Parents' Guide to Ya Boy Kongming!

TV Hulu Anime 2022
Ya Boy Kongming! TV show poster: A collage of characters surrounded by colorful stage lights, Kongming and Eiko center.

Common Sense Media Review

By Danae Stahlnecker , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Pop music is a battle in funny anime with swears, drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Ya Boy Kongming! screenshot 1: Kongming frowns at the blue-haired man wrapped in bandages who is leaning on his shoulder.
  • Ya Boy Kongming! screenshot 2: Eiko sees Kongming sleeping in an alley and tries to wake him up.
  • Ya Boy Kongming! screenshot 3: Kongming listens solemnly to Eiko playing acoustic guitar. Close up of Kongming.
  • Ya Boy Kongming!: Eiko on stage performs for a large crowd, the stage and room filled with green and white light.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

YA BOY KONGMING! follows the second life of renown Chinese military strategist Zhuge Kongming (voiced by Joe Daniels) and his new friend, Eiko Tsukimi (voiced by Juliet Simmons). On his deathbed, Kongming wishes to be reborn into a peaceful life—only to end up in the party hub of modern Tokyo. A chance encounter leads him to Eiko, an aspiring singer whose voice moves Kongming to tears, and he vows to use his expertise to make Eiko's dreams come true.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This out-of-the-box anime with a ridiculous premise is surprisingly compelling but is mostly good for a casual laugh. Ya Boy Kongming! knows that it is first and foremost a comedy, and it does a good job of mixing dry and situational humor. At the same time, when important topics (war, suicide, depression, self-doubt) do come up, the story treats them seriously without getting preachy or morose. The characters do experience complicated conflicts, but problems are solved before things get too deep. Overall, it's a fun show with likable characters, but don't expect much more than that.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about achieving your goals. What challenging things do the characters choose to do to achieve their dreams?

  • What do the characters each learn about themselves by collaborating with other musicians and professionals? How does playing music help each character express themselves?

  • How does the show's version of Kongming compare to the real-world person? What lessons can we learn from what the show both includes from history and what it leaves out?

TV Details

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Ya Boy Kongming! TV show poster: A collage of characters surrounded by colorful stage lights, Kongming and Eiko center.

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