exciting matches to look out for on Easter Sunday include Fate Testarossa vs. Holo, Yui Hirasawa vs. Hitagi Senjougahara, Nagi Sanzen'in vs. Kurimu Sakurano, Kagami Hiiragi vs. Nadeko Sengoku, Rika Furude vs. C.C. and Rin Tosaka vs. Tomoyo Sakagami.

In other Match Day 6 action...Isumi Saginomiya defeated MInori Kushieda 2448-2390, Yui Hirasawa rolled past Hanyuu Furude 3096-1799, Holo chomped Mei Sunohara 2951-1915, Kagami Hiiragi cruised past Nodoka Haramura 3476-1157, Sengoku was all business against Ruiko Saten 2837-1930 and Haruhi Suzumiya was never out of it against Chiaki Minami in a 3345-1606 thumping.

Azusa Nakano knocked down Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 2955-1969, Sakurano defeated Tsukasa Hiiragi 2705-2022, Sanzen'in scored a easy 3152-1793 victory over Ui Hirasawa, Testarossa put Ryou Fujibayashi to bed 2851-1861, Senjougahara was all over Nymph 2839-1769 and Mafuyu Shiina chalked up a 3323-1012 landslide victory over Mihoko Fukuji.

Finally, Tosaka whipped past Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 2812-1919, Sakagami slammed the door shut on Ikaros 2995-1780, Illyasviel von Einzbern rocked Fuuko Ibuki 2672-2120 and Konata Izumi laid the law on Ushio Okazaki 2758-1992.

In the special match, a different Suzumiya (not related to Haruhi) came out a big winner. Akana Suzumiya from Runbling Hearts defeated Kaleido Star's Sora Naegino 1784-1291.

Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com on April 4. The Topaz phase gets underway the following Sunday, April 11, 2010.