Featured Matches - ISML 2011 Amethyst Period
Amethyst 1 — 12 June 2011
Louise Vallière (Zero no Tsukaima) vs. Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!)
露易絲・瓦利埃爾 (零之使魔) vs. 逢坂大河 (龍與虎)
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As Amethyst opens its curtains, Kugyu fans are greeted with their first civil war. The Queen of Tsundere's first Seiyu Awards appearance and her most recent win will be brought fresh to mind as the two girls who got her there face off. Far more tsun-tsun than dere, Louise's zero success rate in magic at school hasn't prevented her from finding her true calling, becoming a Void Mage, and love. Now she turns her army-crushing powers and her beloved familiar against Taiga. Quick to aim her wooden sword at anyone who might get on her bad side, Taiga is as loyal, love-struck, and fragile on the inside as she is fierce, clumsy, and short-tempered on the outside. Her façade of strength hides a lonely little angel with a keen love for her friends, Christmas, and meat—an angel that, at first, only the 'dora' to her 'tora' can see. Will the Palmtop Tiger prove to be as loved by everyone as by Ryuuji? Or, will Louise show once and for all she is far more than just 'The Zero'? 隨著紫水晶季的開始，釘宮迷即將迎接第一場內戰。儘管路易絲在魔法學院裡的施法成功率只有 0%，她依然能喚醒自身的真正實力，成為虛無魔法使並且獲得才人的愛。目前，她正將自身的吸引力及原用於毀滅敵人的虛無魔法迅速地轉向掌上萌虎 (逢坂大河)，並且集中於大河的木刀與及脆弱的心靈之上。而大河雖然有著衝動，孤傲，脾氣暴燥的外在性格，然而，她擁有著一顆忠直，對於愛情感覺遲鈍而且脆弱的心。她藉自身的強悍一直掩飾著自己內心的脆弱，但在她的朋友心目中，大河就像是一個孤獨的小天使。到底最終是掌上萌虎能證明她正被如龍兒一樣愛著她的粉絲支持，還是露易斯能展現出遠超於虛無魔法的實力？ |
Kōsaka Kirino (Ore no Imōto) vs. Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku!)
高坂桐乃 (我的妹妹哪有這麼可愛？) vs. 桂雛菊 (旋風管家)
These two model students are both beautiful, stylish, have good grades, and excel in almost everything they do. But underneath these symmetrical attributes lie two distinctly different personalities. Katsura Hinagiku is a person who puts others before her. She is willing to even save a cat that is stuck high on a tree branch, despite her acrophobia. On the other hand, Kōsaka Kirino is the sort of girl who takes care of herself, even going as far as pushing her own wishes on to others, as people around her can concur. With such dissimilarities to their personalities, people tend to separate them, but beneath them all, both Hinagiku and Kirino are actually just girls in that difficult age developing into fine young adults. As the Topaz Season has come and gone, every participant starts with a new, clean slate for the race to the Amethyst Necklace. Will Hinagiku steal her match over Kirino for the first win in Amethyst, or will Kirino beat her challenger instead? 兩位都是模範的學生。具備有美麗而又獨特的氣質，成績優秀，又同時能在各方面發揮得淋漓盡致。由於性格上的不同，即使她們同為傲嬌屬性，仍能使她們各有自己的風格。桂雛菊是一位先想別人後想己的人。即使知道自己有恐高症，她願意僅為了救一隻小貓而爬到樹頂。而高坂桐乃則是一種能照顧好自己，然後再將自己的熱情感染身邊的人，並且能使身邊的人認同的女孩。由於以上的個性差異，很多人都將她們分為完全不同的兩類人。然而，其實她們都是在具備熱情，努力地學習以及盡力讓自己成長的好女孩。隨著黃玉季的完結，紫水晶季第一場已經蓄勢待發。到底先聲奪人取下第一場勝利的會是桂雛菊還是高坂桐乃？ Dua siswa. Baik cantik, luwes, memiliki prestasi yang baik, dan unggul dalam segala hal. Tapi dibalik semua kesamaan itu,terdapat dua kepribadian yang berbeda. Hinagiku Katsura adalah seorang yang mendahulukan kepentingan orang lain daripada kepentingan pribadinya. Dia bahkan rela menyelamatkan seekor kucing yang terjebak di atas cabang pohon yang tinggi,meskipun mengidap Acrophobia. Di sisi lain, Kirino Kōsaka adalah jenis gadis yang dapat mengurus dirinya sendiri dengan baik, bahkan sampai nekat memaksakan keinginannya kepada orang lain, sebagaimana orang-orang disekitarnya mengikuti kehendaknya. Seperti halnya kepribadian mereka yang berbeda, orang-orang cenderung untuk menjauhkan mereka,tapi di balik itu semua, baik Hinagiku dan Kirino yang sebenarnya hanyalah gadis yang berada di dalam masa antara remaja dan beranjak dewasa. Musim Topaz yang datang dan pergi, setiap perserta memulai awal yang baru, membersihkan sisa hasil pertempuran untuk kompetisi Kalung Amethyst. Akankah Hinagiku mencuri kemenangan atas Kirino untuk pertandingan perdana di Amethyst atau akankah Kirino yang malah mengalahkannya? Due studentesse modello. Entrambe sono belle, affascinanti, hanno buoni voti ed eccellono praticamente in tutto ciò che fanno. Tuttavia, sotto queste somiglianze si nascondono due personalità decisamente diverse. Katsura Hinagiku è quel genere di persona che pensa prima agli altri che a sé stessa, fino al punto da cercare di soccorrere un gatto rimasto bloccato in cima ad un albero, nonostante la sua fobia per i luoghi alti. Al contrario, Kousaka Kirino è una ragazza che sa decisamente badare a sé stessa, fino al punto da imporre agli altri la sua volontà, come sanno bene quelli che la conoscono. Con personalità tanto diverse, la gente tende a considerarle l'una l'opposto dell'altra, ma dopotutto sia Hinagiku che Kirino sono solo delle ragazze che stanno attraversando quel difficile periodo della vita durante il quale ci si sviluppa come adulti. Passata la stagione di Topazio, ognuna della partecipanti riparte da zero per la corsa alla Collana d'Ametista. Riuscirà Hinagiku a strappare a Kirino la prima vittoria del round o sarà Kirino a sconfiggere la sua avversaria? Dua gadis pelajar contoh ini memiliki kecantikan, gaya, pencapaian cemerlang dalam akademik dan juga bidang-bidang lain yang diceburi tetapi di sebalik semua persamaan tersebut adalah dua keperibadian yang agak berbeza. Katsura Hinagiku merupakan seorang yang mengutamakan kepentingan pihak lain dahulu sebelum kepentingannya sendiri. Meskipun gayat, dia sanggup memberanikan diri untuk menyelamatkan seekor kucing yang tersangkut di atas dahan yang tinggi. Kirino manakala pula adalah seorang gadis yang mementingkan diri sendiri, bahkan memaksa kehendaknya pada orang lain. Perbezaan keperibadian antara kedua-dua gadis ini mengakibatkan kecenderungan orang ramai untuk mengasingkan kedua dua gadis ini tetapi terselindung disebalik kesemua perbezaan ini sebenarnya adalah dua orang gadis yang sedang berada di tahap pembentukan tanggapan diri sebagai seorang dewasa. Musim Topaz telah datang dan pergi and perlumbaan untuk merangkul kalung Amethyst bemula sekali lagi. Adakah Hinagiku akan memiliki kelebihan atas Kirino atau bolehkah Kirino berjaya menumpaskan lawannya? |
Sanzen'in Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku!) vs. Iwasawa Asami (Angel Beats!)
三千院凪 (旋风管家) vs. 岩泽麻美 (Angel Beats!)
Nagi lives a life of luxury that Iwasawa can't even begin to imagine. Safely holed up in her mansion, Nagi's rich, hikikomori lifestyle is as different from Iwasawa's painful, abusive childhood as can be, yet Iwasawa found refuge in her music, and peace in her Afterlife. This peace is about to be challenged, as the quiet muse finds herself faced with a loud otaku who won't take “no” for an answer. Iwasawa has had a tough time with veterans and newcomers alike thus far, but Amethyst could signify a new start for her. With only three wins, Iwasawa is more than ready to turn her game around, but will ISML support her? Nagi has proved her popularity year after year, placing 10th last year in the Postseason, and is determined not to disappoint her doting butler watching from the sidelines. She's had more than one clash with the SSS and won't hesitate to show them who's boss. Will she succeed, or will Iwasawa's silky voice and light fingers play her way to victory? 三千院凪一直過著讓巌澤麻美難以想象的富裕生活。表面上，凪可以安全地躲在豪宅之中，擁有數之不盡的財富，實際上，她的童年受盡侮辱所以才會形成家裡蹲的性格。這種痛苦不同於巌澤麻美。即使同樣都有著不愉快的童年，麻美能夠找到她的避難所：她的音樂空間，和諧與溫暖的來生。然而這種安全正面臨挑戰！作為一名新兵加入國際萌娘大賽這競技場，麻美截至現時為止只取得三勝。但紫水晶季度將會成為她的新開始。儘管只得三勝，麻美這時侯正準備在紫水晶季中扭轉局勢了，但到底她能否在國際萌娘大賽突圍而出？而小凪亦證明了她的知名度一年比一年好，就以去年季後賽為例，她並沒有讓愛著她的管家失望。到底三千院凪能否以此氣勢淘汰麻美，還是被麻美以其滲人心脾的音樂打動並擊倒呢？ |
Sakagami Tomoyo (CLANNAD) vs. Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari)
坂上智代 (CLANNAD) vs. 千石撫子 (化物語)
While it is still early to discern who will be the members of the Top 16, every match and vote is important, especially in a match-up like this. Currently, Sengoku Nadeko finds herself within the realms of the Top 16 after a beneficial Topaz period. Sakagami Tomoyo finds herself in contention for the last spot with four other girls. In order for Tomoyo to have some hope of being in the Top 16 this year, she has to continue winning, starting now. Last year, Tomoyo had no trouble defeating Nadeko, beating her with a 416-vote margin. However, this year, she may actually be in a tight situation. With the CLANNAD series declining at a rapid rate, Tomoyo might actually have trouble defeating Nadeko once more. Can Tomoyo regain her pride and beat her opponent, or is Nadeko, along with her new, stronger fan-base, too much for Tomoyo to handle? 雖然現在分辨誰是16強時間尚早，但每場比賽賽果和投票依然十分重要。特別是以下此組。經過千石撫子於黃玉時期處於有利自己的16強位置。而坂上智代則意識到自己相對於其餘4名女孩更需要爭奪一席位。為使智代能成功成為16強，她需要繼續爭取出線，特別在這組賽事。去年，智代十分輕易地以416票之差擊敗撫子。但今年，她正處於一個緊張的局勢。隨著CLANNAD 的人氣過去，智代要再一次擊敗撫子就變得有難度了。到底智代能不能夠恢復她的氣勢去打敗她的對手？還是撫子能否於這場新的戰事內，以強大的粉絲後盾擊敗智代？ |
Senjōgahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari) vs. Victorique de Blois (GOSICK)
戰場原黑儀 (化物語) vs. 維多利加‧德‧布洛瓦 (GOSICK)
These two girls have surprisingly similar personalities. While both of them are somewhat sadistic, they have caring sides in them, especially to the people whom they love. Senjōgahara Hitagi always finds ways to make fun of other people and bluntly state her opinion. Despite this, most of what she says benefits others. Victorique de Blois may sound high and mighty, but it is only to hide her fear of not making any friends. She is just a lonely girl looking for someone to talk to. What discerns the two of them is physique. While Hitagi is tall with a model-like body, Victorique is short and is usually seen wearing Gothic-Lolita-styled clothing. For this match to be said and done, may the one with the sharper mind win! 這兩個女孩有著出奇地相似的性格。她們兩人都有點虐待狂的特質，但是唯獨面對著所愛的人則流露出溫柔的一面。戰場原黑儀總是說話直接來設法令身邊的人感到快樂。儘管如此，她說，做一些有利他人的事情令他們意識到正在於他們身邊所發生的事情。維多利加‧德‧布洛瓦說話時神氣活現，但她只是為了掩蓋自己心中的恐懼，不能交任何朋友。維多利加是個孤獨的女孩，她希望有人能夠與她談天。她們二人都有獨特的外表，黑儀有著模特兒般的身段；而維多利加身型精緻，像個洋娃娃般，身穿哥德蘿莉塔風格的服飾。對於這場對決，取勝之道在於她們敏銳的頭腦。 |
Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto)
vs. Index L. Prohibitorum (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
五更琉璃 – 黑貓 (我的妹妹哪有這麼可愛？) vs. 茵蒂克絲 (魔法禁書目錄)
Both Gokō Ruri and Index have suffered in life. Ignoring others' prejudices and continuing to create light novels and doujinshi as she likes them has caused Kuroneko to become accustomed to pain: her creations aren’t well known in the market and she remains immersed in darkness. Suffering in a different way, Index sacrificed herself to keep over 103,000 grimoires in her body, having her memory erased every year and losing all those close to her in order to abide by the Church's wishes. She, herself, wishes for nothing more but to live a peaceful life with Touma and her friends. There is so much pain we can’t even begin to imagine as they nevertheless strive to grasp victory. Who has the deeper wound, the self-proclaimed fallen angel or the sweet, silver-haired nun? And which girl needs our support more? 兩位參賽者都有著痛苦的經歷。黑貓傾注所有心血，並以其獨特的風格所創作的輕小說及同人誌但卻未能得到各界認同，而這事情更進一步發展為她主要的痛苦來源：她的作品未能廣泛流傳並逐步邁向絕望的深淵。另一方面，擁有完全記憶能力的茵蒂克絲，她甘願犧牲自己成為十萬三千冊魔導書的中央圖書館而且並沒有期待著任何回報。在他人眼中，她只是一個普通的小修女。兩位參賽者都正承受著這些極大的痛苦，甚至讓我們覺得她們勝利能成為給予她們的一點安慰。到底哪一方所受的痛苦比較深？到底哪一方更需要我們的幫助呢？ |
Charlotte Dunois (IS <Infinite Stratos>) vs. Kuroi Mato (Black ★ Rock Shooter)
夏洛特‧迪洛亞 (IS <Infinite Stratos>) vs. 黑衣麻陶 (Black ★ Rock Shooter)
The Kugimiya Knights isn't the only fandom Amethyst has thrust into civil unrest; the Order of the Lotus, too, is challenged as IS-pilot, Charlotte Dunois, faces the single most unpredictable girl this tournament. It's both a blessing and a curse to be represented on so many fronts, as HanaKana fans know full well from the recent showdowns in Topaz, but three in a row may prove to be their breaking point. While Kuroi Mato has safely navigated her way around such difficult battles, Charlotte is all too familiar with them, facing none other than the strongest of the Order in Topaz Round 7. She's well acquainted with friendly rivals, and Char is determined to not let her shy, sensitive nature stop her from breaking away with a solid victory. But Mato won't go down without a fight. She's defeated one Infinite Stratos already and won't hesitate to take down another. Will the soft-spoken, French, IS-candidate representative be able to avenge her classmate's loss? Or will the Black Rock Shooter prove her strength against even the strongest weapon around? Represented here is another Hanazawa fan dilemma. This controversial war has always been a hot issue, and fans are disgruntled about fighting, yet again, a party from the same order. Which one do you prefer? An adorable, French, IS-representative, or the cool, Black-rock shooter, Kuroi Mato? Regardless of the voice actor, choose your girl with heart and passion! 繼黃玉季第七回合天使 VS. 夏洛特之後，這又是一場對花澤香菜迷的挑戰！花澤內戰在前兩季度一直都是備受爭議的問題。這場也不例外，在此代表一眾花澤迷說一句：“請問可否停止內戰！” 但是，其實哪一位你比較喜歡？法國的ＩＳ代表侯補生夏洛特‧迪洛亞還是活潑的黑岩射手黑衣麻陶呢？在這一場，我們還是應該暫時放棄對聲優的執著了！因為這兩位角色各自都有自己的價值和特色嘛。對於她們的尊重要如何體現？當然是透過投票阿！ Lagi-lagi fans Hanazawa mengalami dilema. Dikatakan sebagai suatu perang kontroversi yang selalu menjadi isu panas, para penggemar terus mengeluh,"pertarungan antar sesama pasukan Hanazawa? Aku tidak percaya ini!" dan reaksi yang sama juga diutarakan oleh beberapa pihak. Tapi, siapakah yang kamu sukai? Perwakilan Perancis "IS" yang sangat manis atau, Ujung tombak Black★Rock yang keren,Mato Kuroi? Tanpa memerhatikan siapa yang terlibat dalam pengisian suara karakter, pilihlah dengan hati dan semangat. Ya, setiap kontestan memiliki nilai tersendiri, ini adalah mengenai pandangan dan tugas kita untuk menghargai nilai tersebut, tentu saja dengan memberikan suara. |
Shinonono Hōki (IS <Infinite Stratos>)
vs. Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
Kendo prodigy, Shinonono Hōki, is no stranger to a tough fight, whether it be with herself, or with a mysterious IS gone berserk. But then again, she's never had to face someone as tough as Nagato Yuki. A humanoid interface created by the Data Integration Thought Entity, Yuki is capable of manipulating time and space to suit her will, and not even getting repeatedly impaled is enough to break her calm concentration. She's had a strong run so far in ISML, with but a single loss to none other than the winner of the Aquamarine necklace; yet, as Yuki faces the first of the Infinite Stratos Academy Representatives, the sister of the very creator of these powerful, super-combat exoskeletons, she takes on a whole new level of challenge. Equipped with the energy-replenishing, one-off ability, Kenran Butō, Hōki's 4th Generation IS, Akatsubaki, is the most powerful in the world. Will her twin katana be enough to take down this god-like alien? Or, will Yuki silently crush the love-struck pilot? |
Kagura (Gintama) vs. Nami (One Piece)
神楽 (銀魂) vs. ナミ (ワンピース)
카구라 (은혼) vs. 나미 (원피스)
From the hit series, Gintama and One Piece, come two girls who appeared as the first female protagonists of their respected series. Kagura is an alien who came to Earth to run away from her family bloodline, one of the strongest and most bloodthirsty clans in the universe. A familiar incident of the past, caused by her father, made her fear her own powers. On Earth, Kagura joins a gang before teaming up with Gintoki and Shinpachi and following them on their travels. Upon following them, Kagura acts naive around Gintama, usually making fun of his various gimmicks, but is very loyal to the group and would do anything to save her friends in times of need. A similar familiar trauma has also occurred in Nami's past. Nami was adopted and has no actual recollection of her past. After her mother was killed, Nami was forced to work under a group of pirates who took over her homeland. When told that she could buy off her homeland's freedom, Nami spent years trying to save up the money needed, but failed after the people whom she worked for stole it. With the help of her friends, she was able to defeat her nemesis and free her homeland from the pirates' clutches. As these two vermilion-haired young women face off, can Kagura pin her opponent down with her parasol, or will Nami fend her off with the weather on her side? |
Thanks to Momokutenshi, Momento10, KawanCido, and Eclairs for contributing today's match previews.
Translations by KawanCido (Indonesian), HibariKyoya (Italian), Ecairs (Malay), and Riz (Chinese).
Translations by KawanCido (Indonesian), HibariKyoya (Italian), Ecairs (Malay), and Riz (Chinese).
Amethyst 2 — 14 June 2011
Kōsaka Kirino (Ore no Imōto) vs. Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto)
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This confrontation is more than just about their favorite animes today as these two proud otakus finally come face-to-face with each other. With a fondness for the children's magical-girl anime, Stardust Witch Meruru, and little-sister-themed eroges, Kirino favors the exact opposite of Kuroneko's teen-complex fantasy, Masquerade, and her 'dark magic' cosplay. While sparks fly as their twin, pseudo-tsundere personalities and contrasting tastes clash, both still manage to form a close bond through Kirino's older brother, Kyōsuke. Both have had their otaku-inclined interests looked down on by those around them, but ISML has given them a home and celebrated their quirks; and. both have charged through opponents and come out stronger on the other side. After two, almost-perfect periods and a necklace round, Kuroneko is a shoo-in for the Postseason, and a favorite for the Tiara itself. Kirino, too, refuses to back down, and a harsh Topaz period isn't nearly enough to dampen her bright, ambitious dreams. As these two girls stand side-by-side today, will the effortless charm of a fashionable model's smile catch all eyes? Or will the soft voice of the sweet, gothic lolita captivate your heart? |
Senjōgahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari) vs. Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!)
戰場原黑儀 (化物語) vs. 逢坂大河 (龍與虎)
Misfortune can sometimes lead people towards their fated ones, and not all love stories start normally. Through fate, both Hitagi and Taiga met their soul mates. Both are proud girls; Hitagi can be characterised as aloof if someone doesn't know her better, while Taiga is famed for her ferocity befitting of a tiger. Both harbour secrets that they would rather keep inside themselves, but for the fated meeting with their other halves that ripped their shells wide open, exposing the darkness. Hitagi fell down the stairs, only to be saved by the benevolent, and former vampire, Araragi Koyomi. On the other hand, pure coincidence, aided by a misplaced love letter, brought Taiga together with the dependable—but often mistaken for a delinquent—Ryuuji. Together, they slowly crept away from their muddled pasts towards new and brighter tomorrows. Which girl will be driven further by her newfound love and happiness, Senjōgahara Hitagi or Aisaka Taiga? The decision is yours to make. 不幸與命運往往都是交織著的，同時也是很多愛情故事的開端。藉著命運，黑儀和大河都遇上自己命中注定的對象。兩位都是傲嬌的女孩，黑儀可被定義為神秘人，即使聽說過她的人也只會對她印象模糊。相反，大河是被視作兇悍的老虎，有如校內常識般的存在。即使有著這樣的分別，實際上，兩者都受到命運的動搖，向其命中注定的人敞開心屝。戰場原黑儀在掉下樓梯時被老好人的前吸血鬼‧阿良良木曆所救，然後兩人就開始發展著屬於他們的故事。而大河則是由一次的背包掉換，一封空的情書，一次誤會下的打鬥，一個互相幫忙告白的事件，萌生了對高須龍兒的感情。兩對都以緩慢的腳步漸離黑暗的過去並邁向美好的將來。到底哪一位女孩的將來會更幸福？現在，就讓我們憑藉手上的一票，去傳遞自己的心聲吧。 |
Nakamura Yuri (Angel Beats!) vs. Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari)
仲村佑理 (Angel Beats!) vs. 千石撫子 (化物語)
Nakamura Yuri and Sengoku Nadeko are two characters with very different personas. The high octane, talkative leader of the SSS Brigade is a girl who leads her team against the system that they loathe. Armed with her trusty pistol and backed up to the hilt by fellow squad members, Yuri is the type of person who puts forth her name when the need arises. Seldom shrinking from her responsibilities, she cuts her way through to get the task done; she doesn't want to be haunted by losing something dear to her ever again. On the other hand, Sengoku Nadeko is the polar opposite of her opponent. People usually associate Nadeko with shyness and reservation. Even with the pain of two snake spirits constricting her, she endures with all the hardship within herself. If she hadn't gone to Araragi's house and revealed her condition, she might still be ensnared by the two snakes sent by the people who resented her. With these two maidens' different methods of handling their problems, which one of the methods do you prefer? Will it be the energy sapping, but highly effective way of Nakamura Yuri, or will it be the quiet way of Sengoku Nadeko? 仲村佑理和千石撫子是兩個完全不同性質的人物。佑理是一個健談，具行動力與領導才能的人。她領導著死後世界戰線 (SSS) 去對抗天使和那世界令人討厭的法則。裝備了手槍與及在戰線的伙伴們的支持下，佑理成為了其他人當出現問題時，可以尋求協助的第一個對象。她很少會半途而廢，因為她已經不再想看到生前的悲劇重演… 另一方面，千石撫子則是種接近跟仲村佑理完全相反的人。撫子帶給人一種羞澀的感覺。即使身上被兩條詛咒之蛇纏繞著，她選擇了依靠自己來解開此咒。若果她的困境並沒有被阿良良木君發現，恐怕她仍然忍受著詛咒，被兩條大蛇緊緊縛住。這兩名少女透過不同方法去解決問題，然而，哪一套方法你覺得比較好？是消耗較大，但效率較高的仲村佑理，還是靜靜完成任務的千石撫子呢？ |
Asahina Mikuru (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
vs. Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
The first of three intra-series clashes, the shy, time-travelling 'mascot' of the SOS Brigade finds herself without Kyon to hide behind as she is brought to face the cool, calm, and collected AI that is Nagato Yuki. An "untouchable flower on the mountain," Mikuru is adored by boys and girls alike, with Haruhi and Kyon being not the least of her admirers. The surprising resilience in her cute, small frame has carried her through not only Haruhi's teasing, but also through a solid Saimoe Career. Second in power only to the oblivious Haruhi, Yuki is even stronger in ISML than her "fake-magic" would lead you to believe. As the current Amethyst Necklace holder, Yuki is well on her way to re-claiming her title after an easy win against Shinonono Hōki last round. Will Yuki be the only candidate ever to win the same necklace two years running? Or will her innocent, fellow-Brigade member prove to be her first stumbling block this side of Topaz? |
Huang Lingyin (IS <Infinite Stratos>) vs. Tachibana Kanade
Autumn 2010 produced a fair share of top, new entrants for ISML, but no one could have predicted the supernova that was to be Tachibana Kanade's debut. All eyes turn to the sky once again, as the much-loved Tenshi takes on the third, IS-candidate representative, Huang Lingyin of China. After watching two of her teammates get cut down with ease, Lingyin has witnessed for herself the power Kanade wields through her AngelPlayer, and the lengths she will go for those close to her. Kanade bears her lover's heart and she will do anything and everything to protect it. Only the reigning Tiara-holder has been able to break Kanade's 60% win ratio, and even then, only by less than 1%. Will Lingyin's powerful Dragon Cannon be able to overcome the school council president's might? Or will Tenshi's Hand Sonic slice through her ShenLong as easily as it did the other IS? |
Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai no Ichizon) vs. Furukawa Nagisa (CLANNAD)
Shiina Mafuyu and Furukawa Nagisa face off once again in what should be an interesting bout. Last year, student council treasurer, Mafuyu, wasted no time in making a name for herself in ISML. While she did not make it to Double Elimination, she was the eighteenth seed, an impressive feat for a newcomer like her. This year, her chances of success have started to dwindle. Not only is she the sole survivor of her series after a vicious Preliminary period, but her strength, compared to last year, has also dropped significantly. Still, this otaku princess is not ready to give up just yet. She has lasted this long already, and she will see this through to the end. Despite her lack of new material, Nagisa seems to be in stable condition, roaming around the middle tier as she has in the past. Because Mafuyu defeated Nagisa in 2010’s Topaz Round 3, she ranked higher by the end of the season, despite their equal scores. Now that these two are back and together once more, will Mafuyu be able to secure another win against Nagisa, or will Nagisa redeem with a victory? |
Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!) vs. Saber (Fate/stay night)
Last year in Aquamarine 4, Saber defeated Hirasawa Yui with a 346-vote margin. Saber should be glad that she was able to face someone like her early on in the year. Had she faced Yui during her series’ peak during the latter periods, she may not have done as well. Now, Yui declares a re-match from what happened earlier, before she was at her utmost potential. Without recent material to back either of the combatants, this should be a clean and fair fight. With a boosted Yui, is Saber still strong enough to hold her ground and defeat her opponent once more? Or, will last year be the only year that Saber can boast of Yui’s defeat? |
Thanks to Eclairs, Momokutenshi, and Momento10 for contributing today's match previews. Chinese translations by Rizwan.
Amethyst 3 — 16 June 2011
Suzumiya Haruhi (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
vs. Asahina Mikuru (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
[ Show more... ]
The Amethyst schedule has not been kind to poor Mikuru as she finds herself up against another member of the SOS Brigade—the Brigade chief, no less. After a very close win over C.C in the first round, Mikuru's hopes for an easy ride came to nothing as the shy, little time-traveler faced the god-like alien, Nagato Yuki. She had no idea what she was getting herself into the first time she was dragged into the Brigade by Haruhi, but now, Mikuru is a little bit wiser and a little bit more experienced. She stands nose-to-nose once again with god herself, and there is little doubt that Haruhi will pull out all sorts of embarrassing, yet undeniably adorable, costumes for Mikuru to model. Haruhi has never backed down and isn't about to do so now that Kyon is nowhere to be found to censor her photos. Will Mikuru be able to resist that guilty pleasure? Or, will Haruhi's nimble fingers snap as many salacious shots as her heart desires? |
Kōsaka Kirino (Ore no Imōto) vs. Misaka Mikoto (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
Both Kōsaka Kirino and Misaka Mikoto are the perfect role models. They easily entice the attention from others, yet underneath these façades are the cold, unabated truths of who they really are. They try vehemently to not portray this type of personality in front of their friends and admirers. Kōsaka Kirino is an avid galge gamer, as well as a full-fledged otaku. With such a small fraction of teenage, girl otaku in Japan, she finds it tough to keep up her model student mask, while still enjoying her guilty pleasures of playing galge and watching anime. On the other hand, Misaka Mikoto is a short-tempered, prideful, and tomboyish girl. Contrary to “proper” ladies, she doesn't know how to do normal household chores, is not good at baking, nor does she flinch a muscle when raining electrical-based assaults onto her foes. Knowing the weight of expectations from their adoring fans, these two maidens strive to meet their hopes, even if that means that they both must lead double lives. This begs the question: which one will you support more, Kirino or Mikoto? |
Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari)
vs. Eucliwood Hellscythe (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)
This match pits one of the rising stars of this year, Eucliwood Hellscythe, against another entrant who was the rising star last year, Sengoku Nadeko. Together with fellow newcomers, Tachibana Kanade and Gokō Ruri, Eucliwood is expected to breeze through into the Postseason with minimal fuss. On the other hand, much work still needs to be done for Sengoku Nadeko to replicate her feats from last season, where she managed to enter the Postseason and ended as the 16th seed. Statistically, Eucliwood Hellscythe is considered stronger. Will the result of this match mirror the statistics, or will Sengoku Nadeko pull a surprise victory over Eucliwood? Only time will tell the outcome of this fascinating match between two quiet maidens. |
Charlotte Dunois (IS <Infinite Stratos>) vs. Iwasawa Asami (Angel Beats!)
Both Charlotte Dunois and Iwasawa Asami have felt much pain inflicted upon them. For Charlotte, seclusion and living with her beloved mother were all that she wanted. Unfortunately, this hope was shattered when her mother passed away. She was taken back to her cold father and subsequently made into a test pilot for his company’s Raphael Revive. To compound her misery, she was told to dress and act as a male for publicity, as well as to spy on the sole, male IS-pilot in the world. Meanwhile, during her life, Asami witnessed her parents quarreling constantly. To escape that harsh reality, she used music to echo her experiences and thoughts. Yet, fate befell her, and she died from the brain damage she sustained as a result of a heated argument between her parents. But at long last, both Charlotte and Asami have been given second chances, and they will seize these opportunities with open arms. Which one of these two girls will make the most of her window of possibility? Will it be Charlotte Dunois, for convincing the people around her to accept her for who she is, or Iwasawa Asami, for finally passing through the afterlife to be reborn? |
Shinonono Hōki (IS <Infinite Stratos>) vs. Seraphim (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)
These tall, dark, and bishōjo sword fighters share more in common than just their seiyuu, and today, the race is on to see which is stronger, Hōki's Akatsubaki or Seraphim's Hiken Tsubamegaeshi. IS are said to be more powerful than any weapon known to man, and Hōki's is the strongest of them all, but they never took Sera-san's secret, vampire ninja skills into account. Both are determined, proud, and ready to arm up when the needs arise, and neither have experienced the love and care of doting parents that every child deserves, nor known of life past their stifled pains, until shown otherwise by those special someones. Still, they haven't let that stop them as they embark on the epic journey that brings them here today. As leaves swirl around the battleground and Hōki's twin bells chime, whose blade will prevail? |
Sanzen'in Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku!) vs. Kuroi Mato (Black ★ Rock Shooter)
With all the seiyuu-faction battles recently, it's inevitable that Kugyu will butt heads with HanaKana eventually; rather, it's surprising that the suspense has lasted until Round 3. Two cheerful, sweet-natured girls represent their respective confederations as Nagi and Mato face off. An avid otaku, Nagi has been a target ever since childhood for her vast fortune. Attacked by the mafia and extended family alike, the blonde, twin-tailed tsundere was cornered into living as a hikikomori until a certain unfortunate butler opened her eyes to a new world with friends, fun, and possibly even love. Mato has likewise had her eyes opened. A typical, carefree middle-schooler, Mato quickly made friends with Yomi and Yū, friendships that would later be challenged by powers beyond their control. With unexpected aid, the innocent basketball player discovered a new side of life, overcoming obstacles she could never have imagined possible. Will this aid and newfound strength help her through this new obstacle now? Or, will Nagi's friends help her stand against the Black Rock Shooter? |
Tachibana Kanade (Angel Beats!) vs. Saber (Fate/stay night)
Finally, the time has come for the prideful, shining knight and the undisputed angel to have a confrontation. Both Saber and Kanade refuse to hold back their wills to seek victory, and expect to present a beautiful and balanced theatrical fight, all for an epic result. Saber needs to put forth as much effort as possible—and perhaps requires her highest noble-phantasm, Avalon—to defeat her current opponent. While Kanade tends to not hold back her strength and calmly strategizes for combat, she also needs to put more defenses into her AngelPlayer to face Saber's noble-phantasm force. Only time can reveal the fates that will be achieved by these two honorable contestants. |
Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai no Ichizon) vs. Izumi Konata (Lucky ☆ Star)
Here, we have a battle between two hardcore otaku. Shiina Mafuyu may have a pretty face, but one should be careful with her hobbies and interests. Most of the time, she is seen playing video games and writing walkthroughs for the games she has played. In her spare time, she also reads “boy’s love” manga. On occasions where something related to what she reads or plays occurs, she often goes into her own world and imagines how things should be. Izumi Konata spends a majority of her school time dozing off and not paying attention in class. In her spare time, she either reads manga or plays video games, particularly MMORPGs. She also works part-time at a manga cafe. Her presence in the otaku world is so strong that people refer to her as “Legendary Girl A.” So, which girl will manifest her hidden powers and defeat her opponent today? |
Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) vs. Victorique de Blois (GOSICK)
This will be a test of intelligence, rather than of physical strength. Nagato Yuki is an alien with exceptional programming and hacking skills who came to Earth to keep watch over a certain female student. She also has a very strong memory, recollecting precisely what happened during the “Endless Eight” arc. While her explanations are difficult to comprehend, they have benefited the SOS Brigade in many ways. Victorique de Blois is a quiet girl who is trapped in a tower and surrounded by books. Because of her vast knowledge and analytical skills, Victorique is able to solve any problem, simple or complex. She foresees what may happen to people depending on the events that occur beforehand. When these two clever women face off, can Yuki break the powers of her opponent’s wellspring of wisdom, or will Victorique puzzle out the science of the alien’s powers and use them against her? |
Reverie Metherlence (Elemental Gelade)
vs. Sōryū Asuka Langley (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
レヴェリー=メザーランス (エレメンタル ジェレイド)
vs. 惣流・アスカ・ラングレー (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン)
레베리 메서런스 (엘레멘탈 젤라드) vs. 소류 아스카 랭그리 (신세기 에반게리온)
At a glance, these two contestants seem nothing alike. Upon closer examination, however, one will find that their personalities are both nurtured through their sullen pasts. Reverie Metherlence, also known as “Ren,” is a silent girl who was sealed away for a very long time. Because people in the past have used her, and girls similar to her, as a tool, she despises humans. When Ren was freed from the seals, she tried to stay away from human contact as much as possible, often wandering off from her group. As time moved on, she started to trust humans more when her friends saved her on multiple occasions. Sōryū Asuka Langley is very outspoken and proud, and can easily speak her mind on anything, be it kind or harsh. Asuka likes to make sure that she is the center of attention and gets everything done properly. However, her dark past overshadows her fiery personality. She acts in such a manner because of her own insecurities and fears that something traumatic may happen again, which she may not be able to withstand. Both girls need to dispose of their fears if they wish to win this fight. Can Ren take her opponent down with the powers of the wind, or will Asuka tell Ren off by destroying her with her Eva? |
Thanks to Eclairs, Momokutenshi, KawanCido, and Momento10 for contributing today's match previews.
Amethyst 4 — 19 June 2011
Index L. Prohibitorum (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
vs. Misaka Mikoto (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
[ Show more... ]
Both Index L. Prohibitorum and Misaka Mikoto hail from the same anime, the brainchild of Kazuma Kamachi-sensei, which debuted as a light novel back in 2004. The seven years, twenty-four volumes of light novels, two seasons of anime, and a season of an anime spin-off—coupled with several side stories—are testaments to the strengths of this masterpiece. This backing helps keep Mikoto as one of the top contenders in ISML, even in her 3rd year competing. Portrayed as the 3rd strongest esper user from the "science side" in Academy City, she is indeed a girl who can stand up and be counted on when the need arises. Contrary to this, Index has been shown as the benevolent nun from the "magic side,” a nun who throws the occasional tantrum when she’s angry or when her stomach growls. However, beneath this gentle and bubbly character is the dark secret of her 103,000 grimoires that make her a sought-after entity. As the friction between the two sides in Toaru Majutsu no Index increases, which one of them will emerge victorious? Will Index reign over Mikoto with her superb knowledge in magic, or will Mikoto's railgun be able to tip the balance in her favor? Index L. Prohibitorum et Misaka Mikoto proviennent du même anime, une création originale de Kazuma Kamachi-sensei qui a démarré en tant que light novel en 2004. Après 7 années, 24 volumes du livre, 2 saisons de l'anime et une saison d'un spin-off entrecoupé de nombreuses histoires parallèles sont autant de preuves de la force de cette œuvre. Ce véritable phénomène permet a Mikoto de rester l'une des plus fortes candidates en lice, même après 3 ans de compétition acharnée. Connue comme la troisième esper la plus forte, "côté science", d'Academy City, elle est capable de tenir bon et de faire face quand le besoin s'en fait ressentir. À l'opposé, Index est décrite comme une bonne sœur du "côté magie" de la ville, qui pique occasionnellement une crise lorsqu'elle est énervée ou quand son estomac se met à gronder. Toutefois, derrière ce personnage gentil et pétillant de bonheur se cache le lourd secret des 103'000 grimoires qu'elle protège, ce qui en fait une entité très recherchée par le "côté magie". Alors que la tension monte entre les deux côtés de l'univers de Toaru Majutsu no Index, laquelle émergera vainqueur ? Est-ce qu'Index montrera sa supériorité grâce à ses énormes connaissances en magie ou est-ce que le railgun de Mikoto suffira à faire pencher la balance de son côté dans ce match entre deux concurrentes du même monde ? |
Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai no Ichizon) vs. Sanzen’in Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku!)
Pulling away from one clash with an avid otaku, Mafuyu faces yet another—this time in the form of Sanzen'in Nagi. With separate rooms for her Playstation, Dreamcast, and N64, Nagi is well versed in all forms of games, and her time invested has not gone to waste. Three wins in and halfway through the period, Nagi is just two spots shy of becoming the 16th seed and re-entering the Postseason. She is more than ready to repeat, and even improve upon, her success from 2010. Exactly this period last year, Nagi proved her superior skills with a narrow win of only 167 votes over Mafuyu. This year, though, Mafuyu has been eagerly training, honing her abilities, and steadily practicing to prove her worth. These two blonde gamers stretch their fingers, preparing for their final showdown. Will Mafuyu write the walkthrough on Nagi's defeat? Or, will Nagi exhaust Mafuyu's stash of HP-recovering bars? |
Aragaki Ayase (Ore no Imōto) vs. Holo (Spice and Wolf)
新垣綾瀨 (我的妹妹哪有這麼可愛！) vs. 赫蘿 (狼與辛香料)
The Amethyst Period has entered its midpoint as the contestants face their 4th opponent of the 7 total scheduled. Surrounded by friends, co-workers, and family, 14-year-old Aragaki Ayase is enjoying the time of her life. With her school life panning out, as it should, coupled with her part-time modeling job, it looked like there would be no trouble brewing within her life. However, fate indicated that her best friend, Kōsaka Kirino, is not actually the type of girl that Ayase thought. This shattered image eventually resulted in the breaking of their friendship. A lifetime for Ayase is merely a blink of an eye for Holo. Originally heralding from the village of Yoitsu, the wise, 600-year-old wolf deity, Holo, made a solemn oath with the people of Pasloe. She ensured a bountiful wheat harvest for the town, in exchange for worship and reliance. After several years passed, the villagers had all but forgotten about the sacred oath. Despite this, she learned to accept her years of isolation—until her meeting with Kraft Lawrence. This companionship frees her from her loneliness; however, deep inside, she knows there lies a vast difference between his human lifetime and her own. In the end, will the youthful spirit of 14-year-old Aragaki Ayase be able to propel her to victory, or will the endless knowledge of Holo tilt the scale in her favor instead? 紫水晶期已經進入中期了，參賽者們需面對自己於7場賽事中的第四對手。相對於四周的朋友，同事和家人，14歲的新垣綾瀨正在享受她的生活。除了她的學校生活之外，加上她兼職模特兒工作，看起來不會有甚麼麻煩正在於她的人生中醞釀。然而，她的命運顯示，她最好的朋友，高坂桐乃，完全不是綾瀨所想的正常女孩的類型。這破碎的形象，最終導致破壞他們的友誼。然而，綾瀨的人生只不過就如赫蘿一眨眼的時間，原來是屬於約伊茲的賢狼，600歲的狼神， 作為人類的豐收之神而寄宿於帕羅斯村的麥子裡。她為小鎮帶來小麥的豐碩收穫，以換取人類的崇拜和依賴。經過若干年之後，村民們卻忘記了所有對赫蘿的神聖誓言。儘管這樣，她學會了接受她多年來的孤單，直到她會見卡夫勞倫遇到克拉福‧羅倫斯。這個伴侶釋放了她的寂寞，但內心深處，她知道有一個巨大的區別就在於他和她的壽命長短。這樣，14歲新垣綾瀨能夠以她的青春推動她走向勝利，還是擁有無盡的知識的赫蘿吸引大家的青睞呢？ |
Akiyama Mio (K-ON!) vs. Laura Bodewig (IS <Infinite Stratos>)
This match pits last season’s Tiara bearer—Akiyama Mio, from K-ON!—against newcomer Laura Bodewig, from IS <Infinite Stratos>. Armed with a Sunburst Fender Jazz Bass, Mio personifies “Yamato Nadeshiko”: the perfect “wife” or “woman.” Beauty, elegance, excellence in academics, soft speech, and willingness to help others are some of the traits associated with her. Mio’s weaknesses are almost impossible to pinpoint, save for susceptibility to her friends’ plans and horror stories. With her third-generation Schwarzer Regen and militaristic upbringing, Laura models as the perfect soldier. Cold, unassuming, and to some, downright sadistic, Laura will go as far as punishing others to get her point across. Mission completion is all that she cares about. In the end, will Mio's trusty bass propel her further in ISML, or will the imposing Scwarzer Regen carve open a path for Laura? |
Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari) vs. Iwasawa Asami (Angel Beats!)
Sengoku Nadeko and Iwasawa Asami were both once confined: Nadeko by a snake-spirit curse sent from a jealous classmate, and Iwasawa by the equal neglect and oppression of her abusive parents. Both struggled in silence, keeping all their pain within themselves; without a word of dissent, they went about their days with façades of contentment. Now, they are finally free of their chains and must face one another. Nadeko's normally-downcast eyes lift to meet her opponent’s calm, peaceful gaze as Iwasawa's soft ballad wraps itself around her, gently tracing scars left from the beings that once strangled the fragile body. Both have found a quiet strength since the days of their afflictions and this strength carries them through the swirling chaos that threatens their inner peace. Will Iwasawa’s delicate fingers play the perfect tune on your heartstrings? Or, is your heart already captured by Nadeko's meek smile? |
Furukawa Nagisa (CLANNAD) vs. Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!)
古河渚 (CLANNAD) vs. 平澤唯 (K-ON!)
Amethyst Round 4 brings forth an interesting match between two characters who couldn't be any more different. On one side, there's Furukawa Nagisa, the soft-spoken president of the Theatre Club who is obsessed with the Big Dango Family. On the other is Hirasawa Yui, the energetic guitarist of the Light Music Club who never misses an opportunity to eat sweets. While both of our competitors today play leading roles in their respective shows, their influences on the people around them are arguably at opposite ends of the spectrum. However, all this will not matter today as the two girls square off in a re-match of Sapphire Round 1, where Yui defeated Nagisa 2626-2183. With the power of the CLANNAD franchise in ISML rapidly decreasing, will Nagisa be able to pull off an upset and even the score by winning today? Or, will Yui emerge victorious once again and put an even bigger dent in Nagisa's chances of making it into the Postseason? 紫水晶期的第四回合帶來了一場有趣的比賽於兩位參賽者之間，誰也不能再退讓了。一方是古河渚，一位輕聲細語最愛團子大家族的演劇部會長。另一則是平澤唯，一位從不錯過機會吃甜食，活躍於輕音部內充滿活力的吉他手。雖然今天我們的競爭對手都發揮主導作用：各自各的表現自己，他們有著不同的方法和節奏為身邊的人帶來影響。然而時至今日，在這兩位女孩眼中，這些都不是問題了。因為她們都經歷過藍寶石第一輪比賽，唯以2626票對2183票擊敗了渚。隨著CLANNAD的完結令該劇的角色人氣於ISML迅速下降，渚能否擺脫人氣的命運，甚至爆冷贏得今天的成績？或者是小唯再次的取得勝利，把一個更大的挫敗給予渚，使她有機會進入季後賽？ |
C.C. (Code Geass) vs. Fujibayashi Kyō (CLANNAD)
What should be an easy victory for one contestant might actually go in either direction for the other. Both of these seasoned veterans were among the first girls to compete in ISML’s Double Elimination (DE) Phase, back in 2008. While Fujibayashi Kyō defeated C.C. in Sapphire Round 7, it was C.C. who obtained revenge by defeating her in DE Loser Round 2. The final regular season rankings between Kyō and C.C. were 5th and 11th, respectively. After DE, their placements were reversed to 10th and 8th, respectively. That would be the only time that C.C ever defeated Kyō, and the only year that she has participated in the Postseason. Since then, Kyō has continued to defeat C.C., while participating in numerous Postseason matches—C.C. has, until now, continued to roam around the middle tier. This year, things might brighten up for her. With the swift decline of CLANNAD, this could be the best time, if any, for C.C. to have her revenge after years of suffering from Kyō. As these two warriors face off, will the powers of Geass give C.C. the strength that she needs to win, or will Kyō continue to barrage her with dictionaries, proving that she will be above her no matter what happens? |
Last Order (Toaru Majutsu no Index) vs. Kotobuki Tsumugi (K-ON!)
You cannot ask for a better example of two different styles of moe than these two facing each other today. Last Order has a bubbly and hyperactive personality. Acting exactly like a child, it is no wonder that people have trouble trying to deal with sneaky, energetic girls like her. Since she appears vulnerable and innocent, most people feel obligated to protect her from unknown harm. Kotobuki Tsumugi has that carefree and modest personality that most people would want in a friend. Coming from an upper-class family and knowing nothing about bourgeois life are more bonuses to what make her that much more likable. Add the fact that she is a talented musician and does well with household chores, and one would have the perfect girlfriend at his side. Fantasies aside, these two girls will do whatever it takes to win the hearts of our voters, be it by playing a tune on the piano, or telepathically sending a melody to the minds of the voters. |
Kuroi Mato (Black ★ Rock Shooter) vs. Shana (Shakugan no Shana)
From one tsundere Kugyu to another, Mato today finds herself up against the strongest of the Kugimiya Knights, the Flame Haze herself. With her fiery blade, Shana has struck down each and every one of her opponents with ease, and no mere rock cannon is enough to blow her out of her lead. Still, Mato has shown she is not to be underestimated, pulling off an underdog win more than once. With the help of her other self, the cheerful, friendly middle-schooler has overcome forces of which Shana can only imagine. Named for her sword, the Flame-haired Blazing-eyed Hunter holds a record-breaking five necklaces and has only ever lost six matches in all of her ISML career, with the single loss in each of the last two years to the eventual champions. Loved all across the world, Shana has always been so close to donning that elusive Tiara and she may finally have her chance. With an expected third season to give her a little bit more power, 2011 may well be Shana's year, and she knows full well what is required of her. As Shana's Fuzetsu engulf the two, will the Black★Rock Shooter's Black Blade be any match for the legendary Nietono no Shana? |
Thanks to Eclairs, Momokutenshi, Jeffrey-sama, and Momento10 for contributing today's match previews.
Translations by Toady (French) and Rizwan (Chinese).
Translations by Toady (French) and Rizwan (Chinese).
Amethyst 5 — 21 June 2011
Tachibana Kanade (Angel Beats!) vs. Yui (Angel Beats!)
[ Show more... ]
This pink-haired genki girl has been keeping a close eye on the flight of a certain Tenshi, watching her easily disarm not only the leader of the SSS, but also their strongest fighter without flinching. Now, it is Yui's turn to take on the near-indestructible 'Clumsy Angel,' herself. With her idol watching in the wings, this cheerful ball of enthusiasm steps on stage to challenge Kanade with a new weapon. Blades have failed to slice past the deft edge of Hand Sonic; guns have failed to pierce the protection of Distortion. But, Yui-nyan is no warrior. The bright-eyed fang-tan has her own skills, and uses the roots of Kanade's own name against her: the power of music. Kanade may have been able to stop Hōkago Tea Time from performing, capturing Mio's voice in Topaz Round 5 with an easy win, but she has yet to witness the full impact of the new GirlDeMo. Rules are rules, though, and this kind-hearted Student Council President has duties and responsibilities she must maintain, and shutting down a potentially disruptive rock concert is definitely one of them. Soaring calmly above all her opponents thus far, the quiet Tenshi may be the first to ever go without a Regular Season loss in ISML history, and with the power of the sun held in the Topaz necklace resting against her heart, she easily leads Amethyst’s standings. Will Yui finally be able to prove to everyone her inner talent and fulfill her new dream of a perfect period? Or does that honor lie solely in the Tiara favorite, with Yui’s voice joining the chorus of Kanade's defeated rivals? |
Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!) vs. Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
Tsundere, or kuudere? It's your choice as the extremes of either end face off in today's match. With her trusty wooden sword hidden behind her back, Taiga would as quickly attack as she would smile, and it's not hard to get on her bad side. But in those rare moments when she does smile, her cherubic face lights up, and her doll-like beauty radiates: a Palmtop Angel, instead of the Palmtop Tiger. Yuki's inner sensitivity, too, is masked by her cold, impersonal demeanor. The taciturn, calculating alien blocks off her emotions, and is programmed to sit quietly in a corner, read, and observe. She labels them 'internal errors,' and the inner Yuki is just as quiet as her outer self--but for a very different reason. Shy to the point of muteness, Yuki as a human is the polar opposite of the reticent AI to whom we are introduced, and when all's said and done, she is as loveable as the flustered Taiga we see in front of Kitamura-kun. As the 'Angel of Love' draws her bokken against Yuki's 'bogus magic,' will the proverbial sunrise light up the hidden nature of the humanoid interface? Or, will we catch a glimpse of Taiga's timid heart and fragile soul? |
Haruna (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?) vs. Seraphim (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)
It's back to the graveyard for these two residents of the zombie's house, as the long awaited intra-series Korezom showdown between Haruna and Seraphim takes place. With her powers recently, if but tentatively, restored, Haruna's Mystletainn purrs in anticipation, ready to slice through Seraphim's vortex of swirling leaves. Fueled with fresh blood from her win against Shinonono Hōki in Amethyst Round 3, the vampire ninja, too, is more than ready to put the self-proclaimed genius back in her place and prove that if her blade cannot make a good meal, at least it can prove its superior strength in battle. These two ISML newcomers fight for their rightful places by the Necromancer Hellscythe-dono, Haruna the bright, magical girl-child, and Seraphim the quiet pillar of reserved power. Will the masō-shōjo, bedecked in costume right down to her decorative hat, topple that pillar? Or, will the well-endowed 'burning one' crush the Pettanko once and for all? |
Charlotte Dunois (IS <Infinite Stratos>)
vs. Eucliwood Hellscythe (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)
A quick glance at these two contestants reveals a striking resemblance between Charlotte Dunois and Eucliwood Hellscythe. Both contestants have identical stats: near-perfect records of 16 wins after 18 rounds of matches in the Regular Season of ISML 2011. After ranking with 6 wins each during both the Aquamarine and Topaz phases, and holding 4 consecutive wins at the start of the Amethyst phase, these two girls are touted to be in the running for spots in the Postseason, where the Heavenly Tiara awaits. Remarkably, both Charlotte and Eucliwood are also newcomers to this year's ISML tournament. With Eucliwood currently ranked slightly higher at 6th, compared to Charlotte at 9th, this match is one of the tightest match-ups in the 5th round ties. In the end, only one of these contestants shall emerge victorious, leaving the conquered maiden out of the running for the Amethyst Necklace showdown. Will the charm of France's IS-pilot representative, Charlotte Dunois, capture the hearts of the voters, or will the enigmatic Necromancer from the Underworld, Eucliwood Hellscythe, prevail in this highly anticipated match-up? |
Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto) vs. Misaka Mikoto (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
Everyone in Academy City is familiar with the "Level 5 Electromaster," Misaka Mikoto, who is the top ace of Tokiwadai Middle School. And, Gokō Ruri is an ordinary high school student—ignoring her slightly eccentric personality and habit of anime cosplay. With the title of runner-up in ISML 2010, Mikoto is energetic, which is pretty suitable for her identity as the top-level electromaster. Though Ruri is only a newbie to ISML and seems a little hard to approach, she actually values the time she spends together with her friends, but is too shy to show her inner enthusiasm to others. The two girls have almost entirely different personalities, but the concern they show for their respective friends is undoubtedly similar. When the super Railgun happens to meet the super fan of Maschera on the single-plank bridge, an interesting show is surely going to commence! |
Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari) vs. Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai No Ichizon)
First impressions can often be deceiving. Such a phrase cannot fit any better than in the context of Sengoku Nadeko and Shiina Mafuyu’s match. At first glance, Nadeko is calmness personified. Nobody would imagine the terrible horrors gripping this cute, innocent girl. Her gentle smile masks her inner feelings of insecurity, loneliness, and a longing for care and warmth from others. Alone, she writhed in pain as her body was constricted by two invisible snake spirits sent to her in resentment; still, she tried to put up a brave face, foreshadowing her struggles. Her prayers were answered when Araragi Koyomi managed to exorcise one of the spirits and chase out the other. On the other hand, Hekiou Gakuen Student Council member, Mafuyu, portrays an image of a bright and honest student. Unbeknownst to others outside her small circle of companions, she is an avid gamer and an fan of BL (Boy’s Love) novels. Never leaving her home without her handheld PSP stored securely within her bag, she is prepared to enjoy her games whenever and wherever she wants. Due to her BL inclinations, she even fantasizes about her fellow student council member, Sugisaki Ken, having a forbidden love affair with another guy, Nakameguro Yoshiki. Eventually, she confesses her love for Ken in front of her fellow student council members. With her newfound freedom and warmth, will Sengoku Nadeko reign over Shiina Mafuyu, or will Mafuyu’s PSP and BL novels tilt the outcome of this match the other way around? |
Nakamura Yuri (Angel Beats!) vs. Akiyama Mio (K-ON!)
After defeating Shiina 5004-2155 in Amethyst Round 2, Akiyama Mio finds herself facing a member of the SSS once again. Her opponent this time is none other than its leader, Nakamura Yuri. As a child, Yuri developed a sense of leadership, as she was responsible for looking after her three younger siblings while their parents were busy working. Unfortunately, in just a mere 30 minutes, her siblings were all taken away from her by armed robbers who had no regard for human life. The only one she could blame for this tragedy was herself, and this guilt continued to follow her, even after death. Once in the Afterlife, Yuri wanted nothing but for her younger siblings to see how great of a leader she had become. Although Mio may be an only child, the members of Hōkago Tea Time are like sisters to her. As the most mature one in the group, Mio believes in working hard to achieve her goals and tries to influence her friends to do the same. It can be argued that Mio's presence in the band is what keeps everything in order. As Yuri and Mio step forward to represent the SSS and HTT, respectively, which one of them will prevail? Will it be Yuri with her desire to show her younger siblings what she is capable of, or will it be the power of music that helps Mio emerge victorious? |
C.C. (Code Geass) vs. Victorique de Blois (GOSICK)
These girls truly had difficult pasts to deal with. C.C. has been alive for so long that she does not remember who has loved or hated her. She describes herself as being in solitude for most of her life. Her latest contract with someone did not bode well for her, for that person became enamored with her in dangerous way. Victorique was confined in a tower as soon as she was born. Trapped in a dark room with nothing but a few books, Victorique was nurtured to become a tool for future use. It was through the strength of their potential lovers that they were each able to figure out the meaning of their existence. C.C. believes that Lelouch was the first person to have ever genuinely cared for her. She was able to enjoy many moments of her life spending time with him. Upon meeting Kazuya, Victorique was finally able to set foot outside of the tower and understand how entertaining the world was in reality compared to the world in books. Neither of these two girls wants to be labeled as a monster. Can C.C. continue forward with the powers of Geass, or will the Wellspring of Wisdom give Victorique the final key to defeating her? |
Shiina (Angel Beats!) vs. Huang Lingyin (IS <Infinite Stratos>)
With highly contrasting fighting styles, Shiina and Huang “Rin” Lingyin will square off to determine the best fighter. Shiina follows the traditional route of the ninja way, using short swords and shuriken to defeat her opponents. She trains very hard to heighten her skills, be it by balancing multiple objects with one hand or running around continuously in a track field. In contrast, Rin is a national representative from China who uses an IS to fight. Because she specializes in partial summoning, Rin is always ready to defend herself in hostile situations. She fights using a large, two-handed sword and has a pair of cannons on her shoulders ready to blast anyone away given the right moment. When these two warriors face off, will Rin destroy her opponent with her sheer strength, or are Shiina’s customary battle plans enough to pick up the win here today? |
Senjōgahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari) vs. Fujibayashi Kyō (CLANNAD)
Could it be that a veteran who has participated in multiple saimoe tournaments and has done much for the ISML community is actually the underdog of this match? With new, incoming series flowing in each year, it is no surprise that series like CLANNAD, with no new materials in sight, are overshadowed. Fujibayashi Kyō is in a zone rarely seen and highly uncomfortable: the middle tier. Having experienced high-octane matches in her previous years, it could be that her time is up. This does not mean that Kyō is going to give up just yet. She will continue to fight, just as she has done in the past. Compared to her, Senjōgahara Hitagi seems to be doing well for herself, still performing about as strong as she did last year. At this pace, we should be able to see her a few more times. While these two might be able to return to the Postseason this year, as of now, any win will be beneficial for the final days of the Regular Season. In the back of each of the girls' minds, there is no such thing as losing in this battle. Can Hitagi finally defeat Kyō, or does Kyō still have it in her to fight back? |
Hyūga Hinata (NARUTO) vs. Kasumi (Pokémon)
Hinata knew she had been walking into a trap for a while now, but the sudden flurry of water that swept her off the ground discouraged her from any further progress. With a twinge of panic, she leaped atop a branch and surveyed her location, only to discover that she was ensnared in the center of a water barrier. The hollow, violently swirling column of water appeared to cut off all of her escape routes, yet it was wide enough to function as an enclosed battlefield, putting her at a field disadvantage. Sure enough, she spotted movement in the distance as a slender figure gracefully passed through the water column, looking straight into her eyes. She was beautiful. The speckles of water in her short, orange hair shimmered against the sunlight as she stood pensively in her modest swimsuit...twenty-seven meters and sixteen centimeters away, Kasumi whispered a spell to freeze the surrounding water. She smiled ruefully at her opponent and started forward, knowing that only one of them would leave this icy prison. Hinata már egy ideje tudta, hogy egyenesen egy csapdába sétál bele, de a hirtelen lecsapó vízáradat, melynek köszönhetően elveszítette a szilárd talajjal a kapcsolatot, elbizonytalanította a tovahaladásban. A kétségbeesés fojtogató érzése által vezérelve szökkent fel egy faág tetejére, és némi szemlélődés után megállapította, hogy egy vízburok kellős közepébe került. Úgy tűnt, a vadul örvénylő vízfalak elvágták minden menekülési útvonalát, azonban ahhoz elég tágas volt a tölcsér belseje hogy zárt harctérként szolgáljon, ezáltal hozva őt hátrányos helyzetbe. Nemsokára azonban mozgást észlelt a távolban. Egy karcsú alak hatolt keresztül a vízoszlop falán méltóságteljesen, egyenesen a lány szemébe nézve. Gyönyörű volt. A vízcseppek meg-megcsillantak a napfénytől rövid, narancssárga hajában, ahogy elgondolkodva megállt visszafogott fürdőruhájában. Huszonhét méterre és tizenhat centiméterre Kasumi ekkor elsuttogott egy idézést, megfagyasztva az őket körülölelő vizet. Mélabús mosolyra húzódtak ajkai ahogy megindult előre, ő már tudta, hogy ezt a jégbörtönt csak egyikük hagyhatja el élve. |
Thanks to Momokutenshi, Eclairs, Jeffrey-sama, Miku, KholdStare88, and Momento10 for contributing today's match previews.
Translation by Yakuman (Hungarian).
Translation by Yakuman (Hungarian).
Amethyst 6 — 23 June 2011
Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!) vs. Suzumiya Haruhi (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
[ Show more... ]
Difficult circumstances have led both Aisaka Taiga and Suzumiya Haruhi to develop problematic personalities. Coming from a wealthy family, everything was supposed to be in place for Taiga to lead a happy life. However, what she faces instead is a crumbling household, triggered by her parents’ divorce. Unable to fit in with her new family members, she chose to live alone, in a high-class apartment. She lives in solitude, and only a handful would even think of befriending the girl, aptly known as the Palmtop Tiger, due to her small stature and difficult personality. For Haruhi, after attending a baseball game as a child, she started to think of the world as being ordinary. Convinced that there should be one, singular entity in the world who would lead a truly unique and interesting life, she then strove hard to be that person. This motivated her to seek out the extraordinary, brandishing ‘boring’ tags upon most of the normal occurrences in life, and quit club after club before finally creating the SOS Brigade. Will Taiga’s inner struggles be able to gain the voters’ interests, or will Haruhi’s fascination for the supernatural sway the voters to support her instead? Situazioni difficili hanno portato sia Taiga Aisaka che Haruhi Suzumiya a sviluppare un carattere difficile. Venendo da una famiglia ricca, sembrava che niente potesse impedire a Taiga di avere una vita felice. Invece, si è trovata a dover affrontare le difficoltà scaturite dal divorzio dei suoi genitori. Incapace di adattarsi alla sua nuova famiglia, sceglie di vivere da solo, in un appartamento di lusso. E così, nessuno osa anche solo pensare di fare amicizia con la ragazza, anche nota come la Mini Tigre, a causa della sua bassa statura e del suo caratteraccio. Nel caso di Haruhi, dopo aver assistito ad una partita di baseball da bambina, iniziò a rendersi conto dell'ordinarietà del mondo. Convinta che dovesse esserci una sola, singola entità nel mondo che conducesse una vita veramente unica e interessante, decide di fare di tutto per incontrare quella persona. Ciò la motivò a cercare eventi fuori dal comune, e a cercare di eliminare la noia dai normali avvenimenti della vita, abbandonando ogni club in cui entrava fino a fondare la Brigata SOS. Riusciranno i tormenti interiori di Taiga a guadagnarle la simpatia dei votanti, o sarà l'attrazione di Haruhi per lo straordinario a decidere la sfida? |
Shinonono Hōki (IS <Infinite Stratos>)
vs. Senjōgahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari)
A bokken, or a pair of scissors? The question begs different answers from both Orimura Ichika and Araragi Koyomi. Blessed with unquestionable beauty—long, silky hair; tall, model-like figures, and dreamy, sapphire blue eyes—both Shinonono Hōki and Senjōgahara Hitagi can easily sway any guy in the world who happens to glance at them. Their curvy figures and slender hips look like paintings from afar. Under the moonlight, both are the spitting images of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty herself. But, akin to roses, both of these beauties come with extra thorns that will hurt their admirers if they are not careful enough when making contact with these maidens. Both Hōki and Hitagi can inflict grievous wounds, physically or mentally. Verbal abuse is both of their fortes, which is not for the faint-hearted. Some might say that it is their tsundere tendencies that entice their admirers who are able to actually withstand the ‘tsun’ parts, while making them reveal the ‘dere’ sides definitely makes one's efforts worthwhile. So, which one of these model-like contestants will melt your heart away today? Will it be Shinonono Hōki, armed with her bokken, or Senjōgahara Hitagi, with her scissors' antics? |
Akiyama Mio (K-ON!) vs. Kotobuki Tsumugi (K-ON!)
Both Akiyama Mio and Kotobuki Tsumugi knew that this day would come sooner or later. As the two girls square off, many K-ON! fans will definitely have a tough time deciding for whom to vote. On one side, there's Mio, the shy but mature and hardworking songwriter of Hōkago Tea Time who seems to be good at almost everything, ranging anywhere from academics to athletics. On top of all that, she has an extremely nice figure of which any girl would be envious. Because of this, it's not surprising that she even has her own fan club at school, much to her dismay. On the other side stands Kotobuki "Mugi" Tsumugi, a kind and wealthy ojou-sama who provides her friends with an endless supply of tea and sweets. Born to a wealthy family, Mugi did not have many chances to explore the outside world as a child, which is why she is constantly amazed by seemingly "normal" activities like ordering fast food and playing in an arcade. Despite being rich, Mugi never brags about it and her gentle and sweet personality make her seem like the motherly figure of the group. As this musical battle gets underway, will Mio, with the help of her 3-Color Sunburst Fender Jazz Bass, emerge victorious, or will Mugi, along with her Korg Triton Extreme 76-key keyboard, play her way to a much needed win? |
Tōsaka Rin (Fate/stay night) vs. Kōsaka Kirino (Ore no Imōto)
These two tsunderes with strong, egoistical characters must have a showdown to testify their superiority. Despite their slender bodies, these two idols live their own lives energetically. Tōsaka Rin, a beautiful magi who looks quite reliable despite her young age, studied diligently to earn both the admiration of her classmates and her achievements as a student. She has also prepared everything she needs in order to face every possibility that can endanger her safety as a magi. Kōsaka Kirino, a multitalented young girl who distributes her time daily for a variety of activities, also has a complicated background. As an attractive teen model with secret otaku hobbies, she fulfills her needs without lowering her grades at school. These perfectionists follow through on all commitments to manifest the greatest results in every endeavor. With any luck, they’ll also prove their perfection through this match. |
Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!) vs. Charlotte Dunois (IS <Infinite Stratos>)
Hirasawa Yui knows that every match against Postseason-bound opponents is a must win for her if she wants to prove that she is capable of hanging with the best. As the energetic, but clumsy, guitarist of Hōkago Tea Time prepares for her match today, she must step up her game as all her losses so far have come against girls who are currently in the Top 16, with her most recent in Amethyst Round 2 where she lost 3669-3480 to Saber, the current holder of the last Postseason spot. With that being said, her opponent for Amethyst Round 6 is Charlotte Dunois, who currently stands in 9th place after excellent Aquamarine and Topaz periods. Charlotte, who is part of the infamous Hanazawa Order, has arguably gotten lucky with her schedule thus far in ISML, as she is tied for the third-lowest SAO of the Top 16 at 486, with only Shana (465) and Katsura Hinagiku (474) having easier schedules than her. Despite this, France's IS representative has pulled off some huge victories against unsuspecting opponents, proving that she is a force with which to be reckoned. As Charlotte continues her domination, will Yui be able to stop her with a win today? Or, will Charlotte's Raphael Revive Custom II hinder Yui's quest of obtaining a spot in the Postseason? |
Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky ☆ Star) vs. Misaka Mikoto (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
Two classic examples of the tsundere archetype, Hiiragi Kagami and Misaka Mikoto, face off with each other for the third time in their ISML career. When they first met in 2009, Kagami was the reigning champion of AST, while Biribiri was nothing more than a side character in her anime, and their confrontation resulted in a confident win for Kagami. However, as the level-5 esper received the opportunity to shine as the main heroine in Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, and later in Index as well, she grew proportionally stronger, so powerful that she ended up being the runner-up in the 2010 ISML season. Kagamin, on the other hand, has lost strength since her peak result in 2008. Even though she managed to make it to the Postseason last time, the older Hiiragi-twin needs to step up her game if she wants to repeat this feat once more. It's not too late though, so beating Mikoto will be a perfect opportunity to change her own fate. But, given her undefeated record, the sparky girl is not so easy to take down. Will Biribiri blast away her competition with her railgun as usual, or are we going to witness the biggest surprise of the season so far if Kagami wins? |
Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) vs. Fujibayashi Kyō (CLANNAD)
Two beautiful veterans enter today with purple hair that sways with the wind. One is a silent girl sitting in the corner of a room with a book in hand held to her face. All she does is silently observe her group while taking keynotes of information that may be needed for future reference. Deep down, all she ever wanted to do was smile, cry, and act like a normal human being would. Her wish for feelings was so great, that she would alter the world and call what she had “a bug in her system.” The other woman is short-tempered and easily jumps to conclusions, silencing any form of embarrassment with a dictionary thrown towards her nemesis. She always does things for the good of other people. Rarely is she selfish for her own desires. She hides her inner thoughts behind a façade and simply laughs when encountering hard times. These two could be friends, but, sometimes, would-be friends must fight to create a bond. Can Yuki mesmerize the voters with what is within her heart, or will Kyō take the voters in with her standout personality? |
Sakagami Tomoyo (CLANNAD) vs. Furukawa Nagisa (CLANNAD)
It is hard when the person one is placed to fight against is the one who helped one's goal become realized. That is the situation in which Furukawa Nagisa is placed. Nagisa is a timid girl, but gives more than 100% in even the smallest tasks. After calling out her favorite food, she is able to open her inner door and begin any mission at hand. However, the creation of her drama club would not have come true without the help of Sakagami Tomoyo. In helping out during promotions, Tomoyo became the student council president. One of the first things that she did as president was help recognize the drama club once more, which paid off all of Nagisa's work and left her in Tomoyo’s debt. Now, they have clashed along the road to the Elimination Period. This is nothing personal, just business. Will Tomoyo have no other choice but to overpower her good friend, or can Nagisa muster up enough courage to fend her off? |
Index L. Prohibitorum (Toaru Majutsu no Index) vs. Nymph (Sora no Otoshimono)
A nun fighting an angel(oid)? Religious or not, this is something one will rarely see. While Index L. Prohibitorum may be a nun by name, she does not act as one would think. Inattentiveness to her wishes usually results in large bite marks on the opposing body. Whenever she has free time, she wanders the streets by herself and eats anything that she deems delicious. Many stores have to look out for her, for she is a voracious eater and will not stop until fully satisfied. In contrast, Nymph is an intelligent and rather composed girl. While knowledgeable in academics and complicated problems, Nymph lacks street skills and is curious about the many things humans do daily. Although Nymph is not shy with showing off her pride, there are moments when she is led into uneasy situations. She goes with the flow, but when the momentum stops halfway, she tries to destroy anything related to her embarrassment. When these two face off, will Index's psalm drain away her opponent's power to get the win, or will Nymph sing a Paradise Song just for her? |
Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto) vs. Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku!)
Every Student Council President will come across an unruly classmate at one time or another, and Hinagiku is more than skilled enough to smooth the way for her fellow students, even when it's the antics of her own School Council members that need quieting. But, Gokō Ruri is far from the rule-breaking otaku Hina-tan is used to. An aloof and sophisticated façade clashes with her unadulterated adoration for dark, teen anime, and her immaculate school uniform belies the fallen angel Kuroneko role-plays in the privacy of her home. Complex both inside and out, she puts up walls of confusion to hide her insecurity and the gentle heart she fears will break should she show her affection—a heart and insecurity mirroring those of the tomboyish President. As tough on the outside and as gentle on the inside as Kuroneko, Hinagiku views life as a competition. Ready at all times to fight for justice, the Kendo Club President has no qualms about baring her shinai or becoming a butler to defy their wacky superintendent—as long as it doesn't involve heights of any sort. Not even love is exempt from her desire to win; he will confess first. Stubborn, responsible, and immovable in equal parts, Hinagiku refuses to let anyone see her weak side, especially not at school. She has a reputation to maintain. Even when fate throws her right into the arms of her crush twice, pride and loyalty to her friend supersedes her own feelings. Hinagiku has come a long way since her 2009 Tiara, and the time without new material has taken its toll, dropping her into the realms of Tier 2. Kuroneko has yet to garner the experience of her senpai, but with this new face comes a new challenger, one who is as adored in 2011 as Hina-tan was two years ago. Will the veteran be able to pull enough loyal votes to keep her station? Or will her kouhai be the first newcomer to topple her from her post? |
Yui (Angel Beats!) vs. Nakamura Yuri (Angel Beats!)
Yui may have been able to land the lead in GirlDeMo, but Yuri won't let her slide so easily this time. After her crushing defeat against Tenshi, Yui knew the instant she revived there would be repercussions; the SSS leader does not take kindly to failed missions. With their diversion falling through, the Afterlife Battlefront girls all suffered last round, and Operation Amethyst seems to be all but lost for the energetic fang-tan and her strong-willed leader, but there's no way Yuri will give up that easily. She's lived through the unthinkable, watching heartless robbers brutally execute each of her younger siblings one by one, stealing everything she wanted to protect in only 30 minutes. She fought the cruelty of the world and the power of God and his messenger. Next to that, one measly ISML period is nothing and one small punishment game is even less. Despite her deep scars, Yuri's eyes never betray her pain, and she holds the best interests of her friends close to her heart, each rebuke strengthening their resolve, as Yui has been strengthened. Rediscovering movement after a lifetime of paralysis, Yui's impish enthusiasm has led her to fulfill all the dreams of her past life, with the help of the SSS. Will Yuri's courage boost her up once more? Or, will Yui repay kindness with kindness and give Yuri another shot at a glimmering necklace? |
Eucliwood Hellscythe (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)
vs. Sanzen'in Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku!)
Sanzen'in Nagi: rich tsundere, child prodigy, and otaku extraordinaire. All of the above is not enough to adequately describe the blonde twin-tail, and none of the above was enough to protect her thirteen years of childhood from the jealous force of the mafia and her extended family. Choosing a NEET-like, hikikomori lifestyle over the dangers outside her mansion, Nagi has only recently begun to discover the joyous side of life through her fearless butler and loyal friends—Ayumu introduced Yū to the same, long-overdue joy after Yū passed centuries in silent fear of her own powers. This new happiness is about to be challenged, though, as Nagi's unfortunate butler, Hayate, crosses blades with Ayumu's borrowed Mystletainn, and his bright mistress faces the centre of the universe: the silent necromancer whose mere smile is enough to change the world. A rarely seen smile, Yū's very emotions are enough to cause the apocalypse, and restricted by this strength and her overwhelming reputation, she had been forced into a lonely solitude until a chance encounter with an amusing human outside a typical convenience store. Will Eucliwood be forced to call on the powers of her spoken word one more time to preserve the safety of the world? Or, will Nagi be turned down once again for her warped sense of plot? |
Shirakawa Kotori (D.C. ~Da Capo~) vs. Hoshino Ruri (Martian Successor Nadesico)
시라카와 코토리 (D.C. 다 카포) 대 호시노 루리(기동전함 나데시코)
As she walked to the center of the stage, Kotori could not help but be glad of the cheering that greeted her. She had always been an idol with her fair share of troublesome fans, but for once she accepted their enthusiasm. She sat down in the chair opposite from the prodigy, Hoshino Ruri, adrenaline rushing through her body as she glanced across the small table separating them. The Electronic Fairy gave her a mischievous smile then readily pressed the button on her left. With the clock ticking down, silence pervaded her mental consciousness as the world around them ceased to exist. 1. c4. Kotori studied Ruri's defensive strategies, and found it best to avoid the sharp lines that Ruri liked using, such as the Accelerated Dragon or the Poisoned Pawn. With this opening, she would persuade Ruri to play a more positional Queen's Pawn Game. 1...Nf6. Was she being cautious? Why couldn’t she read her? 2. Nc3 g6. The King's Indian Defense? 3. d4. Why couldn’t she read her? With a sudden hand movement, Ruri lifted her d7 pawn and struck it down onto the wooden d5 square. 3...d5!? The Grünfeld Defense took hold of the game, leading Kotori into dangerously unfamiliar territory. And then, Kotori felt the first thoughts from Ruri, feelings of confidence mixed with pure excitement... 호시노 루리는 일본 로리열풍의 시초로 여겨지는 인물로 1998년 제 21회 아니메쥬 아니메 그랑프리에서 여성 캐릭터상과 역대 베스트 원 캐릭터상을 받은 경력이 있는 유명한 인물이다. 푸른머리의 과묵형 쿨데레로 비슷한 시기의 아야나미 레이와도 비교되지만 매우 냉소적인 대사를 날리면서도 귀엽게 노래를 함으로 시청자에게 레이와 매우 다른 충격을 주었다고 할 수 있다. 루리의 시조는 비슷한 차가운 성격의 우루세이 야츠라에서의 오유키를 생각할 수 있으며, 루리의 영향을 받은 인물로는 외면적으로는 나가토 유키를 뽑을 수 있고, 그 어리고 순진한 외모와 냉소적인 내면의 조합으로는 최근에는 유우키 미캉, 금빛 어둠, 아카이 링고등을 찾아 볼 수 있다. 루리와 견줄 정도의 역사성을 가진 애니 인물은 많지 않지만 그 중 하나로 이번 시합에서 만날 시라카와 코토리를 뽑을 수 있다. 코토리는 2002년 6월에 발매된 미연시의 대표작 다 카포에서 제일 인기 많은 인물이라 할 수 있는데, 그 분홍 머리와 뛰어난 노래 솜씨는 건담 SEED(2002년 10월)의 라크스 클라인과 하야테처럼(2004년 5월)의 카츠라 히나기쿠를 연상시키게 하며, 주변 사람의 마음을 읽는 능력과 좋은 가사능력은 스쿨럼블(2002년 10월)의 츠카모토 야쿠모를 연상시켜 준다. 애니가 방영되던 2005년에는 애니팬들 싸움 붙이기 가장 좋은 양대 빌미가 바로 야쿠모/에리 대립과 네무/코토리 대립이었다는 것을 생각하면 코토리 팬들의 열기가 얼마나 높았는지 좀 알수 있다. 이번 시범경기 대결은 입이 험한 전자의 요정과 고교 남학생의 환상의 여학생의 대결이라고 할 수 있다. 과연 애니팬들이 아직도 귀여움과 날카로움의 조화라는 환상을 쫓는지, 아니면 아직 이상적인 여성과의 만남에 대한 희망을 간직하는지, 이 투표로 알아볼 수 있을 지 모른다. |
Thanks to Eclairs, KawanCido, KholdStare88, Jeffrey-sama, Yakuman, Momento10, Momokutenshi, and maglor (Korean)
for contributing today's match previews.
Translation by HibariKyoya (Italian).
for contributing today's match previews.
Translation by HibariKyoya (Italian).
Amethyst 7 — 26 June 2011
Tachibana Kanade (Angel Beats!) vs. Shana (Shakugan no Shana)
타치바나 카나데 (엔젤 비츠!) 대 샤나 ( 작안의 샤나 )
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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... |
Thanks to Team Rocket Elite, Eclairs, Momokutenshi, Jeffrey-sama, KawanCido, hinakatbklyn, Momento10, maglor (Korean), and Toady (French) for contributing today's match previews.
Amethyst Necklace Showdown — 28 June 2011
Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu)
vs. Akiyama Mio (K-ON!)
vs. Eucliwood Hellscythe (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?)
vs. Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!)
vs. Nakano Azusa (K-ON!)
vs. Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) (Ore no Imōto)
vs. Shana (Shakugan no Shana)
[ Show more... ]
While the Amethyst necklace represents the moon, it does not represent darkness. Rather, it is given to those who are able to overcome the darkness inside their hearts. That is what the current necklace holder, Nagato Yuki, has done. Nagato was able to conquer her fears of feeling emotion and allowed friends to help her along the way. Right now, Nagato needs all the strength she can get if she wants to hold the necklace for a second time, as she is surrounded by those who also wish to gain this necklace. Akiyama Mio and Nakano Azusa accepted their friends for who they were and controlled themselves from trying to change their lifestyles. Eucliwood Hellscythe obtained the hope that she would be saved from her vocal curse. Aisaka Taiga was able to stand up to her family and follow her own path. Gokō Ruri was able to make genuine friends by overcoming her pride. Shana is not alone anymore as she continues to fight in the shadows. All these girls have the potential to gain this necklace. As the moon rises and lights up the earthly stage, which of these girls will be able to remain standing while holding the necklace by sunrise? Walaupun rantai Amethyst melambangkan sinar rembulan, ia tidak melambangkan kegelapan. Tetapi, ia adalah permata untuk mereka yang berjaya mengatasi kesuraman and kegelapan yang menyelubungi jiwa mereka. Pemegang rantai, Nagato Yuki the berjaya menggapai rantai ini dengan megatasi perkara yang merungsingi dirinya, dengan bantuan sahabat handainya. Sekarang, beliau perlu menggunakan segala kekuatan dirinya jika beliau ingin mempertahankan rantai Amethyst buat kali kedua, dari dakapan pencabar-pencabar yang ingin merampas permata tersebut. Akiyama Mio dan Nakano Azusa telah menerima sahabat mereka seadanya, dan berjaya mengawal diri mereka dari merubah gaya hidup mereka. Eucliwood Hellscythe mendapat harapan baharu untuk membebaskan dirinya dari sumpahan suaranya. Aisaka Taiga berjaya untuk mempertahankan hak dirinya daripada keluarganya, dan menjalani hidup seperti yang beliau inginkan. Gokō Ruri berjaya menemui teman sebenar disamping mula mencintai abang kepada sahabat beliau.Shana tidak lagi bersendirian, walaupun dia menentang musuhnya di belakang tabir. Kesemua gadis ini mempunyai peluang untik merampas rantai tersebut dari dakapan Nagato Yuki. Seperti sinar rembulan yang menerangi bumi, gadis manakah yang akan menjulang rantai ini, apabila sinar mentari mula menyinar? Obwohl die Halskette der Amethyst repräsentiert den Monat, aber repräsentiert keines Dunkel. Die Halskette der Amethyst soll vielmehr die Menschen, die ihr selbst tief im Herz gelegenes Dunkel überwindet, gegeben werden. Und diese Halskette passt zu Nagato Yuki, die der aktuelle Besitzer von der Halskette sein, da sie ihre Angst davon, herzliches Gefühl zu haben, endlich überwindet hat. Nagato Yuki ist nicht mehr allein dabei, mit ihren Freunden zusammenzubleiben. Glücklicherweise hat Nagato Yuki jetzt eine Chance, um die Halskette der Amethyst wieder zu gewinnen. Sie ist einer starker Wettbewerber, um diese Halskette, die mit Fingern erreicht werden zu können scheint, abzunehmen. Akiyama Mio wird nicht auf die Chance verzichten. Vor allem hat sie gerade Euclwood einer der stärksten Gegner besiegt. Nakano Azusa ist gerade in Amethyst 7 von Nagato Yuki geschlagen worden, aber sie will sich immer noch Yuki Problem machen. Es ist günstig für Euclwood, dass sie großen Vorteil von SDO hat. Trotz ihres Nachteils des Stimmenanteils hat sie zweifellos noch Chance, um die Halskette abzunehmen. Obwohl Shana, Taiga und Kuroneko niedriges SDO haben, kann man sie nie unterschätzen. Vor allem sie sind entweder starker Wettkämpfer letzten Jahres oder schätzenswerter Einsteiger diesen Jahres. Der Kampf für die Halskette lässt sich bald passieren! |
Thanks to Momento10 and Miku (German) for contributing today's match previews.
Translation by Eclairs (Malay).
Translation by Eclairs (Malay).