Tachibana Kanade (Angel Beats!) vs. Shana (Shakugan no Shana)
타치바나 카나데 (엔젤 비츠!) 대 샤나 ( 작안의 샤나 )Two of the last three undefeated girls face each other today. On one side stands a long-time ISML Veteran, who is looking for her 190th Regular Season victory, and on the other stands the superstar newcomer with just twenty wins and one necklace. This match marks the meeting between the Flame Haze, Shana, and the Angel of ISML, Tachibana Kanade. Over the past years we've had several successful Kugimiya Rie tsunderes in ISML and Shana has led the way every time. Despite her last TV appearance being over three years ago, Shana has remained one of the most powerful girls in ISML year after year. Particularly in the Regular Season, her ability to burn through her opposition is almost completely unmatched. This year features several strong characters voiced by Hanazawa Kana, and none are stronger than Tachibana Kanade. In just twenty matches, Kanade has displayed her fearsome ability to cut through her opponents. Racking up massive win after massive win, Kanade's dominance over her opponents is unprecedented. Perhaps among the most interesting victories this year were the ones she had against Shana. Three times did Shana and Kanade face each other in the multi-way Seeding and Necklace matches, and three times did Kanade come out on top. However, one-on-one matches won't necessarily play out the same way. The perfect records of the top Kugimiya Rie character and the top Hanazawa Kana character are on the line. Shana's Nietono no Shana is pitted against Kanade's Hand Sonic and, so far, impenetrable Distortion shield. When the match comes to an end, only one will remain standing.
부제: 카나데의 대마왕 승급 시험
모에 토너먼트(모토)의 역사상 샤나처럼 화려한 전적을 자랑하는 인물은 거의 없다. 특히 국제사이모에 정규시즌에서의 샤나의 전적은 독보적이다. 그렇지만 2011년 정규시즌에서는 카나데가 꾸준히 지금까지 보지 못한 큰 차이로 승리를 거듭하고 있다. 그럼으로 이 시합으로 정규시즌 대마왕의 자리를 샤나가 지키는 지, 카나데가 빼앗는지 결정된다고 해도 과언이 아니다. 샤나와 카나데는 90년대 이후 인기를 양분한 두 상반된 여성인물유형의 대표주자들 이다. 샤나는 소위 열혈 츤데레 계열의 대명사라 할 수 있고, 카나데는 과묵형 쿨데레의 현재 선두주자라 할 수 있다. 성우로 봐도, 샤나는 지금까지 모토상 가장 유명한 성우인 쿠기미야 리에를 대표하는 인물이고, 카나데는 2010년부터 엄청난 상승세를 보여주는 하나자와 카나의 인물중 가장 모토계에서 성공하고 있는 인물이다. 이 시합의 결과로 우리는 과연 모토판에서 쿠기미야 리에와 츤데레의 지배가 계속될 지, 아니면 새로운 성향과 성우의 시대가 열릴 지 알 수 있을 지 모른다.
Misaka Mikoto (Toaru Majutsu no Index) vs. Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku!)Our next two challengers last faced each other with unbeaten records and a necklace on the line. The circumstances may have changed since then, but they are more than ready to renew their battle. Katsura Hinagiku, the 2009 Tiara winner and 2007 Best Moe (K-Moe) champion, still remembers her previous match with last year’s finalist for the Heavenly Tiara, Misaka Mikoto. Both were still unbeaten and leading in the necklace race going into the final round of Topaz. Hinagiku won the match 3069-2891 and left her opponent with her first loss of the season, but unexpected results also cost her the Topaz necklace. After the match, she continued on to finish the Regular Season with only one loss. However, that one loss came at the hands of the same opponent who would eliminate her in the Postseason: Shana. Mikoto, on the other hand, recovered from her defeat very quickly, picking up the Ruby Necklace and continuing on to the Postseason finals. Akiyama Mio was the lone obstacle that she could not overcome in the battle for the Tiara. The Railgun has already come close to winning the Tiara. This time, she is not settling for second best. The Student Council President has already won two championships in her saimoe career, but she has worked very hard to reach the top, so she doesn't plan on stopping now. Will Hinagiku continue her dominance over her opponent, or will the Railgun finally beat her opponent and continue her ambitious dream of winning the Tiara?
Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) vs. Nakano Azusa (K-ON!)Amethyst draws to a close, but not before presenting us with the nail-biting climax we both anticipated and dreaded. The heat is on as our top girls face off, and quiet, calm Yuki is met with a new face, an unfamiliar element, even for her: the mysterious guitarist known as Azu-nyan. A perfectly-timed match for Yuki, a victory now could close the SDO gap between her and the current leader, Eucliwood, and very well see her reclaim her necklace; but, first she must find a way to face the wellspring of emotion that is music. Weapons, technology, and time itself, hold no power against the god-like powers of the humanoid interface, but Azusa wields the lyrical embodiment of Nagato's single weakness, and this time, there is no cynical-but-endearing Kyon to rescue her. Nothing but the sun and a tray full of cakes remain between the reticent alien and the full power of Azusa's flawless riffs. Racing neck-and-neck with only a single loss each to Mikoto, the omniscient AI and Light-Music Club member stand as mirror images of one another, wins, losses, and even down to SDO and SAO. The only two across the whole board to be so evenly matched, even Yuki will have difficulties predicting the result of this match. Will the SOS Brigade be left to catch their fallen comrade? Or, will Azu-nyan be relegated as another of Haruhi's playthings?
Akiyama Mio (K-ON!) vs. Eucliwood Hellscythe (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)Silence prevails across the graveyard as the shy bassist faces her fears in the realm of the dead... and undead. The protection of the Heavenly Tiara wanes as its bearer trembles before the solemn face of the centre of the universe; the soft tap of the necromancer's pen on her notepad is lost amid the uncontrollable chatter of Mio's teeth. But, a faint melody weaves its way through the headstones, slipping through shaking fingers held firmly over ears, and the familiar sound of her friends' voices remind the reigning champion of all that she has overcome. Strengthened, she reaches for her instrument, determinedly rising to meet Eucliwood's unexpectedly gentle gaze. A world of sadness and pain and a lifetime of fear and misunderstandings are trapped behind the kind, blue eyes of the child-like Hellscythe, and none know better than she of the powerful effect death can have on the living. They glance up at the swirling reds and whites of the Flame Haze and Tenshi above them, their only losses thus far, and back at the identical trail of eighteen wins that brought them here. With the strength of the Amethyst Necklace at stake, all fear is forgotten as the decorated veteran faces the strong newcomer. The faintest of smiles dances across Yū's lips as Mio stands ready, tipping her Tiara one last time. Will the reminder of its strength embolden the frightened musician, or will a deft flick of Eucliwood's scythe dethrone her and capture the power of the night once and for all? Yū's forgotten note drifts to the ground, as light as a feather.
No need to fear.
Nakamura Yuri (Angel Beats!) vs. Sanzen'in Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku!)With no time to waste, Nakamura Yuri and Sanzen'in Nagi set aside the idea of obtaining a necklace and focus on a more important task: the Tiara. Currently, Yuri sits comfortably around the Top 16. The leader of the SSS knows that even though things are going her way, she should still remain cautious. After all, there are still a couple of periods to go before figuring out who will advance to the next stage. In comparison, Nagi is still trying to fight her way through the margin, with Saber as the only girl separating her from returning to the Top 16 once more. This rich otaku will do whatever it takes to get back to where she belongs, even if she has to use her many bodyguards to forcefully obtain what she desires. As both of these women prepare for the battle at hand, Yuri reloads her trusty pistol while Nagi conjures up every sword, wand, and accessory known to the manga industry. Both of them run to the center stage and begin the fight!
Holo (Spice and Wolf) vs. Fate Testarossa (Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha)Both of these characters have it rough in this year's Amethyst period with little to brag about between the two of them combined; could it be that their strength is lessened by the high number of newcomers? Neither of them wishes to believe this, after all, Holo was the 2008 Korean Best Moe champion and participated in Double Elimination two years ago. Fate participated in the first two Postseason matches and became the Tiara bearer in 2008. However, time does not appear to be on either of the girls’ sides. Even so, they cannot afford to sulk any longer, and their only other option is to press on and hope that the later periods will be beneficial for them in the long run. As these two maidens cannot afford another loss, will Fate blast her way through with her magic powers, or will Holo strategize a plan out of this situation before Fate can strike her?
Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari) vs. Kuroi Mato (Black ★ Rock Shooter)Had life not been so cruel, Nadeko and Mato would undoubtedly be friends. Having suffered more than their fair share of heartache marring the bliss that should have been their innocent childhoods, these two HanaKana girls would easily have bonded if given half a chance, a sleepover, and a special phone charm. With her trademark hat and baggy jacket, the sweet nature of the shy middle-schooler who captured our hearts would just have as easily captured the interest of the bright basketball ace on the first day of school; and, Mato would as fearlessly fight to protect her new friend as she did for Yomi, who was enveloped by hurt, jealously, and betrayal. But, life plays a cruel twist once more, pitting the two girls against each other in Amethyst Round 6. After almost three periods, Nadeko finds herself just above the cut-off for the Postseason, and an ill-timed loss now could throw her back into the free-for-all pool vying for the last few slots for SE. Will Nadeko be able to stay in the relative safety of her newfound home? Or, will Mato pull off yet another underdog win and show everyone once again that she is not to be underestimated?
Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai no Ichizon) vs. Charlotte Dunois (IS <Infinite Stratos>)While Amethyst Round 7 has been all about the matches for necklace supremacy, between the top-tiered contestants are several enticing matches. One of these pits Shiina Mafuyu against Charlotte Dunois, with both maidens possessing long blonde hair and fair skin complexions. Mafuyu-chan is a soft-spoken girl whose inner charm radiates outward in the absence of her handheld PSP. However, her personality changes whenever it involves the topics that she loves the most: video games and BL. With her imagination running wild, Mafuyu-chan can be a fearful girl, a stark contrast to her usually benevolent, mild-mannered behaviour. That fact alone is enough to make her love interest stop thinking that her ‘route’ is the easiest. On the other hand, sweet Charlotte is usually the calming influence around her comrades. Acting as an onee-chan figure to her high-strung mates, she has the authority to influence others. But underneath her bashful side, lies the little trickster who plots her way, tinkering and strategizing to gain the upper hand whenever it comes to her struggles with love. She will not hesitate to exploit any opening presented, be it getting fed by her love interest or taking a bath together with him. As the race for a spot in the Postseason heats up, will Shiina Mafuyu's handheld PSP and BL novels propel her in this match, or will the Raphael Revive Custom II give Charlotte Dunois the advantage?
Kotobuki Tsumugi (K-ON!) vs. Yui (Angel Beats!)After losing to fellow band member, Akiyama Mio, in Amethyst Round 6, pianist Kotobuki Tsumugi is once again up against a Postseason-bound girl, this time in the form of the pink-haired guitarist and vocalist of GirlDeMo, Yui. In yet another musical showdown, the kind-hearted and gentle Mugi is looking to improve upon a dismal Amethyst period where she currently holds a 1-5 record, with her only win coming in Amethyst Round 3 against a severely weakened Fate Testarossa. On the other hand, Yui—who has just bounced back from a crushing defeat at the hands of Tachibana Kanade, thanks to a 3-vote win over Nakamura Yuri—currently sits at 10th in the overall standings with a 16-4 record, which is quite impressive considering the fact that she had limited screen-time in
Angel Beats! As this battle gets underway, which of these musicians will you choose? Will Mugi, the piano prodigy, mesmerize you with her music, or will the boisterous Yui grab your vote with a concert that you won't soon forget?
Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto) vs. Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky ☆ Star)A marvelous veteran with impressive achievements, Hiiragi Kagami experienced the most appreciation in ISML 2008 and now faces first-year, junior contestant, Gokō “Kuroneko” Ruri. As a senior, Kagami should anticipate any possible way that her opponent’s strength can jeopardize her reputation. But, Kuroneko just can’t let her senior’s potential force foil her ambition to be the top candidate, one who is worthy of an aristocratic lifestyle. Despite these differences, the two contestants certainly do have some similar characteristics: they’re cute, persistent, and reliable. One of these characteristics will be put to the test, and their persistence in vindicating their reputations will also be put at stake for this match.
Kasugano Sora (Yasuga no Sora) vs. Shinonono Hōki (IS <Infinite Stratos>)Two days ago, we witnessed a match befitting a beauty pageant between two of the most beautiful contestants in this year’s ISML. For Amethyst Round 7, another one of these 'pleasing-to-the-eyes' matches takes place in the forms of Kasugano Sora and Shinonono Hōki. While both Sora and Hōki possess long, wavy hair, their physical traits cannot be any more different. Almost permanently clad in a white blouse, Sora’s angelic and doll-like features are the antithesis of Hōki’s beautiful and model-like body perfectly wrapped underneath either a white hakama or the academy's uniform. Some might even go as far as proclaiming Sora as the embodiment of moe, while Hōki is the embodiment of beauty. Sora’s lack of physical strength is glaringly obvious, to the point where she even needs help doing mundane tasks. Hōki's physical prowess, however, is evident as she can easily pilot the 4th-generation IS, Akatsubaki. Between these two very distinct archetypal maidens, which one is more favoured? Will it be Kasugano Sora and her sweet, delicate features, or will the sophisticated allure of Shinonono Hōki sway the voters?
Louise Vallière (Zero no Tsukaima) vs. Victorique de Blois (GOSICK)Though neither of these two competitors is really French, they each have a particular affinity with this language and its culture. Each appears to be a descendant from aristocratic branches that once existed, and each lives in heavily French-influenced environments, a fictional country in Victorique's case, and a parallel universe in Louise's. While the Golden Fairy of the library has attained an honourable place for her debut, the magician is one in a group of experienced candidates who return each year despite increasingly disappointing results. Nevertheless, the Amethyst Period does not seem to smile solely upon the Grey Wolf as the chance of victory is present on both sides. Will Victorique find enough of the fragments of chaos to discover the quickest route to victory, or will Louise succeed in using her all-too-unpredictable magic to prevent it?
Bien qu'aucune de ces deux concurrentes ne soit réellement française, elles ont chacune une affinité particulière avec cette langue et cette culture. Chacune semble descendre d'une branche aristocratique qui a réellement existé, mais habitent pourtant dans un pays imaginaire dans le cas de Victorique et dans un univers parallèle pour Louise. Alors que la fée dorée de la bibliothèque obtient une place très honorable pour une première participation, la magicienne fait partie de ces candidates chevronnées qui reviennent chaque année malgré des résultats de plus en plus décevants. Toutefois, cette période sous le signe de l'améthyste ne semble pas sourire au Loup Gris et les chances de victoire sont bien présentes des deux côtés. Victorique trouvera-t-elle assez de fragments de chaos pour lui permettre de trouver la route la plus rapide qui la mènera à la victoire ou Louise parviendra-t-elle à utiliser sa magie encore trop imprévisible pour l'en empêcher ?
Haibara Ai (Detective Conan) vs. Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist)It was a normal day in the automail shop in which Winry Rockbell worked part-time. As she continued trying to create a new machine model, an unknown face slammed the door open. Winry was surprised that the person who made such a strong entrance came in the form of a child. Calling herself Haibara Ai, the stranger issued forth a challenge between inventors. Winry smiled and accepted, believing that the child had some courage to call someone like her out. A large crowd of people gathered around the square as these two girls stood, separated by a large pile of scrap metal. Winry busily constructed more various types of automail, while Ai managed to create chemical compounds and fashionable clothing through pieces of junk. The crowd stared in awe at the multiple works assembling at such a rapid pace. Both of the girls noted the quality and quantity of the others’ pieces and respected each others’ abilities. Suddenly, they realized something unsettling. Could it be that they had each actually found another person equal in skill to be called a friend? The two smiled and decided to take their challenge to the next level...
