"My journey to immortality starts here!"
As the leaves fall during the cold autumn season, Tachibana Kanade starts her journey to immortality. Undisturbed by the challenges laid before her, she trots onward, focused with unflinching determination and unquestionable resolve on becoming the new empress of the land. Woes betide those who try to stop Kanade in her tracks, as she blazes her way to the top of the pier. Subduing even the most veteran of the old guards, nothing seems to be able to put a halt to her lofty ambitions. As Sengoku Nadeko musters her last remaining ember of strength, she knows what lies in front of her. Their previous bout was a taste of reality, showing her the gaping chasm between her and her opponent. But she must go on if she wants to etch her name in the Hall of Champions. Battle-hardened, Nadeko shows that when the tokens are down, she has what it takes to stand victorious. Her inner strength, often used to lift her spirit when facing unfathomable dangers, will again be tested. Will Tachibana Kanade shove her opponent aside, or will Sengoku Nadeko spring an upset instead?

“With my friends by my side, I can overcome anything.”
Two girls, two lives, and two personalities, yet a similar determination and ambition. They hoped to prove themselves, but reality slapped them back to the earth again. However, they have learned that they are never alone. While Nakano Azusa has a serious demeanor in practice and gets things done correctly, she finds it hard to convince her seniors to do the same thing. Even so, it is because of her upperclassmen that Azusa not only falls in love with the club, but also wishes for the club to contain only them and no one else. It may be selfish, but that is truly her desire. For Nakamura Yuri, her loss in the past has caused her to watch over those she cares about deeply. The people around her may not be the sweetest of individuals, but all see her as a motherly leader. Even with her rebellion against God, she has the ability to bring her friends closer together. Maybe someday, they can tell the world proudly, "I am strong, because I have my friends by my side."

有我的朋友在身边，我能挺过任何困难。
两位女孩，两个生活，两种性格，却有着同样的坚持和渴望。她们希望能够在现实的考验中证明自己，然而现实则还了她们一个响亮的耳光，将她们从梦想中打醒。 但是她们也懂得了她们并不是一个人在奋斗着。中野梓有着一股认真的觉悟要将所有的事情都做到最好，但她却发现想要说服她的前辈们做相同的事情是很难的。尽 管如此，梓喵也因为她的前辈们而喜欢轻音部，并且觉得只要有她和她的同伴们在就够了。也许听上去有些自私，但这却是她与她的朋友们真心渴望要维持的。而对 于仲村由理，她在过去的失去使她对待同伴们更加的关心与小心翼翼。她身边的伙伴们也许并不是十分的感性，但他们都将她当作一个可靠的队长。即使在她与“上 帝”的斗争后，她也希望能够挽回她所破坏的和奏的感情。也许有一天，两位女孩能够自豪的告诉整个世界：“我很强，因为我身边有我的朋友。”

"You can't put out the fire in my heart!"
If passion and desire are what makes the heart burn, one cannot think of anyone else but these two competitors. Shana is literally a fiery young lady. With her red-burning hair and eyes and intense fighting spirit, it is not hard to see why people both respect and fear her. However, when love and affection enter her cold demeanor, even this great Flame Haze can be clouded in confusion. Maybe inside her lies a passionate and more fragile girl than the one originally perceived. Yui is cute, hyperactive, and tends to not pay attention to her surroundings, but she burns and flames when it comes to her dreams. After an unfortunate past, Yui only wishes to move around as much as she can to make up for her previous losses. From playing in a band to taking on missions, Yui 's desires to express her feelings and have as much fun as possible are second-to-none. Will Shana defeat Yui with her Nietono no Shana, or will Yui be strong enough to hold on to her dreams?

"After savouring power and prestige, I will not relinquish them without a fight!"
As Katsura Hinagiku fixates her eyes on Akiyama Mio, the deposed queen knows that she has a monumental task on hand in order to reclaim her throne. Her reign was short-lived, as she was knocked off her lofty perch barely a year ago. While Hinagiku has managed to triumph over her successor twice, in the space of two years that they have known each other Mio has managed to stage a coup d’état, disposing of Hinagiku with the aid of her trusted ally. As the queen was ousted from her seat, Mio rose majestically to claim the coveted prize. But the current ruler has to withstand overwhelming pressure from her predecessor, as well as a fellow upstart, who covets her position at the top of the hierarchy. Mio knows that if she finally manages to subdue the former queen head-on, her reign will last—at least for another day. As for Hinagku, only by beating her usurper will she be granted the chance to reclaim her past glories. Which member of royalty will hold the white flag as the dust settles?

Maybe a change of scenery is all they need to find out who they are and where they belong. Whether by working at an inn in her mother's hometown or stepping outside of her house without a futon around her for the first time in six months, these girls have tried hard not only to adapt to their new environment, but also to love those who surround them in their new daily lives. While Matsumae Ohana has no trouble gaining friends in her new school, it is her coworkers and grandmother who have made it difficult to cope in her new setting. Nevertheless, her never-say-die attitude and upbeat personality "bonbori-ed" the lives of those at the inn. Tōwa Erio was shunned by many people in her neighborhood due to her enigmatic personality. With the help of her cousin, she slowly started to enjoy the outside world more. They say it only takes one step to experience a new, exciting life, but which girl has the courage to break out of the shell of her previous self?

It was a lovely day in Misaki City, when a sudden, undefined event happened. The skies became crimson, and time completely froze. A pink-haired young lady, by the name of Wilhelmina Carmel, appeared first on the scene, holding some of her ribbons in case an enemy was to appear. She wasn't mistaken. Another lovely, mature, and blonde woman, called Margery Daw, appeared before her with a furious expression. They were steady in their battle positions, waiting for someone to get impatient and make the first move. No one knows why this confrontation emerged, but we can conclude that it may have something to do with Wilhelmina snatching a bottle of wine from Margery. Did the Manipulator of Objects have her way, or was it the Interpreter of Condolence who expressed her vengeance?

One of the subtle flavours in the world of anime is the list of contrasting characters that anchor their respective shows. While a partition of fans prefers the strong, tsundere-type girls, there is also a considerable faction of fans who prefer the meek and shy—with this match-up being between two such girls. Voiced by the tsundere queen herself, Astarotte is the strong-willed succubus princess of her kingdom. On the other hand, HanaKana is the seiyū of the reticent and introvert Shiemi. Despite their differences, they share several parallels such as their awkwardness towards males. While Astarotte bluntly rejects males due to her mother's influence, Shiemi has difficulties in adjusting to having guys around her due to her own circumstances. But, like flowers that bloom after a period of time, they finally managed to overcome their repelling impulses, and blossom into adorable maidens. Will the Kugyū factor grant Astarotte Ygvar a win in this exhibition match, or will the backings of HanaKana turn the tides towards Moriyama Shiemi instead?

Inside an average house known as the Shinonome Laboratory where the cute, funny, and bizarre happens, live a child prodigy professor and a realistic talking robot with a wind-up screw in her back. Robot Shinonome Nano is a kind, mature, and responsible girl who does all of the chores in the house. Acting as a mother figure, Nano always tries to make ends meet and does what is best for the professor. Hakase is a stubborn, selfish child who wishes to obtain everything that she desires. When the situation calls for it, she does her best to please and care for those who are feeling down. As an energetic, innocent scientist and a calm, collected robot, these two spend their daily lives isolated from much of the world around them. They may bicker, argue, and get angry with each other, but by the end of the day, they reconcile and finish with laughter and smiles. Which of the two will the voters side with in this inter-series match-up?

They may be gullible or lack courage, but their strong hearts have made them likable characters in their respective games. Ōtori Naru is a happy-go-lucky girl, but is a bit of an airhead. Because she is the sister of a dangerous gang leader, she easily gets caught in the dramas of other people. Despite this, she can easily read any situation and confronts it properly in her own way. Gentle and shy, Kōmoto Madoka comes from a family of shrine maidens. Secluded for most of her life, she has trouble making friends, especially with boys. As soon as she bonds with other people, she makes sure to take care of them with her utmost power. These are two girls who wish to grow wings and fly across a bridge that leads to a starry sky, but which one will accomplish this feat?

Coming from families with different classes, these two young people lived in very different ways. Haruhi came from a poor family, and she is individual-minded. However, when she had to pretend as a boy and joined the host club, she learned that having friends to help her would be the happiest thing to ever happen in her life. Ciel is a proud, young boy, and because of the misfortunes that caused the death of his loved ones, he used to separate himself from most people, relying on his butler whenever problems came. Not saying so, he knew that he still had to protect the few remaining people who were special to his heart. This match is only for the two of them, without any offered help from their friends or butler. Standing on their own feet, which of them will emerge victorious and bring glory and honor to their friends?

"I am not just some pretty girl with a pretty face."
When society looks up to someone with high expectations, that person is put in a bind against his or her true nature. Such a clash between one's wishes and society's views has happened to these two combatants. Coming from a rich, elite school, Misaka Mikoto can be perceived as an elegant, graceful, and refined young woman. In truth, she is simply a girl who likes cute things, but will quickly strike down those doing ill to society. Around her friends, she quickly hides this side of herself due to outside expectations. Because of her father's words, Charlotte Dunois came to the academy disguised as a male, and since she is the second-only “male” classmate, many of the girls perceive and treat her as such. Deep down, she wishes to come merely as herself, to be treated like any other girl and not in the charade of a man. To find places where they can be themselves would put their minds at ease. While doing so may prove to be a challenge, they will take that thorny road with whoever is willing to support them.

"The pain we both share and the happiness that we crave are testaments of our inner selves."
Solitude has often been a situation that people dread enduring. Yet for both Nagato Yuki and Senjōgahara Hitagi, isolation is synonymous with existence. Far detached from the rays of warmth and love, these lovely maidens have endured the pain of being alone. As their inner selves shouted and grimaced, longing to be saved from the cruel fate befalling them, they put on tough fronts. Saddled with her obligation to observe a peculiar phenomenon, Yuki methodically kept her distance from the other club members. Burdened by her atypical condition, Hitagi avoided contact with others in order to keep her secret hidden. Despite the fact that everything seemed lost, a single ray of hope shone towards both Yuki and Hitagi. Finally finding others who actually understood them, Yuki and Hitagi were ushered out of the doom and gloom that had been hovering above their heads. Relieved of the heavy weight on their shoulders, Nagato Yuki and Senj̄ōgahara Hitagi now stride forward, embracing their new and warm futures.

"To change who I currently am—that is my wish."
They have been alone for so long that they have become used to it. It is not that they have never made friends; whenever they try, the end results are not promising. Gokō Ruri is shunned by most of her classmates due to her awkwardness and is usually seen performing cleanup duties by herself. Even putting on certain attire for experimentation and gaining attention does not work if no effort in communication is put forth. Will she ever step down from her pride? Because her words hold so much power and take a turn for the worse, Eucliwood Hellscythe chose to shut herself away from emotional and verbal contact. She keeps herself distant from others and purposefully makes it difficult to strike a conversation. When they finally each find a goal and a place of warmth and comfort, will they be able to step down from their pride, their original desires, and fend off their fates? Mustering enough courage to do so for the sake of others, they walk towards the light of hope in front of them and reach out to grasp it...

"I will stand firm in my beliefs, of which you will not be the stumbling block."
“You will not pass.” As these words are uttered by Aisaka Taiga, Suzumiya Haruhi slows her pace to a standstill. Narrowing her eyes at the petite girl in front of her, Haruhi shakes her head frantically, wondering why Lady Luck has never favoured her. Four times already has she been stopped in her tracks by Taiga. Their past encounters have been etched indelibly in her memories, and she knows that she has to improvise if she is to pass through unscathed and continue her search for the peculiarities of the world. As for Taiga, the sight of Haruhi rampaging through is intolerable. While she has managed to halt Haruhi before, Taiga is all too aware of the ramifications if she becomes complacent and charges towards her opponent without thinking. Their previous bouts flash through Taiga’s memories as she decides on her next course of action. Merely replicating what happened in those confrontations might not be the best solution, since her opponent may spring a surprise or two. As Suzumiya Haruhi moves forward, will she finally be able to solve the Palmtop Tiger, or will Aisaka Taiga be her stumbling block once again?

If you want to go out to eat, I suggest heading to Wagnaria family restaurant—there are two people on the wait staff who you should look forward to. One is a cute, little girl named Taneshima Poplar. She has a bright personality and takes her job seriously. She is also concerned about her height, since people call her a little girl even though she’s a high school student. Despite this, she is friendly and eager to give advice to people. Yamada Aoi is another waitress to look out for. An enigmatic girl, Aoi seems to know much about travel and disguises. She does not help much and is usually seen complaining about the work that needs to be done. However, she does take note of other people's suggestions on what she can do to help them and better herself. If we were to eat there right now, who would you rather have attend to us, Taneshima Poplar, or Yamada Aoi?

Small stature means nothing to these leading ladies, each of whom stands tall in more than one way. Dalian, the Black Biblioprincess of the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian, may have a weakness to all foods sweet and fluffy, but she houses the knowledge of 900,666 Phantom Books. Coupled with the expertise of her Keykeeper, Englishman Huey, the two form an unstoppable force against the misuse of magic. Not so far away, a young, Japanese girl in Paris brings with her joy in life and all things in it. Through her humble, yet sweet, attitude, she teaches those around her that cultural differences are nothing to be afraid of, but wonders in and of themselves. Few who encounter Yune walk away unchanged, and often leave warmer at heart—a truth to which Frenchman Claude can attest. As our European dance begins and the first steps are placed, which young woman will waltz the night away, Dalian or Yune?

Which one is cuter, a puppy or a kitten? It is said that looking into a pair of sloped puppy eyes is enough to douse someone of his or her rage, as dogs are known as man’s best friends. On the other hand, watching cats exhibit their mischievous behaviour can place a smile even on the most apathetic, for cats are often our best playmates. As Millhiore Firianno Biscotti faces up against her closest friend and heated rival, Leonmitchelli Galette des Rois, the fans of Dog Days split into two warring factions. Loved by everyone of the Biscotti Republic, Millhiori is a gentle and hardworking person, fitting the mould of a dog. On the other hand, brave warrior, Leonmitchelli, uses heavy armour in battle to live up to the expectations of her people from the Galette Empire. As these two close friends square up for another friendly confrontation, which one will emerge victorious: puppy, Millhiore Firianno Biscotti, or kitten, Leon Mitchelli Galette des Rois?

Two 765 Production idols from opposite ends of the social spectrum face off in this intra-series exhibition match. Minase Iori is a wealthy girl who is used to getting what she wants. Iori can be quite sharp-tongued to those close to her, yet maintains a cutesy image for strangers and her fans. Despite being rich, she is always alone at home, with only a stuffed bunny for close company. She became an idol to prove to her father and her older brothers that she can be successful in her own way. Takatsuki Yayoi, on the other hand, comes from a poor, working-class family. Due to her upbringing and as the eldest of six children, Yayoi has learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age. Nevertheless, destitution has never stopped her from having a strong will and an optimistic outlook on life, and her energetic idol personality is proof of this. As the curtain rises and the spotlight illuminates the stage for tonight’s live, it is now up to the fans to give their loudest cheers for their favorite idols. Who will steal the show, Iori or Yayoi?

"To reach the top, I must defeat you."
As both Tachibana Kanade and Katsura Hinagiku emerge unscathed from their previous ordeal, the paths lying before these maidens converge. Fresh from her overwhelming victory, Kanade trots forward as her race to becoming the new empress gathers pace. Shoving aside all who dare to block her path, she has met little to no resistance thus far. While she has swept aside everything that has been laid down in front of her, Kanade can ill afford to rest on her laurels, for her conquest is still in motion. Standing in front of her is Hinagiku, the deposed queen herself. Hinagiku, still smarting from a close call against her usurper, knows that she needs to show the upstart what it takes to rule on top of the pier. Now is not the time for this dethroned royalty to feel downtrodden due to her rather poor showing against the current Tiara bearer. If Hinagiku still harbours any lingering wish to scale the summit, she must instead muster all her strength against the avalanche that is her current opponent. Will Tachibana Kanade continue her campaign to reign supreme, or will the deposed queen, Katsura Hinagiku, stop her in her tracks instead?

“I made a promise. Please, don't get in my way.”
Tranquility—a word thrown around by some, but for these two contenders, it means something much more precious. Bound by work and practice, these two focused more on completing their jobs than on anything else. When they accidentally found the meaning of that word, something triggered in their hearts. They started to become more open to others, their hearts slowly melting into other people's lives. Before they knew it, they had become the center of everyone's lives. They could laugh and poke fun at each other, cry in joy and sadness, and sing to their hearts’ content. Just when they were about to settle down in their newfound lives, reality stabbed them in the back. A fork formed separating the line between duty and heart. No matter which road they choose, they are bound to hurt themselves in one way or another. Is it too much to ask to be with their friends forever? If there were a middle road, they would take it by any means necessary. One push is all they need to solidify that one choice. Which path will Shana and Nakano Azusa take?

我曾經許下諾言，拜託，別阻擋我的路。
安寧，一個常被提及的字，此刻對兩位競爭者而言卻是如此的珍貴。被工作和練習所約束，她們比其他任何人更專注在自己的使命上。有一天，當她們發現安寧的意義，心中也開始起了些變化。她們比以前願意對別人敞開心胸，而且也更融入別人的生活中。不知不覺中，她們已經成為大家心中不可或缺的夥伴。她們可以自然的放聲大笑、大哭互相調侃，不斷觸動彼此的心。然而，正當她們想在好不容易找到的心生活中安定下來，現實的殘酷卻不允許她們這麼做。一道分界線在責任與愛之間劃分開來，不論選擇哪一條路，只不過是以不同的方式方害自己。難道和自己的朋友永遠在一起這個要求太過貪心嗎？如果除了這兩條路，有第三條可以選，她們一定會想盡辦法去追求，現在唯一所需要做的事，就是前進並抓住機會，夏娜和梓誰會做到呢？

“If I fall, I'll just stand up again.”
Give Sengoku Nadeko some credit. Making it to the Top 16 once is no walk in the park; making it in twice is very impressive. She has much to be proud of. She may have lost her previous match by a large amount, but that will not bring her carefree and innocent personality down just yet. There is still much to focus on, including her next match against former Tiara bearer, Akiyama Mio. The bassist still proves to be a force to be reckoned with, with a 22-vote margin against her previous opponent. Even with this loss, Mio knows that it is time to move on when things seem to go downhill. Winning the Tiara and the KBM title at the same time last year is nothing to make light of, and she should be glad of her accomplishments. They may be out of contention for the Tiara, but the journey is far from over. Here, they will prove that their places in the Top 16 are no flukes. Can Nadeko pull off a major victory, or does Mio still have it in her to take her down with full force?

"Everybody suffers setbacks, but it is how we react to those unfortunate turn of events that defines who we are."
After losing their main tournament matches against Shana and Nakano Azusa, respectively, both Yui and Nakamura Yuri now face off against each other in the consolation match. While these girls went out without a whimper against their conquerors, they now must muster any strength left in this intra-series match up if they want to end up as high as they can in the final placing. Their Regular Season statistics read almost identical, with Yui ending as the 12th seed and Yuri hot on her heels. As both girls have amassed around 188,000 votes each, they are truly inseparable in terms of their strength. In their previous meeting in the Amethyst Period, Yui emerged triumphant, albeit by a 3-vote difference. So, it is not beyond the realm of possibility for emerald-eyed Yuri to turn the tables on the pink-haired Yui. As Yui readies her guitar to bedazzle the audience, Yuri loads her Beretta pistol to carve open her future. Will Yui replicate her performance against Nakamura Yuri, or will their second bout bring in a reversal of results?

A woman’s heart can be mysterious. While many girls would prefer to be viewed as cute and charming, there are certain sects of women who choose to be different. Kasuga Kunosuki was burdened as the heir apparent to her family dojo. While she tried to put up a tough front, acting masculine and dependable, deep inside was a feminine persona that she tried vainly to suppress. This inner struggle created a crevasse in her heart large enough for a runaway spirit to enter. Nagase Jun, beaming with beauty and a friendly nature, was a person who tried too hard to push her ideals onto others. While her intentions were good, people around her felt overly pressured and started to alienate her. This led to her despair, which allowed another runaway spirit to lay dormant inside her. With the help of the ‘God of Conquest’, both maidens managed to overcome their struggles for identity and self-belief, thus eliminating the runaway spirits residing inside them. Although their memories have been wiped clean after these events, they now can look forward to brighter futures awaiting them.

For two friends who have worked together and known each other for so long, this match is bittersweet. Oshimizu Nako is a quiet and caring girl who takes care of her little brothers, sisters, and parents. Nako has a hard time socializing with others; thus, she has trouble with forming relationships outside of work. Ironically, her kind words, serene manner, and beautiful physique have many men falling for her. Tsurugi Minko has a rather serious personality, focusing on her work and school more than on hanging out with friends. While she does think about what is best for those around her, she has a hard time putting those thoughts into the correct words. Still, her stubbornness may be beneficial for her, as she will do whatever it takes to reach her goal to become a high-class chef. This is nothing personal, just business. They may be the best companions, but only one can walk away as the victor. Who will it be?

Things are rarely what they seem to be. A beautiful yet aloof high school student with silvery hair. A popular internet idol singer with a captivating voice. At first glance, this is how Yarizui Sen and Yuzuriha Inori appear. Upon closer inspection, however, one will find something different. As the president of the Half-Priced Food Lovers Club, Yarizui Sen battles every night at the local supermarkets over half-priced bentō. Her cool demeanor and fighting prowess have earned her the title, "The Ice Witch". As a member of the Funeral Parlor resistance group, Yuzuriha Inori routinely participates in covert missions against an oppressive regime. Possessing a quiet demeanor, she uses her cover as the lead vocalist of the popular musical group Egoist to express her feelings. In a battle for bentō and freedom, who will prevail—the Ice Witch Yarizui Sen, or Egoist singer Yuzuriha Inori?

“Can you melt away my locked heart, my sealed desire?”
On a clear, dark night with the moonlight shining across the school rooftop—that is where you will most likely find these two. Like a vine, they are the main supporters, slowing shaping those around them and changing their lives. Rarely do people notice these steady changes, nor do they understand them or their feelings. At group outings, they are usually quiet and survey whatever goes on around them. At the same time, these two do not know that they each have become the center of attention. People go to them for advice, and they are usually the first others ask for help from in emergency situations. There are times when people do not wish to let them go, making sure that they have as much fun as everyone else. Yet after all of the meetings and encounters that they have had, they still stand on the rooftop, alone, with no one beside them. For Nagato Yuki and Gokō Ruri, will there be anyone willing to place a hand on their shoulders or a coat over their bodies?

"First impressions can be misleading; I am not just your typical pretty girl."
At first glance, both Misaka Mikoto and Aisaka Taiga seem like two, strong-willed girls, with nothing able to cripple their hearts. Both caramel-haired maidens give off domineering presences beyond their pretty appearances. Blessed with pretty, hazelnut-coloured eyes, Mikoto and Taiga are able to bewitch any guy who lays eyes on them. But underneath their radiant, albeit intimidating, personas are two girls who struggle to overcome the gripping nightmares shrouding them. Firmly entrenched within their tiny chests are the pains and sufferings they carry. Mikoto shivers in fear, knowing that she is the trigger for a massacre happening beyond the shadows in Academy City. As a kid, she was not well versed with the adult world, and because of that, she is still haunted by the mistake she made. Taiga, on the other hand, witnessed the family she cherished crumble as her parents parted ways. As a result, she lives alone in an exclusive apartment, away from her new family. The level of her pain was so great that she went the full length of disowning her own family member. Which tragic tale will sway more hearts, Misaka Mikoto’s plight, or Aisaka Taiga’s torment?

"When push comes to shove, we can fight for ourselves."
As the leaves withered, the chilly autumn breeze swept across my cheek. Concealing myself, my gaze fixed upon a pair of lovely maidens, staring each other down. Though both looked battered, their inner charms still radiated brightly under the lucid crescent moon. Their long and beautiful hair swayed, as if dancing to the tune of the wind. On closer examination, the amethyst-haired wonder seemed to hold scissors and a stapler in her hands. Her tall, model-like figure could easily flutter the hearts of the most valiant knights. From the notepad scribbles of the girl standing in front of her, I learn her name—Senjōgahara Hitagi. While she throws a barrage of harsh words, her opponent stands there, quietly. From what I can gather, the silver-haired girl is known as Eucliwood Hellscythe. She has a quiet demeanor, and her petite body and cute face can melt the resolve of even the most strong-willed. Suddenly, the pen she used to scribe on her notepad changed into a scythe. As I watched the duel unfold, I wondered which beauty would reign victorious—the pretty Hitagi, or the cute Eucliwood?

“A true leader always has a few tricks up her sleeves.”
Their main fights may be over, but the night is still young for thrills and excitement. As Suzumiya Haruhi and Charlotte Dunois steadily approach each other, they understand that this fight will not be as easy as they once perceived. The phrase "to falter" does not appear in Haruhi's vocabulary. In any given match, her game plan is to charge at her adversaries and expect victory to follow. Hot-blooded and energetic, Haruhi is willing to do whatever it takes to have things done her way. Charlotte walks in as the underdog of this match, but that may be her greatest weapon. Time and time again, she has been able to overcome opponents stronger than her by a close margin. To those who said that she could not do it, Charlotte has repeatedly proven them wrong. Behind this cool and composed French maiden lies an intellectual girl ready to strike at the prime moment. Can Haruhi defeat her adversary once again, or will Charlotte be able to take her down?

A kind and understanding soul was all that they each needed to open up to others. Fear Kubrick was always used as a killing machine for her masters. Not once did any of them consider her feelings, only using her to butcher others. When Fear arrived at her new home, she felt more at ease than ever before because the people around her were nice and respected her for who she was. There are times when she goes out of control, but her friends are there to keep her sane. Sena Airi was not a fan of sudden changes. When she found out late that her school was turning co-ed, she quickly took a stand to keep the school all girls. After coming into contact with some members of the other school, she found out that they were not as bad as she once thought. After a few days, she came to accept their presence. Even if Fear and Airi have many caring people around them, there is always room for more. With whom will our voters take a stand?

“Let’s make a band!” Those were the words uttered by Kosaka Chihiro as she tried to remodel herself into someone extraordinary. Swiftly accepting the proposal, her best friend, Takahara Ayumi, later helped her form the 2B Pencil Band. While Chihiro plays the lead guitarist role, Ayumi covers as the rhythm guitarist. Even outside of school, they spend a lot of time together. But while they are good friends, their personalities slightly differ. Chihiro’s penchant for confessing to a multitude of cool and attractive guys, without really being enamoured by them, was the effect of the gaps within her heart. On the other hand, the chasm in Ayumi’s heart not only made her reluctant to enter the athletic competition, but also caused her to fabricate an injury. Runaway spirits invaded these weaknesses in their hearts, and it took the God of Conquest’s vast knowledge to fill up those cracks, expelling them. Chihiro and Ayumi can now focus on the things they enjoy, such as their beloved band…but will that be enough?

They loved her; their days revolved around her. When she disappeared from their lives, everything fell apart, and this is what they have become. One began to pretty herself up; the second attempted to become a split image of the other. Both tried to take advantage of her loss and shared their lives with the other members of the group. They went to school with their love interests and made sure to make them a part of their lives. Even then, the others still thought about her even though she was gone. Whether it be struggling to get him to go to school properly, or exposing his tendency to dress up like her, it was not enough to get her off of their minds. They reflected on what they had done all this time and submerged themselves in guilt. It was not supposed to be like this. How could they have sunk so low after the loss of their dearest friend? If only they were able to see her one last time and ask her for forgiveness, maybe then would their hearts be content and spirits be raised. Will either Anjō Naruko or Tsurumi Chiriko be saved from their plight?

"I have the courage to spread my wings and fly high. Do you?"
Without the slightest hint of letting up, Tachibana Kanade continues steamrolling her way towards the 2011 Heavenly Tiara, with two impressive wins under her belt thus far in the Postseason. Seeing as she managed to amass over 60% of the votes for both those wins, it's easy to say that Kanade is unstoppable. But today, things look to get interesting as this year's Ruby Necklace winner, Shana, backed by the currently airing third season of Shakugan no Shana, looks to exact her revenge on Tenshi. In their first meeting back in Amethyst 7, Kanade easily defeated Shana with a 4302-3234 victory. However, with the strength gap between the two coming closer together—the angel weakens as the Flame Haze strengthens—this rematch can undoubtedly go either way. It is evident that both of these girls desire to grab a hold of the elusive Tiara, and both know they must get past each other in order to move one step closer to obtaining it. When the flames of this battle subside, which warrior will remain standing—the seemingly immortal Kanade, or Shana the Flaming-Haired, Blazing-Eyed Hunter?

"They say three is a magic number. Today, it's my number."
On July 18th, 2010, the whole world was shocked as Akiyama Mio, previously undefeated that year, fell prey to the Palmtop Tiger, Aisaka Taiga, by twenty-three votes. The bassist Mio made one small, fatal error and lost her fire, costing her the victory and the Ruby Necklace that day. Despite managing to obtain both the ISML tiara and KBM title that year, Mio vowed to take down the 2009 AST and KBM champion in an ISML arena by any means possible. On August 11, 2011, the two were to meet again at an overgrown forest. Mio held her ground and tried to focus on obtaining a victory, but Taiga, once again, managed to trample over her—this time, by a mere two votes. While the numbers were closer, Taiga still proved to be a dominant and dangerous force to be reckoned with. Here, the two will square off in what should be the peak of their rivalry. As the two prepare to collide once again, can Mio finally obtain a victory on her third try from her nemesis, or will Taiga knock her down just like previously?

"If you see the world through my eyes, maybe you can understand where I am coming from."
While one is hyperactive and boastful, and the other is more quiet and reserved, they both have deep secrets hidden and locked away from society. Previously, Yui did not have the time or the power to move freely to her liking. She always had to be taken care of by her mother, who treasured her dearly. When she arrived to a new world, she wished to do as many things as possible, because she was unable to do anything by herself in the past. Nagato Yuki may appear emotionless, but even she can experience certain feelings around the correct people. Unable to discern this "bug" in her system, she changed the world around her. To be able to feel and understand what it was like to behave like a normal person was all she ever wanted. At first glance, you might not have expected them to have those types of burdens in their hearts. They move on with their daily lives, hiding these secrets from their friends until the time is right to tell them. Will Yui ever leave behind her sorrow, or will Yuki feel emotions one more time?

"Although we are both leaders, the ways we treat our subordinates differ."
Katsura Hinagiku and Suzumiya Haruhi are two different types of leaders. Despite both being first-year high school students, they were elected as the leaders of their organisations. Through calmness and wisdom, Hinagiku reigns over the student council of Hakuō Academy. Her leadership is said to be near perfect, overseeing her subordinates’ tasks and jumping into the fray to rectify any mishaps her subordinates make. Such is her diligence; other student council members tend to exploit this fact, knowing their president will in the end fix the mess for them. On the other hand, Haruhi’s high energy and single mindedness drove her to create the SOS brigade, with her as the leader of the new club. Often acting on her whims, she could care less about what the other brigade members think. Decisions are made not by diplomatic voting, but by her ‘executive power’ as the club’s president. This results in her underlings following her lead, lest they get an earful from the boisterous leader or some other dire ramifications surface. Which frontrunner will come on top in this battle of the leaders—the calm Katsura Hinagiku, or the eccentric Suzumiya Haruhi?

"There is something we both wish to have. We call these 'dreams.'"
Knowing that her seniors will graduate eventually and her friends will be in danger if they stay with her for very long, it is of no surprise that Nakano Azusa and Eucliwood Hellscythe fear loneliness. Azusa took for granted the fun and happy moments that she shared with her band mates. From school trips to performing in an auditorium, they only made her wish more that she could stay with them forever. Still, it is time to move on. She cannot afford to be selfish and must wave goodbye with a smile and some tears. Eucliwood knows that she is a dangerous being. Having magical powers so strong that words have meaning, she puts on armor to restrain her power. Even then, there are people out there who wish for her death or want her for her abilities. All she ever wanted was a place to relax and call home, to relieve her from any and all the stress built up in her body. Even if Azusa and Eucliwood begin to feel down, they should note that there are those who are willing to give a helping hand to them. Which will the voters reach their hand out to?

"All I ever wanted was to be with them, no matter how long or short it was."
Both of our contenders had harsh lives to deal with. Nakamura Yuri only wished to live a peaceful life with her little brother and sisters, but even that was taken away from her. When the burglars came and ruined her life, she thought of herself as useless, unable to protect anyone dear to her. At the SSS, Yuri takes care with monitoring those who look up to her. She does not wish to let her current friends down, but the pain she had suffered back then still stabs at her heart. Sengoku Nadeko is a shy girl who tries not to come into contact with other people. After rejecting a confession from someone in her class, she was cursed with slow strangulation by snakes. Even during her body’s cleansing, she almost died from a miscalculation until her friends saved her. Yui and Nadeko are willing to do their best to help their friends, for it is them that made these two who they are now. Can Yuri snipe her opponent, or will Nadeko pass on the snake curse?

"If people start to question me, I will show them that I deserve to be here."
After suffering back-to-back losses in the Postseason, both Charlotte Dunois and Senjōgahara Hitagi know that another loss means that they can only fight for 15th place. While they were both predicted to lose in their previous matches, the manners in which they lost said matches have left a lot to be desired. Not being able to collect even 40% of the votes against two fellow contestants in their main Single Elimination matches has made people question their eligibility to enter the Postseason. This has only been exacerbated by their second losses, in the first consolation round against fellow defeated contestants. While the margin of their losses in their respective consolation matches were more dignified, with Charlotte only losing by 699 votes and Senjōgahara by 873, it still means that another loss for any one of the maidens will condemn them to the dreaded 15th place match. Though Senjōgahara beat Charlotte during the Ruby Period, the margin was small enough for Charlotte to overcome in the ensuing match between them. Which girl will now emerge victorious after the dust settles?

While they call themselves demons, to the naked eyes of many, they are just your ordinary, cute maidens. Elucia de Lute Irma and Haqua du Lot Herminium are a pair of shinigami sent by ‘New Hell’ to capture the evil spirits let loose in the human world. They are very close friends, and Elucia has always admired Haqua for her past performances. Neither of them comes from an old or powerful family in the netherworld, but while Elucia was busy cleaning New Hell, her friend was heralded as one of its geniuses and bestowed with a very special death scythe. Elucia’s chance meeting with Haqua in the human world is the result of a blunder made by Haqua, which she tried to cover up. Haqua has always been a step above Elucia, and in helping her proud friend rectify her mishap, Elucia finally feels that she deserves her Shinigami status. As these two death reapers square off against each other, will Elucia de Lute Irma’s magic broom brush aside her best friend, or will Haqua du Lot Herminium’s epic scythe repel Elucia instead?

“All numbers aside, I will not be pushed around by anything less than your best.”
All eyes are now set on Gokō Ruri as she has just pulled one of the biggest upsets thus far in the Postseason by defeating Nagato Yuki. Coming in as the 6th seed, Kuroneko shocked the ISML world by defeating the tournament’s 3rd seed by a score of 5606-5114. But the time to celebrate has not yet arrived, as Ruri’s next opponent just so happens to be last year’s Tiara runner-up, Misaka Mikoto. Finishing the Regular Season with only one loss, Mikoto entered the Postseason as the 2nd seed, easily shoving aside her previous opponents. In their lone meeting in Amethyst Round 5 during the Regular Season, Mikoto swept Ruri away with a 3795-3400 victory. But today, Kuroneko is out to show the Railgun that rank is just a number, and that her strength should not be underestimated. With a spot in the Heavenly Tiara match at stake, there is much on the line for both girls. In the end, will the darkness of the Black Cat cause her opponent to go astray, or will the Electromaster’s railgun lead her on the path to victory?

"Not once have I stepped back from a challenge. That has not changed since, and won’t change now."
Levelheadedness, a strong and serious mindset, and a firm tone—these are qualities that many people look up to, and these girls have them. They bring hope and sanity to those around them; they are the last bridges to cross for any incoming enemies. They are the irreplaceable pieces of their friends’ lives. Yet, while they do so much for their friends, not once have they thought about their own happiness. They try hard to put up strong fronts so that no one can see their own sufferings. Whether it be helping out a friend confess to a guy whom she also loved, or playing the final piece that brought them together from the start, one cannot help but note that they were in pain in the end. They value their friendships and will sacrifice anything, even their own joy, if it means seeing their friends smile. They know that what they did was right, but every girl has to be a little selfish at some point. Can Nakano Azusa or Katsura Hinagiku continue this "act," or will one fall apart first?

"Which jewel is more precious—the Amethyst or Emerald?"
After both their journeys to grab the coveted tiara ended in the quarterfinals, Nagato Yuki and Aisaka Taiga have won their respective consolation matches without much sweat. As the Amethyst and Emerald necklace winners square off against each other for their final placing of the Postseason, a lot is riding on this match. While Taiga’s loss in the quarterfinals was predicted, that cannot be said about Yuki’s unexpected loss in the same stage. But like true greats of the yesteryears, both maidens just dusted off the disappointments and blazed through their next fixtures. Yuki, the silent bibliophile, may have used her data manipulation abilities bestowed upon her by the Data Integration Entity to win her previous match, albeit with a lower-than-expected score line. The bottom-line is that she still won her match and that is all that matters on the business end of the Postseason. Taiga, the fiery ojōsama, battered her opponent into submission using her trusted bokken, and her performance in said match was more in line with the predictions. Which necklace winner will come up on top in this bout—Amethyst winner Nagato Yuki, or Emerald winner Aisaka Taiga?

"Listen; this is my song."
Two characters with contrasting personalities will square off in a musical showdown to finalize their rankings in strength. Cool and serious, Akiyama Mio is usually seen playing her bass or singing in the club room. Mio is determined to have things done on time so that she and her friends can be prepared for the days ahead. While she can easily become scared, her kindness and compassion has made many classmates fall in love with her, to the point of having her own fan club. Unlike Mio, Yui is an outgoing and jumpy girl who sometimes hurts herself more than others around her. After a sorrowful incident with her favorite band, Yui takes up the role as the new lead singer and guitarist. Although she often goes on tangents and has a tendency to make things worse, she takes her music as earnestly as those in the band. As the two musicians stand in front of the voters on the stage known as ISML, which one will receive the encore after all is said and done?

"While I wield the power to create the world, you have the power to nullify it."
As these two supernatural powers collide, the world stands at a standstill. Wielding the powers to destroy and recreate the world, albeit not knowing the fact herself, Suzumiya Haruhi lives her life in accordance to her own beliefs. Even though people around her find her scornful and disdainful, not to mention her other odd personality traits, that does not deter her one bit. It takes a lot of courage to be her, willing to brush aside people who resent her fallible characteristics; she seeks the extraordinary, and is not bound to the realms of normalcy with which humans are so associated. On the other hand, Eucliwood knows her powers and tries her best to curb them. Sporting an adorable though quiet and distant facade, she tries to suppress her inner feelings, as she knows full well the magnitude of the ramifications they may bring. Sealing her powers underneath her armour, people around her who don’t know her may think that she is cosplaying. As the wielders of these divine powers collide, which power will reign—Haruhi’s power to create, or Eucliwood’s power to destroy?

“With my back to the wall, I have nothing to do but fight my way forward.”
After suffering back-to-back losses, everything seems bleak for both Nakamura Yuri and Charlotte Dunois. In the third match of the Postseason, they found light at the end of the tunnel, emerging victorious in their respective arenas. The manners of their wins differed a lot, with Yuri blitzing her challenger and Charlotte surviving a major scare in her match instead. In terms of strength, both maidens are hardly separable, Yuri registering 36 wins in her Regular Season stats, and Charlotte recording a score of 35 wins. Their first bout in ISML yielded a win for Charlotte in the 6th round of the Topaz Period. But this cannot be used as a yardstick, as the difference in votes was negligible. Add to that the fact that Charlotte’s popularity has hit a snag since the middle of the Regular Season. Yuri’s own has steadied, and it will be the perfect chance for Yuri to turn the tables against her. If Charlotte Dunois wants to re-enact the results in the 6th round of Topaz, she needs to do better in this fixture—or will Nakamura Yuri gain the upper hand instead?

"I didn't expect to be facing you again."
Once again, these two competitors find themselves in the exact predicament they were in before: the fight for the 15th seed. Many things have changed over the course of the year. Last year in Emerald 7, Sengoku Nadeko defeated Senjōgahara Hitagi by a 24-vote margin, showing the first flare of the Bakemonogatari showdown. During the Postseason, Hitagi exacted her revenge, defeating her by less than 1000 votes and claiming the right to fifteenth place. This year, the roles seem to have been reversed. In Ruby 5, it was Hitagi who managed to defeat Nadeko by nearly 400 votes, making the score between them 2-1 in her favor. Now that the two stand face-to-face once more, a sense of awareness and déjà vu encircles them. They know what is at stake and that every vote matters. As the battle begins to unfold, will Nadeko even the score, or will Hitagi prove her dominance over her once and for all?

Honma “Menma” Meiko and Ika-Musume will compete in what should be an interesting match-up. Menma is a gentle and humble girl who cherishes her friends more than anyone else. Her kind heart and open-mindedness are the main reasons why her friends love her so much. When they fall into despair, Menma does her best to cheer them up. She wishes for them to forgive themselves and move on with their lives. Ika-Musume has a rash personality, wasting little time on self-introduction and instead stating her plans to the world. No matter how many times she tells people her goals, they treat her like a cute girl in a weird costume who cries for attention. Without realizing it, she has helped many people and become a part of their daily lives, for better or worse. They have influenced many people, but which one has reached the hearts of the voters more?

"And thus, we stand on the golden path that can forever change our lives once more."
I never thought that I would be standing here once again, where the best of the best staged some of the greatest matches ever imagined. I stood here before, but lost in a fair fight. So much has changed since that time. I've witnessed countless battles, sparred with the toughest competitors imaginable, and dueled with well-respected friends. I've had moments of doubt, tears of joy and sorrow, and pain within my heart. Now, here I am, on the grandest stage of them all. I raise my head high and walk straight ahead, never looking back or taking alternate routes. I have gone too far to lose it all, this chance, this opportunity of a lifetime. With my supporters cheering behind me, I leave no regrets. I stare at her, my gaze conveying how serious I am about winning this bout. Let the heavens roar with thunder and the earth burn in flames. Let thousands watch our epic showdown in awe. This is my road to the Tiara, and I will not have it taken away from me once again. Draw your weapon. Let us commence the battle all have waited to see. En garde!

Ut Shana Misaka Mikoto conspiciunt invicem, et quod intus comprehendere corona. Coquerus depositus, et fortissimi novus priore regina subacti. Quamque pulsus sunt simulatores. Omne quod restat aut Shana Mikoto implere victoriae. Ad complementum cycli, et flammeum crine ardens oculis omnis venator est utilitas uncia robur suum, adiuti ad capulum per-fidus Cocyti et Nietono Shana nulla. Saevam infernos merso illam maiestatem eius ignea alae late. Donec ipsum casiones virtutem aspernaretur Denizens purpura. Eicire eam gladium Shana criminibus pergeret cum summa sollicitudine. Non aura invincibilius circuitu eius terrorem adversarium at electrica fluctus Mikoto novas circum felix initium. Pecunia illa trahit sinus ab ea, et laminarum tabulas potest flectere, generatur ex agro magnetica purus. Ut Railgun et potentissimi regis Electromaster telo plus tertia dicitur Gakuen aliqua. Ut aura eminates expectatione regnum trans locum montis pressuris. Numquid poterit Shana demum fato fiunt, adimplendum novus princeps terrae vel super gradum Misaka Mikoto ire?

Naar elkaar kijkend, weten Shana en Mikoto dat de kroon binnen hun bereik is. De huidige heerser werd afgezet, de vorige koningin en de sterkste parvenu werden onderworpen. Andere pretendenten werden aan de kant geslagen. De enige die overblijft is Shana of Mikoto om hun queeste te voltooien. Om de cyclus te voltooien; moet de vlamharige, vuurrode jager elk beetje van haar kracht gebruiken, gesteund op het gevest van haar trouwe Cocytus en Nietono-no-Shana. Raging inferno's overspoelen haar als haar majestueuze vurige vleugels wijd gespreid zijn. Ze toont de kracht die heel de Crimson Denizens verafschuwen. Na ze haar zwaard trekt, stormt ze naar voren met de grootst mogelijke zorg. Niet geintimideerd door de aura van onoverwinnelijkheid rond haar tegenstander, elektrische golven en onweer die Mikoto omsingelen. Terwijl ze een muntstuk uit haar zak trekt, kan men metalen platen en planken zien ombuigen, te wijten aan de enorme opgewekte magnetische krachten. Dat is de Railgun, het sterkste wapen van de Electromaster, waarwie gezegd wordt de derde sterkste in Gakuen City te zijn. Zal Shana in staat zijn om uiteindelijk haar lot te vervullen en de nieuwe heerser van het land te worden, of zal Misaka Mikoto een stap verder gain?

Comme Shana et Misaka Mikoto dévisagent, ils savent que la couronne est à leur portée. Le souverain actuel a été déposé, la reine précédente et le plus fort arriviste ont été soumis. Autres prétendants ont été écartés. Tout ce qui reste est Shana ou Mikoto pour compléter sa conquête. Pour compléter le cycle, les fougueux chasseur doit utiliser chaque once de sa force, soutenu à fond par son Cocyte fidèle et Nietono-no-Shana. Elle met en valeur la puissance même que les habitants Crimson détestent. Dégainant son épée, Shana charges de l'avant avec grand soin. Pour ne pas être intimidés par l'aura d'invincibilité entoure son adversaire, les vagues et les orages électriques commencent à encercler Mikoto. Comme elle tire une pièce de sa poche, des plaques de métal et de conseils peuvent être vus à plier, à cause du champ magnétique généré pure. C'est le Railgun, l'arme la plus puissante Electromaster, qui a déclaré être le plus fort dans la ville Gakuen. Comme l'air d'anticipation eminates travers la salle du trône, les pressions de montage. Est-ce que Shana pouvoir enfin réaliser son destin et devenir le nouveau souverain de la terre, ou sera Mikoto aller plus loin?

"所以现在，我们又一次站在了这改变命运的道路上。"
我从未想过我会又一次站在这里——这个只有最强中的最强才能站着的舞台上。我曾一度站在过这里，却败在了一场使我输得心甘情愿的比赛上。那次之后，许多都改变了。我看过了太多的决战——所有可以想象的与无法想象的强敌之间的决战，所有在最恨与最爱之间的决战。我有过刹那间的犹豫，开心与难过所交织的泪水，以及心底那无法描述的悲伤或喜悦。现在，再一次站在这里，我将昂首挺胸的向前走，再也不回头或走上其他道路。我已经付出了太多，因此我绝对不能再次失去这宝贵的机会。当我听到身后的祝福与呐喊时，我再也没有了悔恨。我紧盯着她的双眼，我的眼神所贯彻的是我最认真的觉悟。让闪电响彻天际，让烈火燃烧大地，让成千上万的人们带着敬畏来看我们的决战。这里是只属于我的通向皇冠的道路，我决不会让这机会再一次的离我而去。投出硬币吧，拔出烈刃吧，让最后的战争打响吧！

"One chance is all I need to make things right."
One can argue that Gokō Ruri and Tachibana Kanade share many similarities, while another may choose to say that they are totally different. In a sense, both are right as these two are similar yet different at the same time. On top of sharing the same seiyū and having similar personalities, both girls are also participating in their first year here in ISML. The two have worked hard throughout the season and, at one point, it seemed like a Tiara final between the two strongest newcomers of the year would become reality. But after Ruri and Kanade’s unfortunate losses to veterans Misaka Mikoto and Shana, respectively, the most they can settle for now is 3rd. What makes this match-up so interesting is that, despite their similarities, the auras the two exude are totally different. Kanade’s nickname of Tenshi, literally Angel, explains the air of holiness that surrounds her. On the other hand, Ruri’s nickname of Kuroneko, translated as Black Cat, denotes the opposite—a dark presence. As light meets darkness, which of the two will consume the other and emerge victorious?

"With the help of my friends, I am able to stand here with pride."
To have made it this far, they may as well end this year on a strong note. Nakano Azusa and Aisaka Taiga challenge each other for the right to be in 5th place. Azusa is a serious girl, always trying to find time to practice and get ready for the concerts ahead. She tries not to fool around too much and is usually the one trying to get everyone's acts together. Although she may not like it when her friends place her in precarious situations, she enjoys spending time with them. Originally, Taiga would rather scare the people before her rather than befriend them. When she started to open her heart, many students saw her in a different light. She went from someone to be feared by all to someone whom they needed to make their lives entertaining and complete. It took them a while to become the people that they are today, but they made it and have turned out for the better. With firm mindsets, they approach one another, making sure they leave nothing behind.

"I want to finish this year with a bang, not with a meek defeat! "
Their Postseason records are almost identical. Both Katsura Hinagiku and Nagato Yuki recorded wins in their first rounds of Elimination, only to stumble in their quarterfinal match-ups. Winning their first consolation matches and subsequently losing their second has put them on a collision course for the 7th place play-off. While Hinagiku expected this as she ended the Regular Season as the 8th-placed girl, the same thing cannot be said of Yuki. Boasting 47 wins and 2 losses, she ended the season as one of the hot favourites for the Tiara, knocking on the door for a shot in the finals. The bottom-line is that the voters have given their verdict. Whoever wins this match will end up as 7th, and the loser’s final placing will be just behind her at 8th. While for most girls these numbers might be signs of good showings in ISML, this isn’t the case for these two maidens. So, will the once Tiara winner, Katsura Hinagiku, end this season in 8th place, or will the once finalist, Yuki, be condemned to that spot instead?

"We follow what we believe is true and stay on our paths no matter how many obstacles block us."
Leaders in their own rights, Akiyama Mio and Suzumiya Haruhi face off in their final match this season. Mio is a guardian figure, always there to soothe her friends in times of need. Mostly, she tries to set things straight and makes sure nothing bad happens with the group. She is looked up to by many of her classmates due to her cool demeanor and level-headedness. In contrast, Haruhi is a brash and arrogant girl who makes sure nothing stands in her way of getting what she wants. She is usually the first one to come up with ideas about activities to do and drags everyone into her world. What makes her stand out from the rest is her commanding aura and her ability to draw a crowd like no one else. Both girls have no trouble walking onto a high-volume stage with voters chanting their names. When the lights shine on these two competitors, can Mio overcome her opponent with her song and bass, or will Haruhi dominate her with her cunning and powerful aura?

"Flowers bloom; love is in the air."
My gaze is firmly entranced by two cute girls, sitting right next to each other. With each gentle brush of the rustling wind, their hair sways. As the sun lowers on the horizon, this beautiful sight is etched indelibly within my heart. The two maidens smile as I approach them, and my heart flutters at their radiance. The first girl introduces herself with a wry smile on her tiny lips as Yui, clearly not wanting an outsider to interrupt them, but too polite to say so. Her counterpart, using a pen, scribes her name as “Eucliwood Hellsycthe.” She gives me a fleeting gentle look, before affording me a spot to sit on in between the two. As we chat, their inner beauty permeates the scene. The pink-haired Yui talks the whole time, her energy contagious. Her personality fits the guitar she holds. The silver-haired Eucliwood writes her answers on a notepad she has with her. Her silence is my kryptonite. As the sun finally sets, I leave them with a love-smitten heart, but to which girl—Yui or Eucliwood Hellscythe?

"I just want to be noticed." This thought runs through the minds of both Kashiwazaki Sena and Gasai Yuno. Possessing wealth, beauty, and intelligence, Kashiwazaki Sena is quite popular among the male students at St. Chronica Academy. However, they are only ever admirers, and girls scorn her. What she really wants are true friends to laugh, talk, and play video games with, so she joined the newly formed Neighbors Club with that end in mind. Likewise, Gasai Yuno is a school idol, but she already has eyes for someone who jokingly proposed marriage to her the previous year. Taking the proposal seriously, she vowed to do anything for that person even if it involved hurting others. A mysterious "survival game" to determine the next ruler over time and space has granted her an opportunity to be together with her beloved. The battle for friendship and love has begun, but who will trigger the "Happy End" flag first—Kashiwazaki Sena or Gasai Yuno?

Never judge a girl by her looks, for she may show a different personality than expected. Shionji Yūko, better known as Alice, appears to be a weak, fragile girl who never bothers to step outside her room. In truth, she is very hard working and will do anything to solve any problems her clients give her. She is willing to spend day and night searching with all of her computers to find any relevant data that may help her with the case. Despite her age, Kaga Rin is quite the mature girl. After the death of her guardian, Rin had no place to call home until one of his relatives decided to take care of her. Rin tries her best to help in her new house, from cooking to doing the laundry. These two girls may be small in stature, but there is more to them than meets the eye. Which of these two competitors will the voters want to look up to and take care of?

After all is said and done, two girls remain standing for the final exhibition match. Head representative of the Silent Moe archetype, Ayanami Rei proves to be a dangerous force to be reckoned with, defeating the likes of Alice Carroll, Chidori Kaname, and most recently, Evangeline McDowell. While she may be hard to approach at first, her backstory has touched the hearts of many people. Chosen One Kinomoto Sakura is certainly no pushover with her victories over Tsukamoto Yakumo, Sakurazaki Setsuna, and previously, Chii. She was the first winner of the AST for a reason, since her never-say-die attitude and strong heart has captivated many in the magical girl genre. With no time to waste, the two girls prepare themselves for the biggest match of their careers. For the exhibition title, can Rei take her opponent down with her 00 Unit, or will Sakura's magic be enough to defeat the pilot?