ISML 2015: One Longshot To Rule Them All

ISML 2015: One Longshot To Rule Them All
Longshot Kosaki Onodera Wins Amethyst Necklace, Yuzuru Otonashi Wins Pendant

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
July 24, 2015

If you were putting money on Kosaki Onodera (25-1) to win the 2015 International Saimoe League Amethyst Necklace, you were laughing all the way to the bank. With 3478 votes (26.03%), Onodera scored 54.955 to defeat the favored Ayase Aragaki, who finished second with 3145 votes (23.54%) and a necklace score calculation of 53.396. Massive wins in North America, Latin America and Japan powered Onodera to one of the biggest necklace match upsets in history of the competition, according to the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue's odds.

Aragaki will therefore come into the Ruby Period as the favorite by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue to win the Ruby Necklace over Yui Yuigahama, who earned 1700 votes (12.72%) for a score of 39.124. Jibril, who is picking up the pieces after Shiro's ISML campaign collapsed, earned 1373 votes (10.28%) for a score of 36.133. Chiyo Sakura had 1330 votes (9.95%) for a score of 34.402. Illyasviel von Einzbern recorded 1183 votes (8.85%) for a necklace score of 33.544. Yuri Nakamura, left to pick up the pieces with Kanade Tachibana's retirement from ISML play, recorded 1152 votes (8.62%) for a score calculation of 32.613.

"Anything is possible in a parity-driven competition like the ISML," said Onodera, flanked by sister Haru, Chitoge Kirisaki, Marika Tachibana and Raku Ichijou. "I can go into the rest of the competition knowing that I have a chance to go far and maybe win the Tiara. I thank our supporters for all they've done and I hope they support us all the way this year. We have great fans and more people need to get behind this tournament, especially with 2channel's tournament no longer around.

"The world wants us to compete. That's why we're here."

"I think there is a chance that I can win the Ruby next year but I see Jibril and Yuigahama as major obstacles to my plans," Aragaki said in her press conference. "However, they do not compete in the same division as I do. On the other hand, despirte being in the same division, it doesn't guarantee that I will have an advantage, as Kosaki proved in her odds-defining victory. So congratulations to Kosaki, but the next necklace is mine, God willing."

Yuzuru Otonashi, the husband of Kanade Tachibana and essentially the male version in terms of voter leverage, won the Amethyst Pendant with 3368 votes (29.06%) and a necklace score calculation of 59.682. Sora remains the challenger on record yet to win a pendant and will be tabbed as the favorite to win the Ruby Pendant after recording 1812 votes (15.63%) and a score calculation of 47.066. Gintoki Sakata secured 1729 votes and will be Sora's primary challenger for the Ruby with a score calculation of 40.177.

Accelerator had 1396 votes (12.04%) for a score of 39.742. Touma Kamijou had 906 votes (7.82%) but still finish fifth in the calculation with a score of 39.302. Izayoi Sakamaki had 1220 votes (10.53%) for a score of 38.310 and Archer earned 1160 votes (10.01%) for a score of 35.540.

"I didn't want to let Kanade down, especially with her not taking part in this tournament," Yuzuru said at the press conference, flanked by a happy, teary-eyed Kanade who he was petting. "I gained her wings and I flew to victory and I dedicate this win to her to show that I can also be dominant like she was when she took part. She passed the torch to me and I will carry it to the end."

In what was a day full of upsets, another one took place in the qualifier. Holo, a character that has not had a fine return to the competition, earned a consolation by finishing first with 1859 votes, beating out Yui Hirasawa with 1857 votes in the closest race of the round. Kaori Miyazono was third with 1792 votes, Nico Yazawa was fourth with 1755 votes as Love Live's slump in ISML play continued, Origami Tobiichi was fifth with 1692 votes, Charlotte Dunois was sixth with 1626 votes, and Yaya held up the rear with 1513 votes in another insipid display for Machine Doll.

In other exhibition action, Mystogan and Wendy Marvell hammered Junichi Asakura and Sakura Yoshino 3260-1991, Hanzou Urushihara and Shinichi Izumi crushed Kojou Akatsuki and Kaname Kura 2975-2181, Tomoya Okazaki and Youhei Sunohara battered Ryuuju Takasu and Yuusaki Kitamura 3127-2495, Soushi MIketsukami and Ririchiyo Shirakiin routed Oz Vessalius and Alice 3187-1530, and Touhou's signature partnership of Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame prevailed over Kagami Hiiragi and Konata Izumi 2994-2600.

TOP 16, Nova Division
1. Yukino Yukinoshita (AQ)
2, Kosaki Onodera (AM)
3. Chiyo Sakura
4. Yui Yuigahama
5. Jibril
6. Kurumi Tokisaki
7. Shiro
8. Yoshino
9. Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi
10. Isuzu Sento
11. Kurousagi
12. Chitoge Kirisaki
13. Marika Tachibana
14. Shino Asada
15. Touka Yatogami
16. Stephanie Dola

TOP 16, Stella Division
1. Ayase Aragaki
2. Mashiro Shiina
3. Yuri Nakamura
4. Rin Tohsaka
5. Asuna Yuuki
6. Eru Chitanda
7. Kotori Itsuka (C)
8. Illyasviel von Einzbern
9. Kuroyukihime
10. Kurisu Makise
11. Eucliwood Hellscythe
12. Saber
13. Nanami Aoyama
14. Rikka Takanashi
15. Yui-nyan
16. Taiga Aisaka

TOP 16, Male Division
1. Sora
2. Hachiman Hikigaya (AQ)
3. Archer
4. Yuzuru Otonashi (AM)
5. Touma Kamijou
6. Gintoki Sakata
7. Accelerator
8. Izayoi Sakamaki
9. Emiya Kiritsugu
10. Koyomi Araragi
11. Seiya Kanie
12. Keima Katsuragi
13. Edward Elric
14. Ryuuji Takasu
15. Tomoya Okazaki
16. Gilgamesh

Match Day 1 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2015. Vote for your favorites at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And keep it right here on The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the International Saimoe League, the world's premier anime character competition!