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 on Kodansha's Comic Days website from December 2019 to November 2021 and later in Weekly Young Magazine. It has been collected in 14 tankōbon volumes as of July 2023. Set in the Shibuya special ward in Tokyo, the series centers on Zhuge Liang, who is 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 it on its Hidive platform.
A live-action television drama is set to premiere in Q4 2023.
Synopsis[]
General of the Three Kingdoms, Kongming had struggled his whole life, facing countless battles that made him into the accomplished strategist he was. So on his deathbed, he wished only to be reborn into a peaceful world...and was sent straight to modern-day party-central, Tokyo! Can even a brilliant strategist like Kongming adapt to the wild beats and even wilder party people?!
(Source: Kodansha USA)
List of Published Books[]
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, to November 16, 2021. The series was transferred to Weekly Young Magazine starting on November 22, 2021. Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on April 8, 2020. As of July 6, 2023, fourteen volumes have been released.
The manga has been licensed for English digital release in North America by Kodansha USA, with the first volume released on June 1, 2021.
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 8, 2020 | 978-4-06-519219-1 | June 1, 2021 | 978-1-63699-137-5 |
| 2 | July 8, 2020 | 978-4-06-520198-5 | July 6, 2021 | 978-1-63699-213-6 |
| 3 | October 14, 2020 | 978-4-06-520998-1 | August 3, 2021 | 978-1-63699-288-4 |
| 4 | January 13, 2021 | 978-4-06-522012-2 | September 7, 2021 | 978-1-63699-342-3 |
| 5 | April 14, 2021 | 978-4-06-522928-6 | October 5, 2021 | 978-1-63699-402-4 |
| 6 | July 14, 2021 | 978-4-06-523989-6 | December 7, 2021 | 978-1-63699-511-3 |
| 7 | November 18, 2021 | 978-4-06-525885-9 | May 10, 2022 | 978-1-68491-169-1 |
| 8 | January 6, 2022 | 978-4-06-526485-0 | August 23, 2022 | 978-1-68491-406-7 |
| 9 | April 6, 2022 | 978-4-06-527465-1 | November 15, 2022 | 978-1-68491-550-7 |
| 10 | July 6, 2022 | 978-4-06-528482-7 | February 21, 2023 | 978-1-68491-708-2 |
| 11 | October 6, 2022 | 978-4-06-529480-2 | May 16, 2023 | 978-1-68491-940-6 |
| 12 | January 6, 2023 | 978-4-06-530382-5 | July 18, 2023 | 979-8-88933-042-4 |
| 13 | April 6, 2023 | 978-4-06-531377-0 | — | — |
| 14 | July 6, 2023 | 978-4-06-532251-2 | — | — |
Manga Vol. 1
Manga Vol. 2
Manga Vol. 3
Manga Vol. 4
Manga Vol. 5
Manga Vol. 6
Manga Vol. 7
Manga Vol. 8
Manga Vol. 9
Manga Vol. 10
Manga Vol. 11
Manga Vol. 12
Manga Vol. 13
Manga Vol. 14
Character[]
to be added.
TV Anime[]
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. It was streamed on Abema and other platforms from March 31 to June 16, 2022, and aired on Tokyo MX, MBS, and BS NTV from April 5 to June 21 of the same year. 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. Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series outside of Asia.
- Staff
- Original work - Yuto Yotsuba & Ryo Ogawa
- Director - Osamu Honma
- Series composition - Yoko Yonaiyama
- Character Design - Kanami Sekiguchi
- Chief animation director- Kanami Sekiguchi & Yuki Ito
- Prop setting - Mayumi Miyaoka & Hiromi Makino
- Art Director - Junichi Higashi
- Art setting - Yuta Fujii
- Color design - Asami Eguchi
- 3D Director - Motonari Ichikawa
- Cinematographer - Yoshimitsu Tomita
- Edit - Ayumu Takahashi
- Special effects - Masahiro Murakami
- Acoustic Director - Riki Iida
- Music -Genki Hikoda
- Rap Part Direction - MICRO (HOME MADE Kazoku)
- Music Production - Avex Pictures
- Music Producer - Yoichi Kurashima
- Producers - Maya Fujino, Hiroyuki Aoi, Kazuto Matsumura & Yohei Ito
- Animation Producer - Mitsuhito Tsuji & Akira Yamamoto
- Animation production - PAWORKS
- Production - "Parapi Koumei" Production Committee (DMM pictures, MBS, Avex Pictures & Kodansha)
At their Otakon panel in July 2022, Sentai Filmworks announced that the series would receive an English dub, which premiered on September 23, 2022.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kongming Descends Upon Shibuya" Transcription: "Kōmei, Shibuya ni Oritatsu" (Japanese: 孔明、渋谷に降り立つ) |
Shū Honma | Yōko Yonaiyama | Shū Honma | April 5, 2022 |
| In year of 234, near the end of the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang 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" Transcription: "Kōmei, Keiryaku o Tsukau" (Japanese: 孔明、計略を使う) |
Motoki Nakanishi | Yōko Yonaiyama | Shū Honma | April 12, 2022 |
| 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" Transcription: "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 |
| 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" Transcription: "Kōmei, Michi o Terasu" (Japanese: 孔明、道を照らす) |
Michiru Itabisashi | Yōko Yonaiyama | Masayoshi Nishida | April 26, 2022 |
| 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" Transcription: "Kōmei, In o Fumu" (Japanese: 孔明、韻を踏む) |
Yūki Morita | Hideaki Shirasaka | Ken'ichi Imaizumi | May 3, 2022 |
| 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. | |||||
| 6 | "Kongming's Freestyle" Transcription: "Kōmeizu Furīsutairu" (Japanese: 孔明's フリースタイル) |
Aya Kobayashi | Hideaki Shirasaka | Shū Honma | May 10, 2022 |
| 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" Transcription: "Tenka Taihei no Kei Boryūmu Wan" (Japanese: 天下泰平の計vol.1) |
Akira Takahashi | Nanto Teranishi | Masayoshi Nishida | May 17, 2022 |
| 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" Transcription: "Jibun o Sagasu" (Japanese: 自分を探す) |
Yasuo Fujii | Nanto Teranishi | Yoshiyuki Asai | May 24, 2022 |
| 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" Transcription: "Tamikusa no Tame ni" (Japanese: たみくさのために) |
Shigeki Awai | Hideaki Shirasaka | Norihiro Naganuma | May 31, 2022 |
| 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 |
| 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" Transcription: "Sōsen Shakusen" (Japanese: 草船借箭) |
Akira Takamura | Yōko Yonaiyama | Jong Heo | June 14, 2022 |
| 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" Transcription: "Eiko no Uta" (Japanese: 英子の歌) |
Shū Honma | Yōko Yonaiyama | Shū Honma | June 21, 2022 |
| 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. | |||||
| TRAILERS | |
Movie[]
A compilation film, titled Ya Boy Kongming! Road to Summer Sonia (Paripi Kōmei Road to Summer Sonia, パリピ孔明 Road to Summer Sonia), premiered in Japanese theaters on March 1, 2024.
- Staff
- Director: Shū Honma
- Series Composition: Yoko Yonaiyama
- Music: Genki Hikota (Hifumi,inc.)
- Original creator: Ryō Ogawa & Yuto Yotsuba
- Character Design: Kanami Sekiguchi
- Art Director: Junichi Higashi
- 3D Director: Motonari Ichikawa
- Sound Director: Satoki Iida
- Director of Photography: Yoshimitsu Tomita
- Art Setting: Yūta Fujii
- Color design: Asami Eguchi
- Editing: Ayumu Takahashi
- Prop Setting: Hiromi Makino & Mayumi Miyaoka
- Special Effects: Masahiro Murakami
- Theme Song Performance: 96Neko & Lezel
Sentai Filmworks licensed the film and is set to premiere on Hidive on April 23, 2024.
| TRAILERS | |
Live Action[]
A live-action television drama produced by Fuji TV was announced on May 1, 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 is set to premiere in Q4 2023.
- Staff
- Original work - Yutaka Yotsuba (Original Author), Ryo Ogawa (Illustrator) "Paripi Koumei" (serialized in Kodansha "Young Magazine")
- Planning - Yuka Takagi (Fuji TV)
- Screenplay - Nemoto Nonji
- Director - Shuhei Shibue
- Producer - Kasumi Yao
- Production Cooperation - C&I Entertainment
- Production work - Fuji TV
Game[]
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV
|
Sangokushi Taisen
|
Reception[]
The series won the Next Manga Award's U-NEXT award in the web category in 2020. The series ranked 9th on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2021" by the Honya Club website. As of October 2022, the manga had over 1.2 million copies in circulation.
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Best New Series | Ya Boy Kongming! (パリピ孔明, Paripi Koumei) | Nominated |
| Best Comedy | Nominated | |||
| Best Score | Nominated | |||
| Best Anime Song | "Chikichiki Banban / Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" by QUEENDOM | Nominated | ||
| Best Opening Sequence | Nominated |
External Link[]
- Ya Boy Kongming! Comic Website
- Work information Official Website | COMIC DAYS
- Work information Official Website | Yanmaga Web
- TV Animation
- TV Anime "Ya Boy Kongming!" Official Website
- TV Anime "Ya Boy Kongming!" Official Website | MBS Mainichi Broadcasting System
- TV Anime "Ya Boy Kongming! (TV Anime & Manga)" Official (@paripikoumei_PR) - Twitter
- Live Action
- Live Action "Ya Boy Kongming!" Official Website | Fuji Television Network, Inc
- Web 10 Drama "Ya Boy Kongming!" Official (@paripikoumei_cx) - Twitter
- Web 10 Drama "Ya Boy Kongming!" Official (@paripikoumei_cx) - Instagram
- Ya Boy Kongming! ─ Wikipedia JP
- Ya Boy Kongming! ─ Wikipedia EN
Trivia[]
to be added.