Review of Ya Boy Kongming!

Our world is a complex place, full of diverse culture, and colorful species. Obviously, the most complex species is the human race and we enjoy the gifts that God gave to us. Through evolution, intelligence, and technology, we have also evolved and transformed our world into what we see today. And that brings us to modern day where the setting of a particular show takes place. Paripi Koumei is an anime taking place in modern Tokyo that is full of pop culture and entertainment. Despite being based on the manga, I've never heard of this series before until the anime announcement. It isn't one of thosemainstream franchises that took the world by storm after all. However, I will say that the franchise really bought in a ton of quality content with its music elements. Let's start with the opening theme "Ciki Ciki Bam Bam" by QUEENDOM. The song became a sensation that captured millions of views on popular platforms such as Youtube and Twitter. While Paripi Koumei isn't carried entirely by its theme song, it suddenly did spark interest for an audience.

For me, the show's premise didn't immediately capture my attention because it's borrows from a popular trend in recent years. Yes, I'm talking about the idea of reincarnation, a plot device that has been used in countless isekai anime. However, this show only takes the surface of that idea as it lacks the typical fantasy elements and everything else becomes its own story. Now in a more modern era, we meet Zhuge Kongming who has reincarnated since the third century in China. After a chance encounter with a girl named Eiko, he strikes a partnership with her after witnessing the talent of a superstar in the making. He becomes her manager and together, they hope to become a sensation in this modern world. From this point on, the story pretty much dedicates on how they would evolve themselves and make others recognize them.

Watching Paripi Koumei immediately made me realize one important thing and this applies to any place in the entertainment industry. It's hard. No, I mean, it's hard to the point where you must constantly push yourself to be better than others. Sacrifices must be made and they must know how to adapt with any situation. And maybe, just maybe they can become a cultural phenomenon. Luckily, Eiko is hard worker and Kongming has a tactical mind. They come from completely different backgrounds but watching the two work together is inspirational. Eiko has the talent of a singer with a passion for music. Meanwhile, Kongming uses his cunning mind to plan Eiko's future. To him, becoming successful means thinking of every possibility and responding to them. Thanks to his military talent, this ability seems natural just as his way of adapting with the modern world.

Eiko's character is one that I find fairly likable for being outgoing and ability to attract others with her friendly personality. She's also passionate about music and not just making a career to get rich or fame. A prominent example is her relationship with Nanami, a street singer she met and quickly formed a friendship with. Watching their relationship shows how Eiko determines to prove herself while also forming a relationship with someone with similar interests as her. However, I will say that a twist of fate later in the story brings together a more complex turn of events for the two. I won't spoil it but it makes Eiko strive to work even harder.

Although Eiko and Kongming are mostly the center of attention in this show, one other character that attracts a lot of attention is the rapper Kabe Taijin. That's right, the art of rap hasn't gone out of style in Tokyo and we witness firsthand with his skills. Similar to Eiko, Kabe has a strong desire to prove himself to others. Watching his performance shows his passion to entertain an audience and be himself. To me, this anime captures the essence of performance arts and allow characters to express themselves. It's what entertainment is about in this world's modern tokyo. If you're starving for some entertainment that stretches beyond the generic idol performances you often see on TV, then you're in for a treat.

While the main attraction of Paripi Koumei is its character cast and musical elements, we also can't overlook the designs and overall visual quality of the show. It's something that feels underappreciated because the music and soundtrack often overshadows its animation quality. But judging by its character designs, it's clear that the anime made its cast look like superstars such as Eiko. Kongming still maintains his look from his original timeline although he adapts a more formal way of speaking the modern language. Let's also not forget the most important feature and that is the character expressions. When performing in front of a crowd, we see how passionate characters express themselves through body language and emotions. It's one of the highlights that brings out the best of performances and should be appreciated.

If there's an underrated show of the year for 2022, Paripi Koumei is up on the list for a potential winner. This anime is easily overlooked but earns its spot among the most entertaining show of the year. For its character cast, music, and storytelling, it's a show that I can't help but recommend to anyone. Give yourself a treat and tell your friends about Paripi Koumei. They'll be dancing along this show's sensation in no time.