Ya Boy Kongming!, one of the decade’s best anime comedies, has hit Hulu

Ya Boy Kongming!, one of the decade’s best anime comedies, has hit Hulu

As a long-time anime fan with a soft spot for musical comedies, Ya Boy Kongming! instantly caught my attention when I first heard about it last year. The unique premise of a legendary Chinese war strategist reborn in modern-day Japan to manage a pop idol was just too intriguing to pass up. But due to its exclusive run on HIDIVE, I missed out on the initial hype and buzz surrounding this show.


During the spring anime season in 2022, the musically entertaining anime “Ya Boy Kongming!” gained immense popularity due to its catchy opening theme song. Our team adored the series since its initial broadcast, ranking it among our top picks for 2022. However, its viewership was restricted because the show was only available on HIDIVE, a streaming platform at that time.

I’ve been following my usual anime routine, but this month things took an exciting turn. The addition of “Ya Boy Kongming!” to Hulu’s collection really caught my attention. And it’s not just about its catchy theme song that makes this series a must-watch. Imagining a legendary Chinese war strategist, Kongming, reborn in contemporary Japan and managing a pop idol? Now that’s an intriguing premise!

In the 2019 manga “Ya Boy Kongming!” by Yuto Yotsuba and Ryō Ogawa, we follow the story of Zhuge Kongming, a prominent figure during China’s Three Kingdoms era who yearns for a more tranquil existence in his final moments. His wish is granted, but not in the expected way: Kongming wakes up in a Shibuya dark alley on Halloween night, seemingly reborn in a younger body. Upon meeting Eiko, a bartender with dreams of pop stardom, Kongming vows to support her and help her reach her goal by becoming her advisor (essentially acting as her manager).

As a gamer, I can’t help but be amused by each episode’s unique twist of a third-century Chinese war strategist adapting to modern Japan. I, as Kongming, embrace my new environment with ease, drawing upon decades of military experience and strategic planning to outmaneuver cunning adversaries and devious venue owners. Whether it’s helping Eiko gain 100,000 likes on social media for a festival performance or winning a rap battle to recruit an opponent as Eiko’s background musician, I always find creative solutions to overcome every challenge.

Ya Boy Kongming!, one of the decade’s best anime comedies, has hit Hulu

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by Kongming’s compelling presence. His unwavering belief in himself and his new cause is inspiring, and he approaches the young woman’s aspiration for stardom with the same level of gravity as a general pondering over life-or-death decisions to safeguard his homeland’s future. I truly believe in Kongming’s conviction, and the extent of his commitment to helping Eiko realize her dream is truly captivating.

For anime enthusiasts who haven’t had the chance to watch “Ya Boy Kongming!” yet, this is an ideal moment to do so. Additionally, don’t miss out on another fantastic HIDIVE past exclusive now available on Hulu: “Oshi no Ko,” a captivating fantasy pop-idol murder mystery with its second season premiering weekly throughout the summer.

Ya Boy Kongming! is available to stream on Hulu and HIDIVE.

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2024-07-18 18:48

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