ISML 2013: Kanade has done it again!

ISML 2013: Kanade has done it again!
Tachibana defends Necklace, Ayase Aragaki takes Bracelet

By JR Salazar
May 3, 2013

There were no surprises in the 2013 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Necklace Match on Match Day 8 of the 2013 ISML Aquamarine Necklace Period. Kanade Tachibana, the defending champion, came into the match as a prohibitive favorite and took home top honors, winning 3,052 votes and a necklace score calculation of 66.546 to defend her Aquamarine Necklace.

"What a night for myself, my husband Yuzuru, my son Kazero, and all my friends here and around the world," Tachibana said at a press conference in Tokyo. "I don't think my Tiara defense is going to be a walk in the park, but I am pretty confident that at the very least, I'm hanging on to this necklace.

"To all the voters who supported me, we're just getting started. My goal is to make history and be the very first two-time International Saimoe League Champion. My detractors may say it's a tall, impossible task, but I say right back, when the going gets tough, the tough Hand Sonic their way to the Promised Land. Actually, I made that myself. You can quote me on that. This is an immense honor, and our team is ready to keep the momentum going.

"Fasten your seatbelts, we have not yet begun to Saimoe now."

Mashiro Shiina's stock is on the upswing. She won 1,471 votes to finish with a calculation of 47.151. Shiina applauded Tachibana's victory but did issue a warning.

"I don't think anyone was going to be surprised by that result," Shiina said at her press conference at Suimei University of the Arts. "However, I will issue a warning to Ruri [Gokou], who holds the Amethyst: I'm coming for you, and I'm ripping that necklace from you neck this month. You've warned, little kitty. You've been warned."

"You have to forgive my fiancee, she is fired up for these moments, as you can see," said an embarrased Sorata Kanda, the significant other of Shiina.

As for Gokou, she didn't do particularly well: she earned 1194 votes for a calculation of 39.323 and fifth place.

"Mashiro's a pretty tough cookie, and so is Kuroyukihime," Gokou said at her press conference outside Tokyo Big Sight. "But I am not going to give up my Amethyst easily. They will have to battle for it, and I am confident, with Kyousuke-nii-chan as my witness, that I will prevail."

Kuroyukihime was third with a calculation of 40.573 after earning just 1,051 votes. Stuck in the past for the duration of the ISML with her future husband Haruyuki Arita, the woman the gaming world calls Black Lotus was contest with the proceedings.

"No, I'm quite happy with how the results turned out and I think this is a good thing," Kuroyukihime said at the press conference, holding the gaming form of Arita-a round plushy pig-like a rugby ball. "I'm holding the source of my motivation with me. My pride and joy, Haruyuki-kun. I am very confident that I can win a necklace later on, but if not, I do expect to be in the Top 16 by the time the regular season ends."

Kobato Hasegawa was fourth, with a calculation of 40.455 after winning just 808 votes.

"I don't think I am going to win a necklace this year," Hasegawa said, in tears. "The other guys are just too good. I'm just hoping to make the cut for the postseason. I'm devastated by these results. Really devastated."

Taiga Aisaka was sixth, with a calculation of 38.343 after winning 1,387 votes.

"I've won the Topaz before and I think it's a great opportunity for me to reclaim that necklace again," Aisaka said at a press conference in Osaka, her husband Ryuji Takasu by her side. "I bring a lot of experience, and plenty of leverage in terms of fan support. Of course, that's later this year, and I might win one of the other ones instead, but I think I have what it takes to win a necklace this year.

"If there ever was an ISML Hall of Fame, I want to be in on the first ballot, but it's up to the event organizers to create something like that. Anyway, I'm ready to win back the Topaz because that's my calling card in terms of jewelry. This result for the Aquamarine was pretty much as planned. Kanade's a winner, a champion, and deserving of her necklace defense."

Holding up the rear was Kirino Kousaka, who earned 27.522 after managing just 516 votes.

"I guess I'm not moe enough to win the hearts of the voters," Kirino said with a shrug at her press conference at Tokyo Big Sight. "I don't think I had much of a chance but I would loved to at least earned a thousand votes. At least Ruri and Ayase did their part, so good for them, I guess."

Indeed, Ayase Aragaki won the Aquamarine Bracelet, winning 2,195 votes. In a further surprise, Homura Akemi was second with 1,362 votes. Yui Kotegawa was third with 1,266 votes, Nymph was fourth with 1,237 votes, Ui Hirasawa was fifth with 1,208 votes, Subaru Konoe was sixth with 1,165 votes and Rea Sanka was last with 995 votes.

"This is a big win for me because not only did I win something from this period, my Memphis Grizzlies are defeating the Los Angeles Clippers," Aragaki said in a interview from an izakaya in Tokyo. "Now, Nanami [Aoyama] is a huge fan of the Clippers, so, she's gotta be feeling really bad about this, but that's sports for you. These types of victories just give you a good feeling."

Four other exhibitions took place on Thursday. In the first exhibition, Neko Defeated Tsubasa Hanekawa, 1711-1506. Fate Testarossa was third with 1412 votes, Sakura Kinomoto was fourth with 1326 votes, Irisviel won Einzbern was fifth with 1274 votes, Mei Sunohara was sixth with 1155 votes and Kyon no Imouto was last with 824 votes.

In the second exhibition, Hanbee Takenaka defeated Kyouko Toshino 1916-1544. Mami Tomoe was third with 1534 votes, Iori Nagase was fourth with 1262 votes, Misuzu Kamio was fifth with  1030 votes, Yuuki Katagiri was sixth with 941 votes and Mio Sonozaki was last with 705 votes.

Wrapping up the exhibitions, Kanna Makino lynched Tsurugi Yagami 4545-2812 and Amy defeated Izumiko Suzuhara 3605-3234.

Match Day 1 of the 2013 International Saimoe League Amethyst Necklace Period is scheduled for Sunday, May 12, 2013. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. Also, keep it right here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the world's premier character competition...the International Saimoe League!

TOP 16, Nova Division

1. Kobato Hasegawa

2. Mashiro Shiina

3. Kuroyukihime

4. Asuna Yuuki

5. Rikka Takanashi

6. Eru Chitanda

7. Sena Kashiwazaki

8. Nanami Aoyama

9. Inori Yuzuriha

10. Shinka Nibutani

11. Kurisu Makise

12. Yui

13. Nyarlathotep

14. Momo Beila Deviluke

15. Karuta Roromiya

16. Yozora Mikazuki

TOP 16, Stella Division

1. Kanade Tachibana (C) (AQ)

2. Ruri Gokou

3. Taiga Aisaka

4. Kirino Kousaka

5. Mikoto Misaka

6. Mio Akiyama

7. Eucliwood Hellscythe

8. Azusa Nakano

9. Yuri Nakamura

10. Haruhi Suzumiya

11. Saber

12. Shana

13. Yui-nyan

14. Ayase Aragaki

15. Yuki Nagato

16. Yui Hirasawa