ISML 2013: Asuna Yuuki takes the Ruby
Yuuki wins necklace, Momo beila Deviluke wins Medallion
By JR Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
June 28, 2013
Despite losing the Necklace Match to Mikoto Misaka 2059-1874, Asuna Yuuki's superior strength of schedule was enough to give her the Ruby Necklace. At a press conference at RECTO Progress HQ in Tokyo, there were hugs, cheers, and plenty of libations around. Asuna elected not to drink, as did her fiancee, Kazuto Kirigaya. They were addressing the public at a special press conference in the morning.
"Finally," Asuna said, "I have arrived. For me, if you're going to win a necklace like this, you need to have put on a strong performance against a former winner, and Mikoto is that type of person. I don't know if I can pull off a similar result if we face each other again, but she deserved to win the Necklace Match itself.
"However, it's the entire campaign that holds more weight and over the course of my run, I strung together solid performances against worthy opponents from my division. So this was a comprehensive campaign and a comprehensive performance. I have a lot of people to thank, including my soon-to-be-husband Kazuto, his sister and my future sister-in-law Suguha, and my good friends Rika [Shinozaki, a.k.a. Lisbeth] and Keiko [Ayano, a.k.a. Silica]. We're all in this together, and we want to salute you, the voters, for your belief in us. Thank you all so very much!"
"I think Asuna deserves this necklace," said Misaka, who earned a calculation of 48.954. Yuuki's calculation was 57.881. "I already won it before, and to win it again would not be in the best interests of this competition. I've won it all before, so I can be introspective from this point forward. I congratulate Asuna on her victory and look forward to more matches against the best from the Nova."
Mio Akiyama, who the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue tabbed as the favorite by way of her SDO heading into the Necklace Match, was a bust. She only earned 1020 votes and never stood much of a chance, earning just a 43.830 Necklace Score Calculation.
"I don't think this is going to be our year; we've flown the flag for this competition for a pretty long time," Akiyama said at a press conference at Japan Women's University. "I think the voters have decided that the new blood should get the ascendancy this time around."
One of those new-blood characters that could contend for the Emerald Necklace is Rikka Takanashi, who earned a Necklace Score Calculation of 39.569 while gaining 1077 votes.
"Only the strongest deserve a necklace, and I don't think it's going to be my time yet," Takanashi said in a interview in Tokyo, surrounded by Yuto Togashi and Shinka Nibutani. "However, I'm keeping the faith and I am confident I will get Mashiro's number in the next period."
Indeed, Mashiro Shiina might actually be the next character to win a necklace. Despite a 37.987 score and just 1106 votes, Shiina placed third in the Necklace Match and has an opportunity to deliver in the Emerald.
"I understand that Eucliwood is going to defend tooth and nail for her necklace but she has to realize that a lot of us think she's old news," Shiina said, throwing the first chip at the defending Emerald holder. "I'm going to finally get it right and win it for Suimei. This is far from over."
Taiga Aisaka's window to a necklace may be dwindling before her eyes. She earned a score of 29.927 after earning just 997 votes. "I don't care winning anything at this point because everything now is just a bonus," Aisaka said at her press conference in Tokyo. "But I will continue to give my competition a stern challenge."
Kuroyukihime rounds out the pack with a score of 29.348 after earning just 718 votes. "I won't sneak up on anyone this time around," Hime said at Umesato Middle School in Tokyo. "I hope to be in the next two necklace matches because I feel that I have the gift."
Momo Beila Deviluke has done something that neither Konjiki no Yami or Mikan Yuuki has done: win a prize in the ISML. Deviluke, a younger sister of Lala Satalin, won the Ruby Medallion after securing 1667 votes. Nyarlathotep earned 1433 votes, Nagisa Furukawa was second with 1312 votes, C.C. had 1250 votes, Meiko Honama had 1125 votes, Karuta Roromiya had 997 votes and Illyasviel von Einzbern was last with 936 votes.
"I consider Yui Hirasawa to be one of my soulmates because I like her music and her personality," Deviluke said in an interview in Osaka. "She gave me some good advice on how to be relevant and successful in this competition, and I have to say, it has paid off. So, thank you Yui-chan, and thank you to my voters for giving me this wonderful medalltion."
A few other exhibitions were taking place. In another of the group exhibitions, Yuno Gasai, a former contestant in the ISML, was first with 2094 votes. Tenri Ayukawa was second with 1746 votes, Kyouko Sakura has 1405 votes, Ayu Tsukimiya won 879 votes, Ayumu Nishizawa earned 801 votes, Anya Alstreim earned 780 votes and Hayate Yagami was last with 716 votes.
Tsumiki Miniwa is one of the more underrated characters in all of moe and is likely to surprise a lot of faces at this year's 2channel AST. She was first in her group exhibition with 1815 votes. Riko Mine was second with 1378 votes, Madoka Kaname was third with 1308 votes, Komari Kamikita was fourth with 1191 votes, Sakura of Tsubasa Chronicle was fifth with 1008 votes, Shinku was sixth with 971 votes and Rena Ryuuguu held up the rear with 758 votes.
Wrapping up Ruby action, Cthugha torced Chiho Sasaki 4252-3401 and Himari Nohara slashed past Noir Vinocacao 4408-2264.
Match Day 1 of the 2013 International Saimoe League Emerald Necklace Period is scheduled for Sunday, July 7, 2013. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And keep it right here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the world's premier anime character competition...the International Saimoe League!
TOP 16, Nova Division
1. Mashiro Shiina
2. Kuroyukihime
3. Rikka Takanashi
4. Asuna Yuuki (RUB)
5. Kobato Hasegawa
6. Sena Kashiwazaki
7. Nanami Aoyama
8. Inori Yururiha
9. Shinka Nibutani
10. Eru Chitanda
11. Yui
12. Nyarlathotep
13. Yozora Mikazuki
14. Ririchiyo Shirakiin
15. Touka Takanashi
16. Kurisu Makise
TOP 16, Stella Division
1. Ruri Gokou (AM)
2. Kanade Tachibana (C) (AQ)
3. Mikoto Misaka
4. Eucliwood Hellscythe
5. Taiga Aisaka
6. Mio Akiyama
7. Azusa Nakano
8. Kirino Kousaka
9. Shana
10. Ayase Aragaki
11. Yuri Nakamura
12. Yuki Nagato
13. Yui-nyan
14. Saber
15. Yui Hirasawa
16. Haruhi Suzumiya
