ISML 2015: Stella In Danger Of Coming Up Empty This Season

ISML 2015: Stella In Danger Of Coming Up Empty This Season
15-1 dark horse Chitoge Kirisaki wins Emerald Necklace, Koyomi Araragi takes Pendant

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
September 18, 2015

Match Day 8 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Emerald Period has concluded, and the Stella Division is in serious danger of being shut out from all of the spoils except for its Division Final prize. Chitoge Kirisaki, listed as a 15-1 dark horse, has won the Emerald Necklace with 6092 votes (26.57%) for a score of 53.550. What is noteworthy about this race is that over 20,000 votes were cast in this final and a similar turnout is tipped for the Topaz Necklace and Pendant Matches. The Topaz Necklace and Pendant Matches have been given a over/under of 20,000 and the over by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue.

Yui Yuigahama and Mashiro Shiina have been placed as the Challengers of Record for the Emerald Necklace, with Yuigahama gaining first preference and tipped to complete a regular season sweep for the Nova Division participants. Yuigahama earned 6,049 votes (26.39%) for a score of 53.470. Shiina is the only possible threat from the Stella for the Topaz necklace. She earned 5,163 votes (22.52%) for a score of 53.257.

Individually, the rest of the field didn't even manage 1,600 votes, let alone 5,000. Azusa Nakano recorded 1,530 votes (6.67%) for a score of 32.932. Inori Yuzuriha earned 1,521 votes (6.63%) for a score of 32.757. This may be an uphill battle for Date A Live this season. Tohka Yatogami earned 1,116 votes (4.87%) for a score of 29.882 while Yoshino earned 1,454 votes (6.34%) for a score of 27.546.

"Well, I was inspired by Kosaki to win another one and stick it to OreGaIru but I am personally throwing my support behind Yui Yuigahama to win the Topaz," Chitoge said at a press conference in Tokyo. "She will win and send Mashiro down to her knees. The Stella Division is old news. We're the new faces.  We're ready to stick it to the old guard and claim the Tiara. There is no turning back.

"I would like to thank Kosaki, Raku, Marika, Seishirou and Ruri for their companionship and support. And to you voters, stick with us: we won't let you down."

Koyomi Araragi, listed by the Bedlam as a 3-1 second choice, secured the Emerald Necklace with a score of 58.628 after winning 5,816 votes (31.18%). BoBA-listed favorite Accelerator now becomes the Challenger of Record and the favorite to win the Topaz Pendant after winning 5,306 votes (28.45%) for a score of 58.204. Should that be the case, it would put Sora in the driver's seat to win the Scepter only for this reason: Kotori Itsuka did not win a single necklace last season but still won the Tiara. Sora earned 2,086 votes (11.18%) for a score of 36.451.

Sorata Kanda might not make the postseason, but he did finish fourth with a score of 33.821 after earning 1,579 votes (8.47%). Gilgamesh has a better chance of making the cut. He earned 1,320 votes (7.08%) for a score of 32.625. Tatsuya Shiba may be on the outside looking in postseason wise and needs to win out in the Topaz. Shiba earned 1,347 votes (7.22%) for a score of 30.718. Seiya Kanie, meanwhile, is safe. However, in the Pendant Match he held up the rear, winning 1,197 votes (6.42%) for a score of 29.156.

"Well, I don't know what you guys want me to say but I'll wing it," said Araragi via phone interview from his house. "I want to thank my voters, my wife Hitagi, Shinobu and Nadeko for their support, and even Tsubasa and Suruga and my wonderful sisters Karen and Tsukihi for their support as well.

"It's a long season, and I am glad I got something out of this. I also would like to thank the voters for getting behind us even though Hitagi, Nadeko and Shinobu are getting killed this season. Your faith is strong, and for this, you have my gratitude. Thank you, voters."

In the qualifier, a match between the past champions of the ISML, it was also a race between the top three historically in the competition. In the end, it was no surprise: Kanade Tachibana won again, defeated Mikoto Misaka 6615-6371. Ruri Gokou was third with a respectable 5788 votes. Kotori Itsuka earned 1597 votes to finish fourth. Mio Akiyama was fifth with 1293 votes, Hinagiku Katsura was sixth with 785 votes and Fate Testarossa was last with 623 votes.

The remaining exhibitions were mostly battles between sibling combos, save for one. In a rare victory for Code Geass over Angel Beats, Lelouch and Nunnally Lamperouge defeated Yuzuru and Hatsune Otonashi 7699-4785. Taishi and Touko Ichimiya prevailed ovver Jun'ichi and Miya Tachibana 4607-4463, Nozomi Kiriya and Tsumiki Miniwa teamed up to defeat Millhiore Firianno Biscotti and Makoto Sawatari 5154-4619, Rito and Mikan Yuuki thrashed 6099-4666 and Tamako and Anko Kitashirakawa obliterated Fu and Itsuki Inubouzaki 6249-3975.

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

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

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

Match Day 1 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Topaz Period is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 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!