It has been revealed that the popular TV drama "Ya Boy Kongming!," in which Osamu Mukai plays Zhuge Kongming, who is reincarnated in modern-day Shibuya, will be made into a movie titled "Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE" (directed by Shibue Shuhei). Mukai, who plays Koumei, said of the film's highlights, "It's a work that makes you feel like you're participating in a festival. Koumei has become even more powerful since the drama and is active as a 'master producer.'"
The drama is based on the popular manga of the same name (written by Yuto Yotsuba and illustrated by Ryo Ogawa) currently being serialized in "Young Magazine" (Kodansha). The hero of the Three Kingdoms and a genius military strategist, Zhuge Kongming (Mukai), is reincarnated and lands in modern-day Shibuya, Tokyo. Moved by Eiko's (Kamishiraishi) singing, Kongming becomes her military strategist (manager) and supports her. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV as a serial drama in October 2023 and gained popularity.
The stage for this event is the Music Battle Awards 2025, the biggest music battle festival in history, where Japan's three biggest music labels compete for the top spot. In addition to Mukai and Kamishiraishi, Dean Fujioka will be reprising his role as Kongming's lord Liu Bei, and Mirai Moriyama will be reprising his role as Kobayashi, the owner of BB Lounge, who hits it off with Kongming, who has been reincarnated in modern times. In addition, Fuju Kamio and Utaha will appear as descendants of Kongming's biggest rival, Sima Yi.
More than 50 musicians and dancers will gather for "Music Battle Awards 2025," and artists from various genres will also perform. The live scenes will be filmed in front of an audience of 6,000 people, making it a stage video that is just like a real festival. The performers will be announced on the official website and social media from time to time. The film will be released nationwide on April 25, 2025.
◇Comment from the original author, Yuto Yotsuba
Master Kongming descends onto the big screen in live action! As a fan of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I couldn't be happier. This film is completely original. The wonderful actors and amazing music have made Ya Boy Kongming! even better than I could have imagined. The spectacular live performance scenes are a must-see. The songs are really good. This is all thanks to everyone who has supported the manga, anime, and drama. I would like to thank everyone for making it such a beloved work! Please enjoy "Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE." It's Party Time!!
◇Comment from manga artist Ryo Ogawa
The live performance scenes are much more impressive than you can imagine! We highly recommend watching it on a big screen in a movie theater!
◇Comment from Osamu Mukai
With the drama's response still going strong, we are very happy that it has returned as a movie. This time, many powerful artists and performers will appear on a scale that only a movie can have. The biggest highlight is the largest music battle in history, making it a work that makes you feel like you are participating in a festival. Kongming has also become even more powerful since the drama and is active as a "master producer," but a new wall that will become his biggest rival stands in his way. What will happen?! We hope that you will experience this part of the story, as well as the superb music and performance, on the big screen and with great sound in the movie theater. Please look forward to further updates.
◇Comment from Moka Kamishiraishi
I am Moka Kamishiraishi, who continues to play the role of Tsukimi Eiko from the TV drama. When I heard about the sequel, I was excited to jump into that world again! I felt like I was standing tall and my heart was filled with joy. This time, together with the special people we have welcomed to make the movie, I think we can deliver an even more powerful "Ya Boy Kongming!". I hope you will feel the incredible power of music with your whole body at the cinema. Look forward to it!
◇Comment from Fuju Kamio
I liked the original "Ya Boy Kongming!" and enjoyed watching the drama, so I'm happy to be able to participate this time. Although it's an original character, I was able to enjoy acting within the world of "Ya Boy Kongming!".
I've had the opportunity to work with Mukai-san on a number of occasions, but this time I was able to work with him in many more scenes as the descendant of Kongming's rival, Sima Yi. The Kongming I saw in front of me was very impressive. His unique and unprecedented visual appearance is also impressive, so please look forward to it.
◇Comment from Shiwa
My name is Utaha, and I appeared in "Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE" as the role of Shin.
In the drama, I made a small appearance as "Utaha", but I never thought I would be offered a different character in the movie, so I was very happy. I played the role while empathizing with the kind of life that the artist Shin has lived. There are some similarities between me and Shin, so I think he became a very affectionate character. I hope you will look forward to my performance in the movie.
◇Comment from Dean Fujioka
Following on from the TV drama, I am very honored to be able to take part in the world of "Ya Boy Kongming!" as Liu Bei. I also served as the narrator this time. As the biggest festival movie in history, it is not only an interesting story, but also a work that allows you to feel the universal power of music with your whole body, along with performances by a variety of artists. Liu Bei also plays music in a way that was unimaginable in the previous film. Please look forward to the release!
◇Comment from Mirai Moriyama
Congratulations on the film adaptation. Kobayashi, as usual, has sprinkled in references to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms that were not written in the script. It may have been annoying to the people around him, but since it was incomprehensible to begin with, it may not have been so bad. I think it's a work that can be enjoyed even if you don't know the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but those who do may enjoy it even more, or they may not.
stay tuned.
◇Comment from Director Shuhei Shibue
Thanks to everyone who loved the drama, it has been made into a movie! I myself had a blast making it, so I'm really happy to be able to see Kongming and the gang again. All the staff worked hard on this new party. And above all, the live performance in the second half, the splendid cast, the splendid stage, the splendid music! This is truly a party! Please go see it at the theater! Once you see this, the world will be at peace!
◇Comment from Producer Yuka Takagi
Thanks to everyone who supported "Ya Boy Kongming!" from the TV drama, it will be made into a movie! This time, it will be a showdown between a genius strategist and a descendant of Sima Yi, Kongming's nemesis from the Three Kingdoms period! What will Kongming's plan be? Please keep a warm eye on Eiko's growth!
I hope you enjoy the live performance scenes in the movie, which are on a much larger scale than the TV drama! The Music Battle Hours scene, which was attended by about 6,000 fans, is a masterpiece. Please enjoy the live performance of real artists on the big screen!
Let's have a blast this Golden Week with "Ya Boy Kongming! THE MOVIE"!
