Born in the year 181, Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, was a military strategist, genius and advisor during the Shu-Han dynasty of China, and he's become a popular character in Chinese plays and stories, even gifted supernatural powers in some narratives. Now, this historical yet fantastical figure is crossing over into manga with writer Yuto Yotsuba and artist Ryo Ogawa's Ya Boy Kongming!
On his deathbed, Kongming longs for his next life to be free of bloodshed; however, instead of being reincarnated in a new body without any recollection of his past, Kongming, in a younger version of his own body, ends up in Shibuya, Japan with his memories intact. The set up is a traditional fish out of water story, with Kongming having to adjust to a new country, modernity and an era of peace. While it initially starts of with some overplayed jokes about a man out of time not understanding the contemporary world around him, the manga avoids this pitfall rather quickly because, like other iterations of Kongming, Yotusba and Ogawa's is a genius, quickly learning how to thrive in this era alongside his new friends, BB Lounge owner Kobayashi and aspiring singer Eiko.
His dynamics with both characters are endearing in different ways. It's teased early on that Kongming is smitten over Eiko, but volume one focuses on developing a mutual relationship between them. While Eiko initially sees Kongming as a weird stranger, readers buy her developing feelings of appreciation and care for him. As for Kongming, it's clear this isn't just love at first sight, as he tries to learn more about Eiko and her world while also being so actively supportive of her dreams, and we can always use more male leads like this.
As for Kobayashi, he may not play as large a role in Kongming's life as Eiko, but their relationship is fun. Kobayashi is a Three Kingdoms fanboy, and while he doesn't fully buy that Kongming is the real deal, he embraces him for who he is, giving the former military strategist a friend who encourages him to be who he is instead of forcing the more modern ways on him.
Ya Boy Kongming! truly shines in this regard because it's refreshing to have a man out of time story where the protagonist is more than competent, willing to learn about the new world while still holding some of his values from the past. So far, Ya Boy Kongming! does not glorify one era over the other, and the titular character's willingness to give this time period a shot makes perfect sense since he came from a world at war. Plus, it leads to some unique comedic moments as characters and readers anticipate him to flop when he tries more modern jobs, like management and bartending, but instead he is more successful than some people born in this era, reminding everyone he was a strategist afterall.
While primarily a comedic manga, there are some more weighty moments, which in hindsight isn't too surprising. Kongming had spent his prior life at war, and the creative team doesn't glamorize this, making notes of his high and low moments. It's understandable he would want to be reborn in an era of peace, so his appreciation and wonder for the modern day is a pleasant reminder of how strange yet fantastic today can be. Meanwhile, Eiko is also given some deeper moments, and while she did not experience the hardships of war, her problems are treated just as seriously as Kongming's, making her a character that's easy to root for.
The hardest thing about Ya Boy Kongming! is the fact it is based on a historical figure. Reimagining someone like this can be hit or miss, especially when it is done so in such a fictional way. However, the manga is upfront about this being fantastical, so it's easy to suspend one's disbelief in light of the liberties taken. It's clear the creators have a love for Chinese history; although, if you are not familiar with the Three Kingdoms period, then some moments are going to unfortunately feel like inside jokes.
Ya Boy Kongming! is a welcomed addition to the long tradition of fish out of water stories primarily because of its cast of characters, who express believable care for each other and have a genuine passion for life. Along with this, the comedy lands well for the most part, with Yotsuba's writing reimagining the man out of time trope while Ogawa's art is deeply expressive while being relatively simple, conveying the manga's lighter and heavier moments to great effect. By the end of volume one, readers could learn a thing or two from Kongming, Eiko and Kobayashi about supporting those in your life while also enjoying your passions to the fullest.
