By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
March 16, 2011
Eight more spots were filled after Match Day 8 of the 2011 International Saimoe League Preliminaries, and a new wave of newcomers have entered the fold for the first time.
Tiny St. Marguerite Academy, located in Sauville, was drinking to the health of Victorique De Blois, who pulled off her most defining victory of her young Saimoe career: a 3,418-3,313 victory over Yui Hirasawa.
The news was met with applause and handshakes all around, but De Blois kept a cool head along the way.
"I am very happy that I have qualified for the ISML, but I understand that I defeated someone who I expect to qualify for the Main Draw through Phase II," De Blois said, taking a puff. "I will admit that I do have Mikuru's followers to thank for this win, and I look forward to what should be a smashing performance from myself in this International Saimoe League."
Asahina finished third in the contest. Kotomi Ichinose earned a consolation win over Poplar Taneshima and Kazari Uiharu with 4,167 votes and Laura Bodewig defeated Ushio Okazaki and Lala Satalin Deviluke with 3,615 votes in Group 0.
Another newcomer, perhaps more fearsome than De Blois, is Eucliwood Hellscythe. The world-famous necromancer rocked Tomoyo Sakagami and C.C. with 3,942 votes to secure a place in the International Saimoe League.
"It is an honor to be in the esteemed company of the best in the world," said Hellscythe through a written statement read by Ayumu Aikawa at a special victory rally in Tokyo. "While I cannot revive those who perished in the disasters in northeastern Japan, I dedicate my efforts this year to their families, and those who were lost. I am excited to be here, though I have to use someone else to interpret what I want to say. I hope to make my supporters happy and look forward to a wonder ISML run."
Also in Group 11, Yui Kotegawa routed Komoe Tsukuyomi and Ayumu Nishizawa with 3,036 votes, wnhile Sakura Kinomoto trounced Rika Furude and Tsurara Oikawa with 3,020 votes.
Yui did qualify for the main draw...but it was the Yui from Angel Beats, who slammed Seraphim and Haruna with 4,881 votes to clinch Group 12.
"Everybody, thank you very much for your support!" she said at a victory rally in Tokyo with her boyfriend Hinata. "I'm going to make it up to you and give it all I got, because nothing is going to stop me from doing my best this season!"
Also in Group 12, Saber slashed past Holo and Homura Akemi with 3,233 votes. Chizuru Akaba whipped Hanyuu Furude and Stocking with 3,953 votes.
Kirino Kousaka is another new face to the crowd, and she had her own statement victory, a 4,122-3,128 annihilation of Kyou Fujibayashi to win Group 13. Madoka Kaname finished third.
"I've always wondered what the International Saimoe League is all about after hearing about it from my friend Azusa," Kousaka said at a rally in Chiba City. "I realized that taking part and doing well could be the best thing that ever happened to me. I feel like I am living the dream, and now I want to seize the moment. It is time for me to shine."
Also in Group 13, Kaori Kanzaki slashed Anri Sonohara and Nessa with 3,925 votes, while Fate Testarossa scored a consolation victory over Mami Tomoe and Hecate with 3,613 votes.
Her good friend Ruri Gokou, the Kuroneko, will be joining her in the ISML. She dusted off Hitagi Senjougahara and Mafuyu Shiina with 3,561 votes to win Group 15.
"I think it is an honor to take part in competition as talented as this," Gokou said at the rally with Kousaka. "To take part in the ISML with Kirino is a bonus. I expect a strong performance, and I believe I will get the job done."
At another rally in Tokyo, Kanade Tachibana, Yuzuru Otonashi's significant other, sliced and diced Nadeko Sengoku and RIn Tosaka with a whopping 5,083 votes to win Group 16 and punch her ticket easily.
"This is one of the greatest days of my life," Tachibana said with Otonashi by her side at the rally. "You, the voters, have given me a chance to show you what I can do. You will not be disappointed in your decisions. I am confident in my skills and my qualifications, and after we celebrate, I believe Yuzuru owes me some mapo tofu later on."
In other Group 16 action, Shino Amakura trounces Manami Tamura and Nino with 3,398 votes and Cecilia Alcott edged Kanon Nakagawa 2,762-2,604. Mio Isurugi finished a distant third.
Some veterans also returned to the ISML in the form of Lucky Star's famous pair: Konata Izumi and Kagami Hiiragi.
Izumi edged Nagi Sanzen'in 3,312-3,296, while Rose finished last in the contest, rendering Tsumugi Kotobuki's blowout win over Astraea and Haruka Morishima meaningless. Kotobuki earned 3,897 votes for her efforts. Mikan Yuuki took out Yin and Alice handily, garnering 4,046 votes.
Hiiragi defeated Nagisa Furukawa 3,742-3,444 while Aoi Yamada was left out to dry in their Group 14 match. Shiina sliced and diced Asuka Langley Soryuu and Rena Ryuuguu with 4,174 votes, and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere whipped past Minatsu Shiina and Suiseiseki with 3,407 votes.
There was handshakes and hugs all around at Private Ryou Gakuen High School in Kasukabe City as Izumi and Hiiragi celebrated their return to the main draw.
"The bar has been raised pretty high," Izumi admitted to the masses at the victory rally. "I don't know if this is going to be my last ISML, but if it's going to, well I'd better make it a good one. We have some very good new faces coming to the main draw, and they are going to be pretty tough to deal. That won't stop us from doing our thing, right Kagamin?"
"Oh my Konata, this is unbelievable that we are returning to the ISML for a fourth straight season," Hiiragi said at the rally. "They just can't get enough of us. Someone oughta put us in the ISML Hall of Fame for making it to the main draw four straight seasons. I mean, me, Tsukasa, you, Miyuki and all the others are in friggin' college, and they still support us! That is dedication right there, and we're loving it to the last vote. Thank you everyone! We love you!"
34 more spots are up for grabs as Phase II of the Preliminaries takes places on Thursday, St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2011. Who'll be getting the luck of the vote this time? Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
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