The official website for the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Yuto Yotsuba (story) and Ryo Ogawa’s (art) comedy manga Ya Boy Kongming! (known as Paripi Koumei in Japan) released a main trailer featuring the theme song “Count on me” performed by EIKO, played by Moka Mamishiraishi. This is her first song for the live-action series in a year and a half since “DREAMER,” an insert song for the TV drama in 2023.
Ya Boy Kongming! Live-Action Movie Main Trailer
“Count on me” was written and composed by Shinya Ishihara, vocalist of the three-piece rock band Saucy Dog. “The song ‘Count on me,’ which I newly wrote for the film, expresses the feeling of moving forward and moving with the music itself while putting Eiko’s feelings first,” said Ishihara. “The melody is easy for Eiko to sing and can be performed acapella. I created this song to give it an overall gorgeous feel. There were some parts where I thought it would be difficult to sing the lyrics and melody, but Eiko sang them beautifully. The highlight of the film is the process of Eiko’s powerful growth with her love for music. Please pay attention to her earnest heart!”The CD single of “Count on me” and the “Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIEOriginal Music Collection” album will release in Japan simultaneously on April 23, 2025.
Additionally, the site also posted a main visual for the film. In the visual, a wide variety of unique artists who appear in the film are arranged to surround Zhuge Kongming in the center.
Main visual
EIKO artist photo
As additional cast members, Avu-chan (Queen Bee) will play the role of Maria Diesel, a world-famous singer whom Eiko admires. The pianist Masaya Kamei will also appear as himself and collaborate with Maria. Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim) plays Avil Suzuki, the head of KEY TIME. Soko Wada plays Hisahiko Karasawa, a music producer who works for KEY TIME. Meanwhile, K apanese comedian Cookie! will play SSS Music’s music producer Kisuku Jonouchi, and Daichi Kodama will act as his subordinate Date. DJ KOO (TRF DJ) is cast as V-EX’s music producer Hirose, and SAM (TRF performer) as Urama, his right-hand man.
The manga was first serialized in Kodansha’s Comic Days website from December 2019 to November 2021, then transferring to Weekly Young Magazine with 19 tankobon volumes released in Japan to date. The story centers on Zhuge Kongming, the legendary Chinese strategist who is reincarnated in a young body in modern Shibuya. He brings ingenious innovation to the Japanese music scene to fulfill the dream of Eiko Tsukimi, a fledgling singer he met there.The manga’s live-action TV drama adaptation aired for 10 episodes on Fuji TV from September to November 2023. As a direct sequel to the TV drama, Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE is set to release in Japan on April 25, 2025.The synopsis of Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE is as follows:
Zhuge Kongming, the genius military strategist of the Three Kingdoms, is somehow reincarnated in present-day Shibuya. Stunned by the singing voice of amateur singer Eiko Tsukimi, Kongming aims for “Peace reigns in the land” with Eiko through the power of music. Meanwhile, the three major Japanese music labels, KEY TIME, SSS Music, and V-EX, compete for the top spot in the largest music battle festival in history. While various strong artists from each label gather, Kongming and Eiko also decide to participate.However, they are confronted by Jun Shiba, a descendant of Sima Yi, the greatest rival of Kongming during the Three Kingdoms period, and his sister shin. What will be the fate of Kongming and Eiko?
Source: “Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE” official website / X (formerly Twitter)
