I’ve spent a lot of time this year participating in various activities for the International Saimoe League, the least of which was voting. There was and is always work to be done moderating for the official forums, editing of match previews which are put up three times a week along with the three days of voting, and uploading of MAL member card requests that persist throughout the year. I also throw in the occasional promotional artwork here and there if asked. I only shouldered a minimum of the load compared to the rest of the staff, but still, I can’t help but heave a sigh of relief that the bulk of my work for 2011 is done. But, am I happy with the resulting Tiara win?
I’ve seen as much of Misaka Mikoto as I think I need to, with both seasons of Toaru Majutsu no Index, all of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, and an assortment of specials. What fascinated me most was not her character, but the power which her character wielded. It is because of this that I had no problem voting against her in this final match against Shana of Shakugan no Shana. And yet, if I had never seen any of the aforementioned shows, the promotional video of their epic showdown would probably have pushed me to vote for Biribiri, since more moe, vulnerable shots of her were showcased than of the Flame Haze. From what I remember, I had always found it odd when Mikoto would blush or stammer, since those moments usually came at awkward times between action sequences. I couldn’t reconcile the opposites in her personality, nor did I find the explanation of it believable. She was cool, but only because she was the Railgun.
If I were to be completely honest, I would have to admit that I’m also on the fence about Shana since I’ve only seen the first season to completion, never finished the second, and have yet to start the third. At the behest of fellow blogger Riyoga, I’m re-watching the original in hopes of revitalizing my interest in the franchise. Going through the story once again, I’m reminded of the fact that I do like Shana and her tsundere quirks; in her case, I’m completely disinterested in her power when compared to the story of who she and why she’s so drawn to Yuji. I don’t find her moments of connection with her human emotions forced, whether it be rage, confused affection, or embarrassment. I was stunned when she didn’t win since she has her currently airing show to back her, but I guess that’s part of the excitement of moe tournaments like this.
If any of you also participated, or are interested in these particular characters, I would love to hear what you have to think about Mikoto’s win 🙂
Anime B&B 
Personally, I voted during the start of this year’s saimoe and until, if I remember correctly, the end of July. Thus I wasn’t even going to learn who won if not for this post, thanks for that 🙂
Anyhow, I was rooting mostly for Mikoto, Tohsaka, and Horo, with CC and Senjougahara as secondary favorites, and a total of slightly more than a dozen prefered characters. I classified Horo way back when I watched Spice and Wolf as a moe queen overall, then when I watched FSN and Railgun I gave similar titles to both Tohsaka and Mikoto (Zettai Ryouiki and Tsundere respectively, though I notice I am not the first to call Tohsaka that). I’ve never watched SnS (though I probably will at some point in the far future), but Mikoto would’ve won my vote over almost every girl in saimoe.
LikeLike
Well, I’m glad that I helped someone 🙂 And thanks for commenting for the first time!
My girls for this year were Horo (who is one of my favorite heroines, period), Victorique, Taiga, and Saber. I, too, very much enjoy Spice and Wolf.
LikeLike
I love Shana. She is one of my favorite characters, with Sakura and Hinata been the first two, and I am still disappointed she lost : ( I saw the video, and I felt like it was been completely bias towards Mikoto, although that was just my opinion. I’ve seen videos of her to familiarize with the character, but all I liked was the power she showed in many of her fans videos. Other than that, she wasn’t really appealing to me and I couldn’t understand why people loved her so much. Although if anything, Shana wields so much power too and she is soooo cute. Anyways, Mikoto won, and I will never understand why. I don’t really dislike her, but I really hate that she won against Shana, when I believe she is way more deserving of the tiara.
LikeLike
I just finished re-watching the first season and I really did enjoy it 🙂 The second season is of course next on my list. It’s also good to know that I’m not the only one who thought the video was a bit biased towards Mikoto, but I know the creator was trying to use clips he hadn’t already used before in numerous other promotional videos over the past years.
LikeLike
I rooted to Misaka, Holo and Hitagi to dear life ^^
To have one of the 3 victorious is surely relieving, glad to hear she won and so does she deserve it!
LikeLike
Ahhh, yes, fellow Holo fans 🙂 I also really enjoy Hitagi and her sense of humor. Good for you to have one of your girls win!
LikeLike
I’m afraid I can’t comment on Misaka’s win in the ISML because I did not know of its existence prior to reading this post, but you’ve got me interested! Also, you’ve got me wanting to watch whatever show Misaka is from. There goes my productivity 😛
LikeLike
I hope you do go out and check out Misaka Mikoto in both Toaru Majutsu no Index and Toaru Kagaku no Railgun! Both shows have a lot of good parts to them, particularly the humor, though they are definitely not without their flaws in terms of their attempts to be overly serious.
LikeLike
Shana lost yet again… ='[
EVERY TIME. WHY. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME ISML. IT HURTS.
Great to hear you enjoyed the first season upon rewatch, though. You’ll have to make it through the first half of the second season next. I’m still kind of sad I’m one of the few people who enjoyed the first half. I thought it was quite funny at times. Plus I just like the characters so much (except Yoshida) that I like seeing what they do and how they react without needing big explosions going off to be entertained. Ionno. I also figured out I just like all the drama in the series. Maybe I’m just weird.
And while it feels extremely strange saying it, you best be avoiding my blog like the plague. My Shana season 3 posts will spoil the story for you like no other. Then again I’m doing my Seasonal Awards post soon… Well, as long as you don’t actually click on the posts themselves, you won’t get spoiled, now that I think about.
…Alright I’m done. I should really save my rambling for my own posts.
…And this paper I need to finish.
LikeLike
I know, Shana definitely deserved the necklace this time around since she’s been fighting for it for every year of ISML. Re-watching Shana is turning out more enjoyable this second time around, especially since I’m watching it with my boyfriend who is also liking the show. Somehow watching it with someone helps since he’s able to point out stuff that I don’t notice or think about on my own. And don’t worry, I make sure to avoid all of your Shana posts 🙂
And good luck on your paper!
LikeLike
Why?!
I don’t like Mikoto!
Tsunderes are NOT MOE!
LikeLike
Definitely with how they likely type with ALL CAPS!
LikeLike
This is anime, girl. Anime. You’re just stereotyping if you say it that way.’ALL CAPS!’ So you’re a Tsundere too?
And I don’t think I’m moe, and Tsunderes aren’t moe.
P.S “Break Stereotypes”
ISML, I can sometimes get frustrated. Misaka? As much as I hated the anime, I hated Misaka. But since ISML is more like a popularity poll rather than Moeness poll, I guess Misaka would win.
P.S.S. If my comment has by any manner offended you, I apologize.
P.S.S.S,Marina, Tsunderes don’t apologize. So I’m not a Tsundere. Tsunderes, Kuuderes, Danderes, Yanderes don’t exist in real life. So no, I’m human. You need to stop stereotyping.
LikeLike
Sorry if it offended you… or Misaka.
P.S What’s a solid definition of moe?
LikeLike