ISML 2017: Asuna Yuuki Wins Topaz Necklace

ISML 2017: Asuna Yuuki Wins Topaz Necklace
Hachiman Hikigaya Continues Form, Wins Topaz Pendant

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
July 6, 2017

Match Day 17 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Topaz Period is in the books and Asuna Yuuki, listed as the second choice in the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue's odds, won the Topaz Necklace with 2309 votes, beating Mashiro Shiina, who won 1709 votes. In third place was Megumi Katou with 896 votes. Saber was fourth with 736 votes. Kurumi Tokisaki came in a respectable fifth with 589 votes, Megumi was sixth with 436, Rin Tosaka came in a disappointing seventh with 267 votes and Nao Tomori was last with 202 votes.

An overwhelming favorite, Hachiman Hikigaya's form proved to be decisive as he defeated Archer 1508-1300 to win the Topaz Pendant. Nagisa Shiota, the surprise package of the Male Division, was third with 1016 votes. Gintoki Sakata was fourth with 802 votes, Saitama was fifth with 671, Taki Tachibana was sixth with 586, Kiritsugu Emiya came in serventh with 423 and Touma Kamijou has a disappointing Pendant bid with 325 votes and came in last.

Eight contestants from the Female and Male Divisions advanced to the next period through the wild card round. Advancing from the Female Division, in no particular order, are Nico Yazawa (1274 votes), Beatrice (1366 votes), Eli Ayase (1152 votes), Cocoa Hoto (1147 votes), Kirino Kousaka (1135 votes), Darkness (1128 votes), Chitoge Kirisaki (1228 votes) and Hestia (1118 votes). Advancing from the Male Division are Subaru Uchimaki (792 votes), Yuuji Kazami (755 votes), Shinya Kougami (780 votes), Hei (824 votes), Yuuji Sakaki (869 votes), Tetsuya Kuroko (1118 votes), Osamui Dazai (1039 votes), and Kojou Akatsuki (755 votes).

In Touhou Project action, Keine Kamishirasawa scored the upset of the round, beating Hong Meiling 1286-1209, while Byakuren Hijiri prevailed over Sagume Kishin 1315-1158.

Two other exhibitions took place, with a sliding scale used to gauge the popularity of two sets of contestants. In the first exhibition using a scale, Misaka 10032 finished first with a score of 17003.7, while in the second exhibition using this system, Sesshoumaru won with a score of 11594.7.

Match Day 1 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Amethyst Period is scheduled for July 10, 2017. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And keep it here on The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the International Saimoe League, the world's premier character competition.