Kanzaki Kaori (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
vs. Akemi Homura (Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica)Round 2 of Preliminary Phase 2 showcases some mouthwatering clashes and there is no doubt that one of those matches is this one. Kanzaki Kaori failed to even appear in the Preliminary Phase last year, but she is determined to join the likes of "Railgun" this time around. With more screen time from Toaru Majutsu no Index II, qualifying for the Regular Season is no longer "Mission Impossible" for the former priestess of Amakusa Catholics. The first obstacle that she will have to overcome is the girl who is willing to risk everything to save her beloved friend. On paper, her mission does not seem to be that difficult. Kaname Madoka’s shocking defeats at the hands of Kaori and Hecate have been defining examples in a string of disappointing performances from Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica. However, all hope has not been shattered for Madoka fans as Homura is prepared to save her ISML career. This match could bring out the best in "Homerun-chan" that we have not seen yet, since she is determined to avenge her best friend’s loss. Due to the recent developments in the series, Homura seems to be gaining more ground in ISML as she was narrowly defeated by Holo in the last match of Phase 1. Unfortunately, the mysterious magical girl will not get a chance to repeat the match to change the outcome. Will Homura-chan receive the upper hand in the clash between magical girl and magician in her trademark “Homu Homu” fashion, or will Kaori add more grief to the soul gem instead?
Furude Rika (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) vs. Rose (Dragon Crisis!)Furude Rika has been one of the major icons in the history of Saimoe tournaments. Considering the fact that she is the 2007 AST Chamipon and one of the participants in the first ISML Double Elimination, one might assume that she would have a steady fan base backing her up in the many years to come. But just last year, her rank plummeted from fourth to last place. With new anime series being released every season, could it be that time has finally run out for Rika? She does not want to believe it, and in order to prove everyone wrong, she has to return to the Regular Season by any means necessary. Rose blocks her way to reach that goal as one of the fresh newcomers from the 2011 winter season. While Rose did not do so well in Preliminary Period Phase 1, she has the chance to make it there once again in this phase by taking advantage of Rika's weakened state. Not only that, but she has the infamous Kugimiya fan base to support her with its utmost power. Is it about time for Rika to step down and give her place to Rose, or will Rika prove that she still has it in her to fight for the Regular Season?
Ichinose Kotomi (CLANNAD) vs. Nanasaki Ai (Amagami SS)Ichinose Kotomi is an intelligent girl who is usually seen inside a library reading to her heart's content. Despite this intelligence, she lacks social skills and has a hard time interacting with other people. With the help of her friends, she is now able to express herself better and be more active than before. Nanasaki Ai, too, is a hard-working girl who often hones her swimming skills in the school's swimming pool. Sometimes, she overworks herself because she tries too hard to join the school's official swimming team and over thinks the reasons behind her failure. With the help of her friends, she is able to calm down and contemplate over matters before making any irrational comments. Friendship is what binds these two together. When it breaks, which one will advance forward while the other recedes?
Kushieda Minori (Toradora!) vs. Hiiragi Tsukasa (Lucky ☆ Star)With both of their friends acquiring their places in this year's Regular Season, Kushieda Minori and Hiiragi Tsukasa do not want to be left out. Witnessing both Hiiragi Kagami and Izumi Konata's advancement to the Regular Season only makes Tsukasa, the remaining member of Lucky ☆ Star, wish to join her friends more. The three of them have been together in the Regular Season since the start of ISML, so it may feel awkward for Tsukasa if she does not make it in this year. Even so, with a relatively easy win for Kagami and a surprising win from Konata, Tsukasa is willing to do everything she can to be with them once more. Minori also wishes to be with her friend, Aisaka Taiga, whenever possible. The two of them have been together for so long that Taiga is dependent on Minori whenever she has personal problems. Minori deeply cares about Taiga and wants to make sure that she has fun every day. Which one of these girls will be able to keep their promises of being together in ISML?
Kinomoto Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura) vs. Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)In more ways than one, our two players today have more in common than meets the eye. Both Cardcaptor Kinomoto Sakura and Celestial Spirit mage Lucy Heartfilia employ summoning magic through the use of magically imbued mediums from which they call out spirits to aid them in various tasks. For the former, it is through the use of Clow Cards, whereas for the latter, her summoning items come in the forms of keys, which open up gates to the spirit world. As they progress through various hardships in their respective universes, both mature in strength and proficiency in their field of magic. But more importantly, both possess personalities that strongly care for and empathize with the spirits contracted to them. As stated in one of the above series, love makes spirits stronger; which of our two young lasses today will have the stronger spirits?
