ISML 2012: Usual suspects progress in Tiara race

ISML 2012: Usual suspects progress in Tiara race

By JR Salazar
October 15, 2012

The 2012 International Saimoe League season began wrapping up with Day 5 of the postseason, and the first part of the Tiara Round of 16. As expected, the usual suspects progressed to the quarterfinals.

Yuri Nakamura shot down Saber 5,127-4,128. Saber dominated Thailand, mainland China, Japan and Russia, but the rest of the world was all Yuri's. It was a bit more one-sided for her compatriot, Kanade Tachibana, a bona fide favorite to win the Tiara this autumn. She sliced and diced Haruhi Suzumiya 6,223-3,095. The only precinct Haruhi was able to win was Japan, and that was it.

In a closer contest, Ruri Gokou, the Kuroneko, prevailed over Azusa Nakano 4,901-4,305. Gokou was solid in the U.S.A., mainland China, Russia, Korea, Thailand and Europe. Nakano won Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, the rest of Southeast Asia, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. It was a more straightforward result for Yuki Nagato, who dominated Kirino Kousaka 5,166-3,866. Nagato won every region with the exception of the Middle East and South Asia, and Korea.

Six other group exhibitions took place. Karuta Roromiya did not have a very good outing at the 2channel Anime Saimout Tournament, but her 4,556-2,609 victory over Tiffania Westwood might give her a second chance at life as an ISML contender. Atsumi Miyagawa was a distant third with 956. Sakura Matou, a longtime moe power for Fate/Stay Night, took out Medaka Kurokami rather easily, 4,695-2,644. Fujiko Mine was dead last, garnering a paltry 615 voted.

Ai Nanasaki may not be someone ISML fans will count on to deal damage in the preliminaries, but she did win the closest race of the night, a 2,876-2,817 thriller over Yassan. Yomi Takanashi was not too far behind, gaining a respectable 2,391 votes.

Riding on the Shana ticket, Leanan-Sidhe is not a name that will be regarded as a relevant power in the ISML next year, but she was impressive in her 3,578-1,981 victory over Colette Brunel. Saya Otonashi was third with 1,314 votes.

In what was touted as the premier match of the exhibitions of Tiara 5, it turned out to be nothing more than a farce. Kuroyukihime, who went down fighting in Japan and Korea against two ISML vets in Shana and Hitagi Senjougahara, respectively, won the respect of the ISML voters and cemented her place as a lock to be at next year's ISML with a 6,63-2,127 annihilation of Cthugha. This was the most lopsided of all the exhibitions in that every region voted for Kuroyukihime. Melona never put up a fight, winning just 389 votes.

Ryuuko Mifune is a name that might not have as much leverage as a certain Erio Touwa, but her 4,142-1,521 rout over Maria Osawa is indicative of her relative strength in moe circles, as she also won every region. Tsugumi Aoba was last with 1,508 votes.

Match Day 6 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.