ISML 2010: Akiyama, Sakurano, Sanzen'in, Saber, Mafuyu Shiina advance to the ISML field of 50
By JR Salazar
February 10, 2010
Mio Akiyama, dressed in her customary Sakuragaoka winter uniform, took her time to reflect. Just six minutes ago, the news broke out from her friend and band mate Yui Hirasawa that she had qualified for the International Saimoe League. Ten minutes later she got up from her chair in the music room, after receiving a phone call from Kotomi Ichinose that indicated that she conceded the race, and began the long walk to the auditorium with her Fender bass where a huge victory rally commenced.
"I want to thank every one of you for your support in getting me to this tournament," Akiyama said after performing "Heart Goes Boom!" with her band Hokago Tea Time. "But the journey is only beginning. I hope will continue to vote for me in the International Saimoe League. Thank you everyone!" The band performed their signature song, "Fuwa Fuwa Time," while everyone stood up and waved signs of Mio's face, Mio plushies, blue and white striped rice bowls, and signs saying, "Mai waifu is in the ISML!," "The Dangerous Queen is here!," "It's MIO!," "In your face, CLANNAD!," and the always cheeky "Moe, moe...KYUN!"
"Mio-chan did it!" Hirasawa said. "I look forward to taking her on."
Azusa Nakano, who qualified automatically with Hirasawa, agreed. "Mio-sempai is not going to be an easy opponent to take down," she said on the win.
"I wish Mio-chan the best," Tsumugi Kotobuki said.
"Exactly! Look out Taiga [Aisaka] and Hina[giku Katsura], here comes Mio!" exclaimed a jubilant Ritsu Tainaka.
At a rather disappointed Ichinose party headquarters in Setagaya City, angry supporters pointed out that the multi-voters destroyed any hopes of Kotomi defeating Akiyama. "I can't believe that proxy voting is prevalent outside 2chan," said one anonymous voter who refused to be identified. "You [expletive]s! You [expletive]ed it up! [Expletive] you! [Expletive] you all to [expletive]!!!"
Akiyama defeated Ichinose 2,179-1,533. Kazari Uiharu never stood a chance of advancing, earning just 683 votes. Also in group 1, Mai Kawasumi defeated Shiki Ryogi 1,897-1,417. Felli Loss was third with 603. Yui Kotegawa salvaged a disastrous Phase I performance with a 1,546-1,098 victory over Natsuru Seno. Yuno was third with 1,052.
While it was rowdy and exuberant in Sakuragaoka, the Sanzen'in mansion responded to Nagi's 1,820-1,730 victory with subtle applause and the nodding of a rather smug Tama the tiger.
"Well, I'm back everybody," said Sanzen'in, who was met with a standing ovation. "I personally congratulate Mio, Mafuyu, Kurimu and Saber for making the field. As a season competitor in these tournaments, I look forward to taking them on."
Tsumugi Kotobuki was third with 867 votes. She and Ritsu Tainaka are the two K-ON competitiors that will be in the second phase of the prelims. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere grounded Misuzu Kamio 2,009-1,319, with Winry Rockbell garnering 940 votes. Ryou Fujibayashi took our Asuka Langley Shikinami 1,944-1,132, with Eri Sawachika winning just 1,065 votes.
At Hekiyou Academy in Sapporo, a large victory was set for both Kurimu Sakurano and Mafuyu Shiina. Sakurano won Group 4 with a gutsy 1,648-1,536 victory over Tsukasa Hiiragi, while Mafuyu defeated Maria 1,872-1,507.
"Isn't it a great day to be a part of the Hekiyou family?" asked Sakurano to the crowd outside the administration building. "I want to thank every one of you for your support. And everyone in attendance today gets free candy!"
"It is an honor to be in the field of 50," said Mafuyu. "I hope that I do well and represent the student council, this school, and our city well. Thank you, from the bottom of my deepest heart," she said with a bow.
Shizuku Sango and Alice finished third in their respective group's matches, earning just 811 and 1,100 votes respectively. In other Group 3 action, Sayuri Kurata defeated Misuzu Kusakabe 1,547-1,338, with Hisa Takei gaining just 896 votes. Shion Sonozaki pummeled Hina-Ichigo 1,966-932. Lambdadelta was third with 735 votes.
In Group 4, Rena Ryuuguu defeated Akari Mishima 1,626-1,111, while Frederica Bernkastel finished third with 1,099 votes. And also in Group 4, Chihiro Shindou took out Lisa 1,733-1,079, while Niche gained just 671 votes.
"It doesn't look like the voters are tired of me yet," said a rather stoic yet satisfied Saber in a press conference after her 1,818-1m597 victory over Nagisa Furukawa. "It's nice to return to the big show, and I am looking forward to getting the best of Rin this time around."
When asked about Illyasviel von Einzbern's chances of making the field at the expense of Group 14 favorite Mikoto Misaka, she shrugged the question off, saying, "We'll leave it to God and the voters to decide. Next question, please."
Suigintou was third with 986 votes.
Ayu Tsukimiya scored a surprise 1,484-1,438 win over Tainaka, with Yin gaining 1,282 votes. Chii flattened Nagi 2,143-1,213 in her contest, while Ranka Lee took home just 537 votes to finish a distant third.
Indeed, Von Einzbern faces a difficult opponent to take down-with Berserker-in the Railgun. Known to blast her foes with a flick of a coin charged with electrical energy, she tore Rei Ayanami to shreds 2,454-942. Shiori Misaka was third with 893 votes. Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Ange Ushiromiya 1,798-1,106, with Momoko Touyoko gaining just 865 votes. Von Einzbern had no problems beating Chiaki Minami 2,069-1,491. Noe Isurugi was third with 524.
Older sister Minatsu Shiina moved closer towards joining her younger sister and Sakurano among the representatives from Seitokai no Ichizon. Minatsu blasted Evangeline A.K. McDowell 2,251-1,235, while Kana Ikeda earned just 540 votes.
Sakura Kinomoto and Isumi Saginomiya have a shot at beating Minatsu, though. Kinomoto defeated KObato Hanato in a clash of CLAMP favorites 1,646-1,408. Yakumo Tsukamoto was third with 1,033 votes. Saginomiya thumped Ai Haibara 2,077-1,170. Shinobu Oshino was third with 960 votes.
Rika Furude and Suiseiseki look set to duel for the automatic slot from Group 11. Suiseiseki, a past winner of the 2chan and Anizone tournaments, cruised past Tsubasa Hanekawa 1,977-1,077, with Akari Mizunashi taking just 930 votes.
Furude tore down Haruka Nogizaka 2,032-1,151 in her match, with Moka Akashiya gaining just 921 votes. Index Librorum Prohibitorum earned a 1,583-1,358 consolation victory over Sakuya Aizawa. Utau Hoshina was third with 1,277 votes.
Shirai's defeat, combined with victories by Chizura Akaba and Hanyuu Furude make the final match of Group 12 one to watch on Thursday. Akaba more than doubledup Amu Hinamori 2,195-1,071, with Alice Carroll winning 720 votes to finish third.
Hanyuu flattened Izumi Segawa 1,954-1,295 with Yuki Kataoka taking just 832.
Finally, Ruiko Saten, Shinku and Mion Sonozaki look set to square off for the automatic slot from Group 13. Shinku torched Kana Minami 1,960-1,372, while Sheryl Nome gained just 557 votes. Saten mollywopped Teletha Testarossa 1,825-1,183, with Saki Miyanaga gaining just 999 votes to finish third. Sonozaki comes into the match as a huge underdog, scoring a close 1,421-1,379 thriller over Nayuki MInase. Yuko Amamiya finished third with 1,153.
The final match day of Preliminary Phase I in the 2010 International Saimoe League is scheduled for Thursday, February 11, 2010. Fans can vote on their favorite candidates online at internationalsaimoe.com.
