(tl;dr: Vote for Minori Kushieda in ISML!
not tl;dr: continue…)

One more time, one more chance.

It’s been a great time Shiori campaigning (covertly, for the most part, after that initial push), as currently she’s moved up into the middle half of the field (barely) at 48th place, something that – yes – I’m actually kind of proud of! Especially for a girl who wasn’t even expected to make the main field, coming from last in nominations.

But now it’s time to make one last push for a favored girl in ISML, as we come down to the last 12 matches of the regular season, in which two competitions become clear:

1) The fight for the top 16, the girls who will continue to the double-elimination playoffs.
2) The fight for .500, the magical number which allows automatic re-entry into the next ISML competition in 2010.

The first one is rather complex and involves an inordinate amount of players, with 9 girls within 3 wins of each other, in the fight for the last 4 spots (as well as a few more with only one or two wins more). Right now, Mikuru, Nanoha, Konata, and Saber (in order of increasing danger) are on the inside, while Holo, Kotomi, Nagisa, Shinku, and Rika (closer to top 16 first) are on the outside looking in. If you’re a fan of any of these, it may be wise to campaign now before it’s too late, as every battle will matter.

Around the .500 line it is a bit more calm; only Mei Sunohara lies extremely close with a record of 26-25, needing to go 6-6 or better in these final matches. Mai Kawasumi is a touch above, requiring 5-7 or better; Rena Ryuuguu just needs 4-8 and nothing short of collapse (2-10) or worse will stop the likes of Sakura Kinomoto, Hanyuu, or Ami Kawashima.

Looking below it gets even more barren, as the closest to .500 that isn’t already above the line is Minori Kushieda, at 23-28 and requiring a 9-3 finish, a 75% win percentage which is fairly difficult for someone struggling to run .500. After Minori you get into the near-impossible, with Sayuri Kurata, Misuzu Kamio, and Louise Valliere needing to make miracle runs (11-1 or better) to break even.

So in the end we come down to only one miracle story in the closing rounds of the ISML season, and her name is Minori Kushieda. What a fitting girl, too, as I can think of few that I’d rather back more.

The good news is that pulling this miracle off is very possible for Minori with good luck and strong backing; she can lose a maximum of three battles, which is fortunate considering that she only has three difficult opponents (in the top 16 or fighting for it).

This means that she will have to be absolutely flawless in the other nine battles, but again, things look bright. She again only has three opponents at her level, that she will have to fight toe-to-toe with to her full ability. The other six, should be relatively easy.

So as long as she can win in these three pivotal battles, her return to grace the presence of ISML 2010 should be assured.

And that’s something that’s very possible, and worth fighting for! And your vote can help!

But why Minorin?

Those of you who have watched Toradora should know that it’s a great romantic comedy that moves at a pace nearly unparalleled by any other; and beyond that, it has a cast that’s second-to-none. Nearly every character is developed strongly, from the lead couple to the secondary characters and even some of their parents as well.

Minori, as one of the lead girls, fights with passion and energy on a daily basis, being one of the brightest characters in the show and one that is almost impossible to not be in a good mood around.

She is the alpha and omega of genki girls, full of energy, good humor, and a brilliant smile.

And yet there is that other side to her – one might call it a bit angsty but it may just be a bit of realism to a confused teenager, one who isn’t just fighting for herself but also for someone else that she cares deeply for (actually, make that two someones). When you understand the trouble Minori goes through, and the extents to which she pushes herself, your heart has to ache a bit.

These two elements make Minori both a character I respect and adore, and I hope it can be the same for you.

If you believe the same, please help Minori make this miracle by voting for her in the current round of ISML here. It’s a simple process and shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.

Vote! Tell your friends to vote! Give Minori moruze votes, chou moruze~~~

-CCY

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF MINORI’S SCHEDULE
Ruby 7: vs. Rena (32nd / 28-23)
CRITICAL POINT #1
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Ruby 8: vs. Remilia (53rd / 8-42)
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Diamond 1: vs. Nagisa (19th / 37-14)
LOSS #1
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Diamond 2: vs. Mikuru (13th / 39-12)
LOSS #2
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Diamond 3: vs. Shiki (56th / 7-44)
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Diamond 4: vs. Kagami (8th / 43-8)
LOSS #3
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Diamond 5: vs. Kirino (59th / 5-46)
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Diamond 6: vs. Kallen (58th / 6-45)
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Diamond 7: vs. Sakura (31st / 29-22)
CRITICAL POINT #3
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Diamond 8: vs. Aya (63rd / 1-50)
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Diamond 9: vs. Anya (52nd / 10-41)
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