Ya Boy Kongming!: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Ya Boy Kongming!: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Ya Boy Kongming! is a fantasy-comedy with a pop-idol genre element. The series features animation produced by P.A. Works (The Eccentric Family, Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms). From creators Ryō Ogawa and Yuto Yotsuba, the series explores the journey of an aspiring pop star and everything that comes with such a rise to stardom. The production features singer 96Neko on the vocals. Though not a modern classic, Ya Boy Kongming! is a series with a fun concept – one that audiences will find compelling.

Kongming (Ryotaro Okiayu) was considered as one of the greatest strategists of his time. Despite having incredible skills and intelligence, Kongming was also born in a different era – originating in the year 234. A surprising sequence of events unfolds as Kongming finds himself in a completely new era.

The famed Kongming has been summoned to a new world with modern Japan and he takes on a new human form. Now he has challenges ahead. Could he be a unlucky hire for a fast-food restaurant or can he find new ways to shape his strategy skills?

Kongming meets aspiring pop idol Eiko Tsukimi (Kaede Hondo). Kongming soon realizes he can apply his unique skills to help promote her and make her dreams of becoming a pop superstar a reality! As Eiko bursts in to pop songs, singer 96Neko takes on the role of the pop performer. Can Eiko make the big league of pop idols?

The characters are quirky and charming. This is one of the best elements of Ya Boy Kongming! and it is something that helps the series to excel more than it would have otherwise. The central characters certainly instill some compelling in to the series drama.

Kongming is a character that is quite a lot different than typical “producer role” characters in that the unique spin of the role surrounds being a strategist from the past. This element adds some comedic charm. Kongming is certainly a non-traditional lead mentor and it adds some interesting charm.

Eiko Tsukimi is a compelling and fun character too. The journey of Eiko is one that is certainly fascinating and the character displays the jubilant enthusiasm of dreams in a compelling way for the production. A character determined to succeed; audiences will relate to their enthusiasm for becoming a pop star.

The character designs by Kanami Sekiguchi (Tari Tari, True Tears) are impressive and noteworthy on the production. The designs certainly feel effective for these characters. The aesthetic works well and has plenty of charm. These are colorful, vibrant, and creative design elements that work well within the genre. Kongming retains some of the traditionalism in the design that one might expect given the character origin. The design for Eiko Tsukimi is more modern by comparison.

The art direction by Junichi Higashi (City Hunter, Love Live! Sunshine!!) is arguably the best strength of the entire production. The animation has a distinct aesthetic and this is one of the key successes of Ya Boy Kongming! Under the chief animation direction of Kanami Sekiguchi (Hanasaku Iroha - Blossoms for Tomorrow, Sakura Quest) and Kou Ito (Shine Post, Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club), Ya Boy Kongming! certainly has a compelling aesthetic and there is a lot to appreciate about the designs. A worthwhile effort and one that enhances the pop idol element of the production – highlighting the genre.

The cinematography by Yoshimitsu Tomita (Fairy gone, IRODUKU: The World in Colors) is vibrant and the effort highlights the colorful animation well. Tomita certainly provides the series with a beautiful and charming aesthetic. These elements make the animation stand out more. A quality effort from the cinematographer.

The score composed by Genki Hikota is effective as well (even if the score might not stand out quite as well as one might hope given the music component of the series). The songs are performed by 96Neko. The results are certainly reasonably good (if not quite as compelling as some other productions with an emphasis on vocals – such as the anime classic, K-On!) and this adds some extra charm to the series.

The series is written by Yoko Yonaiyama (Uma Musume Pretty Derby, The Ancient Magus' Bride) and the concept is something the screenwriter has fun exploring. The concept is certainly a compelling one and the screenwriter joyfully brings the idea to life for the production. The exploration of the characters journeys and emphasis on exploring an underdog story is something that stands out well.

Directed by Shū Honma (Golden Time, IRODUKU: The World in Colors), Ya Boy Kongming! might not be a modern classic or something of that esteem, but it has some fun elements and is a charming series. The directing is solid and the production has some worthwhile elements. There certainly is a lot of charm inherent in the production. Ya Boy Kongming! has fun highlighting the pop idol aspect and director Honma makes it charming.

Ya Boy Kongming!: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Ya Boy Kongming! is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. A wonderfully vibrant and crisp high-definition presentation. The animation on the release looks absolutely stunning and this is certainly a nice modern anime production. This is a colorful and bold production and the animation certainly shows impressive elements – the idol setting helps the bright and colorful aesthetic shine.

 The encoding from Sentai Filmworks is solid as well and the only notable drawback to the video is some slight banding. The banding isn't that noticeable and the average viewer will not even notice it. This was most noticeable during some of the darker scenes and it doesn't count as a significant drawback to the presentation. Other than the most stringent videophiles, most audiences won't be bothered and will consider this nitpicking.

Ya Boy Kongming!: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The lossless audio on the release is excellent sounding. The crisp and engaging audio presentation highlights the dialogue and the music soundtrack. The encoding is superb and is a great testament to the quality of lossless encoding – the presentation has more depth and makes a more noteworthy impression compared to lossy audio. In comparison, streaming and digital options for the series provide the anime with a more compressed audio stream. This audio quality differential is an example of why physical media is still so important for some. A good encode from Sentai.

Ya Boy Kongming!: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited collectors edition is a premium box-set for fans of the series. The collectors release includes stunning packaging and it adds a lot of value to the collectable value of the release. The chipboard art box features a shimmery high-gloss sheen and the print quality has an almost holographic card print style. The shimmery art box certainly makes a nice impression and looks great in hand.

The Ya Boy KongMing! Limited Edition box-set features a limited 64-page booklet featuring cast/crew interviews alongside a short story. The booklet features plenty of full-color artwork. The booklet also includes an episode guide. The release also includes an extras box featuring a special LED light up coaster, a collectable sticker sheet, and a recipe card featuring a Japanese drink recipe. These are certainly enticing add-ons to the box-set and the collectables help to round out the package. The on-disc supplements aren't as enticing so it is nice to see a premium collectors release from Sentai Filmworks with some nice care given to the packaging.

The one area of the release that could have been a bit more interesting is the on-disc supplemental package. Unfortunately, the release of  Ya Boy Kongming! includes an underwhelming assortment of bonus materials and nothing on the release is comprehensive. The Blu- ray release could have benefited from the inclusion of some audio commentaries, interviews, or some photo galleries.

On disc extras include:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 4:36)

Japanese Promos (HD, 4:25)

Despite the average on-disc supplements, the packaging is undeniably nice looking – even if some of the pack-ins won't appeal to everyone (such as the drink recipe).

Ya Boy Kongming!: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Blu-ray release of Ya Boy Kongming! includes a strong video and audio presentation. The high-definition video is excellent looking and showcases the animation nicely. The lossless audio encoding is a good accompaniment to the video. The only disappointing aspect of the release is the lack of a quality on-disc supplemental package. Ya Boy Kongming! only includes clean opening and closing animations alongside a selection of Japanese promos. Fans of Ya Boy Kongming! will undoubtedly be interested regardless – as the set has good technical merits.

The Ya Boy Kongming! limited-edition collectors release includes a premium chip-board art-box with high gloss and a shimmery holio effect. The bonus pack-ins on the premium collectors release include a 64-page booklet featuring an episode guide, interviews, and a short story. The set also includes a light up coaster, a sticker sheet, and a recipe card for a Japanese drink. Recommended.