Tōsaka Rin (Fate/stay night, 12pts)
vs. Tachibana Kanade (Angel Beats!, 12pts)
vs. Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari, 12pts)Mystery abounds in another showdown between three likely regular season competitors. While they may not have had the most focus on airtime in their respective series, they have certainly garnered worthy attention in the aftermath. The fiesty mage that has become a trademark of the tsundere type; the quiet and mysterious purple-haired wonder that seems poised to rise above those before her in her own character type and be a major contender for the tiara; the shy snake who became the very definition of the Onii-chan type. Be that as it may, only one will be able to live up to their character type's strengths and forge their own identity more in the regular season. So which will be destined to be the epitome of their type?
In every ISML edition, there will always be a new face who will rise up to challenge the old guard. Last year we had Akiyama Mio and this year the baton has been passed to Tachibana Kanade, who have shown that she is up to the task by managing a 6,209 vote average over three victorious matches, the highest ever in this year's Preliminaries. Interestingly enough, this final round match is Kanade's first run-in with two ISML veterans. Going up against her are ISML 2010's 13th and 17th ranked players, Sengoku Nadeko and Tōsaka Rin, both who are also undefeated in their own respective matches so far. While not as impressive performance-wise, Nadeko and Rin do still have their core support and will definitely not go down without a fight. So can Kanade grab this opportunity to make her declaration of challenge to all for the rest of ISML 2011 or will the veteran side prove that experience triumphs over youth?
Asahina Mikuru (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu, 12 pts)
vs. Victorique de Blois (GOSICK, 12 pts)
vs. Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!, 12 pts)With all three girls having a perfect score, it was only a matter of time before these three were to square off in the finals of the Preliminary round. Time traveler Asahina Mikuru was delighted when she heard that her friends Yuki and Haruhi were able to advance to Regular Season. As the weakest girl of the three, it is up to her to try her hardest so that she would reunite with her friends in the main round. A similar story could be heard from Guitarist and vocalist Hirasawa Yui. With all the hugging and celebration for Mio and Azusa's victory, these victories only increased her adrenalin, making her wish to be with her friends as soon as possible. In order for Mikuru and Yui to do this, they must defeat each other in hopes that one of them would be on top. A wildcard factor that may decide the outcome of this match is mystery solver Victorique de Blois. Although she is alone and on her own in ISML, all she needs to do is carefully construct the chaos to her favor, which would allow her to win the match. Everything hangs within the balance of this match. Only one girl can come out of this alive. Will Mikuru and Yui be reunited with their friends, or will Victorique rise above them and make it to the top?
Eucliwood Hellscythe (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?, 12 pts)
vs. Sakagami Tomoyo (CLANNAD, 12 pts),
vs. C.C. (Code Geass, 12 pts)Surprisingly enough, these three quiet and somewhat liberal girls managed to find each other in the final round with perfect scores. By the time the match begins, all hell would break loose before this match even begins. Sakagami Tomoyo is looking to maintain her place as one of the first sixteen girls to advance to Regular season. This student council member is willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the top, no matter what the obstacles are in front of her. Another veteran willing to make another grand entrance to Regular Season is C.C. Although known as a witch, she did not use any of her powers to make it seem as if her opponents were easy game to her. In this match, she may need to go all out if she is willing to do whatever it takes to get to Regular Season. In the midst of all of this is one of the most popular characters in the winter series: the necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe. Out of these three girls, Eucliwood has done outstandingly well, besting both of these girls in vote count in every match. Now that she has to take on true veterans, it is only a matter of time when things tend to go very rough on the newcomers. After all of the spells, kicks, and commands, one girl will remain standing after all of this is said and done.
As if fated from the beginning of Group 11, the three contenders for the prized position for qualification to the regular season must face off in a deadly triple-threat. All three of them are formidable girls who have a way of getting what they want in differing methods, connected by their ability to get physical when needed. But moreso by tragedy that.they are very reluctant to reveal, along with taking it upon themselves to befriend a guy who is able to see what lies beneath. The slient silver-haired necromancer who fears her own powers; the compelling school president living in repentance for a youth stained in shame; the immortal witch living on a final hope to right the wrongs she has seen transpire. But salvation will only come for one of these three. Who will it be - the one who can ressurect the dead, the indomitable president with the kick that defies the universe, or the immortal one? Whoever emerges from this showdown triumphant will have shown death-defying determination and earned the right to be a contender for the hallowed tiara.
Kōsaka Kirino (Ore no Imōto, 12 pts)
vs. Kaname Madoka (Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica, 2 pts)
vs. Fujibayashi Kyō (CLANNAD, 12 pts)Things are heating up as the first preliminary phase draws to a close. In this group, two girls would square off to determine who will proceed to Regular Season. On one corner is Kōsaka Kirino, the cute little sister that many of our competitors have been keeping an eye on. Kirino ripped through her competition with ease, even making Elite 7 Fate Testerossa seem like nothing to her. Maybe she will get her just deserts today, as she faces yet another powerful member of the Elite 7 in the other corner: Fujibayashi Kyō. Kyō has been waiting for this moment for a while. After a hard fought victory with Fate, she is wiling to take revenge for her sistren by taking out the second most-nominated contestant of ISML. In the midst of all of this is Kaname Madoka. Although she is unable to join in the first preliminary phrase, she can still be quite a dangerous competitor. With a recent airing her series surrounding her, maybe she could muster enough votes to defeat both of them. After this hard-fought bout, who will be the next person to advance to Regular Season?
This face-off could well be a matter of how the two vying for the precious qualification can keep their tempers in check, as well as how the reluctant competitor weighs into the equation. Kirino is accustomed to getting what she wants, when she wants with her academic, sporting and modelling prowess. But she finds herself facing someone who is just as formidable in those respects in Kyo, who is the type that will make things happen when no one else is willing to take the first step. Madoka, whose ISML debut has been the complete opposite, still finds herself unable to take that first step and has had things happen to her instead. Perhaps this time, the votes she garners will be a factor in the showdown of the tantrums. The classy yet spoiled upstart versus the refined yet fiery regular, with the reluctant one in the middle. Who will emerge victorious from this merciless battle?
Yamada Aoi (WORKING!!, 0 pts)
vs. Furukawa Nagisa (CLANNAD, 12 pts)
vs. Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky ☆ Star, 12 pts)As things are going right now, Hiiragi Kagami should have no trouble advancing from this match. With beauty, brains, and brawn, it is not a suripse why voters would consider her as a member of the Elite 7. Still, one should not underestimate the kindness and compassion of Furukawa Nagisa. Nagisa has been trying her hardest or get pass through many conflicts in order to obtain the result that she has. Nagisa would like things to be solved nicely and peacefully, but it cannot be so, as it is only for every women for herself at this point. Yamada Aoi is seem to having trouble getting her engine running. The girls from her series are not doing as well as they should. If Aoi wishes to prove that her team still has it, she must make the upest win that would surprise everyone. Who shall be the one that will swiftly make it to Regular Season?
Senjōgahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari, 12 pts)
vs. Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai no Ichizon, 12 pts)
vs. Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto, 12 pts)The match that everyone has been waiting for has arrived. The most nominated girl this year, Gokō Ruri, will take on the second and third most nominated girl in 2010: Senjōgahara Hitagi and Shiina Mafuyu respectively. Ruri's series has been very impressive this year. With three of their four representatives scoring big wins in every match, it is no wonder why people would consider them a dangerous faction. Ruri plans to take everything into her own hands and make things go her way. These two veterans will have to do whatever it to not only surpass each other, but to surpass Ruri. Hiragi has made some major improvements despite arriving close to last in Double Elimination. Hitagi will use every method in her arsenal to make sure that this time, she wins this bout. Mafuyu should not be looked down upon, as she preformed significantly well during her 2010 career. She plans to take a step to the next level, and the only way to do that is to arrive first in this match when everything is said and done. There is only enough room for one of these girls; who will it be?
