Ya Boy Kongming! (Japanese: パリピ孔明, Hepburn: Paripi Kōmei, lit. "Kongming of the Party People") is a Japanese manga series written by Yuto Yotsuba and illustrated by Ryō Ogawa. The series was serialized in Kodansha's Comic Days website from December 2019 to November 2021 and later in Weekly Young Magazine. It has been collected in 15 tankōbon volumes as of October 2023. Set in Shibuya, Tokyo, the series centers on Zhuge Kongming, who transported from ancient China to modern Japan, and uses military tactics to transform his new friend, Eiko Tsukimi, into a music star.
An anime television series adaptation produced by P.A. Works was streamed from March to June 2022 and aired on television from April to June of the same year. Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series outside of Japan and streamed on its Hidive platform.
The famous military strategist Zhuge Kongming met his demise in the Battle of Wuzhang Plains in 234. On his deathbed, he wishes that his next life were in a peaceful place, free from bloodshed. He is reborn (in his youth) in modern Japan, appearing in the middle of a costume party for Halloween in the club district of Tokyo. The partygoers (in Japanese, "Paripi", a contraction of the English 'party people') of Shibuya lure him to a night club where he meets Eiko Tsukimi, an aspiring singer, and his second life begins.
A young woman who made her debut as a singer, Eiko, and hopes to become a singer-songwriter, her singing was praised by Kongming as "having the power to convey your heart to others". Born in Kyoto, her father left her mother and daughter in order to seize the opportunity to pursue his musical dream in the United States, which led her mother to strongly oppose Eiko's exposure to music. She also believed that her mother drove her father away from their home, and indirectly caused the mother-daughter relationship to become estranged and rifted. As Eiko was trying to jump off the railroad tracks in her attempt to commit suicide, she got rescued by Kobayashi, and was invited to listen to the singing of American songstress Maria Diesel at the BB Lounge run by Kobayashi, and regained her hope of life, so she was determined to move people's hearts as a singer, and regained her hope in life, so then, she started working at the BB Lounge as a resident singer and store clerk. At the beginning of the story, when she met Kongming, she almost gave up her dream, but with the support of Kongming, she gradually began to struggle and grow. With the official establishment of the record company "Fourth Kingdom", she became the main singer of "Fourth Kingdom". Her characters are named after Huang Yueying (Kongming's wife), a character in the Three Kingdoms period, but her character settings are more like Liu Bei (Kongming's Lord), and there is no ambiguous plot between her and Kongming.
The brilliant and smart strategist and the Chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms Period, known as Mr. Wolong (Sleeping Dragon), who died at the Battle of Wuzhang Plains in 234, but somehow got reincarnated in the modern-day Shibuya in his youthful appearance. By chance, he encounters Eiko during her singing performance during the Halloween party and later gets picked up by her. Eiko's songs move his heart thrice, so he decides to become her strategist, in order to help her realize her dream of becoming a great songstress. With a high IQ and a strong thirst for knowledge, he quickly adapts to modern life after being reincarnated into the modern age. Kongming later successfully planned and promoted the three major record companies "SSS Music", "V-Ex", "Key Time" to jointly participate in the large-scale music event "The Orion of 4 years ago" as an opportunity, and Eiko and others established the record company "Fourth Kingdom".
Kabetaijin (KABE太人)
Voiced by: Shōya Chiba[7] (Japanese); Antonio Lasanta (English)
His real name is Taijin Kawabe; a young rapper who has dominated the MC rap contest "DRB" for three consecutive years, and has the nickname of unrivalled freestyle. However, because he could not stand the pressure, he left the rap world after losing the battle due to stomach ulcers in the MC duel. However, after hearing Eiko's singing in the BB Lounge and his heated confrontation with Kongming's MC Battle, he regained his enthusiasm and decided to make a comeback as a rapper and become a partner of Eiko and others. The name of the person is "Kabe", which is the Japanese word for "wall", which corresponds to Seki (Red) of Sekitoba (Red Hare) Kung Fu.
Azalea's vocalist and bassist; along with guitarist Ichika, and drummer Futaba, they are university friends. In university, the three formed a band out of their passion for music, but due to commercial marketing considerations, they had to follow Toshihito Karasawa's policy, and they gradually lost their original intentions and will. Nanami sang Maria Diesel's song "I'm still alive today" on the street without makeup, and met Eiko who was also trying to perform on the street. As she listens to the singing of Kabetaijin and Eiko, she recalls their original intentions in the music industry and is moved to tears. They chose to interpret their songs in their own way and received a warm response from fans. They also obtained 100,000 likes through Kongming's assistance, and became friends with Eiko and others. Afterwards, she re-accepts Karasawa as their producer, and assists Eiko with advices to develop her music career.
The owner of the BB Lounge. Although he has a strong personality, he is a Three Kingdomsotaku and he also likes to play Go. In the past, he rescued Eiko, who tried committing suicide, and let her assist in the store and serve as a resident singer. Because he admired Kongming who could answer his tough questions during the interview, he hired him as a receptionist and a bartender in the BB Lounge. Originally, after Eiko's gradual rise, he thought that the small size of the BB Lounge would limit Eiko's development, but due to Kongming's strategy, which led the group to set up a record company called "Fourth Kingdom", and chose to continue to assist Eiko and others. He is the key person who inspired Eiko to create a new song, "Hot Chill Hot".
Media
Manga
Ya Boy Kongming!, written and illustrated by Yuto Yotsuba and illustrated by Ryō Ogawa, was serialized in Kodansha's Comic Days online platform from December 31, 2019,[9] to November 16, 2021.[10][11] The series was transferred to Weekly Young Magazine starting on November 22, 2021.[12] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on April 8, 2020.[1] As of January 9, 2024, sixteen volumes have been released.[13]
The manga has been licensed for English digital release in North America by Kodansha USA, with the first volume released on June 1, 2021.[14]
An anime television series adaptation by P.A. Works was announced in November 2021. The series was directed by Shū Honma, with Yōko Yonaiyama overseeing series' scripts, Kanami Sekiguchi designing the characters, and Genki Hikota composing the music.[3] It was streamed on Abema and other platforms from March 31 to June 16, 2022,[44][45][46] and aired on Tokyo MX, MBS, and BS NTV from April 5 to June 21 of the same year.[47] The opening theme song is "Chikichiki Banban" (チキチキバンバン, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang") by the music unit Queendom, while the ending theme song is "Kibun Jōjō ↑↑" (気分上々↑↑, "Feeling Good ↑↑") by Eiko Starring 96Neko.[a][7][49]Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series outside of Asia.[50] At their Otakon panel in July 2022, Sentai Filmworks announced that the series would receive an English dub, which premiered on September 23 of that same year.[51][5]
A compilation film, titled Ya Boy Kongming! Road to Summer Sonia, premiered in Japanese theaters on March 1, 2024.[52]
"Kongming Descends Upon Shibuya" Transliteration: "Kōmei, Shibuya ni Oritatsu" (Japanese: 孔明、渋谷に降り立つ)
Shū Honma
Yōko Yonaiyama
Shū Honma
April 5, 2022 (2022-04-05)
In year of 234, near the end of the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Kongming is struck down by illness and lies in his deathbed. In his final moments, he has a dying wish to reborn in a peaceful world without war. The next moment, he awakes as a younger version of himself in modern-day Shibuya. Confused by his surroundings, Kongming wanders into a nearby bar where he witness a young singer Eiko Tsukimi perform, and is moved by her singing. The next day, Eiko finds Kongming passed out on the street and takes him to her home, where she teaches him the basics about modern Japan, and Kongming is convinced he was revived in modern day Japan for a reason. With Eiko's help, Kongming is able to secure a job as a bartender at Eiko's nightclub, the BB Lounge, thanks to her boss being a Three Kingdoms enthusiast. After their shift ends, Eiko reveals that she had once considered committing suicide, but hearing someone sing gave her the motivation to keep living to become a singer who could inspire others as well. However, she has so far failed every audition she has applied for and is thinking of quitting. Kongming then offers his services as a master tactician to help Eiko achieve her dream.
2
"Kongming Uses a Stratagem" Transliteration: "Kōmei, Keiryaku o Tsukau" (Japanese: 孔明、計略を使う)
Motoki Nakanishi
Yōko Yonaiyama
Shū Honma
April 12, 2022 (2022-04-12)
Thinking about Kongming's offer, Eiko desires to perform at major music festivals in Japan and around the world, but she does not have the fame or follower count to allow for it. Kongming arranges for them both to attend a performance by the famous singer Mia Iriomote to see if there is anything they can learn from her. In order to judge her character, Kongming meets Mia backstage, where she offers to get Eiko a performance at a larger club. However, Kongming quickly realizes that Eiko is scheduled to perform at the same time as Mia on opposing stages, meaning Mia intends to exploit Eiko's low fame to boost her own audience. On the night of the performance, Kongming arranges stage area in a way to confuse the audience so they cannot easily find the exit, recreating his famous Stone Sentinel Maze strategem. Drawn in by the promise of alcohol, being unable to leave, and having the opportunity to hear Eiko sing, the crowd begins to build up at Eiko's stage. The performance ends up being a huge success for Eiko as she gains over 1,000 followers, while a furious Mia orders her manager to keep tabs on Eiko.
3
"Kongming Learns of the Right Path to Take" Transliteration: "Kōmei, Susumu Beki Michi o Shiru" (Japanese: 孔明、進むべき道を知る)
Yasuo Fujii
Nanto Teranishi
Kei Oikawa
April 19, 2022 (2022-04-19)
In order to capitalize on Eiko's successful performance, Kongming manages to convince a local music festival to host her. However, since Eiko is still an amateur, she is given a small, out of the way stage and scheduled to perform at the same time as the main event, Jet Jacket, performs on the main stage. At the festival, Kongming tricks Jet Jacket into thinking Eiko's sound equipment has broken down, luring them into a false sense of security. He then employs one of his Thirty-Six Stratagems, "Create something from nothing." He reveals that he had thoroughly studied Jet Jacket and knows their lead singer has a sensitive throat, and with a big concert the next day, he will not sing his signature song for the festival. Kongming simply feigned weakness so Jet Jacket would lower their guard, allowing Eiko to make an explosive opening to her performance to steal the crowd's attention. Jet Jacket confronts Kongming about his underhanded tactics, but he manages to appease them by providing them a concoction that can treat sore throats. Kongming is happy that the successful performance at the festival has improved Eiko's self-confidence, as well as draw the attention of a major music producer.
4
"Kongming Lights the Way" Transliteration: "Kōmei, Michi o Terasu" (Japanese: 孔明、道を照らす)
Eiko and Kongming are approached by Tsuyoshi Kondo, one of world's most influential music festival organizers. Impressed by Eiko's potential, he offers her one of two options: take a spot at a local music festival with expected attendance of 10,000, or a major festival called Summer Sonia with an expected attendance of 300,000. However, in order to qualify for a spot at Summer Sonia, Eiko must first take part in the "100,000 Likes" Project, where she must obtain 100,000 likes on her social media page before the festival. Despite being warned that only one singer has ever managed to complete the challenge, Eiko chooses to apply for Summer Sonia, trusting Kongming to come up with a plan. Kongming figures that they need the skills of a rapper, and begins frequenting clubs and parties to find the right one. Eiko meanwhile focuses on practicing and composing a new song. Eiko and Kongming then decide to party in Roppongi, where Eiko confides in Kongming that her ultimate dream is to sing at Voicell Land, one of the biggest music festivals in the world. Kongming promises to help make her dream come true and Eiko allows him to hear her new song.
5
"Kongming Busts a Rhyme" Transliteration: "Kōmei, In o Fumu" (Japanese: 孔明、韻を踏む)
Yūki Morita
Hideaki Shirasaka
Ken'ichi Imaizumi
May 3, 2022 (2022-05-03)
Kongming arranges for a rap battle to take place at the BB Lounge. Meanwhile, a young prodigy rapper named Kabetaijin tries to go about his day, having vowed to quit rapping after collapsing in the middle of a rap battle due to a stress induced stomach ulcer. However, he is continually pursued by his rival Sekitoba Kung Fu, who presses him for a rematch after being defeated by him in a previous battle. Kabetaijin does his best to avoid Sekitoba, revealing that while he desired to be a rapper, as he started winning more rap battles, more and more pressure mounted on him to stay on the top until the stress became too much for him to bear. Heading to the laundromat, Kabetaijin encounters Kongming, who entrances him with a rap of his own and challenges him to a rap battle at the BB Lounge. If Kongming wins, Kabetaijin must join his band, while if Kabetaijin wins, Kongming will grant one wish for him. Intrigued by Kongming's challenge, Kabetaijin decides to head for the BB Lounge where Kongming is waiting for him.
Kabetaijin observes a rap battle at the BB Lounge, and considers leaving until he hears Eiko sing a song that reminds of the time he first discovered rap, where he overcame his social anxiety by joining a small rapping group. Over time, Kabetaijin grew more skilled as rapping came more naturally to him, culminating in him becoming a championship rapper. Kongming then appears on stage and catches Kabetaijin trying to leave, and once again issues a challenge to him. Kabetaijin is goaded into accepting and two get into a heated rap battle that Sekitoba comes to witness. During the battle, Kabetaijin's passion for rap is revived and he uses his skills to completely overwhelm Kongming, who admits defeat. Sekitoba leaves satisfied to see his rival return to rapping. Afterwards, Kongming asks Kabetaijin about his wish, but he replies that his wish of coming back to rap has already been granted. However, he decides to join Kongming's band anyways. Unbeknownst to everyone, Kongming had manipulated the entire situation, using a spy to figure out Kabetaijin's favorite song and sneaking a stomach medicine into Kabetaijin's drink. He then recites one of his stratagems, where the best way to get the enemy to move to you is to entice them with something beneficial to them.
7
"Plan for Peace Throughout the World, Vol. 1" Transliteration: "Tenka Taihei no Kei Boryūmu Wan" (Japanese: 天下泰平の計vol.1)
Akira Takahashi
Nanto Teranishi
Masayoshi Nishida
May 17, 2022 (2022-05-17)
With Kabetaijin joining the group, Kongming lays out their plan for the 100,000 Likes Project, narrowing their greatest competition to an all girl band called Azalea, led by the talented idol Nanami Kuon and backed by the major talent agency Key Time. Since they cannot match Key Time's advertising resources, Kongming determines that the best time to make their post to gain 100,000 likes is three days before the competition deadline. In the meantime, he advises Kabetaijin resolve Sekitoba's rematch with him and arranges for Eiko to properly record her original song with the famous DJ Steve "Kid" Kido. Kid asks Eiko to sing "I'm Still Alive Today", a song from her favorite singer Maria Diesel. While impressed by her skill, Kid advises Eiko that she find her "own" voice. As Kabetaijin tries to come up with lyrics for his match, Eiko finds a street performing permit provided by Kongming, and heads for performance area. There, she encounters another street performer singing "I'm Still Alive Today" named Nanami whose voice she immediately takes an interest in. In order to prevent the police from harassing Nanami, who lacks a permit, Eiko temporarily joins Nanami as a duo, playing the guitar for her. They make plans to meet again the next day, though Nanami requests that Eiko also sing with her so she can hear her voice. Back at the BB Lounge, Kongming's fortune telling gives him the "sworn friends" sign.
8
"Searching for Oneself" Transliteration: "Jibun o Sagasu" (Japanese: 自分を探す)
The next day, Eiko performs with Nanami again, but still feels she is nowhere near Nanami's level and begins losing faith. Meanwhile, Kabetaijin is having trouble coming up with lyrics for his upcoming match with Sekitoba, and both he and Eiko meet at the BB Lounge where they sing an impromptu performance together. Eiko then suggests that Kabetaijin return to his roots, so he decides to journey back to his old hometown where finds out from strangers and old friends that he is a local celebrity that everybody looks up to. Eiko meanwhile spends more time with Nanami and vents her frustrations to her, and Nanami agrees to help train Eiko and help her find her own voice. Over the next few days, thanks to Nanami's coaching, Eiko is able to significantly improve her singing, and she decides to head off to prove herself to Kido. After Eiko leaves, Nanami receives a phone call and then disappears.
9
"For the Populace" Transliteration: "Tamikusa no Tame ni" (Japanese: たみくさのために)
Shigeki Awai
Hideaki Shirasaka
Norihiro Naganuma
May 31, 2022 (2022-05-31)
Nanami answers the call from her manager Karasawa, revealing that she is in fact Nanami Kuon of Azalea. Karasawa chastises Nanami for her disobedience, forbidding her from street performing or meeting with Eiko. Eiko meanwhile performs another session with Kido, and while Kido concedes Eiko has improved, he points out she still has not found her reason for singing. Frustrated, Eiko goes with Nanami to a rooftop skydeck using a ticket Kongming had provided her. There, Nanami comes clean with Eiko, revealing her identity as Nanami Kuon. She explains that she formed Azalea with two of her high school friends and while they initially were not very successful, they had fun playing the music they wanted. However, it all changed when they met the music producer Toshihiko Karasawa from Key Time. Karasawa promised them success, but only if they sang his music. They initially refused, but when Azalea's lack of success threatened to bankrupt them, they turned to Karasawa in desperation. Following Karasawa's strict instructions, Azalea did find success, but Nanami later found it to be at the cost of Azalea being more about fame and profit rather than music. Realizing Nanami was hiding troubles of her own, Eiko feels the desire to use music to save her, just like how she herself was saved by it. Inspired, Eiko signs her own rendition of "I'm Still Alive Today", which moves Nanami to tears. Nanami parts ways, warning that next they meet will likely be as rivals, but Eiko still expresses her wish to sing with her again someday. Kongming then arrives, having heard Eiko's singing, and tells her now that she has found her reason to sing, she is ready to move to the next stage of the plan.
10
"Dreamer"
Takuma Suzuki
Yōko Yonaiyama
Masayoshi Nishida
June 7, 2022 (2022-06-07)
With newfound resolve, Eiko returns to Kido and demonstrates her singing again. This time, Kido is impressed enough to create a new arrangement for her song. Meanwhile, Kabetaijin prepares for his match against Sekitoba, and recalls the time he spent with his old rapping crew. During the actual match, Sekitoba is so impressed with Kabetaijin's improvement that he concedes. Nanami, still conflicted about her friendship with Eiko, continues to train with Azalea under Karasawa's direction. Karasawa then announces that Azalea will perform a surprise concert in Shibuya with a million yen giveaway to secure their 100,000 likes. Nanami is uncomfortable at the idea of essentially buying likes, but cannot bring herself to oppose Karasawa. Back at Kido's studio, Eiko sings to the arranged version of her song, which causes Kongming to relive his memory of meeting Liu Bei for the first time and swearing loyalty to him. Over the next few days, and with help from Kabetaijin, Eiko continues to improve her singing, and decides on the name of her song: "Dreamer".
11
"Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats" Transliteration: "Sōsen Shakusen" (Japanese: 草船借箭)
Akira Takamura
Yōko Yonaiyama
Jong Heo
June 14, 2022 (2022-06-14)
Both Kongming and Azalea begin their plans to gain 100,000 likes. Karasawa plans to have Azalea perform a surprise concert at Shibuya 109, where they will distribute a QR code for fans to enter the million yen giveaway contest, which will at the same time give Azalea likes. However, Kongming has already predicted Karasawa's plan, and has Eiko perform an Azalea song at Shibuya 109 first while showing his own QR code, tricking the Azalea fans into giving Eiko 70,000 likes before they are outed as imposters. Azalea then arrives and begins performing, but Nanami is alarmed to see Eiko is her rival and becomes anxious performing in front of her. Kongming considers using his "Stratagem of Alienation", which would be guaranteed to break Azalea apart, but he decides to change his plan in respect for Eiko's friendship with Nanami. Instead, he has Kabetaijin perform a provocative rap song accusing Azalea of being fake, and Eiko fans working for Kongming begin spreading false rumors that the real Azalea are impostors as well, halting their likes at 98,000. With both sides at a stalemate, Eiko prepares to tip the balance in her favor with her singing.
12
"Eiko's Song" Transliteration: "Eiko no Uta" (Japanese: 英子の歌)
Shū Honma
Yōko Yonaiyama
Shū Honma
June 21, 2022 (2022-06-21)
Eiko prepares to sing, but is intimidated by the jeering of the crowd. However, Nanami intervenes and requests the crowd quiet down and give her a chance. Eiko then proceeds to sing Dreamer, which moves Nanami, her bandmates, and the entire crowd. The crowd quickly swings to Eiko's side and begins giving her likes. In a panic, Karasawa instructs Azalea to begin performing their new song, but Nanami ignores him. She and Azalea are inspired by Eiko's singing to return to their roots as Eiko reaches 100,000 likes. Despite losing the contest, Azalea decides to perform anyways, playing one of their original songs, putting all of their genuine emotion into it. Unknown to them, Kongming streams their performance online, earning them 100,000 likes as well and demonstrating to Karasawa that they are capable of attracting true fans rather than ones that need to be paid off. A victory party for Eiko is held at the BB Lounge, where Kongming meets with Karasawa properly. Kongming notes that Karasawa was an aspiring musician in his youth as well before being betrayed by one of his bandmates, and Karasawa admits that he saw Azalea's talent and wants to make them successful so that they can avoid the same fate he suffered. Azalea then arrives, having heard of Karasawa's past, and they agree to continue to work together with him as their producer. Eiko then privately meets Kongming, and she thanks Kongming for helping her as her tactician and Kongming thanks her for providing him a purpose in life that does not involve war. Kongming then notes to himself that the first volume of his plan to achieve Eiko's dream is complete. Eiko then goes to the stage to perform for her waiting fans.
Drama
A live-action television drama produced by Fuji TV and C&I Entertainment was announced in May 2023. The series is directed by Shūhei Shibue, with scripts written by Nonji Nemoto. Osamu Mukai has been cast as Zhuge Kongming, while Moka Kamishiraishi would portray Eiko Tsukimi. It aired on Fuji TV's Shinsui 10 Drama [ja] programming block from September 27 to November 29, 2023.[8][55][56][52]
Stage play
A stage play adaptation was announced in December 2023. It is written and directed by Akira Ishida from the comedian duo Non Style, and stars Ray Fujita, Haruki Iwata, Moeka Koizumi among others. It is set to run in Tokyo from May 3 to 6 and in Osaka on May 10 and 11, 2024.[57][6]
Reception
By October 2022, the manga had over 1.2 million copies in circulation.[58]
The series won the Next Manga Award's U-Next award in the web category in 2020.[59] The series ranked ninth on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2021" by the Honya Club website.[60][61] The series was nominated for the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award.[62][d]
^The opening theme is a Japanese cover of the song "Bulikirály" (known in Japan as "Chikichiki Banban") by Hungarian singer Jolly,[48] while the ending theme is a cover of Japanese duo Mihimaru GT's song of the same name.[7]
^ abcInformation is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
^Episodes are released on Abema and other streaming platforms five days before their air dates on television.
^Unlike previous years, the nominees were not divided into categories in the 2023 award.
