By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
September 22, 2010
If this were a day of picking the over against the under, the over would be a wise decision.
With the end of the 2010 International Saimoe League looming closer and closer to its conclusion, a record turnout saw nearly 10,000 voters from around the world take part in the festivities of Match Day 8 of the Tiara phase, and the Championship of the Winners' Bracket.
Mio Akiyama is now one victory away from becoming the third International Saimoe League champion after pounding Mikoto Misaka 5318-4626.
"This has to be a wonderful feeling," Akiyama said at the victory rally with Yui Hirasawa at Sakuragaoka Girls High School. "To now be on the doorstep toward ISML glory...it's a dream come true. I hope you cheer me on one more time. I need each and every one of your support to make this possible. I have come to this conclusion: second place is unacceptable. I can win, and I will win this Tiara...for all of you.
"We can do this. Let's make it happen."
Akiyama secured a resounding victory in the Philippines with 75.3% of the vote. She also did reasonably well in Thailand with 64.8% of the vote, Taiwan with 62.7% of the vote and Japan with 60.8% voting for the Dangerous Queen, the bassist of Hokago Tea Time. Akiyama also secured important victories in Oceania, the USA, Korea, West Asia, Hong Kong and Latin America.
"I was facing a very tough buzzsaw in Mio," Misaka admitted at a press conference at Tokiwadai Girls Junior High School. "But I know that I still have a chance to get back in this one. It will mean that I will have to win twice, but it can be done."
Africa was Misaka's strongest region with 81.8% of the vote. She also did well in Canada, Europe, Russia, China and Indonesia in her defeat.
Akiyama will now prepare for the Championship Match, scheduled for September 30, 2010. She will face either Misaka, Shana or Azusa Nakano.
This was another clean sweep for K-ON!, as Yui Hirasawa finished the tournament in 9th place with a resounding 5461-4394 victory over Nagi Sanzen'in.
"I want to take this time and say how much I enjoyed being a part of this International Saimoe League," a tearful Hirasawa said at the victory rally through sobs while surrounded by the entire band, her younger sister Ui Hirasawa, Jun Suzuki, Nodoka Manabe and Sawako Yamanaka. "I'm so happy to finish the season on a winning note and with hope for the future. To me, this is just as good as finishing first. I will never trade this experience for the world. I thank every one of you here for your support, and hope that you will also support Mio-chan and Azunyan, because I know that these two can meet each other in the final, and when that does, there will be no loser, because everyone is a winner! Thank you everybody! I love you all! Love And Peace!"
Flags were waving, showing the initials of the band, as well as their crest. Banners read inside, "Yui and Mio, we are proud of you!", "This Victory's For Gitah!", "HTT Forever!", "They Will All Marry You Now!" and "Don't Slow Down!"
Sanzen'in was unavailable for comment.
Hirasawa's strongest region was South Korea, with 65.1% of the vote. Of all the regions she won, she only failed to win Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia, who voted 58.8% for Sanzen'in.
"I ensured that CLANNAD, for all of the damage it's had this year," said Tomoyo Sakagami at her press conference at Hikarizaka Senior High School, "ended its run victoriously." Sakagami finished 11th in the tournament with a 5171-4611 victory over Saber. Sakagami won every region with the exception of Eastern Europe, Thailand, Indonesia, China and Russia, who voted 54.5% for Saber. Sakagami's strongest region was Korea, with 68.7% of the vote.
As with all the other ISML Tiara Match Days, a series of special exhibitions were on hand in this record turnout.
In a battle of Baka to Test to Shokanju rivals and a possible preview of next year's International Saimoe League, Mizuki Himeji thumped Minami Shimada 5883-3871. Himeji won just about every region with the exception of South Korea, Europe and Russia, who voted 58.9% in favor of Shimada. China was Himeji's strongest region, with 65.9% of the vote.
In a clash of WORKING!! rivals, Poplar Taneshima won a 6522-2825 laugher, winning every region along the way. The Philippines was Taneshima's strongest region, with 78.8% of the vote. Perhaps Poplar is becoming a bit popular these days...
Another one-sided contest saw Saeko Busijima rout Maya Kumashiro 6585-2763. The only region that did not vote for Busijima was Africa, which voted 63.6% in favor of Kumashiro. Taiwan was the strongest region for Busujima, voting 78.2% in favor of the star from High School of the Dead.
Isara Gunther cruised past Skuld 5983-3101, winning every region in the process except for the Philippines, which was 50-50. Canada was Gunther's strongest region, with 82.6% of the vote.
It seems Index Librorum Prohibitorum might be given a second chance to make her case known. A disappointing first effort in 2009 may give way to a more convincing performance in 2011. Prohibitorum made her intentions known by trouncing Kuroko Shirai 5209-4513.
The only regions that did not vote for Index include Hong Kong, Eastern Europe, Russia, China, and South Korea, who voted 56.4% in favor of Shirai. Thailand was Prohibitorum's strongest region, winning 73% of the vote.
Sun Seto got the best of Shuffle!'s Primula, 5203-4418. Seoto's strongest region was Japan, with 65.2% of the vote. Of all the regions up for the taking, Seto failed to garner Canada, Latin America, Western Europe, Russia and Thailand, who voted 56.3% in favor of Primula.
And in the match featuring the old school, Ribbon no Kishi's Princess Sapphire cruised past Sally Yumeno from Sally the Witch 4270-1679. Princess Sapphire took every region, with Africa voting the strongest at 87.5%.
A huge contest awaits the voters with the fifth round/semifinal of the Losers' Bracket. Will Shana continue her chase for the crown? Or will Azusa Nakano quiet the flames once and for all?
Finally, the battle for seventh place awaits between SOS Brigade compatriots? Will favorite Yuki Nagato end her ISML on a winning note? Or will Haruhi Suzumiya put an end to the slump against her?
This is sure to be a match day with another record turnout, so be sure to join in! Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate as we continue the search for the 2010 International Saimoe League Champion!
2010 INTERNATIONAL SAIMOE LEAGUE
9th through 16th Place
9. Yui Hirasawa
10. Nagi Sanzen'in
11. Tomoyo Sakagami
12. Saber
13. Kyou Fujibayashi
14. Kagami Hiiragi
15. Hitagi Senjougahara
16. Nadeko Sengoku
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