This Saimoé was yet again full of despair, nice surprises and NERD RAGE. For the first time in three years, it is the first Saimoé without Rozen Maiden. Imo, for the greater good. Kurogane can tell you about it, he who had gotten desutards spamming the cursed words in his blog after the victory in 2006.

It is a year where Fate Testarossa yet again failed. Against Fuuko Ibuki of all people. Either Fuuko is an unexpected powerhouse of the dark horse kind, either Fate had tactical voting playing against her.
This Saimoe is the swan song for the Aria fans, Akari Mizunashi being the their last stand. Higurashi still have their planned series, so does Seto no Hanayome, with its new OAV. Clannad have another shot to the title with After Story. However, we know how most of the returning characters performs, thus, Clannad better hit nice and HARD in this Saimoé.

This is a saimoé best of 16 full of new heads. With the exception of Hayate Yagami who managed to hit again her best position since 2006, and, of course, Shana.

Hayate no Gotoku have proved to be strong challengers. Aria still felt powerless against the big guns. The power of Nanoha and Higurashi factions seems to waver, while Bamboo Blade have shown to be surprisingly strong (having one character or more to this phase of the tournament is no small feat). The biggest winner of this round is nothing more than the Clannad faction. However, they are likely going to pay; 2ch, 4chan and some of asuki folks are making sure it shall be. So, at one point, I can expect only one Clannad girl to make it.

Here the different matches, with my opinion, my choices and expectations.

A Final

Fuuko vs Hanyuu

Ah, Fuuko, one of the dark horses of the tournament. I had the surprise to hear that she is #1 clannad girl in Japan. In some way, it could explain her rather surprising performance. Earning her an everlasting hate from /a/ and many in asuki. However, Hanyuu is not going down easily. Indeed, with Rena swallowed whole by Miyako and out of the picture, the Higurashi fans are likely all going to rally behind the horned miko. If she loses, Fuuko is likely going down in the next round, due to revenge votes.

My vote: Hanyuu. Unlike some people from Asuki, I have nothing personal against Fuuko, I have always stated that Fate had the tendency to perform well then fails in the most unexpected times, this year had proved it right AGAIN.

My prediction: Meh fuck me.

B Final

Kirino vs Miikan

Lion-tan vs Imouto. Unfortunately I have not seen a lot of the both show. I could not stand Xebec slaugthering another anime again.

My vote: Lion-tan. Just because of Megumi Toyoguchi. Yes, there are people who sometimes vote on seiyuu.

My prediction: Sorry, it gonna be Lion-tan.

C Final

Kagami vs Kyou

Both have K as initial letters. They are purple-haired and bipolars. It’s a full KyoAni match and one of the cruel matches. Lucky*Star OAV delivered what it usually delivers in its episode, especially with a full Konata x Kagami weeeeiiiiird dream scene, where she have gone through many cosplays. One can say she racked up the moémeter very high. However, the After Story section of Clannad is helping to refresh the voters’ memories about Clannad. I know lot of people who love Kyou, I also know an equal amount who like Kagami. It’s a big win for one, it’s a big loss for the other. One can call it an upcoming pyrrhic victory for the KyoAni old guard.

My vote: Hum… You people better try to find ways to sway me.

My prediction: Fuck it, I don’t care. It’s despair for both sides.

D Final

Tomoyo vs Miyako

Ah, the Wonder Woman of Clannad against the one who EAT. Tomoyo enjoys an enduring popularity among her fans, a spin-off game, doujin games and her own episode in the actual series sure helped to cement her strenght in the tournament. However, Miyako have beaten Rena, not a small feat. One can point to the tactical voters. However, will they pool behind Miyako to pull an upset against Tomoyo? Maybe this is going to be a test for the Chun Li of the VN.

My vote: Tomoyo, no question.

My prediction: Hard to tell. Strong challengers and favorites failed in the least expected times.

E Final

Shana vs Tamaki

Shana, the veteran, vs Tamaki, the newcomer. We can argue all we want, while Shana’s performance was expected, Tamaki had shown that she is more than flavor of the month moé. Something to factor about Shana could be some people growing weary of Rie Kugimiya’s loli tsundere roles. However, in Saimoe, tsundere is a BIG factor.

My vote: I usually vote Shana, this time it gonna be Tamaki.

My prediction: I will welcome whoever wins.

F Final

Hayate vs Nagisa

Ah. One did not deserve to be shafted in the third series. The other did not deserve the blind hate from fans who forgot to take off their Tomoyo and Kyou goggles and refused to see the Clannad heroine’s merits and why she came as the more natural end girl in ALL Key’s adaptations I have seen. They are both deserving to go in the next round, they are equally moé for different reasons. This match is another of the cruel ones.

My vote: Nagisa. I was leaning toward Hayate. However, all the rage and hate she receives gave me a reason to vote Nagisa. And when I hear the weak reasons why she is a “fail” female lead, I can only shake my head. Flash news for you guys, there are other personalities than *insert jpnsuffix*dere!!!!

My prediction: Hayate. Nagisa may ultimately fall on this one. It may be time for the Mistress to shine. If Hayate does it, I will support her until the end. If it is Nagisa, I may root for her for more rounds.

G Final

Akari vs Tsukasa

The Last Stand for ARIA. I don’t need to explain more about Akari, you have to watch the series. Tsukasa continue to tread her path and pull another victory against Nagi, where odds were not in her favor. For one, she was against a loli tsundere and veterans who follows it knows that it tends to tip the scale in favor of the one with these two traits. One cannot forget the bad vibes that L*S gets in two places, and let’s add Asuki to these two places since the amount of rage and hate directed against Tsukasa was sickening to say the least. However, Tsukasa is a powerhouse, who tended to overcome challenges that seemed impossible (namely the one against one of icons of the /b/tards and memetards). While Akari and the Aria group are not in Higurashi, L*S, Nanoha or Rozen tier.

My vote: Akari. Nothing against Tsukasa unlike some people. I just like Akari waaaay more, having seen Aria since 2006, ironically because of Saimoé, and I have read the manga too.

My prediction: Tsukasa. Her fans have likely learnt from last year about not slacking off after a victory and not be fooled by the very HIGH vote counts she may get in her interim vote counts. BTW, she had about 500 fake votes in her round against Nagi.

G Final

Hinagiku vs Noe

I don’t know Noe much. And seeing the huge amount of support behind Hinagiku. I think she have it in the bag, tactical votes or not.

My vote: Noe. This time, I root for the underdog.

My prediction: Hinagiku. She is stronger than I would admit.

Next round gonna be so full of rage and despair.

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