Alas, Anime Saimoe Japan 2009 has come to an end. Congrats to Taiga Aisaka for defeating Yui Hirasawa in what will be a memorable finals for many years to come.
From a personal aspect, I couldn’t ask for a better result. Taiga was my clear-cut favourite going into Saimoe preliminaries, and that did not change for the main draw. I’m not going to bother going into a long exposition about how I felt this year was the best Saimoe ever, but I want to take this time to give out some much-needed thank yous to various people.
My blog team, for putting up with a great deal of my nagging and bitching. I appreciate your patience. I hope we can do the same kind of posts next year.
My IRC channel, for putting up with constant Saimoe discussion.
The AnimeSuki community, for providing a fun forum thread to chat in as well as translators for the preliminary matches.
2ch and Japan, for hosting yet another exciting event.
My associated bloggers: Micchi, kevo, and frustra. You provided me with a great deal of inspiration. Without you, I probably would not have came back to the scene after my break during the third round.
overfunk, NissanNut, Vizard, neutralizer, and raizoo for participating in my final match post and offering various insight to me throughout the season.
You, the reader, for taking an interest in reading this blog. I hope you stick with us even though the contest has ended.
For further reading, please visit these Saimoe summary posts.
“Well, shit. How anticlimatic would be a Taiga vs Yui final… I sorta kinda want it now.” - overfunk (before the semi-final matches)
The Numbers
21920 – Total votes since the top 16
3832 – Posts on Animesuki’s Saimoe thread as of writing this post
386 – Contestants in the main draw
101 – Shows respresented in the main draw
73 – Days since the tournament began
8 – Contestant Blocks
6 – Rookies in the quarterfinals
1 – Anime Saimoe Japan 2009 Champion
There is something magical about Saimoe that captivates me more than any major sporting event can: direct participation, friend interest, hype factor, and a chance to support characters in the entertainment medium I love the most. This time, I have gathered information from sources outside the blog team to go along with the usual six of us. So, without further ado, I present the final match. Enjoy. Poster courtesy of frustra.
She’s the “little tiger that could”…possibly win three Saimoe tournaments this year. 2009′s super rookie performer looks to take yet another step into multi-national Saimoe lore by taking Japan’s tournament. With Ami, Minori, and Taiga’s performances, Toradora! emerged as a legitimate faction. With the story already completed in just one season of anime, can Taiga bring a title to a fanbase that might never see her in this tournament again?
Yui Hirasawa – K-ON!
Semi-final def Mihoko Fukuji (1019 – 988)
Quarter-final def Koromo Amae (873 – 819)
4th round def Minori Kushieda (838-752)
3rd round def Hinagiku Katsura (953 – 935)
Since the second round, Yui has been running the gauntlet. With a seemingly down-and-out K-ON!faction, Yui began one of the most amazing runs in Saimoe history. Here and now at the stage of her dreams, can she rock Taiga off her game?
The Team
Seishi: Taiga – How fitting it is that these two contestants meet again so many months after their original preliminary battle. Taiga will be looking to avenge Minori’s loss, with Yui carrying Azusa on her back. Unfortunately for Yui, my unconditional love goes out to Taiga as one of the greatest anime characters I’ve ever seen. I think Taiga will take it in one of the closest and best Saimoe matches ever; whatever happens, I believe both are deserving champions and will remember their tournament performances very fondly.
chaosprophet: Yui – After a long period with many moments of bliss and many of despair, the final finally is here, and what a final it will be! On one side we have Taiga, a pretty good character that really deserves to be there. She beat many strong characters on the way, like Nodoka who was one of the favorites to win by many people on the late game; one can see how she had an excellent performance in other saimoe contests too, that she being there isn’t a joke at all.
On the other side we have Yui, who is just as deserving as Taiga for a place in the finals; she defeated many strong contestants, like Hinagiku who was regarded as one of the strongest competitors. I’m really proud of what she did so far, even more considering how K-ON! did in the beginning and how she’s usually overshadowed by Mio for many K-ON! fans.
In the end, it’s an ideal final for me and a win-win situation too, but my vote will go for Yui without a doubt. I like Taiga a lot, but Yui is one of the characters I love the most.
This match is really hard to predict. Yui beat Taiga before when they were part of the same group in prelims, but that was a long time ago when there were much less voters, and prelims dynamics were really different from the main round ones. Considering their opponents and amount of votes, Yui had a better performance overall; but looking at the semifinals results, Taiga seems to be stronger. Taiga may lose votes because people don’t want her to win another major moe contest in the same year, however she may get some votes because people want to see her getting the crown for both Korea and Japan. This is not unprecended, but it may never happen again. Also, both characters have strong factions behind them.
I will go with Yui for prediction, more for bias than anything else. All in all, it should be a very exciting match. May moe prevail!
uis: Yui – I am happy my number one that I support this year is in the final. Only one more before you are the champion, Yui…
KholdStare: Yui – Taiga receives more hate than support. No one really hates K-ON!, Yui isn’t associated with “KyoAni” so much as LS characters, etc…, and she has no backlash at all incredibly, even from SAKI supporters. It’s the finals, and people are likely to vote if they can even if they don’t support one of the two charaters, and especially if it’s hate-voting. Therefore, my prediction is Yui.
kevo: Yui, Taiga – When the top 16 was announced, I expected Taiga vs. Yui to be the most exciting, closest match possible. Though Saki broke records by sending six girls into the top 16, history repeats itself and the Saki characters are out of the finals. Taiga is fresh off her Korea Best Moe win and took care of Nodoka solidly to get into the finals. Yui has had the stronger schedule and came from behind to overtake Mihoko in the nick of time. Now, the two girls square off for the biggest title of moe. When you compare schedules, Yui has definately had the harder schedule getting here, with wins over Amae Koromo, Furude Rika, and Katsura Hinagiku in her name. Taiga took down a strong Maria and overcame a split vote to beat Kawashima Ami and Asahina Mikuru early in the tournament. Of all the Saimoe finals I’ve seen, this is one of the toughest to call. I believe that Taiga’s Korea Best Moe title might affect her votes, but it should not make or break her. Yui literally has no weakness; she has no point of attack like the Saki characters do, and the anti-Kyoto Animation base seemingly has disappeared. K-ON!’s faction is back and seemingly in good form. I love both characters, but in my heart I am leaning for Taiga just a sliver. I would give Yui the 55-45 advantage, however. Prediction: Yui by 20.
Teiran: Yui. I wasn’t just paying lip service with my comment that it seemed almost natural for the would-be guitarist to be left standing at the last, but in saying that I feel like I might have shorted Taiga (no pun intended). Her fanbase came through admirably in the semifinal match, and her place in this final is equally deserved. This one’ll be good for sure; both Taiga and Yui have some luminaries on their respective hit lists. I’ll go with the guitarist here, using much the same reasoning as I did for Mihoko’s victory over Yuuki: I can’t sense a concerted anti-movement against her.
(It’s interesting for me to read my colleagues’ takes on this, even if their reasoning is divergent from my own. KS says Yui won’t face any backlash, but I don’t entirely agree with that – despite the “universal appeal” spiel above, everyone in this tournament who survives past a certain stage faces some backlash, and this is the final, so you can bet that stage is long past. I also don’t believe for a second that whatever happens in Korea’s Best Moe tournament has any bearing at all on Saimoe. As for factions’ machinations, those are far too convoluted for me to unravel; I might kill more brain cells in trying than in leaving well enough alone.)
Vizard: Yui, Taiga – It’s been a pretty hectic and long 2009 year for the Saimoe tournament of Japan. I don’t really care for Yui as she never really appealed to me. Taiga’s cool though. I can’t vote for her due to chaosprophet voting for Yui. I predict Yui to win mainly because of K-ON! being the latest to air whereas Toradora! started in the fall of 2008 and ended shortly before K-ON! aired. Also, the voters coinciding between Korean Best Moe and Japan Saimoe will conflict as I’m assuming they don’t want a ‘winner in both tournaments’ and whatnot.
raizoo: Yui – If Taiga loses, I’m going to go back to laughing how Kugyuu hasn’t won a saimoe yet. I hope Yui wins because she beat Hina so she better win the whole thing.
Micchi: Taiga, Yui – Both are top tier chars deserving to get this far, although Yui has arguably had the tougher route. While I want Yui to win, it’ll come down to the little things that will push Taiga to victory, such as the possibility of a double crown for Taiga or the reluctance of choosing another KyoAni champion.
overfunk: Yui, Taiga – Yui beat Taiga in the strength match at the start since preliminaries have no real strategy going on. Toradora! truly showed up as a smart faction: Mikuru gambit! Yui beat powerful opponents in a string: Rika, Hina, Minorin, Kodomo, and Kyaputen. The revenge weight should be on Yui since Taiga beat Ami (whose fans already dislike her), Maria, then Azusa, which was sort of like a rook change with Yui. Then, Isumi and Nodoka. So, both have pissed off the former Hayate no Gotoku! and Saki factions. However, Hayate and Toradora! are both part of J.C. STaff realm, so there shouldn’t be many Hayate fans disgruntled with Taiga; especially Nagi fans, if you catch my drift. So, Taiga has less revenge weight. Now, the X-Factor: any of the two could have controlled the semi-finals from the shadows, since the vote totals rose. I fear it might have been Yui. Based on statistics, it seems like 51-49 in favour of Yui.
neutralizer: Yui – A girl and her guitar. Even though Yui beat out Hinagiku, she’s got my vote for being adorable while airheaded throughout all of K-ON, but inspiring and hilarious to laugh at. The match is too close of a call to predict, I think they’d be separated by very few votes and so I’m might as well predict the one I want to win. No sense in not believing in her win.
And now, some further analysis by a dear friend from AnimeSuki, NissanNut. Be sure to give him props wherever needed.
“Well, shit. How anticlimatic would be a Taiga vs Yui final… I sorta kinda want it now.” - overfunk
After a strenuous quarterfinal, the Saimoe contestants take a break today in preparation for the penultimate leg of the Saimoe race tomorrow. Once again, the hard-working Lunatics will attempt to break-down both matches.
With her dazzling performance this year, Taiga has become a worldwide Saimoe phenomenon. Now, she looks to take this to the next level by making her second major Saimoe tournament final this year. Standing in her way is a peculiar girl who wishes to make some history of her own as the first “non-loli” winner of this tournament. Can Nodoka secure the first half of a possible all-Saki final, or will the tiger remain untamed?
The Team
Seishi: Taiga – This heavily depends on how much Japan still wants to troll. My undying loyalty remains with Taiga, and I think Japan will make me proud once more.
chaosprophet: Taiga – This will be a difficult match with so many possible factions, hate voting, and other stuff on both sides. I don’t really know what will come from this mess. My vote goes to Taiga, as I like her quite a bit, and Nodoka is on the black end of my moe spectrum.
uis: Nodoka, Taiga – I have a bad feeling that Nodoka will win this match…
KholdStare: Taiga, abstain – Taiga seems a lot more powerful right now with more convincing wins.
kevo: Taiga – Hot off her Korea Best Moe win, Taiga is looking for the slam and the well endowed Haramura Nodoka stands in her way. If Amae’s loss to Yui in quarterfinal four indicated anything, it’s that the populus is tired of Saki. Taiga must feed off this hate to advance, and I predict that she does.
Teiran: Nodoka, as much as it pains me to say so. Like uis, I have a funny feeling about this, and that’s all there is to it. There are a million signs that point to Taiga, many of them having to do with Saimoe tournaments past; however, very little that I thought I knew is applicable this year.
Mahjong and music meet again for the second consecutive time in this bottom half. While Mihoko’s performance in the tournament is fairly unremarkable, characters don’t just fluke it this far. On the other hand, Yui has basically run the gauntlet thus far; arguably, she’s had the toughest schedule in the history of Saimoe. Only time will tell whose melody of truth plays first.
The Team
Seishi: Yui – A tougher schedule just gets tougher for one of Saimoe’s gutsiest performers ever. I think there’s still enough anti-Saki out there to propel Yui, Kyoto Animation’s last hope, to the finals. Rock on, girl.
chaosprophet: Yui – I don’t think Captain has the power to beat Yui. Yui is one of my favourite characters in this tournament; Captain is nice, but not quite at that level.
uis: Yui -Yui is much stronger than Mihoko in stats, and Mihoko has never tasted a harsh battle. I believe Yui can win this.
KholdStare: Yui – I don’t think Yui can lose anymore. Ever since Mio lost, it was predicted that the other K-ON characters would come far.
kevo: Yui – A seemingly revitalized K-ON! series has made a suprise comeback, offering Yui deep into the tournamant here in the top four. Mihoko’s match with Yuuki deeply hurt the Saki voting base, leaving the faction unstable compared to the powers plowing Yui through the bracket. Yui should take this match standing up, leading us to an exciting, no-hands-barred finals in Saimoe 2009.
Teiran: Yui. I feel like Mihoko’s chances would increase if Nodoka were to lose, but even if that does happen… the discrepancy between these two characters’ strengths is too difficult to ignore. Somehow it feels almost natural for Yui to be left standing at the very end.
Just over two months after the main tournament started, we find ourselves at a new beginning. Whether we like the outcome or not, it’s hard to argue against the excitement value of this year’s tournament. Now, eight remain. Check your allegiances at the door.
Each match comment will contain personal thoughts of multiple LA staff members colour-coded for your convenience along with my own general analysis. Predictions in bold with votes in italics.
If there’s a clear-as-day match in the quarters to predict it would be this one, much to the chagrin of Isumi’s supporters. Taiga has already survived a same-series split, a super-skilled meido, and another cat-like girl. However, Isumi’s performance against fellow blue-haired contestant IKEDA is nothing to slouch about. Still, I’m not giving her much of a chance against the ferocious feline.
The Team
Seishi: Taiga – It’s no secret Taiga is my #1 for this tournament. I think she will do fine in this match.
chaosprophet: Taiga, Isumi – Taiga did way better than I expected beating some strong contestants. I think she will beat Isumi without much difficulty.
uis: Taiga, Isumi – 2009 is kown as the Year of the Tiger, so I will vote for Isumi even if she did beat Kana.
KholdStare: Taiga, Isumi. I believe that Isumi won because of anti-Saki votes. Taiga is the much stronger contestant.
kevo: Taiga – Taiga vs. Isumi is the most important match in these quarterfinals, as the winner will probably advance into the finals. The other quarterfinal in this half is pretty weak. I’m voting for Isumi, but Taiga looks pretty strong in this match after defeating a revitalized Azunyan in the round of 16.
Teiran: Taiga. If these eight had power rankings, I can’t help thinking that seven of them would be more or less interchangeable. Unfortunately for Isumi, she’d be the other one. Taiga should go through by a comfortable margin.
Saimoe veteran Louise returns to the top 8 in somewhat less controversial fashion to face an (un)expected opponent. Can Louise add boobbuster to her title of ghostbuster, or will Nodoka void another chance for Louise to make it to the semifinals. One thing for certain is this match will have all pink, all the time.
The Team
Seishi: Nodoka, Louise – Too bad too sad again for Louise. I’d love to see her meet up with Taiga in the next round but it ain’t happening.
chaosprophet: Nodoka, Louise – Nodoka is the only character of top 8 I really hope that won’t win, but I guess Nodoka will win since she beat Nagi in a very difficult match after all. Louise may have a chance, as she’s shown her guts many times.
uis: Nodoka – I don’t want either to win.
KholdStare:Nodoka, Louise. This is arguably Louise’s best shot, against another character with pink hair, because she would have trouble with most recent characters. But it’s still not enough, and Nodoka will win.
kevo: Louise – Nodoka upset Nagi to get here and it probably the weakest character in the top 8. She is up against Louise, who magically managed to get this far, despite the fact that she is 2 years past her prime. I’m abstaining.
Teiran: Nodoka. I’ve been surprised, if not outright confounded, at Nodoka’s performance every step of the way. Since she’s proven formidable enough to defeat Nagi, I think I have to finally come around and pick her to win this time–even if I’d prefer Louise.
Quarter-final 3 – Any Way the Wind Blows
Yuuki Kataoka: Beast of the East, legend of the west
Yuuki and Mihoko deliver more mahjong mayhem in the third match. Yuuki will need more than a few tacos to power her way to victory over Kyaputen Kazekoshi, who plans on taking Yuuki home to cook her own special dinner after the match.
The Team
Seishi: Mihoko, Yuuki – Mihoko is more popular where it counts. Yuuki should keep it somewhat close.
chaosprophet: Mihoko – Mihoko is my favourite Saki character by a bit, and Yuuki is on the group of Saki characters I like but not quite so much. I think that on faction split most votes will go for Mihoko, but it could possibly go the other way.
uis: Yuuki, Mihoko – I actually don’t care who will win this one because both are OK to me, but I’ll go for the underdog.
KholdStare: Yuuki. Yuuki embarrassed her opponents all by more than 100 points to get here. But she won’t beat Mihoko because of popularity backlash. Then again, because I think that, she will win, so I go with Yuuki.
kevo: Yuuki – Kataoka Yuuki is one of the favorites to take the tournament this year. She has to overcome her co-star Fukuji Mihoko first. Intra-series matches are always unpredictable and Captain is no easy opponent. I’m voting and predicting Yuuki to take this, however. This year looks like the best shot for voice actor Kugumiya Rie to win her first Saimoe.
Teiran: Mihoko, I guess. I’m pretty conflicted about this and might as well flip a coin to handicap it: these two have very little overlap, and I have no idea which set of traits this year’s voters will prefer head-to-head. I’m picking Mihoko because I think she might be slightly stronger in the grand scheme of things–i.e. she’d defeat more of the other characters than Yuuki would–and thus I think she has the broader appeal, but that’s not a lot to go on.
Quarter-final 4 – Yui and the Kid
Yui Hirasawa: Prodigal daughter, riff master
4th round def Minori Kushieda (838-752)
3rd round def Hinagiku Katsura (953 – 935)
Koromo Amae: Tile driver, heart stealer
4th round def Amu Hinamori (700 – 440)
3rd round def Hanyuu (792 – 566)
K-ON!’s resident genius ditz made it here on her own merits, knocking off two three legitimate top-tier contenders including the 2007 champion. On the other hand, Koromo managed to handily defeat some upper middle tier opponents; fittingly, she will have the final stage of the round. Like mahjong tiles, the voters should make this one wildly unpredictable and fun.
The Team
Seishi: Yui – Yui has shown more power, and should continue to do so. I never really liked Koromo as much as everyone else.
chaosprophet: Yui – For remaining contestants, she’s clearly my favourite and near the very top of my moe list too. I think Yui will win against Koromo as she beat the Hinagiku powerhouse.
uis: Yui – Sorry Koromo, Yui is my number one that I support in Saimoe 2009.
KholdStare: Yui. This match is borderline. Koromo has almost no backlash whatsoever, while Yui might get some hate from Hinagiku fans. But Mio and Azusa’s losses will unite K-ON fans, enough for me to think Yui will win.
kevo: Yui – Hirasawa Yui and Amae Koromo end off the match with a great matchup. K-ON is absolutely revitalized by this point and I’m curious to see how it matches up with the super-dangerous Amae Koromo. Will Yui, armed with gitah, be able to get past Koromo’s devestating haitei raoyue?
Teiran: Yui. Koromo has the same problem here that Saki (;_;) did in round three: she’s in the last match of the round, facing a main character from a strong faction who’s going to have maximum support, while she herself faces the backlash from what’s likely to be two castmates already advancing before her. Besides, Yui has proven more than powerful enough on her own.
