ISML 2009: Suigintou gets the Amethyst


ISML 2009: Suigintou gets the Amethyst

May 30, 2009

With the close of May is the close of the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase, and Suigintou, everyone's (well, almost everyone's) favorite hunk of junk, is the top dog.

In Buenos Aires, she was able to defeat Nagisa Furukawa 2011-1049 to win her first-ever necklace of her ISML career.

In front of a capacity crowd at Estadio Amerigo Vespucci (also known as "El Monumental"), the Rozen Maiden doll, surrounded by rival Shinku (who pummeled Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere in Dhaka 1884-1270) and Suiseiseki (who secured an Alice Dolls sweep with an impressive 1803-1546 victory over Konata Izumi in nearby Sao Paulo), addressed the fans who waved large purple, black and white banners.

"Thank you everyone who helped me to this victory," she said with a rather sadistic, but delighted, laugh. "I may be junk like my friend here calls me, but who's laughing now?"

"Hey, no hard feelings, but you owe me one, Suigintou," the red-bonneted blonde doll said, holding a plush replica of Kun Kun.

"Never count out the Rozen Maidsen dolls desu!" Suiseiseki, the former 2chan and Anizone Saimoe champion said. "If you do, we'll make you pay desu!"

"Yes, credit goes out to my rivals here, who are also my good friends as well. But most importantly, I owe it to all of you who voted for me, and supported me during out campaign. Through hard work and perseverance, and a will to win, we have done it. Now let's do it again in the Sapphire stage!" she exclaimed with another evilly delighted chuckle.

"You can stop now," Shinku said.

"Awww, but I like to gloat every now and then," Suigintou said with a pout that turned to a wide smile. "It's my nature."

"Thank you for all your support desu!" Suiseiseki said with Shinku having a palm stuck to her forehead.

For Kagami Hiiragi, it was not supposed to end this way. A 1899-1322 defeat to Tomoyo Sakagami in Kinshasa did in the defending 2chan Saimoe champion. Kagami was unavailable for comment. Actually, it was an awful day for Lucky Star in general, as Tsukasa Hiiragi also lost, this time to C.C. in Madrid 1608-1412.

But it was a good day for the defending ISML champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown and for still-unbeaten Haruhi Suzumiya.

Harlaown wrapped up her Amethyst run with an impressive 1802-1497 victory over Yuki Nagato in Moscow, a replay of the 2008 ISML final. Suzumiya finished unbeaten through three necklace phases with a 1599-1494 victory over Hinagiku Katsura in Seoul. Ultimately, the margin was too small to overcome Suigintou's annihilation of the CLANNAD franchise character in Argentina.

But the celebrated SOS Brigade leader was not disappointed with the outcome.

"Aside from Fate, how many can say that they went through three straight necklace periods undefeated without winning one?" she said in front of reporters in the Korean capital. "Not many. In fact, I'd rather be wearing a tiara than a necklace. Again, as I stated before, the defending champion-who won today-did not win a single necklace, yet won the entire tournament.

"I feel I am on track to do the same thing. So let's see what happens."

Shana and Rin Tosaka also finished unbeaten in the Amethyst phase. The fiery-eyed girl burned Kyou Fujibayashi 1928-1358 in Lagos, while Tosaka defeated Rena Ryuguu in Karachi to the tune of 1517-1354.

In other action, Nanoha Takamachi defeated Sakura Kinomoto 1618-1233 in Tokyo, Mexico City saw Tamaki Kawazoe get on the win column with a 1471-1139 win over Amu Hinamori in Mexico City, Mumbai saw Saber launch a 1970-909 mule over Nagi, Mei Sunohara trounced Patchouli Knowledge 1845-840, and whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga was easily beated by Nayuki Minase in Shanghai, 1701-809.

Marisa Kirisame chalked up a 1280-723 victory over Aya Shameimaru in a battle of the Touhou Project characters, Holo chomped up Kotomi Ichinose 1554-1359 in Manila, Akari Mizunashi got on the win column with a 1233-910 stunner over Alice Carroll in Cairo, Sayuri Kurata defeated Hayate Yagami 1547-1093 in Jakarta and Mikuru Asahina routed Vita 1895-+1014 in Paris.

Fuuko Ibuki stomped Shiki Ryogi 1737-985 in Istanbul, Taiga Aisaka roared past Anya Earlstreim 1841-989 in London, Nagi Sanzen'in closed her Amethyst campaign on a winning note with a 1559-1283 victory over Rika Furude in Lima, Ayu Tsukimiya edged Yuuhi Katagiri 1388-1159 in Tehran.

Ami Kawashima defeated Maria 1558-1346 in Bangkok, Illyasviel von Einzbern secured a Fate/Stay Night sweep with a 1546-1170 rout in Bogota, Misuzu Kamio had no problems against Remilia Scarlet 1694-794 in Santiago, Reimu Hakurei prevailed over Makoto Sawatari 1334-1116, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) crushed Mikoto Misaka 1614-890 in Algiers,. and Hanyuu Furude destroyed Index L. Prohibitorum 1543-995 in Milan.

Wrapping up the phase's action, Shiori Misaka defeated Kirino Chiba 1325-1000 in Sydney, Santo Domingo saw Minori Kushieda complete a Toradora! sweep with a 1625 annihilation of Chii, and Evangeline McDowell tore down Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1610-905 in Katowice.

The Top 16 after three phases:
1. Haruhi Suzumiya
2. Shana
3. Tomoyo Sakagami (AQ)
4. Kyou Fujibayashi
5. Fate Testarossa Harlaown (C)
6. Yuki Nagato (TO)
7. Kagami Hiiragi
8. Saber
9. Taiga Aisaka
10. Suigintou (AM)
11. Nanoha Takamachi
12. Konata Izumi
13. Hinagiku Katsura
14. Nagisa Furukawa
15. Mikuru Asahina
16. Rin Tosaka

(C) Defending ISML champion
(AQ) Aquamarine necklace holder
(TO) Topaz necklace holder
(AM) Amethyst necklace holder


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Minhtam Nguyen, ISML Commissioner (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 9

ARENA 01: [Takamachi Nanoha] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 02: Kawazoe Tamaki [Hinamori Amu]

ARENA 03: Nagi [Saber]

ARENA 04: [Izumi Konata] Suiseiseki

ARENA 05: Patchouli Knowledge [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 06: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 07: Shana [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 08: [Kirisame Marisa] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 09: [Suigintou] Furukawa Nagisa

ARENA 10: Katsura Hinagiku [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 11: [Tōsaka Rin] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 12: Louise Vallière [Shinku]

ARENA 13: Holo [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 14: Mizunashi Akari [Alice Carroll]

ARENA 15: [Kurata Sayuri] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 16: Vita [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 17: [Ibuki Fūko] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 18: [Fate Testarossa] Nagato Yuki

ARENA 19: [Aisaka Taiga] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 20: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Furude Rika

ARENA 21: Katagiri Yūhi [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 22: Kawashima Ami [Maria]

ARENA 23: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 24: [Kamio Misuzu] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 25: Sakagami Tomoyo [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 26: Hakurei Reimu [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 27: Konjiki no Yami [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 28: [Furude Hanyū] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 29: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] C.C.

ARENA 30: [Misaka Shiori] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 31: [Kushieda Minori] Chii

ARENA 32: [Evangeline McDowell] Kōzuki Kallen

ISML 2009: Can Kagami hold on to defend her Amethyst?

ISML 2009: Can Kagami hold on to defend her Amethyst?

May 28, 2009

As the month of May closes-and with it the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase-the big question is on the minds of voters heading in the final match day: can Kagami Hiiragi defend her necklace?

Yuki Nagato is looking to make it two in a row while Shana is also hoping to earn her second-ever necklace. Fellow SOS Brigade member and franchise leader Haruhi Suzumiya (also the only remaining unbeaten) is looking to be the first to win three different ISML necklaces. Suigintou, who is second in the standings, lies close behind in anticipation of a solid result in Amethyst 9. And Rin Tosaka of Fate Stay/Night could surprise everyone in the pack if the chips fall in her favor.

Kagami torched Shiori Misaka 2028-940 in London, while Suigintou prevailed over Mei Sunohara 1751-1341 in Karachi. Nagato routed Illyasviel von Einvbern 1939-1144 in Toronto and Suzumiya kept her streak going with an easy 2234-894 victory over Remilia Scarlet in Madrid. Shana burned past Hayate Yagami 2067-1005 in Manila and Tosaka defeated Mikoto Misaka 1648-1144 in Sao Paulo.

For Kagami, she has a tough cookie to crack in Tomoyo Sakagami, but a victory over the chick with kicks could seal a successful defense. Sakagami sent Shiki Ryogi upwards with a 2047-886 beatdown in Bogota. For the hardest-working hunk of junk, she has a tough task in containing Nagisa Furukawa. The dango-hauling breadwinner routed Vita 1887-1123 in Tokyo.

Yuki may have the toughest test among those still in contention: a date with defending ISML Champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown. The Bardiche-swinging blonde superstar eliminated Shinku from contention in a 1800-1542 victory in Mexico City. But can a win over Fate be enough?

Haruhi and Rin, however, have easier fish to fry.

Suzumiya's next match to close out the Amethyst is against Hinagiku Katsura, who pasted Index L. Prohibitorum 1955-772 in Moscow. Tosaka's last match in the Amethyst phase is against Rena Ryuuguu, who defeated Misuzu Kamio 1466-1276 in Buenos Aires.

Whether or not victories for Haruhi and Rin will be enough remains to be seen. Then again, this IS the ISML, and upsets have happened, at the behest of the voters who make the call.

In other action, Kotomi Ichinose thumped Yuuhi Katagiri 1851-1016 in Mimbai, New York City sqw Minori Kushieda defeat Ami Hinamori 1517-1184, Konata Izumi killed Anya Earlstreim 1979-1019 in Shanghai and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere stomped Nayuki Minase 1536-1220 in Lagos.

C.C. put Tamaki Kawazoe to sleep 1829-968 in Los Angeles, Seoul saw Sakura Kinomoto chalk up a 1539-1084 win over Marisa Kirisame, Saber sliced up Hanyuu Furude 1682-1257 in Dhaka, Evangeline McDowell ran down Kirino Chiba 1344-962 in Cairo and Tsukasa Hiiragi secured a sweep for the Lucky Star girls with a 1862-966 annihilation of Alice Carroll in Jakarta.

Suiseiseki had no problems against Nagi in a 1817-956 blowout in Paris, Istanbul saw Makoto Sawatari score a 1402-964 victory, Maria defeated Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 1480-1237 in Lima, Nagi Sanzen'in chalked up a 2008-735 pummeling of whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Tehran and Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Ami Kawashima rather handily, 2066-966 in Bangkok.

Wrapping up the day's action: Rika Furude prevailed over Reimu Hakurei 1470-1131 in Santiago, Ayu Tsukimiya "uguued" Sayuri Kurata to death 1342-999 in Kinshasa, Nanoha Takamachi busted Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1839-945 in Algiers, Horo chomped up Chii 1642-1102 in MIlan, Taiga Aisaka roared past Aya Shameimaru 1941-805 in Sydney, Mikuru Asahina secured a SOS Brigade sweep with a thrilling 1569-1550 victory in Santo Domingo, and Mai Kawasumi easily took out Akari Mizunashi 1620-910 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 8

ARENA 01: Vita [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 02: [Fate Testarossa] Shinku

ARENA 03: Katagiri Yūhi [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 04: [Tōsaka Rin] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 05: [Kushieda Minori] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 06: [Izumi Konata] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 07: Louise Vallière [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 08: Kawazoe Tamaki [C.C.]

ARENA 09: Kamio Misuzu [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 10: Kirisame Marisa [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 11: [Suigintou] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 12: Furude Hanyū [Saber]

ARENA 13: [Shana] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 14: [Evangeline McDowell] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 15: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Alice Carroll

ARENA 16: Nagi [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 17: [Patchouli Knowledge] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 18: [Katsura Hinagiku] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 19: Misaka Shiori [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 20: Konjiki no Yami [Maria]

ARENA 21: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 22: Kawashima Ami [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 23: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 24: Hakurei Reimu [Furude Rika]

ARENA 25: Kurata Sayuri [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 26: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 27: [Takamachi Nanoha] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 28: [Holo] Chii

ARENA 29: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 30: [Aisaka Taiga] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 31: Ibuki Fūko [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 32: Mizunashi Akari [Kawasumi Mai]

ISML 2009: Seven remaining in the hunt after Amethyst 7

ISML 2009: Seven remaining in the hunt after Amethyst 7

May 26, 2009

With two match days remaining in the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase, there are seven competitors in contention for the necklace, representing the moon.

Kagami Hiiragi moved one step closer towards a successful defense, while overall remaining unbeaten Haruhi Suzumiya stayed close behind in second.

Kagami, the 2008 2chan Saimoe champion, scored an easy 1972-1012 rout of Evangeline McDowell in Istanbul. Suzumiya rolled to a 2036-1043 pasting of Index L. Prohibitorum in Los Angeles.

Five others are still in contention for the necklace. Suigintou, who lost ground to Kagami, kept hope alive with a 2028-823 rollover of Makoto Sawatari in Santo Domingo, while rival Shinku defeated Illyasviel von Einzbern 1543-1301 in Dhaka.

Yuki Nagato vaporized Akari Mizunashi 2110-920 Karachi, Rin Tosaka took down Maria 1567-1176 in Manila, and the always-fearsome Shana showed she'd lost none of her poise in a 2010-1021 victory over Ayu Tsukimiya in Moscow.

In Sao Paulo, Tomoyo Sakagami knocked Mikuru Asahina out of contention with a 1706-1414 victory, Saber prevailed over Hinagiku Katsura in a spirited swordfight in Mexico City 1508-1323, and Fuko Ibuki scored an impressive 1308-1102 victory over Nagisa Furukawa in Milan, showing how competitive the CLANNAD characters are in terms of parity.

ISML defending champion Fate Testarossa also scored an important 1731-1133 victory over Nayuki Minase in Seoul.

Going through the rest of the days action...Mei Sunohara defeated Vita 1691-1179 in Tokyo, Alice Carroll chalked up a 1231-1161 decision over Tamaki Kawazoe in Mumbai, Rika Furude romped to a 1775-924 win over Patchouli Knowledge in New York City, and Minori Kushieda scored a surprising 1371-1283 upset of C.C. in Shanghai.

Horo gobbled up Amu Hinamori 1707-1079 in Lagos, Buenos Aires witnessed Kotomi Ichinose sound out Sayuri Kurata 1759-1020, Misuzu Kamio defeated Mikoto Misaka 1433-960 in Cairo, Rena Ryuuguu chopped down Remilia Scarlet 1598-1050 and Suiseiseki secured a successful day for the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls with a 1659-1108 in Paris.

London saw Taiga Aisaka roar past Sakura Kinomoto and Cerberus in a 1406-1356 thriller, Reimu Hakurei had no problem against whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga with a 1548-949 in Lima, Kyou Fujibayashi bounced back with a 1472-1245 decision over Yuuhi Katagiri in Tehran, Chii edged Yuuhi Katagiri 1350-1304 in Bangkok, and Bogota saw Marisa Kirisame score a surprising 1342-1275 victory over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld).

Nanoha Tamachi busted Kirino Chiba 1761-877 in Santiago, Kinshasa saw Shiroi Misaka defeat Shiki Ryogi 1325-1226, Toronto saw Nagi Sanzen'in get back on the winning track with a 1575-1187 victory over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, and Ami Kawashima made it a Toradora! sweep with a 1554-1294 victory over Hayate Yagami in Aigiers.

Wrapping up the day's action, Tsukasa Hiiragi defeated Mai Kawasumi 1597-1338 in Madrid, Konata Izumi secured a successful day for the Lucky Star girls with a 1951-926 wipeout of Aya Shameimaru in Sydney and Katowice saw Nagi get on the winning track with a 1438-932 victory over Anya Earlstreim.

It's official...



And so the war goes on. Nice going, you six old shagbags on the California Supreme Court. Out of money and out of tolerance. Hence my first sentence.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 7

ARENA 01: Vita [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 02: [Katsura Hinagiku] Saber

ARENA 03: Kawazoe Tamaki [Alice Carroll]

ARENA 04: Sakagami Tomoyo [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 05: Patchouli Knowledge [Furude Rika]

ARENA 06: Kushieda Minori [C.C.]

ARENA 07: [Holo] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 08: Index Prohibitorum [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 09: Kurata Sayuri [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 10: [Fate Testarossa] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 11: Mizunashi Akari [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 12: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Shinku]

ARENA 13: [Tōsaka Rin] Maria

ARENA 14: Kamio Misuzu [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 15: Remilia Scarlet [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 16: Furude Hanyū [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 17: Evangeline McDowell [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 18: [Shana] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 19: [Aisaka Taiga] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 20: [Hakurei Reimu] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 21: Konjiki no Yami [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 22: Katagiri Yūhi [Chii]

ARENA 23: [Kirisame Marisa] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 24: [Takamachi Nanoha] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 25: [Misaka Shiori] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 26: Louise Vallière [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 27: [Kawashima Ami] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 28: Ibuki Fūko [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 29: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 30: [Izumi Konata] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 31: [Suigintou] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 32: Nagi [Anya Alstreim]

Quick hits, May 24, 2009

Damn you Merida! I was putting my money on Tijuana to advance to the Promotional Final in Primera Division A against Queretaro, you sons of bitches! Hell!

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And the Los Angeles Sol win again while the Galaxy tie...again. I think we have a new nickname for the guys...the "Tie-Fighters." They don't play to win...they play to draw. And it's a Star Wars reference, by the way.

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So I was at the Anime Expo staff barbecue yesterday in Irvine. It was held at this park where there was some swings, a pool, a person rumoured to be Rosie from that AC/DC song (duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-daaaat ANGUS!), and plenty of food. I rated some anime music videos with some old friends, shook hands with other big shots, and even shared some magazines.

For some unknown reason, one of my AC mates is in love with Sawako Yamanaka, the club advisor and band manager from K-ON! Apparently he likes them old, he likes them wild, and he likes being off the beaten path. Nuff said.

After I left the party, I was stuck in Irvine for a while, sipping some green team while detouring to Kino's to catch up on my Haruhi manga. The new series is out, by the way.

ISML 2009: Haruhi remains only unbeaten after Amethyst 6

ISML 2009: Haruhi remains only unbeaten after Amethyst 6

May 23, 2009

After six match days in the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase, one of the biggest upsets took place in Mumbai, while a similar ones took place in Jakarta and Moscow.

The biggest one of the day was Rin Tosaka defeating Kyou Fujibayashi 1797-1466 in the Indian city. The victory meant that Haruhi Suzumiya is the only unbeaten in all phases of the ISML regular season through 24 match days. Suzumiya delivered a businesslike 2053-1225 victory over Rena Ryuuguu in Santo Domingo.

Meanwhile, in the Indonesian capital, Nagisa Furukawa delivered a shocking 1427-1340 upset of Tomoyo Sakagami. A few days after Alexander Rybak delivered the Eurovision bacon for Norway, Suiseiseki delivered a 1697-1384 upset of Hinagiku Katsura, eliminating her from necklace contention.

It was a solid day for the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls. Suigintou galvanized her lead with a 1966-1039 rout of Rika Furude in Santiago while rival Shinku kept pace with a 1738-798 mule-kicking of Akari Mizunashi in London.

However, Kagami Hiiragi took hold of first place in the Amethyst standings, coming one step closer to defending her necklace with a 1917-1052 victory over Nanoha Takamachi in Lagos.

It was also a solid day for the SOS Brigade, riding on the coattails of a new season. Mikuru Asahina roared to a 2014-1110 win over Shiori Misaka in Sydney, while Yuki Nagato prevailed over Tsukasa Hiiragi 1607-1394 in Kinshasa.

Also still unbeaten and in contention is Shana. The fiery-eyed wonder outlasted Kotomi Ichinose in a 1563-1526 thriller in Shanghai.

In other action, Yuuhi Katagiri edged Amu Hinamori in Tokyo 1473-1245, Saber dusted Index L. Prohibitorum 1958-1132 in Mexico City, Sao Paulo witnessed Mikoto Misaka take down Remilia Scarlet 1525-1168, New York City saw Mai Kawasumi slash Tamaki Kawazoe 1761-1063 and Los Angeles witnessed Hanyuu Furude take out Anya Alstreim 1679-1199.

Buenos Aires saw defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown take advantage of a slumping Nagi Sanzen'in 1682-1477, Patchouli Knowledge notched her first win of her campaign by defeating Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1394-1063, Fuuko Ibuki took down Mei Sunohara 1604-1263 in Karachi and Minori KUshieda rolled past Alice Carroll 1662-1148 in Dhaka.

A Thrilla in Manila saw Vita narrowly defeat Makoto Sawatari 1388-1376, Konata Izumi won yet another close contest against Sakura Kinomoto 1472-1466, Holo chomped up C.C. and her pizza 1600-1154 in Paris, Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Nayuki Minase 1552-1421 in Istanbul, and Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) raced past Hayate Yagami 1533-1267 in LIma.

Tehran witnessed Sayuri Kurata rock Chii 1501-1379, Reimu Hakurei defeated Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1479-1170 in Bangkok, Ami Kawashima defeated Ayu Tsukimiya 1513-1455 in Bogota, and Evangeline McDowell whipped past Shiki Ryogi 1377-1224 in Toronto.

Wrapping up action today, Maria stomped Misuzu Kamio 1618-1345 in Algiers, Nagi chalked up a win over Aya Shameimaru 1398-1157 in Milan, Marisa Kirisame added another win to her credit-this time against Kirino Chiba 1305-1174 in Madrid, and Taiga Aisaka ripped past Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 2000-1068 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 6

ARENA 01: [Katagiri Yūhi] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 02: Index Prohibitorum [Saber]

ARENA 03: Tōsaka Rin [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 04: Remilia Scarlet [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 05: Kawazoe Tamaki [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 06: [Shana] Ichinose Kotomi

ARENA 07: Takamachi Nanoha [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 08: [Furude Hanyū] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 09: [Fate Testarossa] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 10: [Patchouli Knowledge] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 11: [Ibuki Fūko] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 12: [Kushieda Minori] Alice Carroll

ARENA 13: [Vita] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 14: [Izumi Konata] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 15: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Furukawa Nagisa

ARENA 16: Holo [C.C.]

ARENA 17: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 18: [Katsura Hinagiku] Suiseiseki

ARENA 19: Mizunashi Akari [Shinku]

ARENA 20: [Konjiki no Yami] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 21: Kurata Sayuri [Chii]

ARENA 22: [Hakurei Reimu] Louise Vallière

ARENA 23: [Kawashima Ami] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 24: [Suigintou] Furude Rika

ARENA 25: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 26: [Evangeline McDowell] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 27: Kamio Misuzu [Maria]

ARENA 28: Nagi [Shameimaru Aya]

ARENA 29: [Kirisame Marisa] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 30: Misaka Shiori [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 31: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 32: [Aisaka Taiga] Kōzuki Kallen

ISML 2009: Shinku, Haruhi, Illya and Ayu dominate on Amethyst 5

ISML 2009: Shinku, Haruhi, Illya and Ayu dominate on Amethyst 5

May 21, 2009

As Suigintou consolidated her lead on the field through the halfway point of the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst network phase, ten others were in the chase.

Among those ten are Shinku and Haruhi Suzumiya.

Shinku, Suigintou's rival in Rozen Maiden's Alice Game, scored an important 1387-1280 victory over Tsukasa Hiiragi in Karachi. Suzumiya, the franchise character for her SOS Brigade and the series that heralds her name and legacy (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), defeated Saber in Algiers, 1556-1280.

Illyasviel von Einzbern scored an impressive 1321-1070 decision over Nagi Sanzen'in in Lima, while Ayu Tsukimiya clawed her way back into contentiomn with a 1298-1054 victory over Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) in Mumbai.

Kyou Fujibayashi, the other remaining unbeaten in the ISML, rolled to a 1663-932 victory over Misuzu Kamio in Tehran, while defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown dominated Reimu Hakurei 1557-985 in Santo Domingo.

As for the junkyard doll at the top of the pile, she made what was already a mismatch against Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga the flat-out farce that it is with a 1996-527 flattening in Lagos.

This was a solid day for the Brigade and for the Higurashi representatives. Yuki Nagato scored an easy 1977-811 domination of Tamaki Kawazoe in Tokyo and Mikuru Asahina ran roughshod over Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1630-999 in Santiago. Rena Ryuuguu edged Mikoto Misaka 1330-1146 in Sao Paulo, Rika Furude defeated Vita 1418-1042 in Bangkok and her sister Hanyuu overpowered Aya Shameimaru 1435-846 in Kinshasa.

In a surprising result from Buenos Aires, Ami Kawashima upset Kotomi Ichinose 1240-1224.

Among others in the running for the Amethyst, Kagami Hiiragi easily wiped out Marisa Kirisame 1728-906 in Toronto, Tomoyo Sakagami roundhoused Mei Sunohara 1704-888 in a battle of CLANNAD compatriots in Seoul, Rin Tosaka outpaced Hayate Yagami 1480-1099 in Istanbul, Shana burned Chii 1825-966 in Shanghai and Hinagiku Katsura routed Anya Alstreim 1716-850 in Sydney.

In other action, Nanoha Takamachi busted Shiki Ryogi without the need for a surgical mask (a product of Raising Heart's magic) 1560-983 in Mexico City, New York City saw Suiseiseki complete an Alice Doll sweep with a 1690-826 crushing of Index L. Prohibitorum, Nayuki Minase edged Akari Mizunashi 1054-1022 in Los Angeles, and a Thrilla in Manila saw Sayuri Kurata defeat Amu Hinamori 1061-1038.

Fuuko Ibuki tore apart Makoto Sawatari 1603-825 in Cairo, Jakarta witnessed Taiga Aisaka roar past Kirino Chiba 1697-843, Sakura Kinomoto pounded Nagi 1446-1010 in Moscow, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere slammed Patchouli Knowledge 1453-936 in London, and Minori Kushieda defeated Mai Kawasumi 1269-1014 in Bogota.

Wrapping up the day's action, Konata Izumi rebounded from her defeat to Kagami with a 1746-861 destruction of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Milan, Nagisa Furukawa scored a businesslike 1653-773 win in Madrid, and Maria rocked Remilia Scarlet 1553-908 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Projections: Amethyst Match Day 5

ARENA 01: Kawazoe Tamaki [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 02: [Takamachi Nanoha] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 03: Konjiki no Yami [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 04: [Ryūgū Rena] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 05: Index Prohibitorum [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 06: [Shana] Chii

ARENA 07: [Suigintou] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 08: Mizunashi Akari [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 09: Kawashima Ami [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 10: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 11: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Shinku

ARENA 12: [Holo] Alice Carroll

ARENA 13: [Kurata Sayuri] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 14: [Ibuki Fūko] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 15: [Aisaka Taiga] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 16: Katagiri Yūhi [C.C.]

ARENA 17: [Tōsaka Rin] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 18: Nagi [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 19: Patchouli Knowledge [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 20: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 21: Kamio Misuzu [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 22: Vita [Furude Rika]

ARENA 23: Kushieda Minori [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 24: Evangeline McDowell [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 25: [Furude Hanyū] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 26: Kirisame Marisa [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 27: Saber [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 28: [Izumi Konata] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 29: Misaka Shiori [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 30: [Katsura Hinagiku] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 31: [Fate Testarossa] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 32: Remilia Scarlet [Maria]

ISML 2009: Kagami wins big, Suigintou holds on Amethyst 4

ISML 2009: Kagami wins big, Suigintou holds on Amethyst 4

May 19, 2009

Through four match days in the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase, we have witnessed some big results, and some contenders rise.

Kagami Hiiragi, the defending 2chan Saimoe and ISML Amethyst necklace champion, got a big victory against Taiga Aisaka, 1686-1000 in Sao Paulo. Suigintou, who remains at the top of the leaderboard, kept her spot with a 1956-990 annihilation of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in New York City.

Other big winners were Maria, Rika Furude and Mikuru Asahina.

Maria scored an impressive 1486-1371 win over Rena Ryuuguu in Bogota. Furude outpaced Fuuko Ibuki 1448-1087 in Santo Domingo and Asahina chalked up an eye-raising 1562-1059 win in Milan.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown bounced back with a 1891-915 mule-kicking of Patchouli Knowledge in Lagos. Haruhi Suzumiya and Kyou Fujibayashi remained undefeated through 23 match days. Suzumiya has no problems in a businesslike 1986-1137 crushing of Mikoto Misaka in Los Angeles while Fujibayashi was rarely challenged in a 1983-885 blowout win over Remilia Scarlet in Moscow.

In other action, Tsukasa Hiiragi prevailed over Nayuki Minase 1350-1252 in Tokyo, Mexico City saw Horo don a surgical mask while devouring Mai Kawasumi and ker princess crepe 1574-1356, Mumbai saw Marisa Kirisame score an impressive 1275-1234 decision over Shiki Ryogi, and Ami Kawashima destroyed Chii 1612-887 in Buenos Aires.

Suiseiseki defeated Saber 1602-1359 in Shanghai, Alice Carroll scored a surprisinf 1063-995 win over Yuuhi Katagiri in Seoul, C.C. survived a challenge from Sayuri Kurata in a 1664-1304 win in Dhaka, Hayate Yagami pounded Misuzu Kamio 1409-953 in Manila, and Kotomi Ichinose sounded out Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 1620-1313 in Cairo.

The whipping girl, Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, was hopelessly overmatched again, this time by Vita 1603-998 in Jakarta. Paris witnessed Konata Izumi stroll to a 1959-939 win over Kirino Chiba, Hinagiku Katsura brushed aside Aya Shameimaru 1925-835 in Istanbul, and Nagi Sanzen'in rocked Akari Mizunashi 1395-954 in London.

Rin Tosaka survived a heady challlenge from Ayu Tsukimiya to win 1684-1244 in Lima, Illyasviel von Einzbern routed Reimu Hakurei through her handicap Berserker 1527-1169 in Santiago, Yuki Nagato easily ran over Minori Kushieda 1938-750 in Kinshasa, and Tonroto witnessed Index L. Prohibitorum roll past Anya Earlstreim 1425-1147.

Wrapping up the day's action, Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) chalked up a rare win, bouncing Nagi 1324-1283 in Madrid, Shinku easily pummeled Tamaki Kawazoe 1820-766 in Algiers, Hanyuu Furude escaped Sakura Kinomoto 1461-1314 in Sydney, and Tomoyo Sakagami sent Makoto Sawatari skyward 1983-885 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Projections: Amethyst Match Day 4

ARENA 01: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 02: [Holo] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 03: [Kirisame Marisa] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 04: Aisaka Taiga [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 05: [Suigintou] Louise Vallière

ARENA 06: [Saber] Suiseiseki

ARENA 07: Patchouli Knowledge [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 08: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 09: [Kawashima Ami] Chii

ARENA 10: [Katagiri Yūhi] Alice Carroll

ARENA 11: Misaka Shiori [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 12: Kurata Sayuri [C.C.]

ARENA 13: Kamio Misuzu [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 14: Konjiki no Yami [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 15: [Vita] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 16: [Izumi Konata] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 17: [Katsura Hinagiku] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 18: Remilia Scarlet [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 19: Mizunashi Akari [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 20: [Tōsaka Rin] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 21: [Shana] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 22: Evangeline McDowell [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 23: [Ryūgū Rena] Maria

ARENA 24: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 25: Kushieda Minori [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 26: [Index Prohibitorum] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 27: Kawazoe Tamaki [Shinku]

ARENA 28: Takamachi Nanoha [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 29: [Nagi] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 30: [Furude Hanyū] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 31: Ibuki Fūko [Furude Rika]

ARENA 32: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Sawatari Makoto

ISML 2009: Shana, Rin, Tsukasa, Ayu roll on Amethyst 3

ISML 2009: Shana, Rin, Tsukasa, Ayu roll on Amethyst 3

May 16, 2009

On a day where Rachel Alexandra shocked the horse racing world by winning the Preakness, equally impressive results were had from Shana, Rin Tosaka, Tsukasa Hiiragi and Ayu Tsukimiya on Match Day 3 of the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase.

The fire-eyed melon bread addict scored a businessline 1925-1489 victory over C.C. in Kinshasa. Tosaka pulled off an impressive 1992-1279 victory over Kotomi Ichinose in Katowice. Tsukasa, the younger of the Hiiragi sisters, prevailed over a slumping Nagi Sanzen'in 1624-1316 in Sao Paulo. In a battle of franchise characters, Tsukimiya of Kanon defeated AIR's Misuzu Kamio in a close 1398-1359 decision in LA.

Haruhi Suzumiya and Kyou Fujibayashi kept their unbeaten runs throughout the season intact. Suzumiya defeated Suiseiseki 1720-1663 in Jakarta, while Fujibayashi was all business against Rena Ryuuguu 1918-1318 in Shanghai.

The biggest result came in Bangkok, when Suigintou scored a 1791-1385 upset over defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown. The victory puts her at the top of the standings through three match days in Amethyst.

In other action today, Illyasviel von Einzbern destroyed Patchouli Knowledge 1946-1023 in Tokyo, Mexico City saw Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere don shades and a surgical mask to outwit Vita 1629-1062, Mumbai witnessed Reimu Hakurei defeat Akari Mizunashi 1614-1144, and Nayuki Minase won a thrilling 1239-1220 victory over Tamaki Kawazoe in New York City.

Hanyuu Furude ran roughshod over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1831-1239, Fuuko Ibuki was rarely troubled by whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in a 2133-944 farce of a match in Buenos Aires that was over before it started, Tomoyo Sakagami roundhoused Rika Furude 1849-1412 in Seoul and Index L. Prohibitorum defeated Aya Shameimaru 1491-1220 in Karachi.

In what was a great match to watch in Dhaka, Yuki Nagato escaped Horo in a 1497-1479 barnburner by the Indian Ocean. Maria easily dismissed Mikoto Misaka 1690-888 in Manila, Shinku rolled past Minori Kushieda 1868-1239 in Cairo, and Mikuru Asahina completed an SOS Brigade sweep with a 2009-1139 destruction of Marisa Kirisame in Paris.

In a marquee showdown by Topkapi in Istanbul, Kagami Hiiragi outdueled longtime partner Konata Izumi 1676-1415. Savber slashed past Anya Earlstreim 2056-1093 in Moscow, Kirino Chiba got on the win column with a 1350-929 victory over Nagi in London, and Hinagiku Katsura brushed aside Sakura Kinomoto 1821-1338 in Bogota.

Taiga Aisaka bounced back with a 1978-1104 drubbing of Shiki Ryogi in Santiago, Toronto saw Shiori Misaka chalk up a 1303-786 victory over Makoto Sawatari, Algiers witnessed Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) roll past Chii 15579-1400, and Nagisa Furukawa scored a surprising 1563-1240 victory over Nanoha Takamachi in Milan.

Wrapping up the day's action, Ami Kawashima defeated Amu Hinamori in Madrid by the score of 1689-1266, and Mei Sunohara won a thriller in Santo Domingo against Evangeline McDowell by the score of 1322-1314.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 3

ARENA 01: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 02: Vita [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 03: Mizunashi Akari [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 04: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 05: Kawazoe Tamaki [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 06: Ryūgū Rena [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 07: [Furude Hanyū] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 08: Kamio Misuzu [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 09: [Ibuki Fūko] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 10: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Furude Rika

ARENA 11: [Index Prohibitorum] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 12: Holo [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 13: Misaka Mikoto [Maria]

ARENA 14: Kushieda Minori [Shinku]

ARENA 15: Suiseiseki [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 16: Kirisame Marisa [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 17: Izumi Konata [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 18: [Saber] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 19: [Nagi] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 20: [Kurata Sayuri] Alice Carroll

ARENA 21: Katagiri Yūhi [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 22: Suigintou [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 23: [Katsura Hinagiku] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 24: [Aisaka Taiga] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 25: [Shana] C.C.

ARENA 26: Misaka Shiori [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 27: Konjiki no Yami [Chii]

ARENA 28: [Takamachi Nanoha] Furukawa Nagisa

ARENA 29: [Kawashima Ami] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 30: Remilia Scarlet [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 31: Evangeline McDowell [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 32: Tōsaka Rin [Ichinose Kotomi]

ISML 2009: Mikuru, Shinku, C.C. and Nanoha big winners on Amethyst Match Day 2

ISML 2009: Mikuru, Shinku, C.C. and Nanoha big winners on Amethyst Match Day 2

May 14, 2009

The 2009 International Saimoe League season rolled on with the second day of matches in the Amethyst phase.

Mikuru Asahina, in a marquee match in New York City, defeated Taiga Aisaka in an impressive 1417-1179 victory. In Katowice, Shinku fought a thiller against Horo and prevailed 1365-1313. C.C., the flagship moekko for Code Geass, was not to be denied against Ami Kawashima, winning 1523-1325 in Mumbai. Lima saw Nanoha Takamachi perform another Divine Buster, this time on Mei Sunohara 1471-1246.

Haruhi Suzumiya and Kyou Fujibayashi, the remaining unbeatens in the competition, pulled off another one to their win columns.

Suzumiya, the franchise leader of the SOS Brigade, had enough to pull away past Maria, winning 1390-1238 in Karachi. Fujibayashi had no problems against Mikoto Misaka in Algiers, laying the book down in a 1728-1033 blowout.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown had an easy time in what was a glorified scrimmage against Vita, routing the Wolkenritter 1783-720 in Buenos Aires.

In other action, Evangeline McDowell chalked up a win over Makoto Sawatari, 1285-924 in Tokyo, Mexico City saw Tomoyo Sakagami blast Ayumu Kasuga-with a surgical mask on-in a 1681-869 beatdown, Sao Paulo saw Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) score an easy 1578-920 win over Amu Hinamori, Shanghai saw Rin Tosaka zap Chii 1680-1111, and Suigintou sliced up Illlyasviel von Einzbern and Berserker, 1392-1048.

Akari Mizunashi finally got on the win column with a 1163-1055 win over Patchouli Knowledge in Los Angeles, Rika Furude had no problems against Shiori Misaka in a 1542-1047 decision in Seoul, Konata Izumi pummeled Shiki Ryogi 1765-1006 in Dhaka, and Nagisa Furukawa brushed aside Marisa Kirisame 1707-1000 in Manila.

Sakura Kinomoto outpaced Index L. Prohibitorum 1374-1203 in Cairo, Yuki Nagato was rarely challenged by Yuuki Katagiri in a 1883-969 double-up in Jakarta, Nagi Sanzen'in rolled past Tamaki Kawazoe 1325-896 in Paris, and Istanbul saw Hanyuu Furude rock Kirino Chiba 1498-950.

Tsukasa Hiiragi easily dusted Kirino Chiba 1611-1105 in Moscow, Kotomi Ichinose and her violin easily defeated Misuzu Kamio 1579-1038 in London, Tehran saw Shana paste Alice Carroll 1969-860, Rena Ryuuguu made it a Higurashi sweep with a 1390-824 win over Hayate Yagami in Bangkok, and Suiseiseki took down Anya Earlstreim in Bogota 1440-777.

Saber slashed past Aya Shameimaru 1886-798 in Santiago, Minori Kushieda took down Nayuki Minase in Kinshasa 1380-897, Fuuko Ibuki roughhoused Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1539-1188 in Toronto, and Kagami Hiiragi made it a sweep for Lucky Star in a 1850-880 pulverizing of Nagi in Milan.

Wrapping up the day's action, Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Remilia Scarlet 1431-1027 in Madrid, Mai Kawasumi prevailed over good friend\ Sayuri Kurata 1211-1089 in Sydney, and Hinagiku Katsura disemboweled Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1846-554 in Santo Domingo.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 2

ARENA 01: Evangeline McDowell [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 02: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 03: Kawashima Ami [C.C.]

ARENA 04: [Konjiki no Yami] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 05: [Aisaka Taiga] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 06: [Tōsaka Rin] Chii

ARENA 07: [Suigintou] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 08: [Mizunashi Akari] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 09: Vita [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 10: Misaka Shiori [Furude Rika]

ARENA 11: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Maria

ARENA 12: [Izumi Konata] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 13: Kirisame Marisa [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 14: Index Prohibitorum [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 15: Katagiri Yūhi [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 16: Kawazoe Tamaki [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 17: [Furude Hanyū] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 18: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 19: Kamio Misuzu [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 20: [Takamachi Nanoha] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 21: [Shana] Alice Carroll

ARENA 22: [Ryūgū Rena] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 23: [Suiseiseki] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 24: [Saber] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 25: [Kushieda Minori] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 26: [Ibuki Fūko] Louise Vallière

ARENA 27: Misaka Mikoto [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 28: Nagi [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 29: Remilia Scarlet [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 30: Kurata Sayuri [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 31: [Katsura Hinagiku] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 32: [Holo] Shinku

ISML 2009: Amethyst phase begins with Taiga, Mikuru, Yami and Misuzu making their move

ISML 2009: Amethyst phase begins with Taiga, Mikuru, Yami and Misuzu making their move

May 12, 2009

The third phase of the 2009 International Saimoe League season, the Amethyst necklace phase, began with big victories from Taiga Aisaka, Mikuru Asahina, Konijiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) and Mizusu Kamio.

In a battle of franchise characters, Aisaka of Toradora! defeated Nagisa Furukawa of CLANNAD in the Algerian capital of Algiers, 1573-1416. Asahina edged Konata Izumi in a close battle in Mumbai, India by the score of 1299-1278. Yami, in a bid to try to stay at least .500 by season's end, helped her cause with a surprise 1341-1277 upset of C.C. in Katowice, Poland. Toronto, Canada saw Kamio, AIR's flagship character defeat Chobits' Chii 1401-1249.

The two unbeatens in the competition, Kyou Fujibayashi and Haruhi Suzumiya, also kept their clean sheets.

Fujibayashi outpaced Maria in Madrid, Spain 1543-1163. Suzumiya, the celebrated leader of the SOS Brigade, blew apart Anya Earlstreim in New York City, 1940-940.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown bounced back from her loss to Suzumiya with a 1403-1183 victory over Fuuko Ibuki in Shanghai, China.

In other action today, Shiki Ryogi outpaced Nagi in Tokyo, Japan 1348-1258, Mexico City saw Kotomi Ichinose bounce Remilia Scarlet (with a surgical mask on) 1614-1013, Illyasviel von Einzbern routed Vita1585-1196 in Sao Paulo, Kagtami Hiiragi pulled way from Hanyuu Furude 1580-1180 in Lagos, Nigeria, and Rika Furude crushed Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1694-1065 in Los Angeles, USA.

Saber slashed past Sakura Kinomoto 1430-1254 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Suigintou torched Akari Mizunashi in a 1714-685 beatdown in Seoul, Korea Republic, the Pakistani capital of Karachi saw Shiori Misaka blast Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1603-986, Nanoha Takamachi busted Makoto Sawatari in Dhaka, Bangladesh by the score of 1509-973 and Hayate Yagami brushed aside Mikoto Misaka 1339-1064 in Manila, Philippines.

Index L. Prohibitorum laid the book on Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1503-1120 in Cairo, Egypt, Rena Ryuuguu chopped Ayu Tsukimiya 1454-1297 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Shana stormed past Mai Kawasumi in Paris, France by the score of 1787-974, Nagi Sanzen'in routed Minori Kushieda 1678-1189 in Istanbul, Turkey, and Suiseiseki had no problems against Aya Shameimaru in Moscow, Russia, bouncing the Touhou tengu 1602-707.

Rin Tosaka slammed down Amu Hinamori 1836-980 in London, United Kingdom, Mei Sunohara easily crunched Marisa Kirisame in Lima, Peru 1615-1111, Yuki Nagato scored a businesslike 1736-1100 decision over Sayuri Kurata in Tehra, Iran, Shinku rolled over Yuuhi Katagiri in Bangkok, Thailand 1545-1029, and Horo gobbled up Nayuki MInase 1412-1130 in Santiago, Chile.

The Congo DR capital of Kinshasa saw Ami Kawashima defeat Alice Carroll 1438-949, Tsukasa Hiiragi had no problems against Patchouli Knowledge in Bogota, Cholombia with a 1666-918 rout, and Hinagiku Katsura easily outdueled Kirino Chiba in a kendo match on the streets of Milan, Italy 1895-737.

Wrapping up the day's action, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere was no match for Tomoyo Sakagami in Sydney, Australia, as the chick with kicks delivered in a 1621-1123 annihilation, and Reimu Hakurei salvaged a win for Touhou as Tamaki Kawazoe submitted to a 1405-1040 decision for the Shrine Maiden in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 1

ARENA 01: [Nagi] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 02: Remilia Scarlet [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 03: [Izumi Konata] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 04: Vita [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 05: Anya Alstreim [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 06: Ibuki Fūko [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 07: Furude Hanyū [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 08: Evangeline McDowell [Furude Rika]

ARENA 09: [Saber] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 10: Mizunashi Akari [Suigintou]

ARENA 11: [Misaka Shiori] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 12: [Takamachi Nanoha] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 13: Misaka Mikoto [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 14: [Index Prohibitorum] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 15: [Ryūgū Rena] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 16: [Shana] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 17: Kushieda Minori [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 18: [Suiseiseki] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 19: [Tōsaka Rin] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 20: Kirisame Marisa [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 21: Kurata Sayuri [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 22: Katagiri Yūhi [Shinku]

ARENA 23: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 24: [Holo] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 25: [Kawashima Ami] Alice Carroll

ARENA 26: Kamio Misuzu [Chii]

ARENA 27: Aisaka Taiga [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 28: [Katsura Hinagiku] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 29: Maria [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 30: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Louise Vallière

ARENA 31: Kawazoe Tamaki [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 32: Konjiki no Yami [C.C.]

ISML 2009: Yuki Nagato wins her first necklace


ISML 2009: Yuki Nagato wins her first necklace

May 2, 2009

Yuki Nagato became the second of the three members of the SOS Brigade to win an International Saimoe League necklace on a day where Fate Testarossa Harlaown and Tomoyo Sakagami's unbeaten streaks ended.

Nagato earned the Topaz necklace with a 1383-1317 thriller in Seoul over Sakagami.

"It's a great feeling to be on top," said Nagato. "Based on my calculations on my standing and where my other competitors stood, I knew that a victory today could seal the deal. I thank the people of Seoul, and the ISML for this necklace. And I am confident that this will be the momentum I seek heading into the rest of the season."

Sakagami took the defeat in stride.

"You can't take anything away from Yuki; she is as good a fighter as you will see out there," she said after the match. "But one loss should not set the tone for the rest of the season. All streaks have to come to an end some way or another. It's how you bounce back that really matters.

"I extend my congratulations to Yuki; she earned it today."

On the other side of the Pacific, Haruhi Suzumiya ended Harlaown's winning streak dating back to last season with a stirring 1428-1345 victory. Harlaown, naturally was disappointed with the loss, but was gracious in defeat.

"Today the Brigade made it clear that they were the dominant side," said Harlaown. "I gave it my best shot. But I plan to rebound from this slip-up in a big way in the Amethyst phase."

"I'm definitely over the moon," said Suzumiya with a huge smile. "Yuki got the necklace, and I finished undefeated as well. And with Mikuru winning, it's been quite a way to close out Topaz for us."

Shana and Kyou Fujibayashi also finished the Topaz campaign without a defeat.

Shana outlasted Kagami Hiiragi in Cairo, 1497-1162. "I finished without a necklace...again," she said, "but without a defeat, either. So they even out."

Fujibayashi outdid Hinagiku Katsura in Shanghai, winning 1350-1183. "Well, I can take solace I finish the Topaz stage as the only CLANNAD competitors without any defeats. And my unbeaten run continues. So I'm pretty happy with how it turned out."

In other results, Tsukasa Hiiragi edged Rika Furude 1340-1198 in Tokyo, Maria routed Index L. Prohibitorum 1596-1106 in Mumbai, Sao Paulo saw Mei Sunohara close out her run with a 1571-1275 victory, Suiseiseki escaped Rena Ryuuguu's cleaver 1325-1279 in New York, and Lagos saw Marisa Kirisame win just her second ISML match, a 1273-1108 decision over Amu Hinamori.

Los Angeles witnessed Evangeline McDowell barely beat Alice Carroll 1206-1155, Nanoha Takamachi busted C.C. 1383-1137, Rin Tosaka was too good for Sakura Kinomoto 1598-1058 in Dhaka, and it was a Thrilla in Manila as Makoto Sawatari prevailed over Tamaki Kawazoe 1218-1202.

Illyasviel von Einzbern sent Berserker to take care business in a 1564-1262 beatdown of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in Jakarta, Holo outraced Nagisa Furukawa 1504-1406 in Paris, Fuuko Ibuki had just a little more against Shinku with a 1506-1393 victory in Istanbul, and Nayuki Minase ran by Vita 1375-1249 in Moscow.

ayu Tsukimiya closed out her Topaz campaign with a 1456-1152 victory in London, Mikuru Asahina completed a SOS Brigade sweep with an easy 1678-986 victory over Yuuhi Katagiri in Lima, Tehran saw Konata Izumi's skill elude the effects of Kotomi Ichinose's violin in her 1335-1229 victory, and Ami Kawashima easily handled Kirino Chiba 1361-968 in Bangkok.

Bogota saw Anya Earlstreim score a 1222-1182 victory over Remilia Scarlet, Hanyuu Furude defeated Hayate Yagami in Kinshasa by the score of 1386-1322, Sayuri Kurata roughhoused Shiki Ryogi 1486-1129 in Santiago, Mai Kawasumi scored a businesslike 1502-818 win over Shiori Misaka in Toronto, and Reimu Hakurei doubled up Patchouli Knowledge, 1414-704, in Algiers.

Wrapping up the action in Topaz 9, Misuzu Kamio rolled over Aya Shameimaru, 1509-940 in Milan, Madrid saw Suigintou deal a 1454-1271 defeat to Nagi Sanzen'in, Taiga Aisawa romped all over Chii 1544-1113 in Sydney, Saber sliced and diced Mikoto Misaka 1830-920 in Santo Domingo to make it a clean sweep for Fate/Stay Night's representatives, and Akari Mizunashi scored her first victory in a while, pouncing on whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1413-872 in Katowice.

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ISML Commisioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

ISML 2009: Kagami Hiiragi leads the way through Topaz 8

ISML 2009: Kagami Hiiragi leads the way through Topaz 8

May 1, 2009

With one match day remaining in the Topaz phase, Kagami Hiiragi leads the pack heading into the final match day for the second necklace in the 2009 International Saimoe League season.

Hiiragi consolidated her lead with a 1376-852 rout of Ami Kawashima in London.

Chasing her are seven others who are also undefeated. Fate Testarossa Harlaown, the defending champion, cruised by Illaysviel von Einzbern, 1307-946 in Madrid, Haruhi Suzumiya had no problems against Patchouli Knowledge with a 1791-628 blowout in Dhaka, keeping her unbeaten season alive while Shana doubled up on Shiki Ryogi with a businesslike 1623-808 drubbing in Tehran.

Yuki Nagato, who is currently second, scored amn easy 1670-755 victory over Shiori Misaka in Seoul. Kyou Fujibayashi's undefeated season continued, with a 1519-800 demolition of Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Hinagiku Katsura chalked up a 1402-904 victory over Hayate Yagami in Sydney. And Tomoyo Sakagami's unbeaten run coinues, with a 1506-1252 victory over Shinku in New York City.

In other results, Konata Izumi flattened Chii 1438-983 in Tokyo, Rena Ryuuguu took down Anya Earlstreim 1439-903 while wearing a facemask in Mexico City, Mumbai witnessed Sakura Kinomoto outpace Misuzu Kamio 1289-1055, Remilia Scarlet defeated Aya Shameimaru in a battle of Touhou Project characters 957-742 in Mexico City, and Suiseiseki prevailed over Mikto Misaka 1211-1130 in Shanghai.

Rika Furude rolled to a 1301-826 victory over Tamaki Kawazoe, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) was all business in a 1345-723 laugher over Kirino Chiba in Los Angeles, Saber outdueled Maria 1316-1082 in Buenos Aires, and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere stomped Akari Mizunashi 1311-938 in Karachi.

Mai Kawasumi ripped apart Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1245-989 in Manila, Fuuko Ibuki scored a 1207-864 victory over Nayuki Minase in Cairo, Jakarta saw Nagisa Furukawa whip by Yuuhi Katagiri 1296-889, Hanyuu Furude won a thriller against Ayu Tsukimiya 1055-1032 in Paris, and Kotomi Ichinose and her violin sounded off Nagi 1411-781 in Lima.

Tsukasa Hiiragi pounded Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1555-653 in Bangkok, C.C. sent Marisa Kirisame back to earth with a 1318-851 decision in Bogota, Nagi Sanzen'in ran past Vita in Kinshasa 1430-894, Nanoha Takamachi busted Alice Carroll, 1417-768, and Holo outraced Mei Sunohara, 1285-1109 in Toronto.

Wrapping up the day's action, Suigintou delivered a 1342-850 blow to Reimu Hakurei in Algiers, Minori Kushieda had no problems against Makoto Sawatari with a 1288-916 decision in Milan, Rin Tosaka dusted off Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1607-715 in Santo Domingo, and Katowice witnessed Mikuru Asahina blast Sayuri Kurata, 1469-844.

Will Kagami be able to hold on and with the third necklace in her ISML career, or will it be one of the members of the pack. Vote at internationalsaimoe.com.

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ISML Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 9

ARENA 01: Furude Rika [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 02: [Fate Testarossa] Suzumiya Haruhi

ARENA 03: [Maria] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 04: [Sunohara Mei] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 05: Suiseiseki [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 06: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Katsura Hinagiku

ARENA 07: Hinamori Amu [Kirisame Marisa]

ARENA 08: Alice Carroll [Evangeline McDowell]

ARENA 09: Kōzuki Kallen [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 10: [Nagato Yuki] Sakagami Tomoyo

ARENA 11: C.C. [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 12: Kinomoto Sakura [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 13: [Sawatari Makoto] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 14: [Hiiragi Kagami] Shana

ARENA 15: Louise Vallière [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 16: [Furukawa Nagisa] Holo

ARENA 17: Shinku [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 18: [Minase Nayuki] Vita

ARENA 19: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Nagi

ARENA 20: [Asahina Mikuru] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 21: [Ichinose Kotomi] Izumi Konata

ARENA 22: Chiba Kirino [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 23: [Anya Alstreim] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 24: Yagami Hayate [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 25: Ryōgi Shiki [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 26: [Kawasumi Mai] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 27: [Hakurei Reimu] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 28: Shameimaru Aya [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 29: Sanzen'in Nagi [Suigintou]

ARENA 30: Chii [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 31: Misaka Mikoto [Saber]

ARENA 32: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Mizunashi Akari]