destroying all monsters

Vote Yuno in today’s Saimoe contest.

CRUNCH TIME IS finally here. After many weeks of voting, we are now progressing though the block final stage in the Japanese 2ch Saimoe tournament. Today’s vote sees Yuno from Hidamari Sketch take on Rena Ryuuguu from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni.

It’s pretty clear where my sympathies lie. Hidamari Sketch, based on a manga by Ume Aoki and directed by the maverick Akiyuki Shinbo, was one of the stand out animes of last winter’s season.

A simple slice of life story about everyday events and friendship, it was brilliantly executed and featured a cast of instantly lovable characters; from the earnest Yuno and energetic Miyako to the cosplaying hottie Yoshinoya-sensei, easily-embarrassed Sae and weight-obsessed Hiro. I loved every minute of it and it now takes pride of place within my top ten shows.

All four of the lead characters, Yuno, Miyako, Hiro and Sae, originally made it through to the second round of Saimoe, but sadly, Yoshinoya fell at the first hurdle in a difficult group. Hiro and Sae didn’t make it any further than round two, but Miyako and Yuno progressed, with the former having been booted into touch in the subsequent matchup. This just leaves our Yuno.

Her opponent is the well known and deadly Rena Ryuuguu, remembered for her meat cleaver moe attributes, but Yuno is no slouch and her progress in Saimoe has shut up many a determined sceptic. Rena is tough opposition, but this is almost the quarter finals and there is no such thing as a weak character by this stage. Yet again, Yuno is expected to lose… time to prove them wrong.

Anyway, why are you still here? GO VOTE NOW!

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ひだまりスケッチ最高！頑張って ゆのちゃん！

Please vote for Yuno otherwise I’m going to have to go back to writing proper blog posts again…