A new clip from the live-action film adaptation of “Ya Boy Kongming!” previews Utaha’s singing performance. Utaha, a member of the band Wednesday Campanella, plays the character Shin in the movie and performs the insert song “again and again.” The film is slated to premiere in Japan on April 25, 2025.
“Ya Boy Kongming!” Film: Utaha’s Performance Takes Center Stage
A newly released clip highlights Utaha’s vocal abilities as she performs “again and again” in character as Shin. Singer-songwriter Soushi Sakiyama, known for his work on “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “My Hero Academia,” wrote the song specifically for the film and even makes a cameo appearance in the clip as an audience member.
Live-Action Film: A Sequel to the TV Drama
The “Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie” serves as a direct sequel to the live-action TV drama that aired in Japan from September to November 2023. The movie continues the story of Zhuge Kongming, a brilliant military strategist from the Three Kingdoms period, who is reincarnated in modern-day Shibuya, Tokyo.
Plot Synopsis: Kongming’s Musical Mission
Kongming, stunned by the singing voice of aspiring singer Eiko Tsukimi, decides to use his strategic genius to help her achieve her musical dreams. The film centers around the “Music Battle Awards 2025,” a major music festival where Japan’s top three music labels compete for dominance. Kongming and Eiko find themselves facing challenges from Jun Shiba, a descendant of Kongming’s historical rival Sima Yi, and his sister Shin.
Returning Cast and New Faces
The film features several returning cast members from the live-action TV series, including:
- Osamu Mukai as Zhuge Kongming (Shokatsu Kōmei)
- Moka Kamishiraishi as Eiko Tsukimi
- Dean Fujioka as Liu Bei
- Mirai Moriyama as Owner Kobayashi
New cast members include Fuju Kamio as Jun Shiba. The boy band &TEAM will also appear in the film as themselves, playing a crucial role in the “Music Battle Awards 2025.”
Key Personnel
- Director: Shūhei Shibue (returning from the TV drama)
- Scriptwriter: Nonji Nemoto (returning from the TV drama)
Music Highlights
Several artists contribute to the film’s soundtrack, adding depth and excitement to the musical battles:
- Eiko (Moka Kamishiraishi): “Count on me” (written by Shinya Ishihara of SaucyDog)
- Shin (Utaha): “again and again” (written by Sōshi Sakiyama)
- Mia Iriomote (Koharu Sugawara): “New Zone” (written by Zo Zhit of Dos Monos)
- Ending Theme: “Sing along!!!” (composed by Lilas Ikuta, also known as ikura from YOASOBI)
Manga Origins and Adaptations
“Ya Boy Kongming!” began as a manga series written by Yuto Yotsuba and illustrated by Ryo Ogawa. It was serialized on Kodansha’s Comic Days website from December 2019 to November 2021 before moving to Weekly Young Magazine. The manga has been collected into 20 tankōbon volumes as of February 2025. In addition to the live-action drama and film, the manga inspired an anime television series in 2022.
Release Details
“Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie” is scheduled to release in Japan on April 25, 2025. The CD single of “Count on me” and the “Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE Original Music Collection” album will be released simultaneously on April 23, 2025.
