"'All-World Madokrew' not taking any prisoners": Akemi

"'All-World Madokrew' not taking any prisoners": Akemi
Kyouko Sakura impales Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi to advance to 2channel AST semis

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
November 15, 2013

The Devilish Advocate of many names, Homura Akemi, has a personal name for the voters on 2channel that support the cause of the Puella Magi: the Madokrew. They were at it again on Friday in Japan, giving Kyouko Sakura a decisive 182-86 victory over Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Anime Saimoe Tournament.

"Our Madokrew is All-World when it comes to getting the job done," Akemi said from her quarters in Mitakihara Town, Japan via teleconference. "They know what they like in a winner, and soon, they will have to make a choice on who among my partners will earn the Saimoe Prime Minister's Office. You already know who I'm tapping, I don't need to tell you, but it's up to our loyal voters to either affirm my decision or go in a different direction.

"When the first hour begins, expect my one-and-only to get separation early and build on it from there." - Homura Akemi

"I don't see Watashi or Toshinou Kyouko as a legit threat to the big picture but that does not mean either of them should be sold short. If all goes according to plan, the winner of that contest is the one piece of resistance left, and we'll look to consign that person to 3rd or 4th place. I am pretty confident that Madoka, who is my pick to win it all, will do her part of the bargain and send Ruri Gokou home packing.

"And it's unfortunate for Gokou, because she earned her way to this point in the race, and she would be deserving of earning a mythical Saimoe double, but she is hitting a big brick wall in a few hours. When the first hour begins, expect my one-and-only to get separation early and build on it from there. Deep down inside, I am looking for a good race, but if our corps of voters has their way, well...that's how this tournament goes."

"The last time I was in the quarterfinals, I was facing Sayaka-chan," Kaname recalled in an interview via phone at the Kaname family residence. "I defeated her, but I had to face Mami-san afterwards. If you ask me, I'd rather face Sayaka-chan in the final, but I don't want to think about that right now. I have a black cat to skin."

"I think Madoka is gonna be all right," Sakura said, munching on her 11th box of Pocky in a week. "Some people are hoping that Kuroneko is going to pull out a miracle, but are you kidding me? What, with everything that is going on right now with the tournament and the way we've been bossing this, it's Madoka's match to lose. All the voters need to do is vote for her.

"Look, we have never had a Saimoe double winner since 2010. Mio [Akiyama] won the ISML and Anizone Best Moe, and the year before that, Taiga [Aisaka] was tops in Japan and Korea. Those are the two moments that I recall where someone got the double. Don't get me wrong, Ruri's got her charms and I wouldn't mind spending some time with her to get to know her better, but 1. she belongs to Kyousuke Kousaka's harem of girls, and 2. she's facing us again.

"We beat her before, we're going to do it again. Just watch us. It will not even be close."

Mami Tomoe is a previous winner of this tournament and served her Saimoe Prime Minister term over a year ago. Tomoe was optomistic about Kaname's chances of winning.

"Kaname-san had the most votes of all the winners in the Round of 16 and it should be more of the same," Tomoe said via phone interview. "She isn't someone that will be too confident. She's a realist, she's very humble in what she does and her purity and big heart are the types of qualities that have made her popular with the people who vote in these races.

"Kaname-san doesn't make any of this up. It's not artificial, what she does. It's genuine. It's real. She means what she does. She wasn't raised in the Catholic or Anglican faiths, but she embraces the ideals of people who are charitable throughout the course of history. Most of all, she's rediscovered the joy of being alive again and being with those that she loves so much, including Akemi-san. She realizes that helping people face-to-face and reaching out to people in need is a calling she can answer to.

"...her purity and big heart are the types of qualities that have made her popular with the people who vote in these races..." - Mami Tomoe on Madoka Kaname

"She doesn't take part in this contest for the fame or for the responsibilities that come from being a winner. She does it because she believes in making a difference in people's lives and helping them use the power of hope to transform desperation into determination, confidence, perseverance and ultimately, success. For Kaname-san, their happiness is her happiness, and that message and belief is the main reason why the voters have been supporting her this year."

Tsutsukakushi expected the result, but was optomistic about her next steps.

"Me and Azusa had a good run," Tsutsukakushi said at a press conference at Yoto Yokodera's house in Tokyo. "We're not going to fret over this because we knew we were up against it this year against the magical girls. ISML will be a different story. I expect to be in the regular season next year but it's up to the voters. If I qualify, I think I will do well at that tournament."