ISML 2015: Final necklace and pendant fields set as Itsuka bids farewell
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
October 12, 2015
Match Day 7 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Topaz Period concluded, and the field for the Topaz Necklace and Pendant Matches are determined. In the Nova Division, Akame defeated Yaya 3038-2716, Nico Yazawa buried Terminus Est 3802-3271, Mirai Kuriyama scorched Eli Ayase 3408-2471, Yuuki Konno demolished Kotori Minami 4325-2882, Maki Nishikino ran right past Isuzu Sento 3972-3229 and Chitoge Kirisaki eased past Tohka Yatogami 3919-3232.
Latifa Fleuranza whipped past Origami Tobiichi 3956-3571, Satone Shichimiya closed off a dismal first year with a 2933-2835 win over Tina Sprout, Misaki Shokuhou rolled past Enju Aihara3 936-3215, Marika Tachibana stormed past Azusa Azuki 3206-2647, Yoshino routed Yui Yuigahama 4068-3451 and Chiyo Sakura upended Yukino Yukinoshita 3813-3676.
Wrapping up Nova play, Jibril won a 3032-2962 thriller over Kosaki Onodera, Shino Asada routed Stephanie Dola 4031-3168, Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Kurousagi 3146-2692, Kaori Miyazono defeated Yukina Himeragi 3254-2549, Shiro slammed Kurumi Tokisaki 4350-3072 and Umi Sonoda dominated Miyuki Shiba 3413-2459.
In the Stella Division, Eru Chitanda defeated Rin Tohsaka 3899-3546, C.C. rolled past Konjiki no Yami 3916-3265, Nadeko Sengoku prevailed over Haruhi Suzumiya 3016-2826, Holo chomped up Hitagi Senjougahara 3963-3256, Shinka Nibutani routed Kobato Hasegawa 4103-3151 and Yuri Nakamura shot down Kirino Kousaka 4920-2306.
Taiga Aisaka roared past Ayase Aragaki 4094-3256, Azusa Nakano won the closest race of the round on the women's side: a 3006-2940 nailbiter over Rikka Takanashi, Illyasviel von Einzbern prevailed over defending champion Kotori Itsuka 3077-2975, Nanami Aoyama blew apart Eucliwood Hellscythe 4176-3129, Yui-nyan rocked Inori Yuzuriha 3194-2828 and Shinobu Oshino defeated Yui Hirasawa 3039-2856.
Wrapping up Stella play, Kuroyukihime flew past Shana 4902-2396, Momo Velia Deviluke throttled Charlotte Dunois 3962-3172, Yuki Nagato defeated Sena Kashiwazaki 3034-2737, Kurisu Makise leveled Saber 4083-3282, Nyarlathotep overpowered Mikan Yuuki 4106-3081 and Asuna Yuuki slashed past Mashiro Shiina 4015-3407.
In the Male Division, Shizuo Heiwajima defeated Shidou Itsuka 3261-3114, Raku Ichijou whipped past Izaya Orihara 3346-2931, Umetarou Nozaki cruised past Levi 3353-2878, Ayumu Aikawa routed L Lawliet 3599-2624, Ryuunosuke Akasaka won the closest race of the round overall: a 3058-3056 barnburner over Yato and Accelerator accelerated past Koyomi Araragi 4103-3107.
Yuuta Togashi prevailed over Kiritsugu Emiya 3236-3145, Edward Elric eased past Touma Kamijou 3250-3032, Ryuuji Takasu roared past Gintoki Sakata 3228-3203, Archer dominated Izayoi Sakamaki 3444-2879, Sadao Maou roasted Rentarou Satomi 3456-2753 and Yuzuru Otonashi gunned down Kyon 3663-2835.
Wrapping up Male Division play, Keima Katsuragi defeated Gilgamesh 3238-3022, Ken Kaneki finished a sorry campaign on a winning note with a 3543-3435 scalp of Mikoto Mikoshiba, Tomoya Okazaki won a 3192-3185 grinder over Rintarou Okabe, Shirou Emiya defeated Tatsuya Shiba 3324-2981, Seiya Kanie rolled past Sorata Kanda 3242-3074 and Sora slammed Hachiman Hikigaya 3561-2962 in the biggest-ever victory of his campaign.
In special exhibition play, Ayumi Otosaka routed Poplar Taneshima 3970-2803 and Lala Satalin Deviluke delivered the Upset of the Round: a 3369-3043 victory over Yuki Takeya. Per ISML law, Itsuka exits the competition permanently despite finishing seventh in the Stella Division and was seen in tears hugging Yatogami, Yoshino and Tobiichi to a standing ovation at the press conference in Tokyo. Aisaka will replace her in the postseason.
"Illyaviel had called me earlier today and told me that she defeated me with a heavy heart and she apologized for it," said Itsuka, brushing aside tears. "I told her, what do you have to be sorry for? These were the best two years I've had being a full-time participant in this tournament. Really, I was only playing for fun in the Stella, while others are hoping to win the Tiara that gives them immortality. I really wished I could have taken part more years in this tournament like so many have. But once I have won the richest prize in competitions like this, I don't have anything else to prove.
"I want to thank everyone for their support they have given me throughout my time in this competition. If there was one thing I did regret, it's not having the option of more seasons to take part in this International Saimoe League, because this is truly the world's premier anime character competition. To everyone else, good luck and I'll be on all your sides the rest of the way. Take care, I love you all. Thank you."
A special preview of the Topaz Period Necklace and Pendant Matches will be posted later this week. Match Day 8 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Topaz Period is scheduled for October 15, 2015. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.