ISML 2019: General Election Field Set!
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
December 18, 2019
Match Day 4 of the 2019 International Saimoe League Eliminations Period has concluded, and the stage has been set for the general election of the 2020 Saimoe Prime Minister (winner of the Heavenly Tiara), 2020 Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister (winner of the Lapis Scepter) and 2020 Speaker of the Saimoe Diet (overall winner of the 2019 International Saimoe League Seasonal Tournaments). And for the first time, a candidate will be standing for election in two races...and going into both of them as an understandable underdog.
That candidate...is Rin Tohsaka. A Saimoe politician and veteran of the Saimoe movement since 2004 with 15 years of proven experience and results, Tohsaka is the voice of reason within the Type-Moon Party alongside Artoria "Saber" Pendragon. She defeated Mashiro Shiina 11753-8756 to qualify for the race for Saimoe Prime Minister and will face the Bedlam's tipped successor to Rem Natsuki, Violet Evergarden, who continued her form against Mai Sakurajima in a 10410-10242 thriller.
Sadly, Archer, who is the older form of Rin's husband Shirou Emiya, will not be there to join her as a possible Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister. Sakuta Azusagawa, Mai's husband, defeated Archer 9214-8671 and faces the Bedlam's choice for the Deputy office, Rimuru Tempest, who eased past Tomoya Okazaki 9429-8902. Rin will also be standing in the Speaker of the Saimoe Diet race against the favored Kaguya Shinomiya as Ishtar. She defeated Enterprise 8904-8667 to claim the Fall Diadem but will face long odds against a bona fide Saimoe contender for next year, one that may be in the running to be a future Saimoe Prime Minister.
Needless to say, while Tohsaka is an underdog, it is but in name only as she has been riding a late wave of confidence from her support and others who believe that a longtime legend of Saimoe politics must dictate the policy of Japan in 2020, deemed an auspicious year by many circles. Rin's name has endured for over a decade as a woman of outstanding personality and character, so much that if she wanted to, she could stand in as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and contest for a seat in Japan's Diet. A no-nonsense approach to tackling the things that matter to Japan and its advocates around the world shall be the theme of her agenda should she be elected. Doubtless the principles of patience, perseverance and tenacity shall also be emphasized as part of Tohsaka's game plan for 2020.
Hina Amano, as correctly predicted, finished third place in the Fall Seasonal with a 9491-8027 win over Ristarte. In Divine Circlet action, Hibike Euphonium's progressive pair could do no wrong. Kumiko Oumae defeated Nanami Aoyama 9070-8800 and Reina Kousaka edged Sakura Matou, 8979-8768. In Divine Crown action, Mikaela Hyakuya defeated Bell Cranel 8444-7842 and Ryuunosuke Akasaka won a 8226-8193 nailbiter over Izayoi Sakamaki.
In Female Division placement action, Emilia shot down Kurumi Tokisaki 9732-9150, Rikka Takanashi scored the Upset of the Round and won the closest race of the round, a 9647-9623 snoozer over Sagiri Izumi, Chtholly Nota Seniorious defeated Asuna Yuukl 9519-9402, Yukino Yukinoshita bowled past Kurisu Makise 9605-9365, Kamui Kanna thumped Chino Kafuu 9908-9055, Shiro rocked Mio Akiyama 9875-9538 and Shouko Nishimiya defeated Takagi 9615-9063. Advancing in the four-way race were Azusa Nakano (72146.1) and Yui Yuigahama (70803.9).
In Male Division placement action, Levi leveled Touma Kamijou 8394-7956, Riku Dola rocked Yuuta Togashi 8741-8312, Taki Tachibana whipped past Willem Kmetsch 8404-8216, Rintarou Okabe cruised past Shirou Emiya 8622-7970, Kazuma Satou defeated Subaru Natsuki 8300-8005, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji stormed past Kyon 8667-8312, Saitama punched Nagisa Shiota 8273-8065 and Kiritsugu Emiya dominated Lancer 8610-8151. Advancing in the four-way race were Yuzuru Otonashi (56273.2) and Koyomi Araragi (54289.3).
Election Day 2019, Match Day 5 of the 2019 International Saimoe League Eliminations Period is scheduled for December 20, 2019. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.