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ISML 2022: Mikoto And Houtarou Go Wire To Wire, Win Big
Misaka wins Female Division Prelims, Oreki Male Division
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
15 November 2022
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Mikoto Misaka won the first Female Division necklace of the 2022 International Saimoe League on Preliminaries Match Day 5, holding off a valiant challenge from Miku Nakano 5061-4226. Violet Evergarden was third with 3035 votes, Rikka Takanashi was fourth with 2243 votes, Elaina was fifth with 1726 votes, Rem was sixth with 1290 votes, Mai Sakurajima was seventh with 809 votes and Eru Chitanda was last with 544 votes.
A proven high performer in the Male Division, Houtarou Oreki defeated Hachiman Hikigaya 4075-3835 to win his necklace match in the Male Division. Yuuta Togashi was third with 2780 votes, Sakuta Azusagawa was fourth with 1606 votes, Kazuto Kirigaya was fifth with 1336 votes, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji was sixth with 1043 votes, Satoru Gojou was seventh with 892 votes and Yuu Otosaka was last with 724 votes.
Making the cut for the Winter Seasonal Tournament were Nezuko Kamado (2858), Takagi (2638), Kobayashi (2303), Sajina Inui (2148), Kotoko Iwanaga (1764), Renge Miyauchi (1727), Eris Boreas Greyray (1726), Kyaru (1549), Ninym Ralei (1548), Illyasviel von Einzbern (1541), Sakura Matou (1477), Toge Inukami (1447), Yuuko Yoshida (1446), Wakana Gojou (1419), Roronoa Zoro (1413), Momo Chiyoda (1354), Nobita Nobi (1297) and Tooru Amuro (1280).
Ai Hayasaka is the odds-on favorite by BoBA to win the Spring Seasonal after leading the nominations with 3291 votes. Others making the cut were Yoshino (2568), Ushio Kofune (2532), the other Ushio in Ushio Okazaki (2525), Shikimori (2498), Miko Iino (2453), Touka Yatogami (2407), Tomoyo Sakagami (2144), Fuuko Ibuki (2128), Reina Aharen (1952), Shouko Komi (1885), Zhuge Kongming (1649), Eiko Tsukimi (1443), Kogorou Mouri (1388), Mio Kofune (1382), Serena (1243), Filo (1119) and Zhong Lanzhu (1090).
Making the Summer Seasonal fold were Kurumi (2971), Kei Karuizawa (2675), Suzune Horikita (2600), Kisara (2529), Yume Irido (2285), Ruka Sarashina (2001), Sumi Sakurasawa (1865), Albedo (1840), Lucy (1823), Nazuna Nanakusa (1806), Hizuru Minakata (1757), Hinata Hyuuga (1511), Shalltear Bloodfallen (1447), Ayano Yugiri (1292), Rin Shima (1279), Jolyne Kuujou (1245), David Martinez (1221) and Son Goku (1189).
With Preliminaries in the voters' back pocket, the scene turns to the Aquamarine Period. Match Day 1 is scheduled for 17 November 2022. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate, and keep it right here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the International Saimoe League, the world's premier anime character competition.