yet another year of moe ?

The Saimoe 2008 prelimanary selection rounds starts today and this year, we have many interesting selections. I will be covering this event as much as I can as my reservist is coming soon :( Nevertheless, lets get on with what we can expect from Saimoe and what you can do to vote in it.

What anime characters qualifies for the tournament ?

Anime girls from non-doujin anime where the 1st episode aired between 1st July 2007 to 30 June 2008 are included, including andorids and the alike. She must have appeared in a TV or ‘net anime with at least the below-indicated number of episodes airing in the target time interval stated below.

Details on entry time peroid

- Required episode count
For continuing series, the minimum number of episodes aired in a month plus
one, or half of the full episode count.
Weekly broadcasts: 5 episodes, or half of the full episode count
Biweekly broadcasts: 3 episodes, or half of the full episode count
Monthly broadcasts: 2 episodes, or half of the full episode count
Irregular broadcasts: 1 episode (treated as an OVA)

- Exceptions
If aired less frequently than once a month: 1 episode (treated as an OVA)
If many episodes are aired in a short period: 1 episode (for example, if
after three months, suddenly a large number of episodes are aired)

- Age-limit exception
18+-only anime (or those with an even higher age restriction) are excluded.

- Internet broadcast restriction
Internet broadcasts must be broadcasted by an internet broadcasting station.

- Treatment of unaired episodes
If an unaired episode longer than the normal episode length has been
recorded, the anime will be treated as an OVA

- OVA restrictions
The official release date must fall in the target time period; we do not
consider cases when stores may place them on display prior to the official
release date.
Works only shown at a screening event are excluded.

- OVA works
Anime associated with works other than anime or games. (However, anime
inserted into the middle of a work are excluded)[1]
Anime distributed as a gift or bonus scheme
In order to be considered an OVA work, it must be at least 5 minutes long.

- Exceptions for anime straddling July 1, 2007
Even if the episode count requirement is not met, new characters are allowed
to enter.
Even if the episode count requirement is not met, characters which have not
appeared in previous Saimoe contests may enter. This includes characters
who appeared prior to June 30, 2007, but were excluded from prior Saimoe
contests due to time period requirements.

Disciplinary rules

Do I have to say more ? No slander, no flaming, no insults. Follow the rules of 2ch and do not break the law (lol?) and vote fairly.

Watch the voting time

If the voting board or code server fails for over 12 hours and the match has to be halted, there will be a rematch the next day. If the failure occurs for less time, then the results will be considered valid.
Additionally, if the board or code server fails prior to the start of voting, and does not recover before 2:00, there will be a rematch the next day.

Source: Saimoe Official Website

Preliminary Rounds Voting Rules

	Location Voting will occur in the voting location. To avoid causing undue load on the server, coordinating with multiple people to all vote at the same time, and other such “rash behavior” is generally forbidden.
	First preliminary contest There will be 20 groups. From each group, the top 9 will enter the main contest. (for a total of 180) If some tie for the top 9 places, they will all proceed to the main contest. Places 10~30 will proceed to the second preliminary contest. Likewise, if ties result in there being more than 22 such entrants, they will all proceed to the second preliminary contest.
	Second preliminary contest It will be divided into 12 groups in the second heat. There will be 12 groups; from each, the top 9 will enter the main contest. If ties result in there being 10 or more such entrants, they will all enter the main contest.
	Maximum number of entries in a vote In the first preliminary contest, in each match you may vote for up to ** entrants, and in the second preliminary contest, in each match you may vote for up to ** entrants. If you exceed the maximum number of entrants, your vote will be invalidated.

Do take note this is the prelim rounds and not the main tournament yet, what you vote here will decide who enters the main tournament.

and one more thing, enable your cookies on your browser.

More information can be found in Saimoe 2008 Official Website.