ISML 2014: Chase for the next few spots narrows down
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
March 5, 2014
Match Day 10 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Preliminaries took place, with the usual suspects prevailing in the Nova Division. In Nova Group 1, Chocolat was a big winner (3047 votes), beating out Kyouko Sakura (2005 votes) and Kouko Kaga (1596 votes). Eru Chitanda (3693 votes) is hoping for a promotion to Stella rank after coming out on top over Noire (1821 votes) and Maki Nishikino (1134 votes). Mikan Yuuki (3308 votes) is hoping that this will be the year she finally goes through after defeating Yui Yuigahama (1815 votes) and Ai Astin (1554 votes), but it will not be easy.
Karuta Roromiya (2888 votes) won her Group 2 match with victories over Ouka Yuuouji (2306 votes) and Komari Koshigaya (1277 votes). Charlotte Belew (2686 votes) also was victorious with wins over Tamako Kitashirakawa (1943 votes) and You Kasukabe (1848 votes). The prohibitive favorite to win the Group, however, is Touka Yatogami, winning 4078 votes to defeat Manaka Mukaidou (1477 votes) and Celestia Ludenberg (1119 votes).
Renge Miyauchi was victorious in Nova Group 3, beating out Ai Shindou (2189 votes) and Himeko Inaba (1802 votes). Mei Misaki (2457 votes) was another big winner, defeating Ai Fuyuumi (2018 votes) and Neptune (2007 votes). Kurousagi (3490 votes) remains the favorite to win the group after defeating Natsume Tsuchimikado (1719 votes) and Gou Matsuoka (1094 votes).
Nova Group 4 may be a wide open race. Yukino Yukinoshita (3346 votes) is a slight favorite to win the group after wins over Yuno Gasai (1766 votes) and Karen Kujou (1416 votes). Ririchiyo Shirakiin (2531 votes) is hoping to get promoted after defeating Noumi Kudryvaka (2418 votes) and Sayaka Miki (1344 votes). Sanae Dekomori may be the dark horse in this group, winning 2925 votes to defeat Nepgear (2001 votes) and Asuka Kudou (1707 votes).
Akatsuki won her Nova Group 5 match, defeating Madoka Kaname (2210 votes) and Hotaru Ichijou (1539 votes). Momo Velia Deviluke (2575 votes) also came out a winner, defeating Yuiko Kurugaya (1970 votes) and Myucel Foaran (1707 votes). However, both Akatsuki and Deviluke are most likely going to be chasing Touka Takanashi, who won 2999 votes to defeat Furano Yukihira (2332 votes) and Iona (1226 votes).
Suguha Kirigaya (3143 votes) is the favorite in Nova Group 6 and moved one step closer to promotion with victories over Laura Bodewig (2389 votes) and Takao (1026 votes). Other winners included Misaki Shokuhou (2667 votes) over Cthugha (2595 votes) and Komari Kamikita (1392 votes), and Shiori Shiomiya (2951 votes) over Leticia Draculair (2316 votes) and Tomoko Kuroki (1323 votes).
Hoping to join the Date A Live crew in the main draw along with Yatogami is Origami Tobiiichi (3364 votes), who defeated Kyouko Kirigiri (1992 votes) and Ryuuko Matoi (1156 votes) in Nova Group 7. Nyarlathotep (2917 votes) remains Tobiichi's main challenger after defeating Frenda Seivelun (1943 votes) and Masuzu Natsukawa (1708 votes). Mitsuki Nase (2531 votes) may be on the outside looking in but is looking sharp after defeating Yukina Himeragi (2083 votes) and Suzuka Dairenji (1612 votes).
Yui of Sword Art Online (3196 votes) scored big victories over Emi Yusa (2190 votes) and Kazusa Touma (1135 votes) in Nova Group 8. That isn't good news for Haqua du Lot Herminium (2694 votes), who wasn't as impressive in her wins over Frey (1971 votes) and Chisaki Hiradaira (1714 votes). Rin Natsume (2624 votes) could also be consigned to having to qualify through Phase III after defeating Mikasa Ackerman (2154 votes) and Morgiana (1751 votes).
Match Day 11 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Preliminaries is scheduled for Mar. 6, 2014. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
