ISML 2016 was the 10th edition of the International Saimoe League, an online animated character popularity contest. After 8 years, Shana has finally claimed ISML's ultimate prize by defeating Illya in the final. In the Male division, Sora edges out Hachiman Hikigaya in the final to win that year's Scepter.
This was the first year of the Reunification Era, a time period where the Nova and Stella divisions were merged into a single Female division. As a result, the number of participants in the Main Tournament increased to 120. The number of regular season periods was restored back to seven, and the gem order for the necklace / pendant awards was changed back to the original one.
As a result of overhauling the tournament format, ISML 2016 is home to several firsts: First contest to abolish the Preliminaries (meaning nominations decide who gets in the Main Tournament), and the first to award Direct Invites to Seasonal winners and runners-up (meaning they are automatically qualified and do not need to be nominated).
The contest is also unique in several ways: the regular season's format was decided by implementing a notoriously complex seeding algorithm for grouping its contestants, which means that a contestant cannot appear in all periods. This year is also the only one to implement a final group stage in the postseason.
Nomination
For more details, please see ISML 2016 Nomination
Direct Invites
| Winter Diadem | Spring Diadem | Summer Diadem | Fall Diadem | Winter Runner-up | Spring Runner-up | Summer Runner-up | Fall Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Megumi Katou | Isla | Nao Tomori | Mitsuki Nase | Japanese battleship Kongou | Iroha Isshiki | Umaru Doma | Sakurako Kujou |
| Saekano | Plastic Memories | Charlotte | Kyoukai no Kanata | Kantai Collection | Oregairu | Himouto! Umaru-chan | Sakurako-san |
Necklace / Pendant / Wildcard Rounds
Aquamarine
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victorique de Blois | Saitama |
| 2 | Iroha Isshiki | Akihito Kanbara |
| 3 | Mashiro Shiina | Rintarou Okabe |
| 4 | Kuroko Shirai | Korosensei |
| 5 | Yuudachi | Tomoya Okazaki |
| 6 | Rize Tedeza | Shidou Itsuka |
| 7 | Nadeko Sengoku | Iskandar |
| 8 | Maki Nishikino | Shizuo Heiwajima |
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mashiro Shiina | 1058 | 27.64% |
| 2 | Iroha Isshiki | 628 | 16.41% |
| 3 | Maki Nishikino | 485 | 12.67% |
| 4 | Kuroko Shirai | 402 | 10.50% |
| 5 | Victorique de Blois | 339 | 8.86% |
| 6 | Yuudachi | 337 | 8.80% |
| 7 | Rize Tedeza | 332 | 8.67% |
| 8 | Nadeko Sengoku | 247 | 6.45% |
Necklace Winner: Mashiro Shiina
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korosensei | 728 | 19.35% |
| 2 | Saitama | 597 | 15.87% |
| 3 | Rintarou Okabe | 586 | 15.58% |
| 4 | Shidou Itsuka | 503 | 13.37% |
| 5 | Tomoya Okazaki | 495 | 13.16% |
| 6 | Iskandar | 329 | 8.75% |
| 7 | Shizuo Heiwajima | 314 | 8.35% |
| 8 | Akihito Kanbara | 210 | 5.58% |
Pendant Winner: Korosensei
Topaz
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nao Tomori | Yato |
| 2 | Kurumi Tokisaki | Nagisa Shiota |
| 3 | Kurisu Makise | Ryuuji Takasu |
| 4 | Azusa Nakano | Seiya Kanie |
| 5 | Jibril | Hachiman Hikigaya |
| 6 | Asuna Yuuki | Izayoi Sakamaki |
| 7 | Rikka Takanashi | Yuuta Togashi |
| 8 | Shinobu Oshino | Edward Elric |
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nao Tomori | 675 | 17.26% |
| 2 | Kurumi Tokisaki | 656 | 16.78% |
| 3 | Asuna Yuuki | 622 | 15.91% |
| 4 | Kurisu Makise | 493 | 12.61% |
| 5 | Shinobu Oshino | 414 | 10.59% |
| 6 | Azusa Nakano | 383 | 9.80% |
| 7 | Rikka Takanashi | 375 | 9.59% |
| 8 | Jibril | 292 | 7.47% |
Necklace Winner: Nao Tomori
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hachiman Hikigaya | 1047 | 28.11% |
| 2 | Izayoi Sakamaki | 652 | 17.51% |
| 3 | Nagisa Shiota | 419 | 11.25% |
| 4 | Edward Elric | 409 | 10.98% |
| 5 | Yato | 345 | 9.26% |
| 6 | Ryuuji Takasu | 320 | 8.59% |
| 7 | Seiya Kanie | 281 | 7.55% |
| 8 | Yuuta Togashi | 251 | 6.74% |
Pendant Winner: Hachiman Hikigaya
Amethyst
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megumi Katou | Touma Kamijou |
| 2 | Shana | Yuu Otosaka |
| 3 | Rin Tosaka | Saika Totsuka |
| 4 | Chino Kafuu | Light Yagami |
| 5 | Shino Asada | Koyomi Araragi |
| 6 | Shiro | Yuzuru Otonashi |
| 7 | Kosaki Onodera | Keima Katsuragi |
| 8 | Illyasviel von Einzbern | Kiritsugu Emiya |
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shana | 1128 | 28.59% |
| 2 | Megumi Katou | 554 | 14.04% |
| 3 | Kosaki Onodera | 495 | 12.54% |
| 4 | Shiro | 440 | 11.15% |
| 5 | Rin Tosaka | 435 | 11.02% |
| 6 | Chino Kafuu | 368 | 9.33% |
| 7 | Illyasviel von Einzbern | 301 | 7.63% |
| 8 | Shino Asada | 225 | 5.70% |
Necklace Winner: Shana
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koyomi Araragi | 699 | 18.67% |
| 2 | Yuzuru Otonashi | 521 | 13.92% |
| 3 | Touma Kamijou | 520 | 13.89% |
| 4 | Saika Totsuka | 493 | 13.17% |
| 5 | Kiritsugu Emiya | 472 | 12.61% |
| 6 | Keima Katsuragi | 434 | 11.59% |
| 7 | Yuu Otosaka | 355 | 9.48% |
| 8 | Light Yagami | 249 | 6.65% |
Pendant Winner: Koyomi Araragi
Sapphire
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isla | Karma Akabane |
| 2 | Yukino Yukinoshita | Souma Yukihira |
| 3 | Yui Yuigahama | Tatsuya Shiba |
| 4 | Yoshino | Shirou Emiya |
| 5 | Sora Kasugano | Sora |
| 6 | Saber | Archer |
| 7 | Nanami Aoyama | Gilgamesh |
| 8 | Kuroyukihime | Levi |
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yukino Yukinoshita | 750 | 19.37% |
| 2 | Saber | 581 | 15.01% |
| 3 | Yoshino | 490 | 12.65% |
| 4 | Kuroyukihime | 439 | 11.34% |
| 5 | Isla | 422 | 10.90% |
| 6 | Nanami Aoyama | 406 | 10.49% |
| 7 | Sora Kasugano | 401 | 10.36% |
| 8 | Yui Yuigahama | 383 | 9.89% |
Necklace Winner: Yukino Yukinoshita
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sora | 924 | 24.89% |
| 2 | Souma Yukihira | 551 | 14.84% |
| 3 | Archer | 518 | 13.95% |
| 4 | Tatsuya Shiba | 424 | 11.42% |
| 5 | Karma Akabane | 381 | 10.26% |
| 6 | Gilgamesh | 325 | 8.75% |
| 7 | Levi | 296 | 7.97% |
| 8 | Shirou Emiya | 294 | 7.92% |
Pendant Winner: Sora
Emerald
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nanami Aoyama | Souma Yukihira |
| 2 | Shiro | Izayoi Sakamaki |
| 3 | Kurumi Tokisaki | Yuzuru Otonashi |
| 4 | Jibril | Edward Elric |
| 5 | Illyasviel von Einzbern | Touma Kamijou |
| 6 | Ayase Aragaki | Saitama |
| 7 | Rin Tosaka | Yato |
| 8 | Komachi Hikigaya | Gilgamesh |
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rin Tosaka | 701 | 17.83% |
| 2 | Kurumi Tokisaki | 689 | 17.53% |
| 3 | Shiro | 550 | 13.99% |
| 4 | Nanami Aoyama | 540 | 13.74% |
| 5 | Illyasviel von Einzbern | 472 | 12.01% |
| 6 | Ayase Aragaki | 357 | 9.08% |
| 7 | Komachi Hikigaya | 353 | 8.98% |
| 8 | Jibril | 269 | 6.84% |
Necklace Winner: Rin Tosaka
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuzuru Otonashi | 664 | 17.46% |
| 2 | Touma Kamijou (TIE) | 571 | 15.02% |
| 3 | Saitama (TIE) | 571 | 15.02% |
| 4 | Izayoi Sakamaki | 429 | 11.28% |
| 5 | Gilgamesh (TIE) | 417 | 10.97% |
| 6 | Souma Yukihira (TIE) | 417 | 10.97% |
| 7 | Edward Elric | 410 | 10.78% |
| 8 | Yato | 323 | 8.50% |
Pendant Winner: Yuzuru Otonashi
Ruby
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurisu Makise | Kyon |
| 2 | Iroha Isshiki | Ryuuji Takasu |
| 3 | Yui Yuigahama | Rintarou Okabe |
| 4 | Asuna Yuuki | Archer |
| 5 | Saber | Keima Katsuragi |
| 6 | Chino Kafuu | Yuu Otosaka |
| 7 | Shino Asada | Iskandar |
| 8 | Isla | Nagisa Shiota |
Necklace Winner: Saber
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saber | 762 | 19.31% |
| 2 | Kurisu Makise | 686 | 17.38% |
| 3 | Asuna Yuuki | 544 | 13.78% |
| 4 | Chino Kafuu | 526 | 13.33% |
| 5 | Yui Yuigahama | 492 | 12.47% |
| 6 | Iroha Isshiki | 375 | 9.50% |
| 7 | Isla | 348 | 8.82% |
| 8 | Shino Asada | 214 | 5.42% |
Pendant Winner: Archer
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Archer | 641 | 17.02% |
| 2 | Rintarou Okabe | 552 | 14.65% |
| 3 | Nagisa Shiota | 474 | 12.58% |
| 4 | Keima Katsuragi | 465 | 12.34% |
| 5 | Kyon | 462 | 12.26% |
| 6 | Yuu Otosaka | 460 | 12.21% |
| 7 | Ryuuji Takasu | 357 | 9.48% |
| 8 | Iskandar | 356 | 9.45% |
Diamond
| Rank | Female Division | Male Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurisu Makise | Ryuuji Takasu |
| 2 | Kurumi Tokisaki | Touma Kamijou |
| 3 | Iroha Ishhiki | Kiritsugu Emiya |
| 4 | Illyasviel von Einzbern | Rintarou Okabe |
| 5 | Shiro | Izayoi Sakamaki |
| 6 | Nanami Aoyama | Souma Yukihira |
| 7 | Jibril | Keima Katsuragi |
| 8 | Asuna Yuuki | Kyon |
Necklace Winner: Kurisu Makise
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurisu Makise | 731 | 17.20% |
| 2 | Kurumi Tokisaki | 697 | 16.40% |
| 3 | Iroha Isshiki | 641 | 15.08% |
| 4 | Asuna Yuuki | 614 | 14.44% |
| 5 | Illyasviel von Einzbern | 559 | 13.15% |
| 6 | Shiro | 450 | 10.59% |
| 7 | Nanami Aoyama | 379 | 8.92% |
| 8 | Jibril | 180 | 4.23% |
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiritsugu Emiya | 680 | 16.62% |
| 2 | Touma Kamijou | 646 | 15.79% |
| 3 | Rintarou Okabe | 529 | 12.93% |
| 4 | Souma Yukihira | 521 | 12.73% |
| 5 | Izayoi Sakamaki | 509 | 12.44% |
| 6 | Ryuuji Takasu | 463 | 11.31% |
| 7 | Kyon | 394 | 9.63% |
| 8 | Keima Katsuragi | 350 | 8.55% |
Pendant Winner: Kiritsugu Emiya
Elimination Stage
Format' Unlike other editions, the 2016 playoff phase has the 16 finalists split into 4 groups of 4, with the group members playing each other once (single round-robin) to determine who advances to the quarter-finals. Top 2 of each group will advance to the playoffs. If there is a tie after the round-robin, the tied contestants will then play a tie-breaker match against each other.
Playoff seedings are based on CVP (Combined Vote Percentage) earned in the final group stage.
Female Division
Final Group Stage
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | ILYA | MAS | KSU | NAN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Illyasviel von Einzbern | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1883 | 1549 | 1661 | |
| 2 |  |
Mashiro Shiina | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1849 | ---- | 1708 | 1638 | ||
| 3 |  |
Kurisu Makise | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1484 | 1504 | ---- | 1822 | ||
| 4 |  |
Nanami Aoyama | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1575 | 1237 | 1803 | ---- |
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | SHA | SHI | KUR | AYA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Shana | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 2027 | 1856 | 1843 | |
| 2 |  |
Shiro | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1691 | ---- | 1525 | 1791 | ||
| 3 |  |
Kurumi Tokisaki | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1363 | 1515 | ---- | 2120 | ||
| 4 |  |
Ayase Aragaki | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1174 | 1351 | 1477 | ---- |
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | YNO | NAO | IRO | JIB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Yukino Yukinoshita | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1619 | 1588 | 1624 | |
| 2 | |
Nao Tomori | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1517 | ---- | 1412 | 1655 | ||
| 3 | |
Iroha Isshiki | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1484 | 1370 | ---- | 1822 | ||
| 4 |  |
Jibril | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1227 | 1422 | 1447 | ---- |
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | SAB | RIN | ASU | YGH | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Saber | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1514 | 1558 | 1461 | |
| 2 |  |
Rin Tohsaka | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1487 | ---- | 1512 | 1649 | ||
| 3 |  |
Asuna Yuuki | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1528 | 1357 | ---- | 1700 | ||
| 4 |  |
Yui Yuigahama | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1427 | 1470 | 1520 | ---- |
Tiara Playoffs
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Mashiro Shiina | 1740 | ||||||||||
| 8 | |
Nao Tomori | 1597 | 1 | |
Mashiro Shiina | 2204 | 4 | |
Illyasviel von Einzbern | 1860 | ||
| 4 | |
Illyasviel von Einzbern | 1659 | 4 | |
Illyasviel von Einzbern | 2233 | 2 | |
Shana | 3240 | ||
| 5 | |
Saber | 1634 | ||||||||||
| 2 | |
Shana | 1975 | ||||||||||
| 7 | |
Rin Tohsaka | 1545 | 2 | |
Shana | 2588 | ||||||
| 3 | |
Yukino Yukinoshita | 1706 | 3 | |
Yukino Yukinoshita | 2086 | ||||||
| 6 | |
Shiro | 1668 | ||||||||||
Male Division
Final Group Stage
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | 8MAN | RYU | SOMA | IZY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Hachiman Hikigaya | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1833 | 2211 | 1774 | |
| 2 |  |
Ryuuji Takasu | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1228 | ---- | 1450 | 1953 | ||
| 3 |  |
Souma Yukihira | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1244 | 1282 | ---- | 1338 | ||
| 4 |  |
Izayoi Sakamaki | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1020 | 1470 | 1336 | ---- |
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | SORA | TOMA | SAI | KYON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Sora | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1705 | 1589 | 2075 | |
| 2 |  |
Touma Kamijou | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1273 | ---- | 1767 | 1365 | ||
| 3 |  |
Saitama | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1285 | 1700 | ---- | 1502 | ||
| 4 |  |
Kyon | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1426 | 1274 | 1423 | ---- |
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | YUZ | ED | KORO | KEI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Yuzuru Otonashi | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1502 | 1537 | 1532 | |
| 2 |  |
Edward Elric | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1115 | ---- | 1378 | 1435 | ||
| 3 |  |
Koro-sensei | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1440 | 1364 | ---- | 1386 | ||
| 4 |  |
Keima Katsuragi | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1198 | 1336 | 1124 | ---- |
| Pos | Pic | Contestant | W | D | L | Qualification | ARC | KSG | KOY | OKA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Archer | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Quarter-finals |
---- | 1352 | 1575 | 1462 | |
| 2 |  |
Kiritsugu Emiya | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1237 | ---- | 1343 | 1379 | ||
| 3 |  |
Koyomi Araragi | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1402 | 1298 | ---- | 1349 | ||
| 4 |  |
Rintarou Okabe | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1282 | 1410 | 1308 | ---- |
Scepter Playoffs
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Hachiman Hikigaya | 1914 | ||||||||||
| 8 | |
Edward Elric | 1267 | 1 | |
Hachiman Hikigaya | 2357 | 1 | |
Hachiman Hikigaya | 2087 | ||
| 4 | |
Archer | 1663 | 4 | |
Archer | 1915 | 2 | |
Sora | 2120 | ||
| 5 | |
Ryuuji Takasu | 1612 | ||||||||||
| 2 | |
Sora | 1756 | ||||||||||
| 7 | |
Kiritsugu Emiya | 1441 | 2 | |
Sora | 2077 | ||||||
| 3 | |
Yuzuru Otonashi | 1651 | 3 | |
Yuzuru Otonashi | 1922 | ||||||
| 6 | |
Touma Kamijou | 1468 | ||||||||||
Exhibition
Sapphire
- Index L. Prohibitorum > Akari Akaza (1467 - 995)
- Yozora Mikazuki < Yui Kotegawa (1072 - 1311)
- Komari Koshigaya > Saki Yamagishi (1377 - 670)
- Illyasviel von Einzbern > Miku Hatsune (1428 - 1283)
- Akane Sakurada > Manaka Mukaido (1162 - 951)
- Cthugha > Isumi Saginomiya (1489 - 758)
- Tina Sprout > Saya Sasamiya (1199 - 1083)
- Flamie Speeddraw > Nanoha Takamachi (1146 - 1062)
Ruby
- Kirei Kotomine < Lancer (710 - 1722)
- Shiki Ryougi > Arcueid Brunestaud (1513 - 881)
Necklace and Pendant
| Rank | Contestants | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riki Naoe | 516 | 15.80% |
| 2 | Gray Fullbuster | 475 | 14.54% |
| 3 | Hiroomi Nase | 475 | 14.54% |
| 4 | Guts | 442 | 13.53% |
| 5 | Alibaba Saluja | 414 | 12.68% |
| 6 | Kuroh Yatogami | 410 | 12.55% |
| 7 | Kurapika | 356 | 10.90% |
| 8 | Rin Matsuoka | 178 | 5.45% |
Exhibition Winner: Riki Naoe
Divine Circlet
Winner's Gallery
External Links
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| International Saimoe League | ||
|---|---|---|
| Main Pages | Main Article • Female Contestants • Male Contestants • Poster Winners List • Poster Gallery (category) • ISML Videos (category) • Character Profiles | |
| Editions | 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 | |
| Seasonals | 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 | |
| Exhibitions | 2010 • 2011 Male • 2012 Male • 2013 Male • 2014 Trap • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 | |
| Awards | Necklace • Pendant • Seasonal Diadem • Exhibition Gems • Divine Circlet / Crown • Tournament of Champions | |
| Character Tournament Series with Wiki Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bold indicates a currently active competition (had a tournament since January 2021). | ||
| 2000's | Anime Saimoe Tournament • Korea Best Moe Tournament • International Saimoe League • GameFAQs Character Battles | |
| 2010's | /r/anime (Best Girl • Best Guy • Best Character • Seasonal Salt) • Aniplus Character Tournament • Bilibili Moe • SenpuuSociety European Saimoe • The Great Awwnime Bracket • Mr. and Ms. /co/ • King and Queen of /v/ • | |