ISML 2010: The journey begins!
February 2, 2010
It was only not too long ago that Hinagiku Katsura became the second holder of the International Saimoe League Tiara. However, while the tiara stays in the atrium of Hakuoh Academy's administration building, a new year brings new competition and the need for a strong title defense could not be any more necessary.
January 31, 2010 began the preliminaries for the 34 at-large slots in the 2010 edition of the world's premier anime character competition.
A number of fresh faces established their intentions to be in the field of 50, while a number of well-established veterans held their ground.
For the first preliminary phase, the field was divided in 14 groups, with matches between three contestants in each group.
In Group 1, Mio Akiyama of K-ON!, who was embarassed in the 2009 2chan Anime Saimoe first round against Kana Minami, took her frustrations out on Shiki Ryogi and Natsuru Seno. Akiyama garnered 2,198 votes, while Ryogi and Seno managed just 848 and 464, respectively.
"It does feel like a breath of fresh air to be doing something other than playing bass in a band," Akiyama said after the match in the music room of Sakuragaoka High School. "Last year brought a very unsavory taste to my mouth, and I intend on avenging that."
"The dangerous queen has spoken," added Ritsu Tainaka, Mio's best friend and lover, who also plays drums for Hokago Tea Time (HTT for short). She received a severe headbump afterwards, followed by a string of expletives.
Tainaka herself scored a breakthrough win, defeating Suigintou 1461-1428. Ranka Lee finished a distant third in their subgroup with 411 votes.
"I have all due respect for Suigintou," Tainaka said after her win. "However, you gotta give others a [expletive]in' chance, y'know? This year..it's our turn!" she said with a wink and a smile.
In other Group 1 action, Kotomi Ichinose's charm didn't see to waver just yet. She finished first in her subgroup with 1,739 votes, while Mai Kawasumi and Yuno earned 883 691, respectively.
"I look forward to taking on new challenges," Ichinose was quoted to say. "And I have a new violin, too." The people at the press conference trembled in fear, as if she would drown them out like Sergio from SNL.
Also in Group 1, Kazari Uiharu won a battle of newcomers, finishing ahead of Yui Kotegawa and Felli Loss. Uiharu, from Academy City's Sakagawa Junior High, earned 1309 votes while Kotegawa and Loss tallied 674, respectively.
"This tournament is a new thing for me," admitted Uiharu. "But I am good friends with (automatic qualifier) Yui (Hirasawa), and I have her support to be in this field, so I plan to give it all I got."
In Group 2, ISML at-large favorite Hitagi Senjougahara took no prisoners against Louise Francoise Le Blanc De LA Valliere and Asuka Langley Shikinami. Senjougahara earned 1,527 votes to win her match, while De La Valliere got 1,270 and Shikinami 690.
"I heard about this tournament from a friend of (fiancee Koyomi) Araragi-kun," Senjougahara said after the match. "I plan to make a statement."
A close contest awaited Ryou Fujibayashi and Tsumugi Kotobuki in Group 2. In the end, Ryou was able to prevail, 1,213-1,182. Misuzu Kamio finished third with 989.
"I think with this contest," Ryou said afterwards, "that I will have a clearer idea of who I will be up against."
Indeed, the sister theme was rampant. Tsukasa Hiiragi's bid to join Kagami in the tournament was clear in a 1,948-931 blowout of Akari Kirishima in Group 4. Niche finished third with 397 votes. And in Group 7, Ui Hirasawa launched her campaign to be with older sister Yui, slamming down Miyako Miyamura 1,725-903, with Eruruu tallying 563 votes.
The irony is that Eruruu defeated Haruhi Suzumiya and Yuki Nagato (both automatic qualifiers) in last year's Anime Saimoe Tournament. As one can see, success in one tournament may not always translate to similar success in another, especially when that tournament is the ISML.
Nagi Sanzen'in never lost any of her form from last year in an easy victory over Eri Sawachika and Winry Rockbell. Sanzen'in garnered 1,940 votes, Sawachika 754 and Rockbell 742.
"A new year is here, and with it, a new ISML," Sanzen'in said after the match at Hakuoh. "Let's do this."
In Group 3, Mafuyu Shiina of Sapporo's Heikiyou Academy defeated Shion Sonozaki 1,667-1,019. Hisa Takei finished third with 586 votes. "In a tournament like this, putting your game face on is a requirement," Mafuyu said afterwards.
Maria defeated Sayuri Kurata 1,658-1,011 in a match harking back to last year's contest. Lambdadelta, one of the witches of Rokkenjima, was badly beated, finishing third with 690 votes. "It's all about business," the maid of the Sanzen'in mansion said. "Nothing too fancy."
Finally in Group 3, a tenacious catfight between Shizuku Sango and Misuzu Kasukabe saw the student council president from Seitetsu Gakuin prevail 1,207-1,013. Hinaichigo finished third with 768 votes. "Overall, I would like to believe that it wasn't too bad of a performance," Sango said. "But the best is yet to come."
Kurimu Sakurano was highly touted as a worthy entrant from Group 4. However, she had to withstand a fierce test from Rena Ryuuguu. Nonetheless, Hekiyou's student council president weathered the cleaver storm and won, 1,362-1,268. Chihiro Shindou finished third with 713.
"I think I got thrown into the fire," Sakurano said after the contest. "Rena, I heard, is a very competent opponent. Many of the opponents in this pool aren't easy to take down."
One of those opponents is Alice. She took faced a stiff challenge from Frederica Bernkastel. Alice won, 1,283-1,180, while Lisa finished a distant third with 586 votes. "I'm one of the longshots here," Alice said. "But sometimes the best longshots can end up becoming the best favorites just like that. I hope I am one of them."
Nagisa Furukawa, already energized by the presence of her daughter Ushio, made it clear of her intentions to qualify. She blitzed by Yin and Nagi, who could only muster 920 and 610 votes, respectively. Furukawa earned 1,881.
"Well, only one thing for me to say...hang on Ushio-chan, mama is on her way!" to the laughter and applause of the crowd at Hikarizaka High School
"Go Mama go!" added Ushio, further inciting more cheers and applause.
With Rin Tosaka automatically qualified, Saber felt that she had an opportunity to also go through. Also known as Arthuria Pendragon, Saber slashed past Chii and Ayu Tsukimiya in Group 5 with 1865 votes. Chii managed 834 while Tsukimiya only got 792. "I have a new mission now," she said in her cool, determined voice. "I am ready."
In Group 6, Holo had plans to return to the ISML battlefield once again with a 1561-1175 victory over Minori Kushieda. Tsuruya only eanred 712 voted in her third-place finish. "I'll take no prisoners," the wolf-goddess of Yoitsu said, "because I already have (Kraft) Lawrence."
"I hope you realized said that with a straight face," Lawrance was quoted as saying afterwards. She only returned a naughty smirk afterwards.
Ikaros, Tomoki Sakurai's Type-Alpha-class Angeloid, launched her bid for the ISML field of 50 in grand fashion with a 1,323-1,100 victory over Souseiseki. Yoko Littner finished third with 885. "I believe it's a huge privilege to be in a tournament like this," she said. "I also understand that Nymph is groing through the preliminary rounds as well. We will make sure that we do not let town our master."
Nymph, a Beta-Class Angeloid, won her own match with Yomi Isayama and Kirino Chiba in Group 8. Nymph earned 1,355 votes, Isayama 1,012 and Chiba 555.
"It's always exciting to be in a battle like this," Nymph said afterwards. "You never know who you will be up against next. I look forward to the next match with a sense of resolve and a determination to make my master happy."
Also in Group 6, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) was all business, defeating Kotone Kirishima and Tomoyo Daidouji. Yami earned 1,469 voted, Daidouji 934 and Kirishima 708. "If I have to fly the flag again for the To-Love-Ru team," she said afterwards, "I will."
Senjougahara wasn't the only one tasting the fruits of victory for the Bakemonogatari team.
Nadeko Sengoku of defeated Ai Enma to win her Group 7 contest, 1,554-1,055. Suo Pavlichenko finished a distant third with 576 votes. "This is exciting," Sengoku was quoted as saying, dressed in her trademark orange cap and jacket over shoulders.
Fuuko Ibuki was another of the veterans who didn't miss a beat from last year. SHe breezed by Hayate Yagami and Akane Mishma with 1,806 votes. Yagami earned 882 votes and Mishima only 558.
"Fuuko says that this is going to be another exciting International Saimoe League campaign," said Fuuko in her third-person style. "Fuuko says, 'BRING IT ON!' And Fuuko says thank you."
In Group 8, Mei Sunohara took care of Ayumu Nishizawa in her contest, 1,444-1,081. Sawako Kuronuma finished third with 798 votes. "It's always exciting to be at it again," Sunohara said. "I hope to do better this year when I make the field, but I know it won't be easy."
Koromo Amae, the mahjong ace from Ryumonbuchi High School, faced a difficult test from Mizore Shirayuki. Amae prevailed, 1,171-1,039 while Beatrice finished a surprisingly disastrous third with 893 votes. "Mahjong, has been, and always will be, my greatest strength," Amae said after the contest. "I, however, have reached a point in my young life where I need to broaden my horizons. The ISML is it."
Just mention the phrase 'Nanoha Takamachi' and everyone raises her hands in despair and disbelief. The White Devil was back in action; this time, in the preliminaries. Takamachi wasted little time in defeating Matsuri Shihou and Maria Ushiromiya, securing a futile day from Umineko no Naku Koro Ni. Takamachi won with 1,500 votes flat, while Shihou tallied 868 and Ushiromiya 793.
"Every tournament is different," Takamachi was quoted to say. "No two tournaments are the same. But the competitiveness, the desire, the will to win at all costs for he big prize, is shared by all. I hope to make the field and see how I do this year."
This group was a good outing for a couple more familiar faces in a sweep for the veterans.
Konata Izumi skated her way past Setsuna Sakurazaki and Kaede Mizuno. Izumi won with 1,998 votes, Sakurazeki was second with 749 and Mizuno finished third with 633.
"It never gets old," Izumi said afterwards, "and if it did, there would be no mystique. I've been to a number of tournaments in Japan, Korea and China, but the International Saimoe League has to be the toughest of all of them. It's like the Tour de France of the Saimoe Circuit. This is big. 2chan's the Giro and Anizone is La Vuelta. But again, this is a tournament that I want to put maximum effort on. Let's do it!"
C.C., the franchise character from Code Geass, took out Mikan Yuuki and Mayoi Hachikuji with realative ease. C.C. earned 1,906 votes, Yuuki finished second with 855 and Hachikuji finished third with 597.
"It's a nice start," admitted C.C. after the match. "But compared to the many battles I've been in, this just a mere skirmish. A rout, if you will. I think we got plenty more on the way."
Action from Groups 10-14 will be starting on Match Day 2 of the Preliminary Period Phase I, scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Vote online at www.internationalsaimoe.com.
