ISML 2011: Off and running in the preliminaries

ISML 2011: Off and running in the preliminaries

By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)

March 1, 2011

Another year, another ISML.

The 2011 International Saimoe League got off and running with the first day of preliminary action. The usual suspects won their matches, but a few new faces may be making a statement this season.

In Group 1, Merry Nightmare defeated Tsukasa Ayatsuji and Itsuwa with 3,035 votes. Elucia de Lute Irma took out Saeko Busujima and Nodoka Haramura with 3,187 votes and defending ISML Champion Mio Akiyama ran away with her contest, defeated Asami Iwasawa and Nanako Yamamoto with 4,615 votes.

In Group 2, Mikoto Misaka trounced Last Order and Yuuno Arashiko with 4,469 votes. Ritsu Tainaka defeates Isumi Saginomiya and Chrome Dokuro with 2,997 votes and Ikaron easily defeated Misaki Ayuzawa and Erika Sendou with 3,104 votes.

One of the names that could break into the fold this season is Houki Shinomono. She won her Group 3 contests over Erza Scarlet and Yuno with 3,482 votes. Shana, a longtime ISML fixture, easily defeated Mizuki Himeji and Hayate Yagami with 4,240 votes, and Ayase Aragaki edged out Ruiko Saten and Shiki Ryogi with 2,999 votes.

Nymph won her Group 4 match over Nanoha Takamachi and Izumi Segawa with 2,854 votes. Charlotte Dunois trounced Ami Kawashima and Suigintou with 3,458 votes, while 2chan Anime Saimoe champion Azusa Nakano flexed her muscles over Shinku and Koromo Amae with 5,089 votes.

In Group 5, Hinagiku Katsura got back to work, whipping past Shinobu Oshinlo and Celty Sturluson with 4,315 votes. Ika-Musume got by Kurimu Sakurano and Touko Amano with 2,935 votes and Nozomi Kiriya won over match over Shiori Shiomiya and Utau Hoshina with 2,772 votes.

Huang Lingyin squeaked by her Group 6 contest with Konjiki no Yami and Tsukasa Hiiragi with 2,535 votes. Taiga Aisaka emerged as the favorite to win this group, defeated Ai Nanasaki and Kobato Hanato easily with 4,320 votes. In a surprise result, Ui Hirasawa defeated Kuroko Shirai and Akira Amatsume with 3,027 votes.

In Group 7, Sora Kasugano defeated Illyasviel von Einzbern and Misuzu Kamio with 2,850 votes. Shouko Kirishima defeated inori Kushieda and Sawako Kuronuma with 3,063 votes and Yuki Nagato emerged as a favorite to win the group, defeating Fumino Serizawa and Ai Enma with 4,664 votes.

In Group 8, Haruhi Suzumiya was at it again, taking out Mato Kuroi and Mahiru Inami with 3,995 votes. Yuri Nakamura crushed Index Prohibitorum and Ran Mouri with 3,918 votes and Maria rolled past Ai Haibara and Lucy Heartfilia with 3,457 votes.

Voting continues with Day 2 of the preliminaries today. Vote now for your favorite character at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate!