ISML 2020: Yukino Yukinoshita Wins Sapphire Necklace

ISML 2020: Yukino Yukinoshita Wins Sapphire Necklace

Longshot Gilgamesh Wins Sapphire Pendant in Upset of the Round

By Jo-Ryan Salazar

The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

November 10, 2020

The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue got the 2020 International Saimoe League Sapphire Necklace winner right on the money. Even money favorite Yukino Yukinoshita won the Necklace on Sapphire Match Day 6, defeating Mikoto Misaka 5567-3622. Mashiro Shiina was third with 1752 votes, Emilia was fourth with 1331 votes, Rin Tohsaka was fifth with 1041 votes, Rikka Takanashi was sixth with 870 votes, Index Prohibitorum was seventh with 783 votes and Mai Sakurajima was last with 704 votes.

In one of the biggest Upsets of the Round of this competition, Gilgamesh, listed as a 80-1 longshot, delivered a 4536-2821 scalp of Touma Kamijou to win the Sapphire Pendant. This marks the third straight match that the ToAru ticket has finished runners-up in a Necklace and Pendant race, which is uncharted territory by all rights. Sakuta Azusagawa was third with 2019 votes, Yuuta Togashi was fourth with 1441 votes, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji was fifth with 1112 votes, Subaru Natsuki was sixth with 907 votes, Lancer finished a disappointing seventh with 736 votes and Sorata Kanda was last with 633 votes.

A 25-1 dark horse, Iroha Isshiki won the Sapphire Bracelet, defeating Chino Kafuu 3837-3755. Schwi Dola was third with 2671 votes, Ai Hayasaka was fourth with 2009 votes, Kumiko Oumae was fifth with 1621 votes, Utaha Kasumigaoka was sixth with 1309 votes, Nanami Aoyama was seventh with 869 votes and Tamako Kitashirakawa was last with 710 votes.

Shirou Emiya, a 10-1 sleeper choice to win the Sapphire Ring, did so after defeating Tanjiro Kamado 3085-2818. Saitama was third with 12083 votes, Yuu Otosaka was fourth with 1666 votes, Kyon was fifth with 1410 votes, Yato was sixth with 1230 votes, Shidou Itsuka was seventh with 1045 votes and Kousei Arima was last with 814 votes.

In the Female Wild Card round, advancing to the Emerald Period and beyond were Sagiri Izumi (5645), Chino Kafuu (5502), Megumin (4703), Index Prohibitorum (5564), Mio Akiyama (4503), Ruiko Saten (4991), Kurisu Makise (4642) and Nanami Aoyama (4781). In the Male Division, advancing to the Emerald via the Wild Card round were Rintarou Okabe (4606), Lancer (4570), Saika Totsuka (4547), Yato (4326), Kousei Arima (4140), Masamune Izumi (4150), Conan Edogawa (4137) and Shidou Itsuka (4203).

Making the cut for the Summer Seasonal Tournament are Tooru Honda (2331), Komachi Hikigaya (3914), Beatrice (3687), Suguha Kirigaya (3200), Michiru Hyoudou (2907), Chizuru Ichinose (4008), Sumi Sakurasawa (3008), Ruka Sarashina (2843), Misha Necron (2391), Sasha Necon (2500), Shizuka Hiratsuka (3648), Echidna (3554), Izumi Hashima (2682), Ryouko Kuriba (2914), Rakko Yumiya (2724) and Hana Uzaki (2857). The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue has now made Ichinose the favorite to win the Summer Seasonal based on votes received during this match day, with Hikigaya a close second choice.

In Touhou action, Koishi Komeiji defeated Parsee Mizuhashi 2555-2156, Flandre Scarlet flew pasty Seija Kijin 2803-2146, Satori Komeiji made it a sister sweep after prevailing over Suwako Moriya 2489-2372, Alice Margatroid eased past Yuuka Kazami 2681-2332, Fujiwara no Mokou torched Renko Usami 2771-2180, Cirno froze Sanae Kochiya 3297-2018, Hong Meiling won the closest race of the roung, a 2451-2430 nailbiter over Keine Kamishirasawa and Patchouli Knowledge thumped Hata no Kokoro 2921-2085. Finally in a battle royale of Idolmaster participants, Uzuki Shimamura (25731.9) and Haruka Amami (25108.2) were head and shoulders above the rest.

Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And be sure to keep it right here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the world's premier anime character competition, the International Saimoe League.