ISML 2012: Kanade and Ruri to the Semis

ISML 2012: Kanade and Ruri to the Semis

By JR Salazar
October 19, 2012

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is apparently losing its relevance, as a couple of its heavyweights went down to defeat in Match Day 7 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason. Meanwhile, Kanade Tachibana has positioned herself as the competitor to beat in the race for the Tiara.

Tachibana won ever region en route to a 7,851-2,362 slicing and dicing of Yuri Nakamura. Ruri Gokou rolled to a 6,133-4,361 win over Yuki Nagato. Gokou scored victories in the U.S.A., Japan, Chiba, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Western Europe, Africa, Latin America, Korea, and the Middle East and South Asia. Nagaton won Indonesia, Canada, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

A very divisive race between Saber and Haruhi Suzumiya saw the face of Fate/Stay Night prevail, 5,270-4,970. Saber was paced by victories in Canada, China, Korea, all of Southeast Asia except the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Haruhi, meanwhile, took the States, Latin America, all of Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Meanwhile, it was very one-sided for Azusa Nakano, who won every region except Korea and the United States en route to a  6,043-4,176 victory over Kirino Kousaka.

Six other exhibitions took place. Karen Araragi, riding on the Bakemonogatari ticket, cruised toa 4,420-2,920 victory over Miu Takanashi. Charlotte Orleans was third with 2,454 votes. Araragi won every region except Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, which were won by Takanashi.

Ririchiyo Shirakiin, who fought well in her Round 3 defeat to Kuro Matsumi in the 2012 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament, has the support of the world in her 4,761-2,819 win over Tsubasa Hanekawa. Henrietta de Tristain was third with 2,221 votes. Shirakiin won ever region with the exception of Eastern Europe and Russia, won by Hanekawa. An opponent that Shirakiin defeated in the AST, Eru Chitanda, also has the support of the world, crushing Nyarlathotep, 5,275-3,427. Eru won every region on the map except Japan, which was taken by Nyaruko.

The exhibition between Rea Sanka, Yuki Yoshida and Toki Onjouji was a clear example of the differences between the Anime Saimoe Tournament and the ISML. As a general rule, most shows that dominate in 2channel are dominated in return in ISML. And notable characters that are outvoted in 2channel are more likely to earn votes worldwide. Sanka, who is a longshot to qualify for the Regular Season next year, won this one, earning 4,408 votes. Yoshida was second with 3,704 votes, while Onjouji was third with 1,718 votes. Even though Onjouji is the favorite to win 2channel, she is not even popular in her own region, which was won by Yoshida. Yoshida also won Korea, Canada, the U.S.A. and Latin America. Sanka, however, scored big wins in the other regions. It will be interesting to see how this zombie matches up next season in the preliminaries.

Utena Tenjou, who will not be seeing any action in the regular season or the preliminaries any time soon, defeated Fuu 2,506-1,831. Nadja Applefield was third with 1,257 votes. Tenjou earned victories in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Africa, Australia, New Zeland and Papua New Guinea. Fuu won the other regions up for grabs.

Finally, 2ch AST participant Mayu Morita may be an even bigger longshot to be in next year's ISML regular season, but she defeated Nono Nekomiya 2,898-2,136. Kana Hagino was third with 1,692 votes. Morita won ever region except Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, won by Nekomiya.

Match Day 8 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for October 20, 2012. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.