Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Final, Group E

ISML 2012: Kanade and Ruri to the Semis

ISML 2012: Kanade and Ruri to the Semis

By JR Salazar
October 19, 2012

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is apparently losing its relevance, as a couple of its heavyweights went down to defeat in Match Day 7 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason. Meanwhile, Kanade Tachibana has positioned herself as the competitor to beat in the race for the Tiara.

Tachibana won ever region en route to a 7,851-2,362 slicing and dicing of Yuri Nakamura. Ruri Gokou rolled to a 6,133-4,361 win over Yuki Nagato. Gokou scored victories in the U.S.A., Japan, Chiba, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Western Europe, Africa, Latin America, Korea, and the Middle East and South Asia. Nagaton won Indonesia, Canada, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

A very divisive race between Saber and Haruhi Suzumiya saw the face of Fate/Stay Night prevail, 5,270-4,970. Saber was paced by victories in Canada, China, Korea, all of Southeast Asia except the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Haruhi, meanwhile, took the States, Latin America, all of Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Meanwhile, it was very one-sided for Azusa Nakano, who won every region except Korea and the United States en route to a 6,043-4,176 victory over Kirino Kousaka.

Six other exhibitions took place. Karen Araragi, riding on the Bakemonogatari ticket, cruised toa 4,420-2,920 victory over Miu Takanashi. Charlotte Orleans was third with 2,454 votes. Araragi won every region except Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, which were won by Takanashi.

Ririchiyo Shirakiin, who fought well in her Round 3 defeat to Kuro Matsumi in the 2012 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament, has the support of the world in her 4,761-2,819 win over Tsubasa Hanekawa. Henrietta de Tristain was third with 2,221 votes. Shirakiin won ever region with the exception of Eastern Europe and Russia, won by Hanekawa. An opponent that Shirakiin defeated in the AST, Eru Chitanda, also has the support of the world, crushing Nyarlathotep, 5,275-3,427. Eru won every region on the map except Japan, which was taken by Nyaruko.

The exhibition between Rea Sanka, Yuki Yoshida and Toki Onjouji was a clear example of the differences between the Anime Saimoe Tournament and the ISML. As a general rule, most shows that dominate in 2channel are dominated in return in ISML. And notable characters that are outvoted in 2channel are more likely to earn votes worldwide. Sanka, who is a longshot to qualify for the Regular Season next year, won this one, earning 4,408 votes. Yoshida was second with 3,704 votes, while Onjouji was third with 1,718 votes. Even though Onjouji is the favorite to win 2channel, she is not even popular in her own region, which was won by Yoshida. Yoshida also won Korea, Canada, the U.S.A. and Latin America. Sanka, however, scored big wins in the other regions. It will be interesting to see how this zombie matches up next season in the preliminaries.

Utena Tenjou, who will not be seeing any action in the regular season or the preliminaries any time soon, defeated Fuu 2,506-1,831. Nadja Applefield was third with 1,257 votes. Tenjou earned victories in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Africa, Australia, New Zeland and Papua New Guinea. Fuu won the other regions up for grabs.

Finally, 2ch AST participant Mayu Morita may be an even bigger longshot to be in next year's ISML regular season, but she defeated Nono Nekomiya 2,898-2,136. Kana Hagino was third with 1,692 votes. Morita won ever region except Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, won by Nekomiya.

Match Day 8 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for October 20, 2012. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Final, Group D

BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Tiara Match Day 7

ARENA 01: Nakamura Yuri [Tachibana Kanade] by >=1500

Over/Under: 11000

Over

ARENA 02: Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) [Nagato Yuki] by <=500

Over/Under: 11000

Over

ARENA 03: Saber [Suzumiya Haruhi] by <=1000

Over/Under: 11000

Over

ARENA 04: [Nakano Azusa] Kōsaka Kirino by >=1000
Over/Under: 11000
Over

ARENA 05: [Araragi Karen] Charlotte Orléans (Tabitha) Takanashi Miu by >=1000

Over/Under: 10000

Under

ARENA 06: Hanekawa Tsubasa [Shirakiin Ririchiyo] Henrietta de Tristain by >=1000

Over/Under: 10000

Under

ARENA 07: [Chitanda Eru] Hanaki Yuka Nyarlathotep by <=1000

Over/Under: 10000

Over

ARENA 08: [Onjōji Toki] Yoshida Yuki Sanka Rea by <=700

Over/Under: 10000

Under

ARENA 09: Fū [Tenjō Utena] Nadja Applefield by <=1000

Over/Under: 10000

Under

ARENA 10: Morita Mayu Hagino Kana [Nekomiya Nono] by <=1000

Over/Under: 10000

Under

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Final, Group C

ISML 2012: Tiara Quarterfinals now set

ISML 2012: Tiara Quarterfinals now set

By JR Salazar
October 17, 2012

The 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament rolls on, and so does the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason with Tiara Match Day 6. The Stella Division struck back, with its finest taking three of the four Round of 16 matches on tap.

Mio Akiyama, fresh off a solid 2channel AST performance that ended in defeat to fellow ISML competitor Sena Kashiwazaki, bounced back with a 6,251-4,576 rout of Yui. Mio won just about every region there is to win with the exception of Vietnam, won by Yui. Sena wasn't able to translate her success in Japan to an upset victory over Taiga Aisaka, as the Palmtop Tiger won every region en route to a 7,103-3,548 annihilation.

Defending champion Mikoto Misaka is out to prove that it will not be easy to win her crown, as she thoroughly waxed Kobato Hasegawa, 6,212-4,450. The only regions Hasegawa was able to win were Eastern Europe, Thailand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Shana seems to be on the downswing. While she is still relevant in Japan, she was embarassed by Eucliwood Hellscythe, 5,771-4,994. Hellscythe won Canada, Korea, the USA, eastern and Western Europe, Thailand, Indonesia and Africa. Shana won Jaspan, Latin America, the Middle East and South Africa, Malaysia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and New Zealand.

As with Tiara 5, Tiara 6 saw six exhibitions take place. Mei Misaki will be a name that will pop up at the preliminaries next year after demolising Sora Takanashi 5,372-3,733. Misaki won every region, with the exception of Hong Kong and Taiwan, won by Takanashi. Chiaki Kurihara was third with 974 votes. Mayoi Hachikuji, riding on the Bakemonogatariu ticket, made easy work of Kanna Tanigawa, 5,028-2,439. Hachikuji won every region in this match.

Tsumiki Miniwa is a longshot to punch her ticket to the Nova next year, but she is still relevant, as she flattened Oda Nobunaga and Riko Aida with 5,991 votes, winning every region. Nobunaga was second with 1,776 votes and Aida earned just 1,308 votes. Riding on the Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka ticket, Chris demolished Saki Mizukoshi 6,812-2,049, winning every region handily. Hanako Tanaka was third with a paltry 560 votes.

Koyori Ishizuki, flying the flag for sola, defeated Nanako Dojima 4,470-2,320. Dojima won Russia and Korea, while Murasaki Kuhoin, who earned 878 votes, won Japan. The rest of the regions were won by Ishizuki. Finally, Kaguya Sumeragi, riding on the Code Geass ticket, prevailed over Ren Mikihara 4,352-2,318, winning every region along the way. Aoi Futaba was third with 1,728 votes.

Match Day 7 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for October 18, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Final, Group B

BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Tiara Match Day 6

ARENA 01: [Akiyama Mio] Yui by <=1000
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 02: [Aisaka Taiga] Kashiwazaki Sena by >=1500

Over/Under: 9000

Over

ARENA 03: [Misaka Mikoto] Hasegawa Kobato by >=1700

Over/Under: 9000

Over

ARENA 04: Shana [Eucliwood Hellscythe] by <=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Over

ARENA 05: Chiaki Kurihara [Misaki Mei] Takanashi Sora by >=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Over

ARENA 06: [Hachikuji Mayoi] Koto Tanigawa Kanna by <=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Under

ARENA 07: Aida Riko [Miniwa Tsumiki] Oda Nobunaga by <=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Under

ARENA 08: [Chris] Mizukoshi Saki Tanaka Hanako by <=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Under

ARENA 09: [Ishizuki Koyori] Dojima Nanako Kuhōin Murasaki by <=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Under

ARENA 10: Futaba Aoi Mikihara Ren [Sumeragi Kaguya] by <=1000

Over/Under: 9000

Under

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Final, Group A

ISML 2012: Usual suspects progress in Tiara race

ISML 2012: Usual suspects progress in Tiara race

By JR Salazar
October 15, 2012

The 2012 International Saimoe League season began wrapping up with Day 5 of the postseason, and the first part of the Tiara Round of 16. As expected, the usual suspects progressed to the quarterfinals.

Yuri Nakamura shot down Saber 5,127-4,128. Saber dominated Thailand, mainland China, Japan and Russia, but the rest of the world was all Yuri's. It was a bit more one-sided for her compatriot, Kanade Tachibana, a bona fide favorite to win the Tiara this autumn. She sliced and diced Haruhi Suzumiya 6,223-3,095. The only precinct Haruhi was able to win was Japan, and that was it.

In a closer contest, Ruri Gokou, the Kuroneko, prevailed over Azusa Nakano 4,901-4,305. Gokou was solid in the U.S.A., mainland China, Russia, Korea, Thailand and Europe. Nakano won Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, the rest of Southeast Asia, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. It was a more straightforward result for Yuki Nagato, who dominated Kirino Kousaka 5,166-3,866. Nagato won every region with the exception of the Middle East and South Asia, and Korea.

Six other group exhibitions took place. Karuta Roromiya did not have a very good outing at the 2channel Anime Saimout Tournament, but her 4,556-2,609 victory over Tiffania Westwood might give her a second chance at life as an ISML contender. Atsumi Miyagawa was a distant third with 956. Sakura Matou, a longtime moe power for Fate/Stay Night, took out Medaka Kurokami rather easily, 4,695-2,644. Fujiko Mine was dead last, garnering a paltry 615 voted.

Ai Nanasaki may not be someone ISML fans will count on to deal damage in the preliminaries, but she did win the closest race of the night, a 2,876-2,817 thriller over Yassan. Yomi Takanashi was not too far behind, gaining a respectable 2,391 votes.

Riding on the Shana ticket, Leanan-Sidhe is not a name that will be regarded as a relevant power in the ISML next year, but she was impressive in her 3,578-1,981 victory over Colette Brunel. Saya Otonashi was third with 1,314 votes.

In what was touted as the premier match of the exhibitions of Tiara 5, it turned out to be nothing more than a farce. Kuroyukihime, who went down fighting in Japan and Korea against two ISML vets in Shana and Hitagi Senjougahara, respectively, won the respect of the ISML voters and cemented her place as a lock to be at next year's ISML with a 6,63-2,127 annihilation of Cthugha. This was the most lopsided of all the exhibitions in that every region voted for Kuroyukihime. Melona never put up a fight, winning just 389 votes.

Ryuuko Mifune is a name that might not have as much leverage as a certain Erio Touwa, but her 4,142-1,521 rout over Maria Osawa is indicative of her relative strength in moe circles, as she also won every region. Tsugumi Aoba was last with 1,508 votes.

Match Day 6 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Tiara Match Day 5

ARENA 01: [Nakamura Yuri] Saber by <=1000
Over/Under: 10000
Over

ARENA 02: [Tachibana Kanade] Suzumiya Haruhi by >=1300
Over/Under: 10000
Over

ARENA 03: [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] Nakano Azusa by >=800
Over/Under: 11000
Under

ARENA 04: Kōsaka Kirino [Nagato Yuki] by >=1100

Over/Under: 10500

Under

ARENA 05: Miyagawa Atsumi Roromiya Karuta [Tiffania Westwood] by >=800

Over/Under: 11000

Under

ARENA 06: Nanasaki Ai Yassan [Takanashi Yomi] by >=800

Over/Under: 10200

Under

ARENA 07: Cthugha [Kuroyukihime] Melona by <=800

Over/Under: 10000

Over

ARENA 08: Kurokami Medaka [Matō Sakura] Mine Fujiko by >=600

Over/Under: 10500

Under

ARENA 09: Otonashi Saya Colette Brunel [Leanan-Sidhe] by >=500

Over/Under: 10000

Under

ARENA 10: [Mifune Ryūko] Ōsawa Maria Aoba Tsugumi by >=1000

Over/Under: 10000

Over

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Third Round, Group H

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Third Round, Group G

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Odds, Group Finals

October 16, 2012
Saki Miyanaga 7-1
Koromo Amae 2-1
Prediction: Koromo Amae by <=75
Over/Under: 600
Under

October 17, 2012
Toki Onjouji 1-9
Akari Akaza 15-1
Prediction: Toki Onjouji by >=150
Over/Under: 600
Over

October 18, 2012
Hisa Takei EVEN
Yayoi Kise 8-1
Prediction: Hisa Takei by <=100
Over/Under: 500
Over

October 19, 2012
Hinata Hakamada 3-1
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 7-1
Prediction: Hinata Hakamada by <=80
Over/Under: 500
Under

October 20, 2012
Sanya V. Litvyak 12-1
Yuu Matsumi: 1-4
Prediction: Yuu Matsumi by >=150
Over/Under: 550
Over

October 21, 2012
Kirame Hanada 10-1
Kuro Matsumi EVEN
Prediction: Kuro Matsumi by <=150
Over/Under: 600
Under

October 22, 2012
Nodoka Haramura EVEN
Ako Atarashi 5-1
Prediction: Nodoka Haramura by <=90
Over/Under: 530
Over

October 23, 2012
Shana 6-1
Sena Kashiwazaki 5-2
Prediction: Sena Kashiwazaki by <=50
Over/Under: 540
Under

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: Last 4 IN!

2channel Anime Saimoe 2012: The next four IN!

ISML 2012: Kanade and Mikoto cruise to Circlet wins

ISML 2012: Kanade and Mikoto cruise to Circlet wins
Tachibana takes Sapphire, Misaka wins Diamond

By JR Salazar
October 8, 2012

There were no surprises on the final day of the 2012 International Saimoe League Division Finals as Kanade Tachibana and Mikoto Misaka won the Sapphire and Diamond Circlets, respectively. Tachibana sliced and diced Ruri Gokou 6770-3404, while Misaka electrocuted Taiga Aisaka 5950-4261.

"This isn't what I am looking for, but it's nice to know that I have won another meaningful prize for my efforts," Tachibana said at a press conference in Tokyo. "The work, however, is not done, and I plan to carry my momentum into the final phase of the postseason."

"I now know who I am and what I am capable of," Misaka said at her press conference in Academy City. "I understand what I have to defend. I will not make it easy on anyone to win what I currently have. I will fight to the death to defend my Tiara, I will promise you that."

A series of other exhibitions took place on Match Day 4 of the 2012 ISML Postseason. Ririchiyo Shirakiin defeated Rias Gremory in her exhibition 4623-3607. Isanami was third with 1012 votes. Yuki Yoshida, whose 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament run concluded a few days ago, took her anger out on Xiao-Mei, 5809-1856. Mikoto Urabe was third with 1564 votes. Henrietta de Tristain defeated Lemon Yamano in her exhibition, 4050-2594. Miya Tachibana was third with 2468 votes. Rea Sanka, who was moderately successful in Japan, obliterated Eureka, 6384-1789, confirming her status as a contender for the Nova next year. Coco was last with 951 votes.

Tsukihi Araragi, the Phoenix who is still alive in the AST, scorched Sonya, 5414-2100. Kaoru Tanamachi was third with 1867 votes. Yuuko Kanoe did more than enough to destroy Misaki Tokura 4404-2071. SG550 was a distant third with 2056 votes. Koneko Toujou, building on her previous ISML exhibition victory, defeated Izumi Akazawa, 4355-3443. Nana Mishima was third with 1403 votes. And Mayaka Ibara won the closest race of the day, a 4124-4046 thriller over Mero Furuya. Misaka Satou was a distant third with a paltry 905 votes.

Match Day 5 of the 2012 International Saimoe League postseason, is scheduled for October 14, 2012. 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 world's premier anime character competition, the International Saimoe League!