By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
September 15, 2010
The 2010 International Saimoe League has its share of shocking victories and intense matches, but nothing compared to Mikoto Misaka's breakthrough 3434-3279 victory over Shana in the second round of the Winners' Bracket.
The Railgun, as Misaka is called, scored major victories in North American, China, Russia (with 65.8% of the vote_, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, South Korea (with 62.4% of the vote), Australia, Japan (with 63.3% of the vote) and Africa, who voted 77.8% in favor of Misaka. Shana's strongest performance came in Taiwan, where she carried 56.8% of the vote.
Misaka will take on Mio Akiyama in the Winners' Bracket Final. Akiyama edged Azusa Nakano 3353-3076. Nakano's strongest performance came in Japan, where she earned 56.2% of the vote. She also earned victories in the U.S.A., Oceania, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Russia. However, Akiyama carried every other region. The strongest performance for the bassist of Hokago Tea Time came in the Philippines, with 69% of the vote. Akiyama also performed reasonably well in Thailand, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Hitagi Senjougahara and Nadeko Sengoku will end their season faving each other to decide 15th place, while Kagami Hiiragi and Kyou Fujibayashi will battle it out for 13th place in the 2010 ISML.
Fujibayashi edged Senjougahara 3424-3249. Senjougahara's strongest performance came in Africa, with 66.7% of the vote, and she also did well in Indonesia and Russia. Big victories in the Americas, Western Europe and West Asia gave Fujibayashi the victory. West Asia voted 58.8% in favor of Fujibayashi.
Hiiragi defeated Sengoku 3377-3297. Sengoku had strong performances in Africa (who voted 77.8% in favor of Sengoku), Japan, Thailand, Oceania (with 61.3% of the vote), South Korea (with 61.8% of the vote), Hong Kong, Taiwana and Indonesia (who voted 65.6% in favor of Sengoku). But strong performances in the Americas, Europe, Russia, West Asia, China and the Philippines gave Hiiragi the victory. Russia voted 64.5% in favor of Hiiragi.
As with every ISML Tiara Match Day (this being Match Day 5), there were special exhibitions going on as well.
In a battle of D.C. ~Da Capo~ rivals, Nemu Asakura routed Kotori Shirakawa. Shirakawa was only able to carry Africa (with 62.5% of the vote) and Japan (with 54.8% of the vote). Asakura scored major victories in Hong Kong (with 73.8% of the vote), China (with 69.2% of the vote), Taiwan (with 69% of the vote), Thailand (with 68.9% of the vote) and the Philippines (with 66.1% of the vote).
Bungoko Shoujo's Toko Amano defeated Nino of Arakawa Under the Bridge 3583-2551. In spite of victories in the Americas, Africa (who voted 88.9% in favor of Nino), Europe, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia and Oceania, Nino was badly beaten in Taiwan, who voted 74.5% in favor of Amano. This was one of the few matches in which a contestant in a tournament match or exhibition needed just seven regions to carry, and carried less regions but still won. The importance of having support in East Asia cannot be emphasized more, and this match was an example.
Not the case for Erza Scarlet, who routed Lisanna in a Fairy Tail rivalry match 3221-2627. Here, Scarlet carried every region, with the exception of China, Hong Kong and Africa, 55.6% in favor of Lisanna. Eastern Europe voted 65.2% in favor of Scarlet and also performed relatively well in Canada, Russia, Indonesia, Oceania and West Asia.
In a battle of former ISML competitors, Chii bested Souseiseki 3539-3059. Souseiseki's strongest region was Africa, voting 66.7% in favor of the Rozen Maiden Alice Doll. Also voting 66.7% was Latin America, but that was in favor of the Chobits known as Chii.
Thailand was divided 50-50 in the close match between Yuuko Amamiya and Chikane Himemiya, but it was the protagonist from ef that edged the Kannazuki no Miko star 3288-3124. Amamiya's strongest region was Africa, with 66.7% of the vote. She also earned critical victories in the USA, China, Oceania and South Korea. Himemiya's strongest performance came in Indonesia, where she garnered 60.1% of the vote.
Finally, Sky Girls' Eika Ichijo defeated Sakura Shinguji of Sakura Taisen 2937-2659. South Korea was divided 50-50 in this match but Japan was not, as they voted 61.3% in favor of Ichijo. She also did well in North America, Europe, Thailand and Indonesia. Africa was Shinguji's strongest region, with 71.4% of the vote.
The 2010 International Saimoe League Tiara phase continues with Match Day 6, the Losers' Bracket 3rd Round. Haruhi Suzumiya will look to stun Taiga Aisaka, while Hinagiku Katsura hopes to keep her title defense alive against Yuki Nagato.
Vote online for your favorite candidate at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate!
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Voting Pattern Analysis Graph
Worldwide Vote Distribution Map
