Anime Saimoe Tournament 2013 (Japan)

[Eisdrache]

You could take Sayaka out of the series and absolutely nothing would change at all except some Kyouko favouritism. That's just how important her role was.

Aside of that, I'd really like to see /tsukiko/Kuroneko beating Madoka, not because I specially dislike them but zzzz all PMMM finals. Haven't seen Watashi's show so I can't really comment on that quarter. As for the last one, Yoshino who for some reason made it into top8 is out so I lost my interest there.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Eisdrache

You could take Sayaka out of the series and absolutely nothing would change at all except some Kyouko favouritism. That's just how important her role was.

I couldn't disagree more.

But I'll let the more impassioned Sayaka fans make the case.

[npal]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

Sayaka is interesting in this regard, since she basically tries to be that ideal protagonist character, but fails spectacularly.

Have you seen or have you been spoiled regarding the new PMMM movie?



I actually prefer Nanoha to Fate and Homura to Madoka.

Well, you're weird then? :P

[Demi.]

Kuroneko's my last hope. It's her or bust.

[Team Rocket Elite]

Qf2: Kaname Madoka vs Kuroneko (Gokou Ruri)

Kuroneko is the last standing non-Puella Magi that was in Saimoe 2011. She knows firsthand what it's like to face a Puella Magi. She did get pretty close to beating Kyouko back in 2011. Her chances of beating Madoka probably isn't actually zero but I think even Kuroneko will fold to the might of the Puella Magi.

Vote:
Kuroneko (Gokou Ruri)

Prediction:
Kaname Madoka

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

I actually prefer Nanoha to Fate and Homura to Madoka.

I can see that. Nanoha has a basic competency edge over Madoka. That's probably the main reason I like Nanoha the most of all four girls mentioned. After Nanoha, I honestly don't know where I'd rank the other three. So it's possible that I'm similarly Nanoha > Fate, and Homura > Madoka, though I like all four girls enough that they'd all be in my Top 15 anime characters of all-time (yes, I have a thing for magical girls, lol).

Originally Posted by Wanderer

I couldn't disagree more.

But I'll let the more impassioned Sayaka fans make the case.

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to disappoint after that implicit shout-out.

Anyway, I'll just repost what I wrote here.


Key excerpt for just Sayaka in the spoiler space below.

Spoiler for Why Sayaka is very important to PMMM's story:

When it comes to degree of activity, Sayaka is the ying to Madoka’s yang. The two best friends are similar in many ways, but one way that they differ markedly is in how quick and eager they are to take decisive action. While Madoka is quite cautious, arguably to a fault, Sayaka can at times be downright impulsive. And yet, even when she is impulsive, Sayaka’s actions and choices are always informed by what I would call a slightly idealized form of conventional morality.

What I mean by this is that Sayaka is more or less a normal girl of conventional moral values that I think are pretty reflective of common human values in general, but Sayaka always takes these values to their logical ends. This makes Sayaka, in my view, a bit of a “Everyman Hero”. She’s simply a good young woman, who’s strengths and flaws are reflective of many people. This makes her very likable to me, as she adds a great deal to the immersion value of Madoka Magica. It also makes Sayaka’s eventual descent so magnificently effective when it comes to what I think Gen was aiming for with her.

Basically, Sayaka shows as well as any character could how deeply flawed and corrupted the Puella Magi system of Madoka Magica is. If it can so cruelly victimize her, then that speaks profoundly to how horrible the system is, and to its potential for victimizing countless innocent teenage girls. Sayaka’s descent, though very tragic and sad, is probably essential for fully displaying the great evil that Madoka must confront and overcome. So Sayaka’s role in the narrative is much more indispensable than I think many viewers realize.

Not only does Sayaka carry the middle portions of the narrative, she also plays a central role in framing Madoka’s final act, and showing why that act was both necessary and the right way for the anime to end. On a personal note, I also completely love Sayaka’s character design, as its a glorious fusion of so many different character types I love: Magical Girl, Super Hero (Sayaka’s Cape), and Chivalrous Knight/Paladin.

[Hachiko]

Spoiler for graphics:

[Hachiko]

Spoiler for yes it's all right we're doing fine, so fine...:

[Hachiko]

Spoiler for News:

"'All-World Madokrew' not taking any prisoners": Akemi
Kyouko Sakura impales Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi to advance to 2channel AST semis

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
November 15, 2013

The Devilish Advocate of many names, Homura Akemi, has a personal name for the voters on 2channel that support the cause of the Puella Magi: the Madokrew. They were at it again on Friday in Japan, giving Kyouko Sakura a decisive 182-86 victory over Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Anime Saimoe Tournament.

"Our Madokrew is All-World when it comes to getting the job done," Akemi said from her quarters in Mitakihara Town, Japan via teleconference. "They know what they like in a winner, and soon, they will have to make a choice on who among my partners will earn the Saimoe Prime Minister's Office. You already know who I'm tapping, I don't need to tell you, but it's up to our loyal voters to either affirm my decision or go in a different direction.

"When the first hour begins, expect my one-and-only to get separation early and build on it from there." - Homura Akemi

"I don't see Watashi or Toshinou Kyouko as a legit threat to the big picture but that does not mean either of them should be sold short. If all goes according to plan, the winner of that contest is the one piece of resistance left, and we'll look to consign that person to 3rd or 4th place. I am pretty confident that Madoka, who is my pick to win it all, will do her part of the bargain and send Ruri Gokou home packing.

"And it's unfortunate for Gokou, because she earned her way to this point in the race, and she would be deserving of earning a mythical Saimoe double, but she is hitting a big brick wall in a few hours. When the first hour begins, expect my one-and-only to get separation early and build on it from there. Deep down inside, I am looking for a good race, but if our corps of voters has their way, well...that's how this tournament goes."

"The last time I was in the quarterfinals, I was facing Sayaka-chan," Kaname recalled in an interview via phone at the Kaname family residence. "I defeated her, but I had to face Mami-san afterwards. If you ask me, I'd rather face Sayaka-chan in the final, but I don't want to think about that right now. I have a black cat to skin."

"I think Madoka is gonna be all right," Sakura said, munching on her 11th box of Pocky in a week. "Some people are hoping that Kuroneko is going to pull out a miracle, but are you kidding me? What, with everything that is going on right now with the tournament and the way we've been bossing this, it's Madoka's match to lose. All the voters need to do is vote for her.

"Look, we have never had a Saimoe double winner since 2010. Mio [Akiyama] won the ISML and Anizone Best Moe, and the year before that, Taiga [Aisaka] was tops in Japan and Korea. Those are the two moments that I recall where someone got the double. Don't get me wrong, Ruri's got her charms and I wouldn't mind spending some time with her to get to know her better, but 1. she belongs to Kyousuke Kousaka's harem of girls, and 2. she's facing us again.

"We beat her before, we're going to do it again. Just watch us. It will not even be close."

Mami Tomoe is a previous winner of this tournament and served her Saimoe Prime Minister term over a year ago. Tomoe was optomistic about Kaname's chances of winning.

"Kaname-san had the most votes of all the winners in the Round of 16 and it should be more of the same," Tomoe said via phone interview. "She isn't someone that will be too confident. She's a realist, she's very humble in what she does and her purity and big heart are the types of qualities that have made her popular with the people who vote in these races.

"Kaname-san doesn't make any of this up. It's not artificial, what she does. It's genuine. It's real. She means what she does. She wasn't raised in the Catholic or Anglican faiths, but she embraces the ideals of people who are charitable throughout the course of history. Most of all, she's rediscovered the joy of being alive again and being with those that she loves so much, including Akemi-san. She realizes that helping people face-to-face and reaching out to people in need is a calling she can answer to.

"...her purity and big heart are the types of qualities that have made her popular with the people who vote in these races..." - Mami Tomoe on Madoka Kaname

"She doesn't take part in this contest for the fame or for the responsibilities that come from being a winner. She does it because she believes in making a difference in people's lives and helping them use the power of hope to transform desperation into determination, confidence, perseverance and ultimately, success. For Kaname-san, their happiness is her happiness, and that message and belief is the main reason why the voters have been supporting her this year."

Tsutsukakushi expected the result, but was optomistic about her next steps.

"Me and Azusa had a good run," Tsutsukakushi said at a press conference at Yoto Yokodera's house in Tokyo. "We're not going to fret over this because we knew we were up against it this year against the magical girls. ISML will be a different story. I expect to be in the regular season next year but it's up to the voters. If I qualify, I think I will do well at that tournament."

[hinakatbklyn]

The odds are no longer "can Ruri win against Madoka". Since Tsukiko went from 252 to 86 in two rounds, the odds are now "can Ruri pass 100 votes"?

(Between 2009 and 2012) I managed to last to the final match each year since at least one of my choices reached the final match, even if they didn't win. With Ruri as my last main support among the remaining challengers (and I will remain loyal to the end ), I have no real interest in the other matches after today.

[Aya Reiko]

Spoiler for The Final Board:

Guessing...
Madoka

[ion475]

So, as I predicted, Tsukiko didn't even get half of the vote total that S. Kyouko got...

For next round...

Pick/Predict: Kuroneko, just b/c I still don't accept the fact that Lovely My Angel got knocked out so easily.

[Ichuki]

Prediction- Madoka
Pick- Madoka

[spirits having flown]

If ever Sayaka has an intangiable against Mamicita (which by the way is still cool since they are my 2 favorite Puella Magi), it would be that if the voters would agree to have a repeat champion. I guess this might be a nice factor that would make Sayaka win in this match. I also have yet to see a high vote count too.

[Ithekro]

So is today the day the witches fight back? Against a god?

[Team Rocket Elite]

No surprises here. Tsukiko easily gets beaten by Kyouko. Kyouko has now made the semifinals twice in two tries. Maybe she can reach the finals for a second time as well.

[Hachiko]

87-57, Madoka on my tracker after 10 hours.

[npal]

Originally Posted by Hachiko

87-57, Madoka on my tracker after 10 hours.

Well, it's a close match, like expected. Kuroneko isn't really someone to be trifled with.

[iamadooddood]

No surprises at who won low. At this stage I'm barely even caring anymore.

Originally Posted by Hachiko

Spoiler for bad touch.:

Going all Princess Bride on Ruri, now?

But yeah, at 102-66 in favour of Madoka as of now it's not looking too good for her.

[BaKaBaKaOtaKu]

Looks like Ruri's putting a great fight here.