How long can that list be?

I do find the rank thing an interesting point and probably would help people make more honest nominations if they knew about it. I tried to just pick my favorite characters to be honest. The only ones I left off were those not as much my favorites or ones I wasn't allowed to nominate by the rules :).

But I can understand those who are a bit tactical. Ideally you'd like to get favorites you think might not have as much popularity in and the ones that do, making it a win/win. But clearly that can have its own consequences for the one who you didn't vote for that still gets in.

Well, there's like 30-40 anime per season, around at least 5 girls per anime. It's a pretty big list but at least I wouldn't have to go look up names, pics and all that stuff, I'd just copy-paste :P I watch around 20 anime per season on average, actually trying to choose girls from a year's worth of anime without a guide is something I'm unwilling to waste time on. Plus, most worthy candidates will be included into someone else's list so it's a small loss.

I often feel the same as you. What I do is wait for people to nominate, and see if any of the characters people nominate jumps out at me as characters I like. That should give me enough of a reminder to fill my list. You can refer to this thread for more nominations that people posted.

Wow....that was practically a disaster results wise. At least initially, a few of the last characters I nominated making it was a salvation.

But once more I'm reminded why I kind of fall out of interest with these things. Seemingly no one likes the characters I do and they can barely crack the preliminary round rankings...Admittedly that was actually a worse result than even I expected.

So 6 in, 5 completely not in, and 3 not in but could poke their heads in exhibition rounds...maybe.

Am I the only one here who thinks the position of the Love Live characters is some sort of decorated trap? Their international support seems to good to be true. Of course, I'm ignoring the fact that Kurumi nearly doubled second and then some with everyone else.

Nah the 2nd season of it was really well received (it sold & rated better S1). Then there is the fact that SIF has gotten a fairly decent following even outside of it's massive one in japan, and that it has the movie coming still. I expect they'll do fairly well. I was really pleased to see all 9 μ's members make it though :heh:.

Also fairly good prelims
+++++
μ's
++++
Usagi getting 3 Cocoa, Rize, & Chino (Poor Sharo & Chiya)
Yona
Kaori
Karen (S2 being spring might save her)
+++
Akatsuki (my favorite ninja!)
Renge (Again she might get boost if she make it to regular when s2 airs)
Ema & Aoi (too bad no Zuka to join them)
++
Madoka & Kyouko (would be higher but I have zero faith in Madoka girls doing well here this year after past years)
+
Chaika

I was genuinely surprised at some...mostly by Sakura. I still can't believe it...

With a new Haruhi (more or less) series coming out soon, I wonder how this will effect Haruhi and Yuki?

I did notice that the top voted CLANNAD girl was Nagisa. Not Kyou, and Tomoyo, but Nagisa.

People have finally seen the light!

Nominations have betrayed me before though...

I am actually unsure of LL's situation. As a member of the staff, I can confirm that LL has worldwide support, and not just concentrate in some country. However, it's not always a question of geography. Those who nominate tend to be more "serious" or "loyal" fans of ISML, so their taste may be somewhat different than voters in general. It might very well turn out that the more casual voters have not watched LL, or decided not to watch some girly idol anime, leading to LL doing not as well in prelims.

A question : What requirement does a female character need to be qualified for Saimoe ?
I notice some female character never qualify for Saimoe despite being cutter then Other Anime girl.

I am pretty 2 sure ISML requirement are simpler than ever now:
1.) Has appeared in an anime series that has aired anytime prior to nominations beginning. (VN/LN/Manga/Future Anime characters aren't qualified)
2.) Receives enough nominations to make the cut off based off if they fit in Nova or Stella.

It's a popularity contest. If the character isn't well known and comes from an obscure series it doesn't matter how cute they are, because not enough voters know who they are.

Arena 01: [藤宮香織] 浅見リリス ノエル [佐倉千代] ステファニー・ドーラ チャイカ･トラバント 東條希 [香風智乃] アカメ 我妻由乃
arena 02: 筒隠月子 [九条カレン] ティナ・スプラウト マイン 由比ヶ浜結衣 [白] アセイラム・ヴァース・アリューシア 神崎灯代 星空凛 [向井戸まなか]
arena 03: 霧嶋董香 雪ノ下雪乃 鹿目まどか 姫柊雪菜 小泉花陽 栗山未來 [見崎鳴] [夜ノ森小紅] 時崎狂三 [潮留美海]
arena 04: ヨナ [宮園かをり] 宮森あおい ミカサ・アッカーマン [司波深雪] 矢澤にこ 稲葉姫子 千斗いすず [誘宵美九] 七宮智音
arena 05: 戦場ヶ原ひたぎ [長門有希] ユイ 打ち止め [結城美柑] 三千院ナギ 間桐桜 結城明日奈 ハクア・ド・ロット・ヘルミニウム [藤林杏]
arena 06: 棗鈴 イリヤスフィール・フォン・アインツベルン [楪いのり] 佐天涙子 ユイ [五河琴里] [一ノ瀬ことみ] 竜宮レナ シャルロット・デュノア 岩沢まさみ
arena 07: 髏々宮カルタ [ヴィクトリカ・ド・ブロワ] [古河渚] 桐ヶ谷直葉 古手梨花 暁美ほむら 中野梓 [椎名ましろ] 白井黒子 仲村ゆり
arena 08: シャナ c.c. 三日月夜空 青山七海 泉こなた 涼宮ハルヒ [禁書目録] [春日野穹] 白鬼院凜々蝶 [岡崎汐]
arena 09: [棗恭介] 衛宮切嗣 [空] ナツ・ドラグニル 平和島静雄 黒 赤坂龍之介 富樫勇太 [岡崎朋也] 如月伸太郎
arena 10: 鹿野修哉 カゼハヤ・カミト [キョン] 夜ト 紀田正臣 [泉新一] 神田空太 キルア・ゾルディック [一条楽] 一方通行
arena 11: 坂田銀時 スレイン・トロイヤード [有馬公生] [比企谷八幡] [風見雄二] ギンコ 赤司征十郎 堀政行 高須竜児 エル・ローライト
arena 12: 松岡凛 [音無結弦] 貝木泥舟 相川步 セバスチャン・ミカエリス [逆廻十六夜] ギルガメッシュ 杉崎鍵 狡噛慎也 [司波達也]

Voting has started

ARENA 01: [후지미야 카오리] 아사미 리리스 노엘 [사쿠라 치요] 스테파니 도라 [챠이카 트라반트] 토죠 노조미 카후우 치노 아카메 가사이 유노
ARENA 02: 츠츠카쿠시 츠키코 쿠죠 카렌 [티나 스프라우트] [마인] [유이가하마 유이] 시로 아세일람 버스 알류시아 칸자키 토모요 호시조라 린 무카이도 마나카
ARENA 03: 키리시마 토우카 유키노시타 유키노 [카나메 마도카] 히메라기 유키나 코이즈미 하나요 쿠리야마 미라이 미사키 메이 [요노모리 코베니] 토키사키 쿠루미 [시오도메 미우나]
ARENA 04: [연화] [미야조노 카오리] [미야모리 아오이] 미카사 아커만 시바 미유키 야자와 니코 이나바 히메코 센토 이스즈 이자요이 미쿠 시치미야 사토네
ARENA 05: [센죠가하라 히타기] [나가토 유키] 유이냥 라스트 오더 유우키 미캉 산젠인 나기 마토우 사쿠라 유우키 아스나 하쿠아 두 로트 헬미니움 [후지바야시 쿄우]
ARENA 06: 나츠메 린 [이리야스필 폰 아인즈번] 유즈리하 이노리 [사텐 루이코] [유이] 이츠카 코토리 이치노세 코토미 류구 레나 샤를로테 뒤누아 이와사와 마사미
ARENA 07: 로로미야 카루타 빅토리카 드 블루아 [후루카와 나기사] 키리가야 스구하 후루데 리카 [아케미 호무라] 나카노 아즈사 시이나 마시로 시라이 쿠로코 [나카무라 유리]
ARENA 08: 샤나 C.C. 미카즈키 요조라 [아오야마 나나미] 이즈미 코나타 스즈미야 하루히 인덱스 [카스가노 소라] [시라키인 리리치요] 오카자키 우시오
ARENA 09: [나츠메 쿄우스케] 에미야 키리츠구 소라 나츠 드래그닐 헤이와지마 시즈오 헤이 [아카사카 류노스케] 토가시 유우타 [오카자키 토모야] 키사라기 신타로
ARENA 10: 카노 슈우야 카제하야 카미토 쿈 [야토] [키다 마사오미] [이즈미 신이치] 칸다 소라타 키르아 조르딕 이치죠 라쿠 액셀러레이터
ARENA 11: 사카타 긴토키 슬레인 트로야드 [아리마 코세이] 히키가야 하치만 카자미 유지 깅코 아카시 세이주로 [호리 마사유키] [타카스 류지] 엘 로우라이트
ARENA 12: 마츠오카 린 [오토나시 유즈루] [카이키 데이슈] 아이카와 아유무 세바스챤 미카엘리스 사카마키 이자요이 길가메시 [스기사키 켄] 코가미 신야 시바 타츠야

ARENA 01: [Fujimiya Kaori] Asami Lilith Noel [Sakura Chiyo] [Stephanie Dola] Chaika Trabant Tōjō Nozomi Kafū Chino Akame Gasai Yuno
ARENA 02: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Kujō Karen Tina Sprout Mine [Yuigahama Yui] Shiro Asseylum Vers Allusia Kanzaki Tomoyo Hoshizora Rin [Mukaido Manaka]
ARENA 03: Kirishima Tōka [Yukinoshita Yukino] Kaname Madoka Himeragi Yukina Koizumi Hanayo Kuriyama Mirai Misaki Mei [Yonomori Kobeni] Tokisaki Kurumi [Shiodome Miuna]
ARENA 04: [Yona] Miyazono Kaori Miyamori Aoi Mikasa Ackerman Shiba Miyuki Yazawa Nico [Inaba Himeko] [Sento Isuzu] Izayoi Miku Shichimiya Satone
ARENA 05: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] [Nagato Yuki] [Yui-nyan] Last Order Yūki Mikan Sanzen'in Nagi Matō Sakura Yūki Asuna Haqua du Lot Herminium Fujibayashi Kyō
ARENA 06: [Natsume Rin] [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Yuzuriha Inori [Saten Ruiko] Yui Itsuka Kotori Ichinose Kotomi Ryūgū Rena Charlotte Dunois Iwasawa Masami
ARENA 07: [Roromiya Karuta] Victorique de Blois Furukawa Nagisa Kirigaya Suguha Furude Rika Akemi Homura Nakano Azusa [Shiina Mashiro] [Shirai Kuroko] Nakamura Yuri
ARENA 08: Shana [C.C.] Mikazuki Yozora Aoyama Nanami Izumi Konata [Suzumiya Haruhi] Index L. Prohibitorum Kasugano Sora [Shirakiin Ririchiyo] Okazaki Ushio
ARENA 09: Natsume Kyōsuke Emiya Kiritsugu Sora [Natsu Dragneel] [Heiwajima Shizuo] Hei Akasaka Ryūnosuke Togashi Yūta [Okazaki Tomoya] Kisaragi Shintarō
ARENA 10: [Kano Shūya] Kazehaya Kamito [Kyon] [Yato] Kida Masaomi Izumi Shin'ichi Kanda Sorata Killua Zoldyck Ichijō Raku Accelerator
ARENA 11: [Sakata Gintoki] [Slaine Troyard] Arima Kōsei [Hikigaya Hachiman] Kazami Yūji Ginko Akashi Seijūrō Hori Masayuki Takasu Ryūji L Lawliet
ARENA 12: Matsuoka Rin Otonashi Yuzuru Kaiki Deishū Aikawa Ayumu Sebastian Michaelis [Sakamaki Izayoi] [Gilgamesh] Sugisaki Ken [Kōgami Shin'ya] Shiba Tatsuya

Okay, the male division is just as difficult as the female...

ARENA 01: Fujimiya Kaori Asami Lilith Noel [Sakura Chiyo] [Stephanie Dola] Chaika Trabant [Tōjō Nozomi] Kafū Chino Akame Gasai Yuno
ARENA 02: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Kujō Karen Tina Sprout Mine [Yuigahama Yui] Shiro Asseylum Vers Allusia Kanzaki Tomoyo [Hoshizora Rin] Mukaido Manaka
ARENA 03: [Kirishima Tōka] Yukinoshita Yukino [Kaname Madoka] Himeragi Yukina Koizumi Hanayo Kuriyama Mirai Misaki Mei Yonomori Kobeni [Tokisaki Kurumi] Shiodome Miuna
ARENA 04: Yona Miyazono Kaori [Miyamori Aoi] Mikasa Ackerman Shiba Miyuki [Yazawa Nico] Inaba Himeko [Sento Isuzu] Izayoi Miku Shichimiya Satone
ARENA 05: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] [Nagato Yuki] [Yui-nyan] Last Order Yūki Mikan Sanzen'in Nagi Matō Sakura Yūki Asuna Haqua du Lot Herminium Fujibayashi Kyō
ARENA 06: [Natsume Rin] Illyasviel von Einzbern Yuzuriha Inori Saten Ruiko Yui Itsuka Kotori [Ichinose Kotomi] Ryūgū Rena Charlotte Dunois [Iwasawa Masami]
ARENA 07: Roromiya Karuta Victorique de Blois [Furukawa Nagisa] [Kirigaya Suguha] Furude Rika Akemi Homura [Nakano Azusa] Shiina Mashiro Shirai Kuroko Nakamura Yuri
ARENA 08: [Shana] C.C. Mikazuki Yozora [Aoyama Nanami] Izumi Konata [Suzumiya Haruhi] Index L. Prohibitorum Kasugano Sora Shirakiin Ririchiyo Okazaki Ushio
ARENA 09: Natsume Kyōsuke Emiya Kiritsugu Sora Natsu Dragneel Heiwajima Shizuo Hei Akasaka Ryūnosuke Togashi Yūta Okazaki Tomoya Kisaragi Shintarō
ARENA 10: Kano Shūya Kazehaya Kamito Kyon Yato Kida Masaomi Izumi Shin'ichi Kanda Sorata Killua Zoldyck Ichijō Raku Accelerator
ARENA 11: Sakata Gintoki Slaine Troyard Arima Kōsei Hikigaya Hachiman Kazami Yūji Ginko Akashi Seijūrō Hori Masayuki Takasu Ryūji L Lawliet
ARENA 12: Matsuoka Rin Otonashi Yuzuru Kaiki Deishū Aikawa Ayumu Sebastian Michaelis Sakamaki Izayoi Gilgamesh Sugisaki Ken Kōgami Shin'ya Shiba Tatsuya