ISML 2022: Hitori Gotou Is Unbreakable!
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
3 February 2023
Hitori Gotou is, undoubtedly, the next Speaker of the Saimoe Diet after defeating Ai Hayasaka (1675) and Kei Karuizawa (810) with 2932 votes. Takagi was fourth with 682 votes, Yoshino was fifth with 584 votes, Nezuko Kamado was sixth with 481 votes, Ikuyo Kita was seventh with 415 votes and Kurumi was last with 232 votes. "I did not come into the race as the most heralded," said Gotou, nicknamed Bocchi, "but after winning this, I have to do my best and put on a show for everyone! I'm not afraid of anything anymore!"
In a special Female Division pool, Megumi (2504), Shouko Nishimiya (3049), Hu Tao (2474), Iroha Isshiki (2670), Isla (2876), Ai Haibara (2873), Eriri Spencer Sawamura (2254) and Kumiko Oumae (2314) advanced. In the Male Division, Inuyasha (1569), Mikaela Hyakuya (1779), Nasa Yuzaki (2242), Mochizou Ouji (2569), Tomoya Aki (1786), Tanjirou Kamadou (2257), Sasuke Uchiha (2039) and Gilbert Bougainvillea (2455) advanced.
In Female Division placement, Rikka Takanashi defeated Eru Chitanda 2999-2845, Elaina overcame Mai Sakurajima 2896-2623, Miku Nakano rocked Kaguya Shinomiya 2793-2485, Mio Akiyama boomed past Kurumi Tokisaki 2862-2620, Violet Evergarden rolled past Yukino Yukinoshita 3660-2296 and Nao Tomori grounded Chisato Nishikigi 3256-2115. In Male Division placement, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji slammed Sora 2508-2245, Sakuta Azusagawa defeated Kazuto Kirigaya 2829-2382 and Yuu Otosaka prevailed over Conan Edogawa 2768-2683.
Itsuki Nakano won a three-way race over her sisters Ichika and Yotsuba with 2122 votes, while Mio Akiyama and Ritsu Tainaka teamed up to roll past Shinka Nibutani and Sanae Dekomori 3426-2036. In another dual exhibition, Kyouko Sakura and Sayaka Miki teamed upto defeaterd Sakura Adachi and Hougetsu Shimamura 2339-1751.
In other exhibition play, Megumin exploded past Holo 3206-1053, Utaha Kasumigaoka routed Erika Yano 3523-698, Accelerator accelerated past Touma Kamijou 2444-2178, Shigeo Kageyama won a 1967-1729 snoozer over Yousuke Shibazaki 1967-1729, Zhuge Kongming defeated Kimihiko Kimizuka 2313-1720 and Kotori Minami eased past Maki Nishikino 1960-1478.
Chiyo Sakura outlasted Kaoruko Moeta 2448-1302, Homura Akemi shot down Kuroyukihime 2599-1315, Juliet Persia racedpast Sakura Yoshino 2204-940, Platelet overcame Yuuna Yuuki 3208-1126, Kazusa Touma outsung Vivy 1993-1294, Kotomi Ichinose defeated Masuzu Natsukawa 2195-1897, Chiaki Nanami prevailedover Yumeko Jabami 1987-1929 and Alice Zuberg slashed past Yume Minami 2320-1336.
Wrapping up exhibition play, Esdeath won the closest race of the round, a 2003-1998 thriller over Ichigo, Honami Ichinose defeated Nyarlathotep 2383-1588, Satou Matsuzaka whipped past Aki Adagaki 1946-1828, Tomoyo Daidouji knocked down Touko Nanami 2166-1636, Komashi Hikigaya overcame Natsumi 2700-1796, Kagura slammed Hiyori Iki 1893-1620, Yumemi Hoshino won a 1664-1607 yawner over Rika Furude, Sistine Fibel pounded Yuuri 2254-1414, Mei Aihara eased past Ryuuko Matoi 1979-1422, Shizuka Hiratsuka blew past Honoka Kousaka 2889-1616, Mizoru Yoroizuka routed Yuzu Aihara 2660-1290 and Jashin-chan dropkicked Kurumi Ebisuzawa 1895-1537.
This is the penultimate report from the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for the 2022 International Saimoe League. Match Day 8 of the Elimination Period, Election Day 2023, is scheduled for 18 February 2023. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.