ISML 2011: Six new faces enter the fold

ISML 2011: Six new faces enter the fold


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
March 25, 2011

It was a party atmosphere at Tokyo's Infinite Stratos school. The drinks were flowing, and the singing was rampant as they celebrated the entry of three of its top students into the International Saimoe League.

Houki Shinonono upset Ikaros by the tune of 3,592-3,558 to win Bracket C, Huang Lingyin stunned Kurimu Sakurano 3,698-3,469 to win Bracket F and Charlotte Dunois lynched Ayase Aragaki in Bracket D 4,554-2,888.

"We wouldn't have made it to this grand occasion without your support," Shinonono said to the student body at the IS Battle Arena, which was converted into a rally stage. "You made it possible. We will do our best not to disappoint you."
"I am excited to be a part of the International Saimoe League," Huang said joyously. "I look forward to the challenge of battling the world's best women. And hopefully I will come out on top to win the Tiara!"
"A huge merci beaucoup must go out to our man, Ichika Orimura," Dunois added. "He stumped us, Laura Bodewig, and Cecilia Alcott to make it. Three out of five isn't too bad, but hopefully in face three, all five of us will be here."
"These are some of the finest girls you will ever meet anywhere," Orimura said with pride. "Let's wish them well, for they are representing our school and the pride of Infinite Stratos!" They were met with a raucous roar of approval.

In another part of town, Yuri Nakamura was celebrating her 4,624-2,978 victory over KOnjiki no Yami to win Bracket H.

"At least this time I'm not facing Haruhi," Nakamura said at the rally, her fiancee Noda next to her. "Funny how this bracket has the same initial as the person who pipped me in Phase I. What goes around comes around, I guess."

Another new face that will be joining the ranks is Sora Kasugano, who defeated Ui Hirasawa 3,836-3,790 to win Bracket G.

"The International Saimoe League is my one opportunity to free myself from the bonds of everyday society that bind me," Kasugano said at a press conference. "This is my chance to prove my worth. Though I may be weak and frail, spiritually and faithfully I am strong like steel, albeit lazy. I will do all I can to take advantage of this tournament, and I believe I might be able to surprise a veteran or two."

Finally, the other new entrant coming in is the younger version of Mikoto Misaka, Last Order, who bounced Asami Iwasawa 4,245-3,489 to win Bracket B.

"Misaka Misaka thought Misaka Misaka was going to have a chance to take part in this tournament, but the fact that Misaka Misaka is able to be in this year's ISML is a dream come true," Last Order said jovially, Accelerator, Mikoto Misaka and Touma Kamijou by her side. "Watch out, world; here comes Last Order!"

Otherwise, the veterans were coming back. In Bracket A, Rin Tosaka dumped Elucia de Lute Irma 3,797-3,653, Nymph shut down Ika-Musume 3,792-3,305 in Bracket E, Yui Hirasawa clobbered Index L. Prohibitorum 4,370-3,378, Mikuru Asahina defeated Tsumugi Kotobuki 3,936-3,632 to win Bracket J, Tomoyo Sakagami shut the door on Nagi Sanzen'in 4,069-3,419 to Win Bracket K, Saber whipped past C.C. 3,973-3,308 to win Bracket L, Kyou Fujibayashi prevailed over Holo 3,819-3,655 to win Bracket M, Nagisa Furukawa edged Seraphim 3,782-3,732 to win Bracket N, Hitagi Senjougahara rumbled past Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 4,242-3,201 to win Bracket O and Nadeko Sengoku defeated Mafuyu Shiina 4,146-3,144 to win Bracket P.

Only 18 spots remain up for grabs. Who will get it? Preliminaries Match Day 13 and Match Day 1 of Phase III of the 2011 International Saimoe League preliminaries is scheduled for Sunday, Match 27, 2011. Vote for your favorite candidates online at internationalsaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.