ISML 2021: Let The League Begin!
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
23 July 2021
The 2021 International Saimoe League has started in conjunction with the beginning of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue resumes its coverage of the world's premier anime character competition. Match Day 1 of the preliminaries is in the books. A number of faces made the cut to advance in both the male and female divisions. In the race for the Saimoe Prime Minister and Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister's positions, prior winners of the office are now eligible to potentially be reelected, but it will not come without a stern challenge from those hungry to direct Japan and the world as it emerges from one of the most challenging circumstances to maintain, the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first female division pool, advancing were Kurisu Makise (1014), Tooru (1783), Rin Tohsaka (1402), Krul Tepes (1243), Kazari Uiharu (1137), Asuna Yuuki (1814), Chtholly Nota Seniorious (1009), Saya (1069), Shouko Nishimiya (1769), Shinobu Kochou (1428), Mio Akiyama (1299), Kanade Tachibana (1435), Emilia (2151), Eriri Spencer Sawamura (1229), Nanami Aoyama (1117), Ai Hayasaka (1759), Utaha Kasumigaoka (1334), Shinoa Hiiragi (1212), Mikoto Misaka (2465), Mirai Kuriyama (1020), Ruiko Saten (1474), Chizuru Ichinose (1653), Yoshino (1219) and Umaru Doma (1393).
In the first male division pool, advancing were Joseph Joestar (847), Inosuke Hashibara (1012), Isaac Foster (932), Subaru Natsuki (1649), Satoshi Fukube (953), Yuuji Itadori (1115), Yuzuru Otonashi (964), Satoshi (898), Kazuma Satou (1181), Nagisa Shiota (959), Haruka Kasugano (1214), Shinnosuke Nohara (1140), Sakuta Azusagawa (2637), Tomoya Okazaki (969), Naofumi Iwatani (815), Karma Akabane (873), Amane Yugi (733), Kousei Arima (938), Yuu Otosaka (1382), Kiyotaka Ayanokouji (1859), Kazuto Kirigaya (1573), Kusuo Saiki (755), Gintoki Sakata (759) and Lancer (793).
In the second female division pool, advancing were Ram (2134), Ran Mouri (1265), Ai Haibara (1854), Nobara Kugisaki (866), Mikasa Ackerman (1258), Kyouko Hori (1673), Echidna (1271), Miku Nakano (1956), Renge Miyauchi (1154), Nino Nakano (1346), Ai Outo (860), Setsuna (949), Itsuki Nakano (1330), Eris Boreas Greyrat (1000), Roxy Migurdia (1579), Shiraori (856), Rin Shima (796) and Nava Milim (982).
Match Day 2 of the 2021 International Saimoe League preliminaries is scheduled for 25 July 2021. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.