As all voting for the preliminary rounds are over, we are all now set for the main tournament of International Saimoe 2010. The first stage of voting, as always, is for the Aquamarine necklace, the first of seven necklaces in which whoever wins the most matches out of every 7 rounds, will win. From the Peliminary Round of voting, we have seen many new comers, and many, previously powerful contestants no longer qualifying.
As expected KyoAni has the most characters from one studio in ISML, and new comer K-ON! has easily earned it’s way into ISML, with four characters, Mio, Yui, Ui and Azusa in, while Ritsu and Tsumugi failing to earn the votes to the main round. Eight of KyoAni’s CLANNAD characters have not surprisingly made their ways to the main voting rounds, as well as the usual three Lucky Star characters, and the three main girls of Haruhi. Unlike last year, KyoAni does not have any Kanon or Air characters this year, which for me, is rather disappointing… I’m also quite dissapointed that Umineko didn’t get any characters in, but it’s understandable. More newcomers from Seitokai no Ichizon and Railgun have also been voted in, as well as Bakemono’s Hitagi. Shana, Nanoha, Higurashi, Hayate, Fate/Stay Night and Toradora continue their roll in characters for ISML.
What surprises me is the lack of Rozen Maidens, who had were a force to be reckoned with near the end of ISML last year.
So, who will I be voting for? RIKA-CHAMA!!! I was ecstatic when I found that she relatively easily made her way into the main round through the preliminaries. (But really, it should be expected, as she finished just outside the top 16 last year.) I shall also be voting for all the CLANNAD girls in the absence of Kanon, as well as having finished CLANNAD recently. Fate and Nanoha will also be earning my devotion!
Then, there are also those who I will be voting AGAINSY. It’s really just two of the contestants, and I’m sure you can guess who they are… Haruhi and Yui. Really, the only two characters that I hate. Generally, the rest I can deal with. Mio, Ui and Azusa are characters I won’t vote for, but I won’t be voting against them either. The same goes for Mikuru. As for the rest… I remain neutral on, as… I really don’t watch that much anime… So… They will remain as neutral in my voting ballot…
My predictions remain the same as my post about the prelims. By the end of the tournament, “Mio, will no doubt will get within the top 16. (possibly with Yui and Asuza too) I kinda expect popularity for Haruhi (the character, not the series) drop a little as a result of the infamous Endless Eight arc. Characters from CLANNAD may fall down similar to how Kanon and Air’s did, as a result of their series finishing last year. Shana’s popularity will remain high, and so will Nanoha.” Now, I still don’t know how Lucky Star is continuing it’s trend in popularity… We will probably see Hitagi in the top 16 pretty easily, and someone from Seizon as well… I’ll be sad to admit, that we’ll probably see Rika move down as well as Hanyuu, but as always, I will be voting for them!
Good luck everyone and happy voting!!!
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