These seven girls stand here today, knowing that it is but the product of their hard work that has given them the opportunity to do so. They each have their own stories: tales of their experiences, joys and struggles. Having seemingly lost her memories after an unfortunate accident, Tōwa Erio's resulting eccentric behaviour garnered many unfriendly responses from her peers. Nonetheless, she persevered and eventually found friends who accepted her for who she was. Similarly, Dekomori Sanae's childlike delusions caused those around her to keep their distance. However, it is because of this playful innocence of hers that she is able to enjoy life joyfully. For Natsume Asako, her popularity was surprisingly the stumbling block of her social life as she was isolated by her jealous peers because of it. Initially seeking refuge on the Internet in the form of online friends, she eventually learned to open up to others once again, with the help of some newfound school friends. Instead of difficulties with her peers, Hanekawa Tsubasa struggled with stress from family issues. Luckily, it was the power of friendship, as cheesy as it might sound, that acted as her saving grace. As the princess of the Kusaribe clan, it's easy to assume that Kusaribe Hakaze is living the life. But in reality, internal conflicts led to her exile from the clan, ultimately resulting in her fateful encounter with the two young men who she would end up befriending. As for Sakura Kyōko, financial difficulties and emotional trauma were what made up her childhood. And so, to this day, she continues to fight for her own sake, blissfully living in the moment and not looking back. Finally, being from a wealthy family, Chitanda Eru might not have suffered the same degree of hardships that each of her opponents have gone through. Regardless, the effort and dedication she puts into things that intrigue her are second to none. As these seven contestants of different backgrounds and series gather in anticipation for the first day of Preliminary action here in ISML 2013, whose desire for victory will set them apart from the rest of the competition?

Ketujuh gadis yang berdiri di sini hari ini, mengetahui bahwa ini hanyalah hasil dari kerja keras mereka yang telah memberi mereka kesempatan untuk tampil kembali. Mereka memiliki cerita mereka sendiri, sebuah kisah pengalaman mereka, baik sukacita dan perjuangan. Setelah hilang dari ingatan, perilaku Towa Erio yang eksentrik telah memicu tanggapan banyak dari teman-temannya. Meskipun demikian, ia bertahan dan akhirnya menemukan teman-teman yang menerima dia apa adanya. Demikian pula dengan Dekomori Sanae dengan delusinya yang membuat orang-orang di sekitarnya menjaga jarak. Namun, karena kepolosannya, dia mampu menikmati hidup dengan penuh sukacita. Untuk Natsume Asako, popularitasnya mengejutkan musuhnya yang sudah diisolasi oleh rekan-rekannya cemburu. Awalnya mencari perlindungan di Internet dalam bentuk teman online, dia akhirnya belajar untuk membuka diri terhadap orang lain sekali lagi, dengan bantuan dari beberapa teman sekolah barunya. Alih-alih kesulitan dengan teman-temannya, Hanekawa Tsubasa berjuang dengan masalah keluarga. Untungnya, itu merupakan kekuatan persahabatan yang bertindak dengan bakatnya. Sebagai putri dari klan Kusaribe, mudah untuk mengasumsikan bahwa Hakaze Kusaribe hidup seperti biasanya. Namun dalam kenyataannya, konflik internal menyebabkan pengasingan dirinya dari klan, akhirnya menghasilkan pertemuan yang menentukannya dengan dua pria muda yang akan menjadi temannya. Adapun Sakura Kyoko, kesulitan keuangan dan trauma adalah apa yang terjadi pada masa kecilnya. Dan sampai hari ini, ia terus berjuang demi dirinya sendiri, bahagia hidup di saat ini dan tidak melihat ke belakang. Akhirnya, yang dari keluarga kaya, Chitanda Eru mungkin tidak mengalami tingkat kesulitan yang sama bahwa setiap lawannya telah melaluinya. Apapun upaya dan dedikasi dia menempatkan ke hal-hal yang tiada duanya. Saat tujuh kontestan dari berbagai latar belakang dan seri berkumpul dalam Preeliminary ISML 2013, siapa yang mendapatkan kemenangan untuk memberikan perbedaan pada sisa kompetisi?

With the final season of Shakugan no Shana over, Shana knows that she is not getting any younger. If she wants to gain the Tiara and become the champion, it has to be this year. But in order to do so, she has to first survive the Preliminary Phase. As a 9th place finisher from Stella Division last year and a former Tiara holder with another season of Hayate no Gotoku!, Katsura Hinagiku proves herself to be a great obstacle for all of the other six characters to overcome. Kotobuki Tsumugi is not a strong character among all her K-ON! friends, but she is determined to follow them to the Regular Season again this year and support them. As she steps onto the stage of this Stella match, this becomes another challenge for her. While Code Geass has long since finished, C.C. still hold on to her strength and has managed to carry through the Preliminaries in past years. But it is impossible to stop the power from faltering once an anime finishes, so can she do it again this year? Or will last year prove to be her final year? The former Diamond Necklace holder from 2009, Shinku, has long lost her former strength, but with another Rozen Maiden season coming up this year, can Shinku gather up the power she has left and hold on until then? After years of vanishing from people’s sight, Katagiri Yūhi returns this year thanks to a change of rules. With the extra support of Kugumiya Rie fans gathering in the same arena to support Shana, can she handle the Preliminary Phase after all her years of rest? Chobits has been finished for more than ten years, yet Chii chooses to return to the stage of ISML again. While she failed to advance into the Regular Season in the past few years, will she surprise all of us this time around?

Take one look at these seven girls and it might be difficult to find one significant similarity that they all share. From quiet to loud, childlike to mature, the variety that this group brings to the table is notable. Starting with Ibara Mayaka, she's your typical high schooler in terms of appearance. However, within her group of friends, she can be seen as a witty and slightly cynical girl with a tendency to use her sharp tongue. Then there's Kurokami Medaka, a girl who's arguably the definition of a superhuman. Excelling in essentially all aspects of life, being able to one-up the Student Council President of Hakoniwa Academy in anything will be an achievement worth noting, making her a force to be reckoned with. Next up, we have Haqua du Lot Herminium, a top student and valedictorian during her studies in Hell. With a competitive nature, and a bit of pride, Haqua seeks to be the best in all she does, no matter the task. Following her is Takanashi Rikka, self-proclaimed wielder of the Tyrant's Eye and seeker of the Unseen Horizon. While many view her as a victim of the so-called "Eighth Grade Syndrome, for the energetic Rikka, a world extending beyond reality is where she can enjoy life the most. Taking uniqueness to another level, Kanoe Yūko represents the lone ghost of the group. But aside from this, and the fact that she's seeking the answer to her mysterious death, Yūko looks and acts like any other high school girl would. Moving from tall to short brings us to Miniwa Tsumiki, the lovable tsundere who resembles a cute kitten in more ways than one. As she continues struggling with her feelings of love, not wanting to admit them, Tsumiki has unintentionally warmed the hearts of many satisfied fans. Last but not least is the hyperactive Araragi Karen, the older of the two Fire Sisters. A tomboy in both appearance and personality, Karen's superior athleticism puts her far above many girls her age. As these seven various elements prepare to collide, one can only anticipate the reaction. In the end, which contestant will rise above the rest?

They have all had their first taste of action in ISML 2013. Some came out of the gates swinging, while others look to rebound from a shaky start. With the Preliminary Period entering its third day, surprises have become quite the norm; many question marks surround some contestants, and nothing is set in stone just yet. After a dominant performance in which she surpassed the expectations of many, Nibutani Shinka looks to carry her momentum into today's battle. With her fellow cast members posting decent performances as well, Shinka would like nothing more than to surpass them by displaying her strength here. On the other end of the scale is Kanoe Yūko, who placed sixth in her Day 2 match. However, it can be argued that she got the short end of the stick by being placed in a tough group, so it'll be interesting to see how she manages to fare this time around. With a third place finish in her group, Misaki Mei appears to be a mid-tier contender in the Nova Division. Whether she falls under, meets, or exceeds this expectation will be up to her; a convincing performance here will undoubtedly improve her chances of making it to the Regular Season. Even with the recent Nekomonogatari as a boost, Hanekawa Tsubasa failed to impress in her first match-up of the year. Then again, with a fresh set of faces before her and an opportunity to prove critics wrong, Tsubasa will surely pounce at the chance. As yet another member of the Little Busters! cast, Kurugaya Yuiko looks to make a name for herself and her series by obtaining a win here today. Putting a mediocre start behind her, Yuiko looks forward, preparing for the battle ahead. Finally, as the sole returnee from ISML 2013 in this group, Yuzuriha Inori's out to prove that she can still hang with the new kids on the block. A second-place result in Day 1 was a great confidence-booster, which Inori looks to bring into today's showdown. With the chance to impress skeptics hanging in the balance, which one of these six girls will prove her worth today?

Nova, a bright new light in the starry sky, a light that sees the beginning of a girl who in that very episode took the hearts of her newborn fans for the first time. Those lights could grow or dim, rise or fall, put their potential to the end or see their dreams and hopes shatter into the abyss. Those lights have many faces. You have strong lights that get far and are able to make their stand easily, but when it really matters, they falter and fall back. You have lights that look weak at first, as if they are just candles in a heavy storm, but even after enduring fierce blows, they flare up again to try and take their next chance and burn their names into the hearts of those watching. And sometimes, but only sometimes, a prodigy appears: a light that will reach higher than anyone else, a light that will outshine all others, a girl that will overshadow everybody. Wherever girls are, those lights will appear, after following them through highs and lows. And so they did today: six lights, six girls. Girls who have seen darkness and fear, who have felt love but couldn't express it and could lose their flame of life and joy by just one breeze. But as a famous man once said: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” These girls will have to seek and awaken their inner lights in order to write their legends. Nova, bright new light in the starry sky, how will you enlighten us today?

Today's match features some interesting characters, including two former ISML champions. Akiyama Mio had two pleasant years since her crowning in 2010, grabbing a necklace and a top 5 spot last year. The K-ON! movie was well received and brought a noticeable performance boost to both Mio and her friends of the Light Music Club. Fate Testarossa, queen in the very first year of ISML, on the other hand, has had less great years since that one decisive victory over Nagato Yuki, as she didn't even manage to pass the Preliminaries last year and totally missed out on the tournament. Though, with the arrival of some strong faces in Stella, how will these queens of old fare in the arena this year? Last year, Nova dominated the tournament by grabbing necklaces and winning the tiara. Now that Nova's stalwarts all have entered the Stella division, what will happen to those characters who have been running in ISML for a much longer time? Here we look at Suigintō, a mysterious doll who, together with some others from her anime, once enjoyed great popularity, but that notoriety hasn't shimmered lately. With a new season of Rozen Maiden incoming, she may get some new fans and thus more votes in ISML. Kawashima Ami has another problem: standing in the shadow of Aisaka Taiga, she only managed to get into ISML once, in the debut year of her show. As this is something that happens a lot with side characters, Ami can only hope Toradora! fans can reunite and push their beloved girls into the big show once again. We also have two new faces for Stella in this group: Victorique de Blois and Iwasawa Masami. Victorique, a strong-willed girl who has had two good runs in ISML with some surprising performances and upsets, now has the opportunity to get a taste of the Stella division, and she absolutely does not want to miss it! Iwasawa Masami, together with her Angel Beats! friends, joins a division, trembling because of the current champion's arrival. Masami did not do very well in Nova last year, so as she may have lost some power; getting into the tournament this year will be even harder for her. These experienced girls are ready to fight once more, to fight for their much-desired Regular Season ticket, but they'll need their fans to back them up. Who will you support today?

Each of these girls represents a virtue of the world. They all exuded these qualities and more as they worked through hardships, discovered truths, and learned to keep going for the rest of their lives. Kōzuki Kallen's passion is a known truth for many. With her subpar performance in the nomination period, she came back swinging and managed to pull out a surprising place performance which few had seen coming. Her ability to bounce back is definitely one of her most admiring features, and shows all the hard work she went through when helping out her colleagues. With a second place finish under her belt last round, Tōsaka Rin is a strong contender many contestants fear for her prized loyalty. Not once has she ever betrayed an ally, and even though her friend Sakura was defeated last round, she has vowed to continue on in her name. The ability to confess one's love can take a lot of courage; the courage to do it twice, to two different people, is beyond amazing. Aisaka Taiga's courage has reached the hearts of many, as is evident with her pronounced first place finish last round. Her hope is to continue to have the courage to persevere and prove that she has what it takes to make her dreams happen. A childlike innocence is what makes the world go round, and Last Order is second to none when it comes to that. Her innocence has captured many hearts and is the driving point for many of her actions in life. Her very close fourth place finish was a bit disappointing for her, so she plans to be bigger and better than ever to assure she has the ability to protect herself and everyone she holds close. Ryūgū Rena's enthusiasm throughout everything she’s done is what makes her a star. Last round, she was on the verge of elimination with sixth place, but she assured herself that she had what it took to pull through to the end. Her enthusiasm will light up the room and convince everyone she deserves to be here. With a respectable third place finish, Izumi Konata is definitely here to stay. Her curiosity knows no bounds, and she never knows when enough is enough. She knows never to give up on her dreams and never to underestimate the desire for knowledge, and she knows everyone out there knows it too. It could go either way, but we’ll only know when the clock strikes midnight. Who will make it through this fight for survival, and who will be left behind?

Socializing and finding people you can get along with isn't always as easy as it seems—just ask these six girls here today. Although they each went through different experiences, their stories are quite similar at the core. Often viewed as an oddball who's surprisingly cunning, Watashi harbours a more noticeable degree of human survival instinct, as she tends to prioritize her own well being over others. As a result, her interaction with fellow peers is on a mostly shallow level, but at the same time, her excellent observation skills cannot be denied. With an unyielding sharp tongue as her main weapon of choice, Mikazuki Yozora gives off the impression of anything but a good friend. However, despite her rude nature and sadistic tendencies, her creation of the Neighbour's Club has had an unimaginably positive social impact on the lives of a few lonely individuals. While her issues did not involve friends, but family instead, particularly her younger sister, Takanashi Tōka still went through the same processes of learning to deal with her situation. Fortunately, in the end, with the help of a few key individuals, she was able to mend the brokenness in the Takanashi family. After an unfortunate accident and subsequent disappearance caused Tōwa Erio to suffer from amnesia, her attempt to integrate herself back into society seemed all but impossible. However, she soon learned that all it takes is one kind individual, and over time, socializing no longer becomes difficult. With the reputation of a cold-blooded killer following her, it's no surprise that Gasai Yuno struggles to make friends. But underneath all this evil intent lies the desire to protect a loved one—an arguably positive quality that many don't notice. So as these contestants prepare to square off against one another, whose experiences will provide them what it takes to win it all?

It doesn't always take a loud voice or a prominent physique to capture the attention of others. Sometimes, even the quietest or smallest of individuals can make a big impact to those around them. Seemingly a strong believer of the saying, "Actions speak louder than words", Gasai Yuno's passionate, yet obsessive, nature is undeniably frightening. Driven by her "love", which she chooses to display through her actions rather than words, Yuno will stop at nothing—including resorting to the use of brute force—in order to protect her love interest. As a passive girl who doesn't mind being alone, the words that come out of Misaki Mei's mouth are few and far in between. Nonetheless, despite being almost non-existent to those around her, it is actually her presence that keeps her class from mentally falling apart. Having painted for almost her entire life, Shiina Mashiro is what you'd call a genius artist—one whose creations can leave bystanders staring in awe. However, although her artistic skills are far greater than those of her peers, the fact that she is unable to truly express her feelings in words is the only thing limiting her from excelling even further. Possessing a stoic look at all times, Tōjō Koneko is indeed a hard one to read. But under this emotionless and silent persona of hers lies a caring individual who'll risk her life for the sake of her friends. Despite having passed away for several years, Honma Meiko still managed to be the link that brought together her five childhood friends from back when she was alive. Even as a ghost, the energetic Menma's influence on the group is by no means insignificant. And so, it's clear that one should not judge a book by its cover. When this match is all said and done, which of these five girls will emerge victorious?

Another year, another chance at ISML glory. In this match to determine seeding, all six of these veterans look to continue their hot start to the year. With this being her sixth ISML campaign, Shana aims yet again for the ever elusive Heavenly Tiara. However, with no new material to aid her quest, the question now is whether this is her final chance at the big prize. After a dominant 2012 in which she finished in third overall, Gokō Ruri seeks to further climb the standings, with her sights set on the Tiara. But with the Stella elite now standing in her path, Kuroneko will need to become stronger than ever if she plans to contend for the championship. In what may possibly be the first time in ISML history where there is a repeat champion, Misaka Mikoto's chances of winning it all this year are actually quite decent, especially with the Railgun sequel premiering this spring. That said, the Electromaster will need to overcome many new and proven challengers in order to achieve this previously unimaginable goal. After having bounced back from a mediocre 2011 by winning a necklace and finishing 5th in 2012, Akiyama Mio, the 2010 Heavenly Tiara winner, looks to carry that momentum into 2013. However, it will be interesting to see whether a lack of recent material will have any effect on her current strength. As one of the three characters that have qualified for the Regular Season, Nakamura Yuri has a lot to prove this season. After having finished 2012 in 11th and under both her fellow cast members, this is the time for the leader of the SSS to show everyone what she's truly made of. Like Shana, Suzumiya Haruhi is also entering her sixth ISML campaign. While she has consistently placed in the middle of the Top 16 each year, with all the fresh faces coming into Stella, the leader of the SOS might just need to work that much harder this year to maintain her level of success. And so, as this group of potential Heavenly TIara candidates clash, which contestant will enter the Regular Season on a high note?

Bright and brimming with energy, these four lively contestants continue in their pursuit of a Regular Season spot in the Nova Division this year. While each girl is arguably the life of her peer group, it'll be interesting to see what happens once these reactive elements collide. Trained in martial arts and possessing remarkable athletic ability, Araragi Karen is not someone you want to mess with, as her older brother can attest to. Those who get on her wrong side are undoubtedly in for a world of pain. With her active imagination fueling her daily activities, Dekomori Sanae continues to live the life of an innocent middle-schooler afflicted with Eighth Grade Syndrome. Regardless, she sees herself as a formidable foe in her own world, bringing with her some much-needed confidence to this battle. Although she's a bit of a klutz, Elucia de Lute Ima's continued hard work and dedication are what have enabled her to stand here today. As shown through her various runaway spirit hunts, luck always seem to be on Elsie's side, even if that might not look like the case. Coming from a wealthy and privileged family, Kashiwazaki Sena has more or less lived a luxurious life. But now, with three competent opponents standing before her, status and financial power are rendered insignificant, as she will need to win this battle using her own beauty and charm. So as Phase I of the Preliminary Period enters its seventh day of action, which of these contestants will manage to grab the win here?

Love and friendship don't have to be expressed verbally. Actions might be enough to convey one's feelings, and are at times more effective than words. Even though she is socially awkward, Tōwa Erio is far from being an abnormal human being. Whether it's because she has trouble saying what's on her mind or because she doesn't know what to say, the fact of the matter is that through her actions she is able to show that she cares for her cousin and wishes to spend time together with him. Not asking for anything in return, Tōjō Koneko is an example of someone who's arguably loyal to a fault. No matter the situation, she ceaselessly does her best to look out for her comrades from the shadows. As a soft-spoken but assertive girl, Kirishima Shōko's borderline-possessive behaviour can still be considered an action-oriented way of expressing her feelings. Although it might not look like so to an outsider, Shōko herself believes this is what it means to show her love. Plagued by a tragic past, Akemi Homura's silent and cold nature is in part due to her desire to protect her unsuspecting friends from the dangers of the world. While she might seem emotionless on the surface, deep down in her heart, she's far from it. As the stillness on this battlefield gives off an eerie feeling, which of these four contestants will be able to swiftly and silently steal the victory here today?

It's desperation time. This is the last chance for each of these girls to move forward and make history—but who has the skills to advance? Maybe it'll be Anya, the underdog who's had trouble the entire tournament, but managed to scrape through elimination. Can she overcome her demons and make it out? How about Ami, the bombshell of the tournament? She's done well through the entirety of the preliminaries, but will her skills be enough to push through to the next round? Tomoyo is certainly a fiery one. She hasn't missed a Regular Season ever; can she continue her streak? She is the favorite to win in this matchup, but will she choke just before the finish line? Lastly, there's Sakura, a well-rounded performer who's managed to stay under the radar most of the tournament. Will she be able to shine when the time is right, or will she miss her shot for glory? Stay posted and vote for your favorites to see who can make it through this last round of preliminary chaos.

With three of her comrades having safely entered the Regular Season in Phase 1, Silica is left alone on the stage. While she managed to come second in all four rounds during the first phase, the departure of her comrades also meant the departure of many Sword Art Online fans. Can Keiko prove herself to be a contestant with real strength, instead of relying on the popularity of her series? The airing of Nekomonogatari did not seem to help Hanekawa Tsubasa at all, as she struggled through Preliminary Phase 1 just like last year, and was even eliminated in Round 3 while the rest of her friends survived until the last round. But the end has not yet come; with the new phase to start over and a new rule of one vote each arena, this is another chance for Tsubasa to change her fate and keep up with the other Monogatari contestants. After narrowly taking the last entry spot in the Nomination Period, Erica Blandelli was soon eliminated in Round 1 with the lowest VF. But a seeding round proved her to be stronger than some of the other contestants eliminated in the later rounds. With the fiercer contestants already having gone to get ready for the Regular Season, will Erica bounce back from her weak performance?

Imagine the despair of watching your enemy grow stronger as you grow stronger; imagine seeing your attempts to solve a problem make the problem worse. This was the dilemma faced by these two very different magic users. Both transcended the bonds of time to help the person they loved, realizing only too late that they were the ones fueling the pain their loved one experienced. Yet the reflections of their determination, like their physical appearances, are almost the very antitheses of one another: Homura's dark hair and eyes echoing her cool, aloof demeanour, and Hakaze's flaming colors, her passionate outbursts. Where Homura nobly sacrifices everything that is hers to save that one person, Hakaze, in a carefree manner, and somewhat selfishly, does anything she likes for her special one. Whether you embrace calm and Homura's technological prowess, or Hakaze's torrential outpour of seemingly uninhibited supernatural ardor, may decide the vote. May your vote cleanse their soul gems and give them the strength to persevere through the seemingly Sisyphean task of overcoming their ever-growing challenge.

These two long and dark-haired girls who hunt harmful supernatural beings can both be seen shining their own lights, each attracting their own crowds of fans. Elsie gives off cute and fluffy sparkles like the innocent kids in old-fashioned family comedies. In contrast, Homura allures us with the dark intense glow seen in main characters from a Shakespearean tragedy. This may be due to the fact that cheerful Elsie is one of many agents who is given the task of preventing problems that are not always immediate, letting her keep her innocent bubbly manner, while stern Homura is the only one who knows and can prevent the imminent danger not just to the person she holds most dear, but to humankind, and repeated failures have made her determination border upon despair. The contrast in their personalities shows in the warm colors and curvy features of Elsie's outfits, and in the cool, sleek, straight, and sharp lines on Homura's clothes. Most of us probably would have been warmed by Elsie's heart at some times, yet be enthralled with Homura's titanic struggle during other times. For this match, do you wish to embrace Elsie's fluffiness or Homura's epic nature?