ISML 2010: Railgun to the top as Bakemonogatari, TSAB contestants, veterans roll
March 24, 2010
Turnout for the second match day of the 2010 Aquamarine phase was not the flood of voting that defined the regular season opener on Sunday. Nonetheless, Mikoto Misaka took the overall lead in a day that saw Nanoha Takamachi, Fate Testarossa and the Bakemonogatari representatives of Hitagi Senjougahara and Nadeko Sengoku score major victories.
Misaka had no trouble defeating Ruiko Saten in a 3494-1175 walkover. Takamachi was all business in her 2597-2234 win over Ryou Fujibayashi while Testarossa prevailed over Ami Kawashima 2927-2156.
Senjougahara earned her first victory of the season with a 2814-2008 thumping of Rika Furude. Sengoku made a huge statement with a 2677-2412 victory over Yui Hirasawa.
"It has to be quite disappointing that the turnout for this match day was not what it was the last time," Misaka said after her victory. "You would think that we would see over 5,000 votes in each arena after Aquamarine 1. Aside from that, this is a step in the right direction."
A number of veterans also picked up major victories today. Haruhi Suzumiya defeated Minori Kushieda 3179-1944 while Konata Izumi scored a 2542-2390 victory over Kurimu Sakurano. Maria rolled past Ikaros 2571-2180 while C.C. picked up her first victory of the season with a 2728-2054 beatdown of Nymph. Kotomi Ichinose chalked up her first W of the campaign with a 2808-2188 victory over Ui HIrasawa, Nagisa Furukawa pummeled Nodoka Haramura 3318-1366 and Yuki Nagato cruised past Ushio Okazaki 3483-1591.
Match Day 2 featured some impressive victories by the upstarts. Minatsku Shiina crushed Mihoko Fukuji 3246-1266, Chizuru Akaba thrashed Chiaki Minami 2666-1952, Mafuyu Shiina stomped Isumi Saginomiya, Mio Akiyama scored a decisive 3495-1644 victory over Hanyuu FUrude and Azusa Nakano took out Holo 2623-2479.
In other Aquamarine Match Day 2 action, Tomoyo Sakagami routed Mikuru Asahina 2956-2203, Hinagiku Katsura destroyed Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) 3369-1545, Nagi Sanzen'in bowled past Illyasviel von Einzbern 2593-2379 and Shana torched Mei Sunohara 3701-1498.
Kagami Hiiragi scored her first win with a 2853-2035 beatdown of Fuuko Ibuki, Saber slashed past Tsukasa Hiiragi 3126-2012, Kyou Fujibayashi edged Rin Tosaka 2643-2337 and Taiga Aisaka was never out of it in a 3303-1562 trouncing of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere.
In a special match that took place, Nodoka Miyazaki defeated Tamaki Kousaka in a rematch of 2008 ISML opponents, 1906-1792.
There is sure to be more moving and shaking with Aquamarine Match Day 3, scheduled for Thursday, March 25. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.
