Bedlam on Baltic Avenue: Nov 16, 2011

ISML 2011: GUNNERS HIGH!

ISML 2011: GUNNERS HIGH!

Mikoto Misaka is fourth International Saimoe League Champion

By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
November 16, 2011

Mikoto Misaka was crowned as the 2011 International Saimoe League champion on Thursday afternoon at A Certain High School in Academy City, Japan.

Mikoto defeated Shana 9208-8052 in a record-breaking turnout to close the 2011 ISML season.

The victory rally was moved from Tokiwadai Junior High School in anticipation of the news.

The crowd at A Certain High's campus auditorium erupted, with flags being waved in the air and hugs all around and confetting being thrown from the rafters. "RAILGUN! RAILGUN! RAILGUN!" the fans chanted as the result was splashed on two projector screens on stage.

Banners of encouragement were placed all over the arena, such as "RAILGUN TO THE TOP!", "GUNNERS HIGH!", "MIKOTO...NO DOUBT!", "MISAKA...ACADEMY CITY'S ONEE-SAMA!" and "A CERTAIN ISML CHAMPION...IS HERE!"

People were dancing in the streets to fripside's "Only My Railgun" and "Level 5 Judgelight". Indeed, fripside and Mami Kawada performed on stage inside the campus auditorium.

Mikoto was watching the results with significant other Touma Kamijou, best friend Kuroko Shirai, Index Librorum Prohibitorum, Last Order and Accelerator. Once the result was known, they all made the long walk to the campus auditorium, and along the way, the roar of the crowd got bigger and bigger until it reached a dramatic crescendo when they all entered the stage.

"This honor means a lot to me," Mikoto said as she struggled to hold back tears of joy. "It means so much. I had no doubt in my mind that I deserved to be in the same company as Fate Testarossa, Hinagiku Katsura and Mio Akiyama. It is not easy to survive, let alone win in a tournament as prestigious as the International Saimoe League. This is the world's tournament. This is the supernova of all competitions.

"I want to thank everyone standing here with me today, especially Index, Kuroko, and my one and only, Touma. You all gave me the support I needed during these long months of battles, and in the end, your solidarity and your love paid off.

"To my fans, especially the over-9,000 who supported me in this championship match...thank you. I owe this Tiara to you, because you also won it. This is a victory not just for me, but for you.

"To the people of Academy City, this is your victory as well. This place...this wonderful place...this is heaven. Everything about this city gives me hope and courage to fulfill my mission in life. Without this place, I would not be standing here today."

"And to those who did not support me this season, thank you as well for helping make the International Saimoe League the world's premier competition for people like me, Shana, and so many others.

"Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the International Saimoe League."

Afterwards, Mikoto ran into Touma's arms and embraced him, still shedding tears of joy, and they both looked at the crowd, who gave a standing ovation. The speakers blasted out "Level 5 Judgelight" as the confetti and sakura petals rained down.

"Today I lost to the best competitor this season," Shana said at a rally inside Tokyo's Budokan. "I called Mikoto a few minutes ago to announce I was conceding the race, and it was a well-fought race. I wish her well in whatever she does from this point forward.

"However, I will soldier on. Next season, I will return with a stronger resolve...to make 2012 my season. Thank you to all of you who supported me this year, and I will make this promise: next year I will win the Tiara."

Kanade Tachibana finished third with a 9993-6955 rout of Ruri Gokou. Taiga Aisaka was fifth after defeated Azusa Nakano 8773-8257. Yuki Nagato was seventh after edged out Hinagiku Katsura 8502-8329. Mio Akiyama was ninth after rolling past Haruhi Suzumiya 8890-7980. And Yui defeated Eucliwood Hellscythe 8531-8139 to finish 11th.

Four other matches featuring potential new entries for ISML 2012 and well as faces from the past took part.

Sena Kashiwazaki crushed Yuno Gasai 10245-5723, Subaru Konoe drilled HImari Takakura 11902-3464, Yuuko Shionji destroyed Rin Kaga 11061-4434 and Sakura Kinomoto defeated Rei Ayanami 8237-7526.

With this, the 2011 International Saimoe League season is completed. The nomination phase for the 2012 International Saimoe League will start in January. For more information and to join the ongoing debate, visit InternationalSaimoe.com.

And next year, be sure to also follow the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue (bedlamba.blogspot.com) and Bongaboi on deviantART (bongaboi.deviantart.com) for coverage of the 2012 International Saimoe League: the world's premier anime character competition!