It has been a tough year for the Araragi sisters. Yet the will to win still burns deep within the Fire Sisters as they face off, each aiming to score that first victory over the other. On one side stands the indestructible phoenix Tsukihi, the younger sister. Tsukihi is the more feminine of the two, yet what she lacks in drive and raw ability she makes up for with a fiery hot temper that causes some to call her hysterical. While she has less of a sense of justice than Karen and tends to prefer indoor activities to the outdoor doings of her sister, Tsukihi nevertheless accompanies Karen on her missions of justice. On the other side stands the fire hornet Karen, an athletic tomboy in many respects. Driven by a strong sense of justice, Karen is a skilled martial artist who looks to solve the problems of others, often through violence. Yet despite her hotheaded tendencies and constant troublemaking, Karen has a hidden cute side that shows when she steals one of her sister’s skirts to impress Koyomi. So the question is posed, which Araragi imōto will come out on top with her first victory?

A new period brings us new and exciting matchups. First we have Shiina Mashiro, the top performing Nova girl, against the struggling Chitanda Eru. Shiina Mashiro’s lack of emotions has proven to draw the concerns of many people, who tried their best in helping her change and acquire the necessary skills to function in daily life. Though at times it may seem hard, Mashiro never gives up and continues to strive to better herself. She’s dedicated to the things that interest her and her perseverance is what earns her the respect she has. Chitanda Eru, however, was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Despite that, she isn’t afraid to experience hardship as she has shown that she is no spoilt child and is capable of handling many things on her own. She also has the determination to pursue things that satisfy her curiosity. Though often causing trouble for her friends, they too have never once left her and always join her in her quest to gain new knowledge. With both of them possessing such strong wills, who will succeed?

As heirs to the Three Great Mage households, Tōsaka Rin and Illyasviel von Einzbern were tasked to uphold their families’ names in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Circumstances from the previous wars robbed both these powerful magicians from the warmth of their own families. As the new head of the Tōsaka family, twin-tailed Rin sports the outlook of a model student: pretty, and excellent in academics as well as sports. Yet she exudes a rather mysterious aura around her, which deters people from approaching her. While she might seem aloof, underneath the whole façade are a reliable soul and an utterly trustworthy ally. Illya, on the other hand, lives a secluded life with her two maids who cater to her needs. The pale skinned, silver-haired magus may look benevolent and cute, but there is more to her than what meets the eye. With a magical aptitude as immense as a noble phantasm, woe betides those who dare cross paths against her. Will the Archer-supported Rin navigate her way to victory, or will Illya, with the help of Berserker’s brute strength, overwhelm her opponent instead?

The exciting matchups once again pit two girls who have been stellar in their performances against one another. In this match we have the battle of the famous “Palmtop Tiger”, Aisaka Taiga, and “Tokiwadai's Ace, The Railgun”, Misaka Mikoto. Both girls have such short tempers that they blow up on every little thing that annoys them. This attitude has brought them far, gaining them recognition as short tempers that no one wants to test. Aisaka Taiga may have a small build, but she’s not one to be trifled with. Ever since her neglected childhood, she has become easily upset; however, she has a strong tendency towards righteousness and always strives to maintain it. She also cherishes her loved ones, of whom she has come to understand their importance. Misaka Mikoto is also another who has a strong tendency towards righteousness, as she struggles to maintain it by helping the police force. But like many other girls, she has a soft spot for cute things. Her insecurity stems from a manipulated past and the atrocities that came from one ignorant decision. Which of these two girls will win this battle in the name of justice?

The first round of the Ruby Period pits a lot of same-series characters against each other. One of the highlights is the matchup between Nakano Azusa and Akiyama Mio. These two maidens are part of the five-girl Hōkago Tea Time band. As the guitarist, Azusa is able to bedazzle her audience with her powerful guitar riffs. She even manages to startle her band mates during her ‘audition’. Even though she is the youngest, she wants to practice as hard as she can, and is usually displeased with the lack of rehearsal her band undergoes. Left-handed Mio, on the other hand, is both bassist and vocalist for the ensemble. Providing perfect underlying support to supplement the two guitarists, she also enchants the crowd her with soothing voice. Her ability to compose their songs from scratch also makes the band members look up to her. As the group performs to appease their fans, will the energetic guitar picks from Azusa draw more cheers, or will the underlying bass play from Mio woo more of them instead?

Would you sympathise with a girl who lost her memories or with one who lacks the skills to function in her daily life? What we have here is Tōwa Erio and Shiina Mashiro. Erio seemingly lost most of her memories when she went missing, and withdrew from society as she was unable to cope with the stress. Due to her personality, she was unable to make any friends to the extent that she even asked her own mother to ignore her existence. After encountering her cousin, she has been trying hard to experience what normal life is all about. Mashiro was trained from a young age due to her talent, and had no idea how to take care of herself. But she is willing to learn and her friends never once give up no matter how many times they fail. She also puts her best into everything she does; from her passion in drawing to learning how to deal with daily matters, she has shown a perseverance that not many possess. With both of them trying hard for the people they love, who will succeed in this battle of determination?

Cursed is what they are; burdens are what they bear. Their past is dark; no one can truly understand what goes on in their minds. Their hearts weigh tons, yet are as fragile as glass. What was life like when she was a vampire? What are the accursed things that she has done to man? While she may not remember who or what she is, it could be that she chose to forget them in order to start a new life of her own, even if she must listen through hours of boring stories from her caretaker. How many times has she gone back in time to save someone that she cares about? How many times has she put herself in harm’s way so that the one she cares about is spared from troubles and torment? No matter how many times she has failed, she continues to stand up, for one day is all she needs to set things straight and face herself. They venture alone in the darkness, waiting for the light to grant them the truth. Which one will be saved from her plight?

When it comes to love, Kirishima Shōko probably has a lot more than she can withhold and a lot more to give away. Her dedication to be with her lover knows no bounds; she will use whatever method she deems appropriate to have him fall head-over-heels for her. While her feelings may not be well reciprocated, she will never give up on having his hand in marriage. In contrast, Kanzaki H. Aria treats such feelings as a partnership. Aria has been looking everywhere for a suitable partner that can match her in ability. Although her family turns these partnerships into close relationships, Aria cannot accept it because she does not feel she has the right to love someone that way. Although both characters treat love in different ways, it is their pursuit for it that makes them similar. Who will have her wishes come true?

Being bound by heavy responsibilities is never easy. Honma Meiko went through so much hardship just to fulfill the promise she made. Her cheerful nature when she’s with her friends carefully hides the negative emotions, which sometimes leak out by accident. A simplistic girl, she had just one simple wish for her friends and never bore any grudges against them. Often trying to resolve their conflicts with a smile on her face, she buckled under pressure when things didn’t go well being the sole mediator carrying that heavy responsibility of keeping them together. For Roromiya Karuta, being a secret service agent means she has the responsibility of keeping her master safe. She’s always ready to render her help to someone who needs it. A simplistic girl, too, she doesn’t mind being subjected to weird situations by her master as long as she receives the things that she loves—food. She also values her friends as she had a hard time trying to make connections due to her personality, and she doesn’t mind sacrificing herself so long as her friends are saved. In this arena, to whom will your sympathy go?

No one ever said life was going to be sunshine and rainbows. Not knowing how long she lived or how she even came to be, C.C. wanders aimlessly waiting for her wish to come true. Finding the right person may be harder than it sounds, as everyone seems to be out to get her for the special power she harbors. Yet C.C. is determined to find the missing memories that she has been searching for. If it meant signing a contract with the devil himself, C.C. is willing to do just that. Abandoned by her father and having no mother, Illyasviel von Einzbern lived her life in solitude under the guidance of her family. Training rigorously in the mage arts from a young age, Illyasviel had forgotten what it means to be a young girl having fun and enjoying her life at her age. Yet what burns in her mind is revenge against the one who left her alone for so long, one who used to be her knight, her hero. A pat on the shoulder was all these two girls ever needed, but who is able to turn that sense of gratitude into the strength to push forward from her painful life?

Both girls, Yūki Mikan and Chitanda Eru, are almost equally skilled in housework. Their passions for the things they love know no bounds. Mikan has tended the household since a young age. Even though she is the youngest in the family, she never holds grudges against her lazy brother and instead takes pride in the housework that she does. And despite being busy at home with all the chores, she still manages to get good grades. She has a maturity that is pretty unique as she acts like a wife even though she is just a younger sister. Chitanda Eru was born with a silver spoon in her mouth yet she was never once spoilt. Instead, she’s sensible and emotive. She also has a positive demeanor, as she harbors no negative emotions. Like Mikan, Chitanda is also good at household chores and is even talented in creating all sorts of dishes made with rice. You cannot take your eyes off her though as, contrary to her behavior, she can be stubborn and compulsively nosey when something triggers her curiosity. Of the two girls, who will be favored?

How is it that these two beautiful girls are unable to find love? For Nyarlathotep, also known as Nyaruko, it was love at first sight that made her travel all the way to Earth to act as the boy's bodyguard. Hyperactive and happy-go-lucky, Nyaruko is not afraid of showing her affection and is very blunt when it comes to her feelings. Yet it is during those serious moments where she realizes maybe her forward approach is not the correct solution to winning his heart. For Momo Belia Deviluke, as much as she wants attention from her love interest, she realizes that there are many other girls who also feel the same way as she. Therefore, she conjures up a plan that will allow all the girls to equally fall in love in him. Of course, it does not hurt it Momo can potentially be the true person whom her admirer is interested in. Which of the two girls will be rewarded for her passionate love?

Both girls find it hard to make friends. While Misaki Mei may have it worse, Shirakiin Ririchiyo is not much better. Due to her family name, Shirakiin Ririchiyo was shunned by others. To make things worse, her outward haughtiness and sharp tongue often keep people far away from her. Those who know her, however, know that this is her way of preventing herself from being hurt. Ririchiyo often comes off as being proud, as not only is she good at her studies, but she also criticizes others and carries an air of arrogance around her. Misaki Mei, on the other hand, was shunned by others due to a misunderstanding and developed a solitary personality as a result. Despite all the grudges that she had received from her classmates, she never once ignored their pleas for help. In contrast to her usual taciturn behavior, she, like many other girls, has a childish side that is only revealed to those that are close to her. Between these two girls, whom will you choose to befriend and whom will you choose to ignore?

These two people were created with the intention of following the orders of their masters without a second thought. Known for her golden hair and attire, just hearing the name “Konjiki no Yami” would make anyone freeze. Yami has been known to successfully carry out assassination missions with positive results. Once she sets her sights on her target, there is no escape for them. Nymph had always obeyed every command that her master asked her to do. It did not matter what the job was; as long as she was able to please her master, she would do anything. The last thing on her mind was being considered useless by her peers and her master. What some people do not seem to realize is that these girls have hearts. They have feelings that they wish to express, but are unable to do so due to the nature of their work. Can anyone remove either of the shackles that binds them to the rules of their masters?

Hey, tell me a little bit about yourself. What exactly do you carry behind your eye patch? Behind my eye patch is a curse, an ability to see how long until a person dies. I wish I never had it. Because of it, I prematurely saw the death of someone dear to me, something that I did not want to believe. Because of my status in class, I feel as though nothing that I say will change their minds on how they perceive me, even if I may be the only one who can logically help them solve this mystery. Behind my eye patch lays a wish, a small glimmer of hope that I wish will be fulfilled. I ventured into the alternative world, reaching for the Ethereal Horizon, a world where I could truly be myself. Without this power, I would forever struggle for a past that I would never accept, a time I wish I could revert back to. I see that our eye patches represent the struggles that we face throughout our lives; however, we cannot hide behind them any longer. I am willing to take it off and face reality as it is. Can you?

What is it like to descend to a place in Hell that is your Heaven? Today, we have two girls who enter what others condemn as hell—the way to heaven for their hearts. We also have a girl who chose to remain in heaven even though she may have had to endure hellish heartache, and another girl who flirted with hell for her heavenly pleasure. Incest is a taboo that has been the subject of myth and literature since ancient days. It has also been reasoned that the taboo grew out of an increased chance of deformity and mental illness associated with inbreeding. Yet according to gene-centered evolution theory and genetic sexual attraction, desire for incest may naturally rise in the absence of the Westermarck effect due to siblings not having spent adequate time together in their first few years. It can be argued that three of the girls here did not develop reverse sexual imprinting with their brothers due to problems in their childhood. No matter what the cause is, should we condemn the left group and praise the right group according to societal norms about incest, or should we support the left and chide the right for how they took the situation seriously and remained true to their heart? Shall we view them with compassion, or reprimand them for their immorality? Is it the moral thing to do to put great value upon a person’s state of mind and heart, or is morality merely following written rules? These girls challenge us with many questions that can be answered in very different ways by different people, and it is hard to imagine how someone can live burdened by so many serious questions. Thus, we should praise all the girls here for having the courage to stay alive, facing the consequences of their actions.

This round of Ruby brings us yet another exciting match between tsundere. Aisaka Taiga and Victorique de Blois both possess sharp tongues that no one dares to challenge. Due to horrible negligence in their past, they have since developed attitudes that protect them from further harm and strong tendencies towards righteousness. While Taiga and Victorique have no prior knowledge of love and affection, Taiga was never alone and spent her time with her good friend from whom she learned many valuable experiences in life. Victorique fared much worse because she was shunned by others, and that past experience led her to develop a nihilistic attitude. She is brilliant, though, as she can solve mysteries within seconds. Through their partners, they have since grasped the emotions they once thought they would never get to experience and slowly learned how to cherish the people by their sides. With these two seeking to change for the better for the sake of their loved ones, whose effort will be recognized by the audience?

Are they two sides of a coin in knowing who their best friend actually is, or are they just polar opposites in the larger spectrum? They may share a common best friend and her brother that they are affectionate with, but these two girls cannot be any more different from each other. Aragaki Ayase is a model who cares about her friend's image, but can care less what happens to her brother. To Ayase, her friend is a nice and kind girl, admired by everyone in the school due to her grades and athleticism. Ruri sees her friend not only as a rival in terms of what is considered good animation, but also in terms of obtaining the love of her brother. Ruri knows the truth behind most of her friend's actions and believes they are her greatest ally when it comes to what is inside her, something she believes that Ayase will not accept. Clearly, this matter cannot be settled with words alone. They transform, prepare their weapons, and fight...

The sky roars with thunder; the earth boils with flames. Two girls stand on top of large pillars, carefully calculating their next moves. For one, her love and passion knows no bounds. She awaits the day when she can walk side by side with him, the one who ultimately changed her ways of viewing life and the world as a whole. Until that time, she will train so that she will have the power to get him back to her side, to a time when she was truly blessed by him. For the other, there is something that she has to protect. Alone for most of her time, it was only recently that she gained an admirer and two others who would later become her best friends. To protect her bonds, she will go through hell if it means saving them and bringing justice among the evildoers. What burns in their hearts? Is it love, justice, or an inextinguishable score that they have to settle? A coin is flipped in the air; a blade is embedded with fire. The battle between the Flame Haze and Tokiwadai's Railgun commences!

Friends—who needs them? Apparently, these two think they don't. The concept of friendship was shattered during Mikazuki Yozora's childhood. Because of it, Yozora was unable to trust in human connections, believing that they would only last for so long until they eventually ran away from you. Wishing to rekindle a severed relationship from long ago, Yozora goes on with her life unable to seek the redemption that she long for, a promise that may never be fulfilled. There are two kinds of people in Kashiwazaki Sena's world: those that love and follow her and the rest that she considers useless or not in her league. To her, people were meant to serve her, and to those that do not, she turns a blind eye. And even though they treat her like an angel, Sena cannot see them as friends, doubting that they can see the real her. Will either of these two lonely girls ever find true friends?

Both of them were once devoid of emotions. Through observing how people react, they have since grasped some of the fundamental emotions that were once alien to them. Today we bring you two girls who did not have such wonderful lives in the past. Yui was an A.I. created to monitor the mental wellness of the people in Aincrad. Through them, she has learned many emotions—though most of them are negative. Once she spotted someone with an emotion that was different, she wanted to know how it felt, and hence followed her “adoptive parents” around. The same can be said about Yuzuriha Inori, who was created to contain the mind of Mana. Though she is just a vessel to hold the dangerous mind, she has no emotions and the first that she experienced were negative ones. She, too, desires the other positive emotions that surrounded her when she was with her newfound friend turned lover. Through their partners, these girls have learned many important aspects of life such as loyalty and will stop at nothing to protect their loved ones—even if it means giving up their lives. Who will your admiration go to?

Welcome to this matchup in the final round of Ruby Period. Today we have powerhouses Shiina Mashiro and Hasegawa Kobato, who will be facing one another in an attempt to grab the elusive necklace, which has evaded them since Aquamarine Period. Kobato and Mashiro both stand undefeated in this period’s ranking, but Kobato has much to fear about Mashiro as she is one of only two in the Nova division who is truly undefeated in this tournament. Kobato, being this close to grabbing another chance to compete for the necklace, knows she has to win this at all costs. She'll need to pull out all of her tricks, including revealing her "true identity" as Reisys VI Felicity Sumeragi, in order to try overpowering Mashiro. Of course Mashiro won’t let this slide either as she has not once, but twice come close to claiming a necklace for her own. Since the chance is right in front of her once more, Mashiro knows it’ll be all up to her strength to again win the right to compete for it. The time has come once again for you to decide who will earn the right to fight for that one necklace they truly desire.

Both contestants stand undefeated in the period division. Presenting to you Eucliwood Hellscythe and Gokō Ruri, who have shown to the world they are not to be trifled with. Eucliwood’s performance so far speaks for the strength she possesses as she has only lost one match so far in the regular season. Her past performance was no fluke as she mercilessly tore away all enemies that faced her, only falling to one, who possessed comparable strength to her. Today she meets Ruri, who not only has claimed a necklace, but also threatens her right to fight for it. She knows that she’ll have to give her all to prevent the same downfall that happened to her in Aquamarine. Ruri also knows she can’t slip, as she’s still chasing after Kanade for that Tiara – the symbol of the ultimate victor in the tournament. For that she’ll have to dash Eucliwood’s chances, and she knows that if she slips, she will have a hard time trying to catch up to her, let alone challenge her for the right to fight for the Tiara. The battle has come to a showdown now as each girl fights for their rights. Who will falter first?

As the setting sun blankets the arena in deepest ruby, seven heroines reach out to embrace the emblem of the fire within: the Ruby Necklace. Backed by the determination and strength that allowed her to persevere through the games she was trapped in, Yūki Asuna's sacrificial love for others epitomizes the spirit of Ruby's passion. Though her lightning-quick wits and rapier protect the winning streak she's finally managed to attain this period, defending Necklace-holder Misaka Mikoto has other plans. The two-time Ruby veteran is all too familiar with the fire her challengers are playing with, and armed with her keen sense of justice, the hot-tempered tsundere is more than ready for the showdown that will bring her collection up to Lv5. Hot on her tail is Aisaka Taiga. The Palmtop Tiger's fire burns inside and out, her neglected childhood forging the fiery barrier that rarely betrays her hidden sweetness—a sweetness mirrored by the final Stella challenger: Akiyama Mio. Mature, calm, and collected, Mio's extreme shyness and stage fright prompted her choice of the less conspicuous bass guitar. An instrument typically relegated to the shadows, still nothing can compare to her devotion for her club and passion for music. Not to be outdone, Takanashi Rikka's creative enthusiasm and vivid imagination presents her the power of darkness tamed by a pure heart, her “Tyrant's Eye”; and she's accompanied by two familiar faces from both past necklace rounds. Shiina Mashiro's eyes blaze, reflecting the light of the sun as only a true artist's soul can paint. Though quiet, and lacking the common sense most people take for granted, Mashiro's art displays the depth of her spirit, the beauty she sees in the world, and captivates all who behold her talent. Likewise, Kuroyukihime is admired by all those around her. Intelligent, patient, and kind, the Black Lotus rounds out this ensemble as she rises once again, seeking the treasure that glows as red as the ambition that drives her deepest desire. Rising to the fiercest climax yet, who shall receive the blessing of the sun?

To some eyes, many of these girls seem to not have a care in the world. To others, what makes them who they are is their determination to stick to their goals and see them through to the end. Nyarlathotep's hyperactivity and openness are all for the sake of love. To win his heart, she will do whatever it takes to push herself forward into his arms. Illyasviel von Einzbern's cold nature stems from yearning for the Holy Grail in order to fulfill her desires. All she ever wanted was to return to the time when she had a warm and loving family. C.C. wants nothing more than to see her master's dream come true. Although she may not be able to do anything on her own, with the help of a few companions, she may find the day where she can achieve true peace of mind. Momo Belia Deviluke is always thinking about various ways to turn normal events into the extraordinary. All of her actions are chances to increase the harem of the man that she loves. While Roromiya Karuta seems to be thinking about nothing but sweets, when it comes to her job, she will perform it properly. If anyone tries to get in her master's way or cause him harm, they face the wrath of Kurata's powers. Homna Meiko never gives up on her search to figure out why she is still here as a lingering spirit. As she looks for clues, she slowly tries to get her group back to that time when they were once the best of friends. Once Furukawa Nagisa sets her mind on something, she will not stop until her goal is accomplished. Even with a mysterious illness, she still finds the time to help people get through their doubts and troubles. Who among the seven of them can push forward and win this match?