ISML 2012: Mio takes the Topaz!

ISML 2012: Mio takes the Topaz!
Inori Yuzuriha steamrolls to Earrings

By JR Salazar
September 14, 2012

Mio Akiyama capped off the 2012 International Saimoe League regular season, winning the Topaz despite Shana winning the necklace match with 3,223 votes (27.09% of voters won). Akiyama won 3,046 votes (25.60%), and, buoyed by a stronger regular season, earned a necklace score calculation of 53.199, compared to Shana's 51.786.

Yui was third with a score calculation of 40.243 after securing 1,560 votes (13.11%) and a fourth place finish in the necklace match. Yuki Nagato was fourth after coming in third in the necklace match with 1,577 votes (13.25%) for a score calculation of 34.565. In fifth place was Sena Kashiwazaki, who had a score calculation of 29.340 after finishing fifth in the necklace match with 1,054 votes (8.86%).

Kobato Hasegawa was sixth with a necklace score calculation of 26.197 after coming in sixth in the necklace match with 875 votes (7.35%). Aria Holmes Kanzaki held up the rear with a score calculation of 25.223 after earning a paltry 563 votes (4.73 percent).

"For me, winning the Topaz is important because it proves to myself and to everyone that I still matter in this tournament," Akiyama said after the match. "I earned my shot of glory two years ago as the Tiara winner. Now with this necklace, I get a chance to perhaps recapture that glory.

"I want to thank Ritsu, Azusa, Yui and Tsumugi for all the love they game me; Jun, Nodoka, Ui and Miss Sawako too. Everyone that has supported me all this time, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope to continue this in the postseason this year."

Inori Yuzuriha has an outside shot at winning the Tiara, but even if she falls short in the race for the crown, she will have left this season with the Topaz Earrings. Yuzuriha earned 2,342 votes, buoyed by the voters in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, beating out Tomoyo Sakagami's 2,181 votes.

Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere was third with 1,945 votes, Mato Kuro earned 1,632 votes to finish fourth, Illyasviel von Einzbern earned 1,411 votes to finish fifth, Yozora Mikazuki secured 1,106 to finish sixth, and Subaru Konoe was last with 1,064 votes.

"When I return to heaven, I plan to tell Hare that yes, I did win something at this tournament," Yuzuriha said, embraced by Shuu Ouma. "This is an honor for me and I will treasure it forever."

Three other group finals took place. Index L. Prohibitorum, whose ISML season ended Thursday, defeated Kyouko Toshinou 3057-2438. Shiori Misaka was third with 1,573 votes, Astarotte Ygvar was fourth with 1,154 votes, Chiharu Harukaze was fifth with 980 votes, Setsuna Sakurazaki was sixth with 922 votes and Sakura Yoshino held up the rear with 735 votes.

Koneko Toujou may have been one-and-done at the 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament this year, but she was able to cruise past another one-and-doner in Maria Takiyama, 2940-2116. Yui Funami, the only one in this match still alive in the 2channel AST as of this blog date, earned 1,833 votes to finish third. Kaori Misaka was fourth with 1,327 votes, Bernkastel was fifth with 926 votes, Konoka Konoe was sixth with 834 votes and Angeline Nanatsu Sewell was last with 682 votes.

Despite not winning the Topaz necklace, Yuki was able to hold off Yui 2857-2600, Aria was third with 2,322 votes, Minori Kushieda was fourth with 1,315 votes, Mayuri Shiina was fifth with 1,077 votes, Sakura Matou was sixth with 917 votes and Yuuhi Katagiri was last with 512 votes.

Guilty Crown has been nothing short of a bust in Japan, but, like Black Rock Shooter, it has been a success as Ayase Shinomiya made it a double with a 5681-4201 hammering of Tsubasa Hanekawa. Ami Kawashima's relevance lingered on in her 5510-4830 victory over Mami Tomoe. Shirayuki Hotogi wouldn't have the mojo to beat Shinobu Oshino in any moe tournament, but against Mikan Yuuki, it's a different story as seen in her 5228-4560 decision.

Finally, remember this name: Asuna Yuuki. This is someone that will surely be in the International Saimoe League next season, barring an Act of God on the voters' part. Teaming up with presumed Kazuto Kirigaya, they slashed, burned, and destroyed Kiritsugu Emiya and Saber 8140-3097.

And that concludes the 2012 International Saimoe League Regular Season. The postseason begins on September 30, 2012 with Day 1 of the ISML Nova and Stella Division Finals. Vote for your favorite to win the Tiara at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And be sure to follow the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the world's premier anime character competition, now in its fifth season: the International Saimoe League!

FINAL TOP 16, Nova Division

1. Kanade Tachibana (AQ)

2. Eucliwood Hellscythe (EM)

3. Ruri Gokou (AM)

4. Yui

5. Yuri Nakamura

6. Kirino Kousaka

7. Sena Kashiwazaki

8. Kobato Hasegawa

9. Inori Yuzuriha

10. Charlotte Dunois

11. Aria Holmes Kanzaki

12. Mato Kuroi

13. Erio Touwa

14. Victorique De Blois 

15. Yozora Mikazuki

16. Haruna

FINAL TOP 16, Stella Division

1. Mikoto Misaka (C) (RUB)

2. Shana

3. Taiga Aisaka

4. Mio Akiyama (TOP)

5. Yuki Nagato

6. Azusa Nakano

7. Saber

8. Haruhi Suzumiya

9. Hinagiku Katsura

10. Hitagi Senjougahara

11. Yui Hirasawa

12. Nadeko Sengoku

13. Shinobu Oshino

14. Rin Tosaka

15. Illyasviel von Einzbern

16. Tomoyo Sakagami