Ya Boy Kongming!

SingleH★ 8

Paripi Koumei is very silly and very good, and while there isn’t much you can say about it in a review, there’s very much to enjoy when you actually watch it. The legendary Chinese tactician, Zhuge Liang, being isekai’d to modern-day Tokyo, becoming the manager of an adorable amateur EDM idol, using his strategic prowess to conquer the world of music, and leading the girl to stardom using the art of war is easily the most confusingly out-of-left-field storyline I’ve seen in years. Despite having such a weird premise, though, it sells you on the characters instantly, and you just watch it like a normalshow. But it isn’t normal. It’s really goofy, and the fact it was so easily able to make me forget about that simple truth says a lot about how undeniably enjoyable and engaging it is. I know most of us were drawn here by the modern classic that is Paripi Koumei’s opening theme, because that music and those dances are absolutely stellar, but believe me when I say this show is so much more than well-marketed memes and gifs. Zhuge Liang, or “Koumei” (Kongming), as they call him, is immediately charismatic, affable, and hilarious, and despite this comical portrayal of his historical self, the show actually did its research when referencing his life and accomplishments, as well as how his old strategies are applied to helping Eiko, the adorable amateur, realize her dreams and achieve her goals. Eiko herself—and every other character we meet throughout the show for that matter—is also equally lovable for her own unique set of reasons. Please don’t forget that taking a step back reveals a show about a borderline mythical Chinese tactician from antiquity helping a wide-eyed anime waifu become a famous pop star. This is dumb shit. But that doesn’t matter. Well-written, likable characters are well-written, likable characters no matter what, and no matter how absurd the gimmick is, the underdog story this series has to offer is seriously uplifting. There’s cost-cutting every once in a while, and the CG pedestrians are what they are, but overall this show looks fantastic. PA Works is generally a great studio anyway, but they really knocked it out of the park with this one. The music is fantastic—and not just the insert songs for the big dedicated performance sequences, which themselves are phenomenal. The characters will just be sitting in an office talking, and I’m not even paying attention to anything they’re saying, because I’m too busy loving whatever electronic music is playing in the background. The performances in the first two episodes were already so good, they actually reignited my three-year-old searing hatred for Carole & Tuesday. These people are on stage doing all these crazy movements from all these difficult angles with NO ROTOSCOPE, and their mouths are all animated perfectly in sync with the music, and I’m screaming, “Could you IMAGINE if Carole & Tuesday looked this good for even a FRACTION of a fucking second?!” I can see some elements of this show being unfortunately difficult to appreciate from the perspective of international audiences who don’t speak Japanese—especially during the rap sections, where every subtitle track I downloaded somehow managed to be a crime against both the English language AND the Japanese language—but with specific accessibility issues aside, Paripi Koumei truly is one of those rare TV shows that you can quite literally “recommend to anyone,” because it’s genuinely creative and fun to watch, and there really isn’t any other way I know how to express that in text. Just watch it, jam out to all its catchy tracks and gorgeous performances, cheer for its charming cast of memorable characters, laugh at its self-aware ridiculousness, and take a good few seconds to laugh at yourself for even being able to take seriously something this silly. Your willingness to do so will be a testament to the playful, happy mood it’s put you in. Thank you for reading.

SpRayquaza11★ 9

I take great pride that I watched this Anime right when it just started and before the OP craze … NO, it’s not like I just watched it because I thought it was an isekai … Baka. In all seriousness, it's a show that is about Up and coming musical artists, the trials of the music industry, and most importantly what makes music sell And it is a mind-blowing fact since what sells this Anime to most people is its absolutely insane music, especially Ciki Ciki Bam Bam (Man I can't get this OP out of my head !), I swear they spared no budget whenit comes to the music, art, or animation in the OP! Also, Do not sleep on the ED, The art is simple, but goddamn the music slaps! The focus is clear and pure, and characters rarely get sidetracked from music the first half has a bit of the party culture of Modern citizens thrown to light but after that, it turns into a serious Music Anime. The pacing is perfect there is an optimal amount of character development and a very healthy cast wh are really talented but just need a single catalyst that will finally make them the real deal, koumei is said catalyst a Chinese legendary general (or so they say I have no clue) actually quite flexible with his plans, he more often than not just nudges things in the right direction except of being a perfect Kirito Kun and this is not unexpected of a general that was in charge of thousands of brave men (especially since they were the weaker side). The premise is wack (as expected of isekai) but it immediately feels like all the characters are right where they belong! As for the review Plot (8/10) It's about music, no romance no action no bs, it's straight-up an actual representation of the current music scene, there are already so many distinguished and talented artists that making a newcomer actually debut takes more effort than picking the next star player of Barcelona. There are certain plot twists that are predictable yet they remain healthy and affect the characters in a realistic way which was quite nice to see. Each episode begins with one of Koumei’s legendary stratagem being cleverly adapted into the real world and I will admit, I would never take an interest in Zhuge Liang kong ming if it wasn't for this anime. Characters (9/10) As a typical isekai start, Kongming does enjoy the benefits of coincidence in the first three episodes xD like Eiko picking him up and her singing to him, the manager being a Chinese history nerd, etc, but the later parts have clear and absolutely perfect attention to detail on the music peeps the fact that they have their mutual admiration and stories of what inspires them is quite nice to see. Development of the main cast is a huge focus and is done in a very wholesome and inspiring way, hence many who aspire to do the same can actually take notes. The final music battle and the rap battles were like watching a sports match where both sides gave it their all while admiring and appreciating the skills of their foe. Art and animation (8/10) A good depiction of modern Tokyo is a rare sight! The cityscapes in anime look really dull compared to how Tokyo really is, and hence it was awesome to see an actual good background and vibrant nature of Tokyo being reproduced in this anime.The character design is not original by all means but it is consistent throughout the whole show. The animation of the songs and the natural soft expressions of Eiko when she sings conveys to the viewer perfectly that she loves to sing, and the art and body language of the rap battles also makes for a really tense and exciting atmosphere! The art in OP gets the highest budget and rivals that of Kaguya sama, the ED doesn't have the best art but it's better than most corner-cutting EDs we see these days. Sound and VA (10/10) Ok this should easily be a 10 but some may say that the repetitive nature of some of the music used does hurt the anime a bit but, it is to be expected since they have singers that are not the VAs sing for the character and licensing multiple songs is going to be no easy feat , yet that is also a strength of paripi koumei, the songs are sung by actual singers and are really good, Not to mention the 90s inspired absolute banger of an OP which I am sure is in everyone’s playlist by now. A great anime that is a must-watch. it really revives the dying (fuck covid) party culture and is a great depiction of the music industry! Everyone should give this a try.