Koyomi Araragi, Sora Claim Amethyst, Sapphire Pendants
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
September 14, 2016
The Necklace Rounds for the 2016 International Saimoe League Amethyst and Sapphire Rounds has concluded, and Shana and Yukino Yukinoshita have run away big winners. Shana, listed as a 2-1 second choice won the Amethyst Necklace in a landslide result with 1,128 votes (28.59%) over favorite Megumi Katou, who only earned 554 votes (14.04%). Rounding out the order were Kosaki Onodera (495 votes, 12.54%), Shiro (440 votes, 11.15%), Rin Tousaka (435 votes, 11.02%), Chino Kafuuu (368 votes, 9.33%), Illyasviel von Einzbern (301 votes, 7.63%) and Shino Asada (225 votes, 5.7%).
Also listed a second choice to win a necklace was Yukino Yukinoshita at 2-1 but she earned 750 votes (19.37%), holding off 15-1 longshot Saber (581 votes, 15.01%), and 5-1 dark horse Yoshino (490, 12.65%) to win the Sapphire Necklace. Rounding out the order were favorite Kuroyukihime (439 votes, 11.34%), Isla (422 votes, 10.9%), Nanami Aoyama (406 votes, 10.49%), Sora Kasugano (401 votes, 10.36%), and Yui Yuigahama (383 votes, 9.89%).
The round proved to be one for the second choices on the men's side, too. Koyomi Araragi was listed as a 3-1 second choixe to win the Amethyst Pendant but prevailed with 699 votes (18.67%) over favorite Yuzuru Otonashi (521 votes, 13.92%) and 10-1 dark horse Touma Kamijou (520 votes, 13.89%). Rounding out the order were Saika Totsuka (493 votes, 13.17%), Kiritsugu Emiya (472 votes, 12.61%), Keima Katsuragi (434 votes, 11.59%), Yuu Otosaka (355 votes, 9.48%) and Light Yagami (249 votes, 6.65%).
Sora was one of the few favorites tipped by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue that delivered as advertised, and he won 924 votes (24.89%) to win the Sapphire Pendant over Souma Yukihira (551 votes, 14.84%) and Archer (581 votes, 13.95%). Other finishers include Tatsuya Shiba (424 votes, 11.42%), Karma Akabane (381 votes, 10.26%), Gilgamesh (325 votes, 8.75%), Levi (296 votes, 7.97%) and Shirou Emiya (294 votes, 7.92%).
In the Amethyst Divine Circlet Qualifier, Yui Hirasawa finished first with 563 votes (14.95%). Also in are Sena Kashiwazaki (510 votes, 13.54%), Cocoa Hoto (475 votes, 12.61%) and Megumi Tadokoro (471 votes, 12.51%). Eliminated were Miuna Shiodome (464 votes, 12.32%), Eli Ayase (447 votes, 11.87%), Kirino Kousaka (430 votes, 11.42%) and Aoi Miyamori (406 votes, 10.78%).
The Sapphire Divine Circlet Qualifier saw Mikan Yuuki listed as a 7-1 dark horse to finish first and she in fact became the only dark horse to prevail on the night, winning 665 votes (17.52%). Also advancing are Miyuki Shiba (506 votes, 13.33%), Reina Kousaka (490 votes, 12.91%) and Origami Tobiichi (481 votes, 12.67%). Eliminated are Enju Aihara (476 votes, 12.54%), Konata Izumi (439 votes, 11.56%), Hestia (429 votes, 11.30%) and Tamako Kitashirakawa (310 votes, 8.17%).
Match Day 1 of the 2016 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is scheduled for September 19, 2016. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And keep it right here on The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the 2016 International Saimoe League, the world's premier anime character competition.