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Japanator Saimoe 2011: Championship Round
by jel x, 04/25/2011
Japanator Saimoe 2011: Championship Round photo

We've reached the 8th and final week of Japanator Saimoe and the time has arrived for us to choose a Champion! It's been a long journey, sorting through an entire years worth of anime, choosing 64 girls (OK, 62 girls and 2 guys), and then voting and voting and voting until we're down to just two. The choices have not always been easy and it was tough to see some of our favorites go, but we're here now with one final decision to make.

Kanade Tachibana has been a heavy favorite throughout the entire tournament and looks just as strong going into the Championship. Who will rise to the challenge of facing her in this final round? After the jump, we formally announce our second Finalist and begin our last round of voting. There's even a bonus question to check out, so click away!

Fall/Winter Quarterfinal Recap

Full Bracket *UPDATED* | Rules & Schedule | Voting Updates @jelx23

It looks like 2011 will in fact be the year of Kana Hanazawa as Kuroneko will face Kanade in our final round. Much like her Spring season counterpart, Kuroneko jumped out to an early lead and never looked back while, much like Rin, Homura fans debated exactly how moe she really is. I think Madoka fans will be OK after getting that great series finale. Now as far as Saimoe is concerned, we've got a little bit further to go, so let's move on to the voting!

[Fucking Kuroneko. Homura was robbed. -- Brad]

Ladies and Gentleman, the Championship Round:


Cool Fan Art by Umeboshitora

1. Kanade Tachibana
2. Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou

We've been talking about these girls for almost two months now, so there's really not much more to say. Leave your vote and whatever passionate pleas you need to make in the comments below, and voting will end Thursday, April 28th, 12:00 Midnight EST. 

If you have any strength remaining consider this bonus question: Out of the 48 girls eliminated in the Opening Round, who do you think deserves an honorable mention? Maybe you feel they got a tough draw or you just really like that particular girl. Whatever your reason, now is your chance to give them one last shout out. So feel free to include ONE girl in your comment, and in our final post they might just get a little more of the credit they deserve.





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Legacy comments:

Kougeru

Kuroneko should win this round. I never thought of Kanade as very moe...bad ass? yes. but not moe. Same with Homura.

 
Kougeru

edit button plz: I just noticed they finalists are both voiced by Kana Hanazawa...I think that's a factor that definitely went into account for the voters.
 
Strey

Charlotte Dunois. I think she would have gotten all the way if it wasn't for Yu, Homura, and Victoria being in the same bracket.

 
Kageromero

Kanade Tachibana! This is going to be an insanely close round, worthy of the finals.
 
Strey

Kuroneko. Sorry, misread the post and thought it was just for the honorable mention -_-(I should probably read more carefully).

 
LoLo_Lita

Kanade Tachibana!!!

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1xieoZLJA1qbiooko1_500.jpg


And Moe Yuki Nagato for the honorable mention!
 
Irothtin

Kanade, I guess.

Since I forget why Squid Girl beat out Elsie even though the bracket says they had the same number of votes in the opening round, I'll give Elsie honorable mention.
 
Wakstaskate

Kanade.
 
Jeff Chuang

Kuroneko is the best waifu
 
sonicfan2d91

Let's go with Kuroneko. As for the honorable mention, I'd say anyone not in the Summer-- I mean, Charlotte Dunois. Some stiff competition in the winter bracket, between Victorique and Homerun.
 
insert name here92

Tachibana for me.
 
GZnemesis

A very hard decision,
Kanade is my favorite of the two, but honestly kuroneko is way more moe.

I vote kuroneko!

 
Zetsuboutallin

Definitely Kanade.
 
Dragonzigg

Gotta go with Kanade. And, mirroring Iro, I'll give my shout out to Elsie.
 
Rush

Difficult choice... My vote goes to Kanade.

Honorable mentions for the Amagami SS girls and Joey Jones.
 
Rush

Also, that fan art is hot!
 
EinherjarUrashima

Kuroneko +1.
 
plerb flubalub

Kanade.
And to answer the bonus question; If this was my contest where only I could vote, Sawako would have won.

 
tender

Kuroneko
 
Rewarp

Kuroneko for the win please.

Honourable mention to the damn fine Nanasaki Ai.
 
REDRUN

Kanade Tachibana easily FTW.
 
The_Kenji

Kuroneko
 
Ramminchcuk

Kanade!
 
Rewarp

Either way, Hanazawa Kana wins.

All is right with the world.
 
Ginko

My vote goes for Kuroneko.
But in my heart, the winner will always be Eucliwood Hellscythe :3
 
infjeff

I vote Kanade.

Give Togame the honorable mention.

 
Lifesong

In my fantasy this would be Iwasawa from Angel Beats VS Yu from Zombie Desu Ka? but ah well I can see that it was never meant to be.

My vote goes to Kanade. I really can't complain too much regardless of who wins at this point as it is a Kana Hanazawa character wining either way. She is a great voice actress who really shined throughout last year and while not my top pick she certainly earned it.
 
Lifesong

Oh and for my honorable Mention Yu from Zombie Desu Ka? as I see that I can't pick two.
 
Asuka Fan

Well I guess I'll vote for Kanade, she has her super cute moments and she can kick some ass.

For honorable mention, and others note it's someone eliminated in the first rounds, so Charlotte is not a correct choice, I'll go with Madoka. It's not really fair that voting took place before the last two episodes aired, and at that point Madoka was still "normal".

And I shall second Brad in saying Homura got robbed. I feel absolutely nothing for the final two characters in this championship round.

If Kuroneko wins we should all feel ashamed that a character who appears on screen for maybe two hours beat out all of these well established fleshed out characters, like Nagato, Biribiri, Rin, Homura, and others who have actual character development in addition to be eye candy.
 
IAmARobotWhoTurnsIntoATruckAndIFindNoLevityInThis

1. Kanade Tachibana

Honorable mention for MOE Nagato!!
 
patstam

Kuroneko
 
TheMolezor

Kuroneko
 
Metalsnakezero

The battle of Kana Hanazawa Voiced characters!

Kuroneko
 
Heero Yuy

People that haven't played through UBW's original route aren't qualified to talk about Rin's moe... DEATH TO THE INFIDELS THAT DISGRACE OUR QUEEN'S FAIR NAME!

Rin deserves honorable mention. No question. All others must go after. MUST. GO. AFTER.

As for this round, my vote is clearly for Kanade. In addition to defeating Rin (whom I wonder how much of her loss was due to "new people" being permitted to come out of nowhere and vote for her), she's quite excellent in of herself. Plus she has one of my favorite moe attributes - weapon moe :D




 
planetarian

Kanade.
 
NilesRevenge

Kuroneko. Don't need to think twice.

For honorable mention, I pick Mio Akiyama.
 
diz1776

Kanade.
Honorable memention goes to Shiori from TWGOK.
 
GreenSage

HIDEYOSHI!

fine kuroneko
 
jpolchowski

Kanade to win.

I liked Kuroneko as a character, the best in Oreimo, but don't see the allure that makes her so popular.
 
Mr. Pizza

Kuroneko
 
amocaliga

1. Kanade Tachibana
 
Janaff

Kanade "Tenshi" Tachibana!
 
TheUndeadFish

kanade

korone - honorable mention

/sigh @ all the people voting for honorable mentions without reading that its only for the 48 characters voted out in the first round.
 
Marow

Weeeell... I guess Kanade.

 
Bongjuice

Kuroneko~!

Kana Hanazawa ftw I don't really mind who wins in this final its win-win imo!
 
President Stalin

Guess I'll vote for Kanade.

My honorable mentions would be Iwasawa and Celty.
 
guillep2k

1. Kanade Tachibana
 
Aoshi

Hmmmmm *thinks*

Who am i kidding :-)

Kuroneko
 
agedbeer

Kuroneko for sure. I don't really know either of the characters too well, but a simple Bing search made it clear. Plus... she wears a maid outfit. How is this even a debate?

 
FantomTeabagger

Kuroneko.
Also, i'd like to give an honourable mention to the ladies of Seitokai Yakuindomo
 
fenrir

Kanade
 
Deejilator

Kanade

@Heero Yuy Those posters are amazing great work sir great work

 
Pobooru

Kanade, definitely
 
ittoujuu

I've never heard of Kanade Tachibana, and besides...silver hair is 'aloof' - not really moe.

Therefore, Kuroneko gets my vote (as much as it pains me to vote up the gal that shot down my dear Homerun). But what is moe? A miserable pile of database checklist traits! But enough talk, have at ugyuuuuuu!
 
HaloZ

all Kuroneko, All the time!

 
Shashu

Kanade Tachibana....with a shout out to Victorique Dublois
 
eaper

Kuroneko. Hanazawa Kana is Queen of moe~
Mikoto Misaka for honorable mention~
 
capncrunch

Gonna have to go with Kanade on this one.
 
savage

moe = kuroneko
 
hsbase5

Kanada for the next Queen of Saimoe!
 
GateSide

Kuroneko
 
Jaysky

This is a toughie, I like both equally but for completely different reasons... GAHHHHH! I think I'll be voting for Kanade, Ruri is still great though, it'll be fun to see how this match goes down.

Since the honorable mention only goes towards the opening round girls I'd have to choose Last Order. She's incredibly adorable and just about every scene I see of her makes me grab my chest. (Honorable mentions of my honorable mention goes to: Merry Nightmare and Kaoru Tanamachi. They're all great, but I guess Merry and Kaoru's bro-ness wasn't "moe" enough)
 
2 owls? I'm there!

Kanade Tachibana
 
Ninebeats

Kuroneko, at least she sparks up about some things.

Honourable mention for the cheerful and infectious Nessa.
 
G-Nitro

While this was a tough decision, I ultimately had to go with Kuroneko.

Honorable mention would be Kaoru from Amagami SS.... SEX HAIR FTW
 
evilnekohilda

Kuroneko all the way~
 
outlawauron

Kanade. I do understand how Gokou is so popular.
 
The Kohn

Kanade!
 
judgegrumble

what what what what what homu lost?!
Kuroneko is the slayer of all that is holy.
it is my civic duty to vote for Kanade.
 
messyblue

One vote for Kuroneko.

As for the honorable mention, I'll go with Mami Tomoe. She does not get enough recognition for what she does.
 
CursedKakashi

Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou

I think Homura should get an honorable mention because I think she got robbed.
 
biznuss dragon

Kuroneko!!

honorable mention goes to Victorique because OH MY GOD THAT PURPLE DRESS.
 
jel x

Eh screw it, it's the last round:

VOTE KURONEKO

Go watch Oreimo episode 13 if you don't agree.
I think there's a new episode tomorrow as well.
 
Crobdan

Kuroneko
 
deathbymoe

Kuroneko
 
 
Squishynin

Kanade!!!
 
YellowDays

Kuroneko.
 
Lifesong

Yeah so I was totally thinking that Yu lost to Victorique in the first round and she was definitely not so I am changing my honorable mention to someone who is qualified.

Honorable Mention Celty.
 
Smoph

Kanade Tachibana

Honorable mention, Ika Musume
 
jalm

Kanade.

I still hate all of you for not liking Victorica.
 
Hikikomori

Kuroneko and for honorable mentions Homura
 
Dr. Qwerty

Kuroneko. Honorable mention: Victorica.
 
NitroBromine

Kuroneko!!!! She must win!!!!
 
Hai

Kanade times 9001!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Xelotath

Kanade
 
BlackSun IX

Kureneko all bunz day!
Also i guess we're giving honorable mentions? I give a shout out to Mio of course... And Saeko, Saeko in that apron are as natural as PB & J.

Vote: Kureneko
 
BlackSun IX

also one last thing about Saeko... SHE KILLED ZOMBIES WITH A SWORD AND HAD AN ORGASM!!!! C'MON!!!!
 
Gee-Man

Eh, I'm not even voting at this point anymore, seeing as I don't even know who the two characters are. Guess it just shows how little I give a damn about shows that try to pander to their audiences with moe and other such bullshit.
 
AmazingFlash

2. Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou
 
Rewarp

Oh, opening round? I apologise for the oversight.

Changing my honourable mention to Kaname Madoka. She would have gone further had the season concluded before her round. Oh well, at least she qualifies for next year's Japanator Saimoe because Puella Magi Madoka Magica impinges upon the new spring season.
 
Rewarp

@Gee-Man. That is certainly one way to console yourself.
 
ff_veld

Kuroneko!

Honorable mention = Victorica
 
Hellomello13

Kuroneko

thanks to the true ending arc so far.
 
koht

kanade. Wish Yuu (from zombie) could have gotten farther.
 
anzurose

Kanade Tachibana
 
The Guy

Here goes my last vote to Kanade! The angel of Saimoe!

And to people considering voting for Kuro: Kuro's got a chance for the ACTUAL saimoe later this year. Kanade does NOT. I'm not sure if that's a good enough reason to vote for her, but it should at least make you consider!

VOTE FOR TENSHI
 
Ojive

Kanade, with the honorable mention going to Elsie.
 
ChapelofChaos

Kanade

honorable mention going to Homura
 
The Guy

Homurable Mention for Honor!

I mean...uh...
 
Strey

@ Blacksun IX: Saeko is hot, but sadly she's doomed to be alone or dying in that series =/. Unless, that is of course Rei dies, but I don't think that's going to happen. I voted for her too though.

 
togepi

Kuroneko

 
numemaru

Kanade all the way.

 
Killteam

Kuroneko
 
Killteam

I vote Misaka for honorable mention!
 
Chikety-China

Homura got robbed. My honorable mention goes to Tsukimi :). Really, though, she got put up against Moe Nagato and Haruhi. Poor thing didn't have a chance.
 
Falstaff107

Mami Tomoe for honorable mention!
 
damien007

Kanade!
 
Seph

Kanade
 
Seph

Honorable mention for Homura.
 
Aoshi

Fellow Kuronekians rally around our Queen and scream your devotion at the heart of the world!



Bullets and cuts are only temporary..... a curse last forever ;-)


Aoshi
 
narupley

Kuroneko
 
linkdude

Kuroneko. I like Kanade alot, but Kuroneko is just too...moe.
 
Requateer

Kanade
 
akuto

Both are awesome, but I'm voting for Kuroneko. Way too much hhhhhhnnnnnnnnnngggggg.

 
Medrex

Kuroneko.

 
RBYYZ

Kanade Tachibana
 
bmrskate

I think at this point, Jtor readers are just voting for their favorite character instead of who's more moe.

It SHOULD be a no-brainer, but of course this is just a repeat of Kuroneko vs. Homura (who was moe for...count 'em... ONE episode). DEMOCRACY!

Kuroneko covers nearly all the moe bases.

So, it's Kuroneko without a doubt!

It would be a real head scratcher if Homura got honorable mention. Maybe if there was a "Moe for the least amount of time" category then she can go in that one. And don't give me the quality>quantity crap, because that's absurd.

Honorable mention needs to go to Charlotte Dunois. Her whole CHARACTER is an honorable mention. And I think she held up Infinite Stratos just by herself for a good chunk of the season. Absolutely moe and rightly deserves honorable mention. However, I can see it's just going to be a matter of favorites...
 
yanipheonu

KURONEKO!!!!!!!!!
 
Sinister Slim

I'll vote for Kuroneko, but I enjoyed both shows so I'm cool either way...

For honorable mention, I'm going with Tohsaka of course. I'm a bit surprised and pleased she made it as far as she did, though it would have been nice if she went further. She had relatively "weak" exposure. It's been some time since the FSN series aired (which centered around Saber), so she didn't have the convenience of weekly, refreshing exposure, and I doubt 1 out of 50 people here played any of the original games. So she pretty much was running off the strength of the (awesome) movie. I suppose the same can be said about Nagato, but her appearances were stretched over 2 series and the Haruhi-chan mini-episodes, keeping her fresh in people's memories, all while enjoying a wider, casual fanbase.

 
Xin

Kanade!
 
Rohalmen

KANADE!!!!

And I suppose Charlotte should get a mention. :/
 
darkjunsah

KANADE TACHIBANA ftw
 
Snukastyle

Kuroneko, and that;s my final answer, Regis.
 
seltzermx

Kuroneko, nothing beats cat dancing in front of a mirror.

and definetely Charlotte for an honorable mention
 
kiddtic

Ohohohoho, you measly humans shall bow before the Queen of Moe that is Kuroneko.

Honorable mention goes to Nagato, the hhnnnnnnnnggg factor there was just so immence.
 
augba

I also am with Brad. As such I vote for Kanade Tachibana.
 
SagexGreybeard

Kanade Tachibana. It has to be our Tenshi. For honorable mention, im voting Tsukimi from Kuragehime.
 
BakaJon

I vote for Kuroneko.

Though in my heart, it will always be Rita Mordio -tear- Or Azunyan! whom I still respect as our reining, and eternal queen.
 
Cell Shade

2. Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou

Kuroneko is enigmatic.
She has a theme song!
She is a romantic! [So jealous!]
She might just be crazy.
...OK, so she's got 2 theme songs!

Honorable Mention:
Haruhi Suzumiya ... Why? ... God Knows ... But I suddenly feel thirsty.

Shout Outs:
The K-On girls, for making a moe/comedy/musical/slice of life awesome.
Misaki Ayuzawa, tsundere done right.
Mato Kuroi, Black Rock Shooter.
Yuki Nagato (Moe ver. or not).
Ika Musume, inept evil is cute.
The World God Only Knows girls...yeah.
Kirino Kousaka, so misunderstood.
The Infinite Stratos girls ... what? I like mech suits.
Merry Nightmare, obviously people didn't remember the kitty pajamas.
Sawako Kuronuma, pulled at my heartstrings like no other.
Victorique de Blois, each episode I've watched has taken a year off my life from cute overdose. (she'd be my honorable mention if she had not made the first round)
Nessa, I like liking Nessa.
 
billybob8476

Kanade!

 
Panda Pirate

Kuroneko ftw.
 
Ecchi4Lyf

KANADE TACHIBANA!
 
Rawrski

Kuroneko

 
Xard

Kuroneko
 
Torako

I am sorry kuroneko....

TENSHI FTW
 
ZoboCamel

Kanade, barely. Of the 64 characters, these were the two who I most wanted to be in the finals, so... it's hard to choose. ;_;

For honourable mentions, I'd have to go with Sawako, from Kimi ni Todoke.

 
Consul_Elect

Kanade
 
AnimeJunkie...(duh!)

Kanade!

Honorable Mention: Rin (Thigh Highs) Tohsaka :D

 
BakaJon

I hope they tie.
 
Dyne1319

2. Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou
 
Andrex316

Tenshi!!!!!!
 
mfokp

Kuroneko ftw.

And props to Charlotte for being a blonde non-ditzy foreigner character with a soft voice, and without drill hair and a maniacal shrill for a laugh. Anime needs more Charlottes.

And Nessas.
 
Gin-sensei

Tachibana Kanade the angel
 
MangaMasterXero

Kuroneko 4 life.
 
jel x

Wow talk about timing again, Oreimo episode 14 just came out and Kuroneko delivers another heavy dose of weapons-grade moe, go watch that and VOTE KURONEKO
 
mana

Kuroneko
 
AweOfTerra

Just finished the new OreImo OVA, and there is no way I CAN'T vote for Kuroneko
 
Yenner

Kuroneko.

I really just don't find Kanade all that moe. Maybe it's because I can't help but compare her to Nagato Yuki, who I like much better.
 
xHBx

Kuroneko
 
Thrawnsama

Kuroneko
 
dynamov

Gotta vote Kuroneko. There`s a new episode out today I`m pretty sure, so maybe that`ll change some minds.
 
gundam598

Kanade
 
DougCL

Kanade Tachibana.

honorable mention to Celty and Misaka.
 
Piccoroz

kanade
 
Rush

Just wanted to add that Kuroneko was incredible in episode 14. I'll stick by my original vote, but I almost turned to the dark side. (See what I did there?)

Also, the Maschera ending was brilliant.
 
pastamobsta

Kanaede. honorable would have to go to Yui of Angel Beats!
 
snake_in_a_box

I'm not gonna vote since I have no opinion on either character, but my honourable mention definitely goes to those that didn't even get nominated sadly; P-Ko of Arakawa Under the Bridge, Wako of Star Driver, and Akashi-san of The Tatami Galaxy. Darn shame.

And if you actually want me to answer the question, I'll mention Celty and Nino as well. Simply didn't stand a chance.
 
Ravenholt EX

I vote for Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou, and I think the honorable mention should go to Charlotte Dunois, who was placed in a tough bracket. It would have been interesting to see a showdown between Kuroneko and Charlotte for the finals seat; hell, I'm not sure who I would have voted for then--can't we choose both? GO FOR THE HAREM ENDING DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IIIIIIIT! Oh yes, it truly is the Year of the Kana Hanazawa.
 
Ravenholt EX

Oh, and Merry Nightmare deserves an honorable mention as well.
 
Avidgam3r

Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou
 
jel x

It's so close I'm going to have to do a re-count to make sure, but right now Kuroneko just took the lead by ONE VOTE, if you haven't voted yet or don't think you should DO IT NOW
 
ts.hunter

My vote is for Tenshi (Kanade Tachibana)

As disappointed as I am that she beat Rin, I like her much more than either Kurenko or even Homura.

Honorable mention goes to my dear, dear Elsie, who was cruelly removed from the competition early on a blackmail technicality :'(
 
The Guy

And with that, the vote is even again.

Hopefully, this has nothing to do with bots...EXCEPT FOR THE BOTS I HAVE PLACED IN EVERY SINGLE POST OF THIS WEBSITE! THIS ENTIRE TIME I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO MYSELF ONLINE!!!

...*sob*...I'm so alooooooone....
 
plerb flubalub

I've made a terrible mistake. I voted before watching Oreimo...
Well, here's to hoping Kuroneko wins despite my vote. I have failed you, Kuroneko.
 
zalyagunryai

Kuroneko.

if this was a Battle of Badass Adorable, Kanade
 
Spade

Kuroneko!!

Episode 14 made my moe meter burst~
 
juju

Tough one. Since OreImo 12+, Kuroneko is stealing the show for me. I vote

Kuroneko!

Also: DAT SEIYU
 
Rewarp

@plerb flubalub
Does that count as a defection?
 
Skorch

Kinda a hard choice but, Kuroneko.
 
The Guy

Last minute Kanade voters! Get in there and even up the score!
 
Error: Null Reference

ahhhh I don't know who to vote for! Maybe I'll just flip a coin or something...screw it I vote for Kanade!!
 
dynamov

Oh forgot honorable mention. Seriously, had to be Azusa from K-ON. She had a tough bracket, and to me had some real moe power. I mean, she was put against Mio!
 
Itsa Timmy

Kanade

Honorable mention goes to Squid Girl for failing to invade everything but our hearts.
 
Andrex316

Kanade!!
 
ts.hunter

1 vote again. Come on Kanade fans!
 
jel x

Hmm I'm taking a recount and I may have had some duplicate votes in my original count. Kinda late to say it now, but please mention if you've voted already and want to make another comment.
 
Gilluled

Kuroneko!!!!!!

 
jel x

THAT'S IT Japanator Saimoe 2011 is now over! Thanks everyone for participating, we'll have results up soon.
 


  

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