ISML 2012: Eu and Taiga punch semi tickets

ISML 2012: Eu and Taiga punch semi tickets

By JR Salazar
October 22, 2012

There will be a new International Saimoe League Champion. Match Day 8 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason saw the old guard pass on to the new up-and-comers. And now there is a 3-in-4 chance that this year's champion will hail from the Nova Division.

In a riveting semifinal between former ISML Champion Mio Akiyama and Taiga Aisaka, it was the Palmtop Tiger becoming the last Stella Division representative standing by way of a 5803-5695 thriller. Solid victories in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand propelled Aisaka to the win. Akiyama was able to win the rest of the regions but it wasn't enough.

The defending champion, Mikoto Misaka, fell to Eucliwood Hellscythe, who silenced her in emphatic fashion, 6480-4920. Misaka was only able to win Russia and Latin America. Everyone other region was won by Hellscythe, making her the No. 1 threat to the presumptive Tiara favorite, Kanade Tachibana.

In the first of two classification matches, Yui rocked Sena Kashiwazaki 6939-4202, dominating every region except Thailand. Shana isn't going to win the Tiara this year, but while she is hanging on in Japan, she won every region except Thailand, Korea, Japan and Russia en route to a huge 6606-4596 victory over Kobato Hasegawa.

Six other exhibitions took place. Tsukihi Araragi, who had a solid campaign in the Anime Saimoe Tournament, continued her hotstreak, winning big in Russia, the USA, Europe, China, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand en route to a 3851-3546 decision over Koneko Toujou, who won the rest except for Malaysia, won by Karuta Roromiya, who earned a respectable 3328 votes.

Tsumuki Miniwa is the face of Acchi Kocchi, and she throttled Chris, 4224-3821. Sakura Matou was third with 2722 votes. Miniwa won the USA, Latin America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and Korea. Chris was only able to win Canada, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. All Matou was able to win...was Russia.

Another competitor on a hotstreak is the face of Another, Mei Misaki, who overpowered Mayou Hachikuji, 5402-2824. Ai Nanasaki was third with 2330 votes. Misaki won every region except Japan, which was won by Nanasaki. Another one-sided performance came from Kuroyukihime, who won every region except for Russia and Korea en route to a 6361-2485 rout of Mayaka Ibara, who could only win Korea. Yuuko Kanoe, who took Russia, was third with 2039 votes.

Kotoko Aihara of Itazura no Kiss won her exhibition handily, defeated Lovely Complex's Risa Koizumi 3764-1671. Nanami Takahashi was third with 1570 votes. Aihara won every region except RUssia and Eastern Europe, which went to Koizumi, and Africa, won by Takahashi.

Finally, very few expected Akari Akaza to have it tough against Kyouko of Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka, but she worked hard to secure her 4761-4163 victory, winning every region except Latin America,  the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, all won by Kyouko. Fin E Ld Si Laffinty was third with a paltry 1339 votes.

With our semifinal field set, the show goes on in our race for the coveted ISML Tiara. Match Day 9 of the 2012 International Saimoe League Postseason is scheduled for October 23, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.