Congrats, Palmtop Tiger.
After months of intense competition, Saimoe finally came to an end yesterday, with Taiga defeating Yui by 54 votes in a rather close match.
This is also Taiga’s second crown, having won Korea’s Best Moe Tournament, thus following in the steps of Suiseiseki who achieved a similar feat in 2006.
Looking at the results, the surge in votes for Taiga in the morning did consist of fakes, but it was not that large of a number to put her at a disadvantage. Same story for the evening surge of votes for Taiga, in which Yui managed to close up the gap, but eventually it was not enough for her to overtake Taiga.
Still, credit to Yui for putting up a good fight. Hopefully, she will have better luck next year.
So, to wrap things up, it has been a wonderful ride, even though this year’s tournament may not as spectacular as before. The exit of Mio Akiyama in the first round, the disappointing performance by Clannad and Strike Witches series, the rise and fall of the Saki and Kugirie faction and the ever-present fake, hate and strategic voting.
Anyway, here’s some of the moments and competitors in Saimoe that will remain intact in my mind.
Best match: R3- Katsura Hinagiku vs Hirasawa Yui. Probably one of the most intense match, next to Amae Koromo’s first round victory against Segawa Izumi and Nodocchi’s win over Nagi Sanzenin in Round 4. In the end, only 18 votes separated the HnG powerhouse and the eventual runner-up. Heartbreak for one, joy to the other.
Most impressive competitor: Taiga Aisaka. Yes, it simply has to be the champion. Surviving a tough split against compatriot Ami and Mikuru was already job well done, and then beating some high-tier characters from major factions (Maria, Azusa, Isumi, Nodocchi and Yui) to clinch the crown is yet another amazing feat.
Most impressive faction: Saki faction, without a doubt. Having dominated from Round 1 all the way up to the semi-finals, it’s rather heartbreaking that none of their characters featured in the finals. They’ll probably lose their appeal next year, so they will have to wait a little while longer for Season 2 to air in order to regain back the power they had in this competition.
Most suprising competitor: Saginomiya Isumi. Who would have thought she was able made it all the way to the Final 8 and remain the last one standing for HnG faction. Louise comes in a close second.
Most suprising exit: R1- Akiyama Mio. Enough said.
That’s all I have to state. As for the characters I supported throughout the tournament, they were knocked out relatively early. Kotobuki Tsumugi crashed out in the first round, Kawashima Ami and my self-proclaimed waifu Horo were knocked out in the second round, followed by Nagi of Kannagi in the third round and then finally Azusa in the fourth round. And when I started watching a bit of Saki and grew to like Tacos and Koromo, they exited in the quarter finals.
But still, I’m rather pleased. Even if your favourite character did not end up winning, always remember this fact: that your true moe lies within your heart, and nothing else can change that fact.
Before I end my blog post, I would like to thank the following people who were involved in this year’s proceedings:
-Anon guy who’s in charge of animesaimoe.org website, which has provided everyone with detailed information and statistics, as well as the classical matchup posters and fixture list
-frustra, who makes brilliant and creative matchup posters and never fails to update the community on any Saimoe happenings
-Animesuki forums, where I lurk to gather general opinions but hardly posted there myself
-4chan’s /a/, who has provided me with some “entertainment”
-2ch, for hosting this competition
and finally, to everyone who follows and reads this blog. Thanks for your support and sorry for any wrongdoings! Don’t whack me if some of the counts do not turn out to be that accurate, as they are just interims afterall ^^.
With that, I bring this blog’s coverage of Saimoe 2009 to a close. It has been fun.
Next post: Looking ahead – Saimoe 2010 and the future of this blog
thanks as well ^^, i’ve been following this blog ever since i discovered it in Twitter, nice to hear your thoughts on the matter.
maybe we should collaborate for next year’s coverage? although that’s still far of, just a thought on that possibility =)
like what you said, we have a Saimoe in our hearts. Hinagiku will always be my Saimoe, but it would just be fun, if other people believe that as well.
that’s it, and yeah saimoe update blog’s not yet closed just because Saimoe is over, lol.
Comment by frustra — October 18, 2009 @ 2:29 am
Sure, why not? =D Let’s spread the word of Saimoe to an even larger audience.
But for now, it’s time for me to study for my upcoming major exams. Hehe…
Comment by shotaku — October 18, 2009 @ 2:39 am
[...] for the actual Year of the Taiga post, I’ll follow it up as soon as I can. For now, you can read the insights of my other fellow bloggers for the Anime Saimoe Tournament as a [...]
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