Finally the largest online popularity contest of anime characters, Saimoe 2007, has concluded its quarterfinal phase. The quarterfinals, that initially seemed as an already played game, proved to be full of surprises. Without any more blabbling, here is the updated score table (click for full size):
When the quarterfinals began with a no-brainer match between Rena and Nanoha (whose side has been comparatively weak, I was surprised that she even made it that far), I was certain that the outcome would be Rena going against Konata and Louise vs. Tsukasa – as you can see I was terribly mistaken. While Rena emerging victorious was anything but unexpected, Konata’s defeat to Nagi was a complete surprise. Personally I was quite surprised that Nagi even made it that far, seeing that she’s basically Shana without flaming hair and a sword, whereas Konata would have multiple assets to appeal to otaku crowd. Konata did put up a good fight, but unfortunately our otaku girl was no match to a rich tsundere loli.
Konata, in memoriam
The third round was even more surprising, as Rika-chama made short work of her adversary, tsundere-wizard-in-training Louise. I could have sworn that Shana-fans frustrated over her defeat to Nagi in the 4th round would retaliate by going for Louise, but apparently their hearts and mind are too shattered to form a strong allegiance once more. This time ni pa~ proved to be stronger than k-k-k-kono baka inuuuu~!!
But the greatest surprise of all was the Defeat of Tsukasa. Our unstoppable soft spoken imouto-type was reigning superior in the 4th round with a massive votecount of 1741 and managed to butcher even the beloved Suiseiseki (Desu). I was all but certain that there was nothing left to stop her and even Rena would have difficulties dealing with her in the final round. And at the very least she would never, by anything that’s sane and logical in this universe, lose to Shinku. But it happened anyway, proving that maybe there is a bit of sanity in the Japanese otaku culture after all. In my opinion Lucky Star girls, especially Tsukasa, are boring moe-blobs with the character depth of an A4-sheet that can’t even compare to such greatness as Rena…but enough about that.
This development has left me with the greatest anticipation – I’m sure that the surprises will continue in the semi-finals! Personally I’d like to see Rena and Rika facing each other in the final match – Hauu~ vs. Ni pa~, a tough pick indeed. However I’m sure that both Nagi and Shinku will put up a fight of their lives and I shouldn’t get my hopes up. Best of luck, Rena and Rika-chama!