6 Anime Like Paripi Koumei (Ya Boy Kongming!) [Recommendations]

We've all seen anime where a character was reincarnated to another world. But what about the reverse? What if a character got reincarnated to modern-day earth with their past memories? Well, that's what happened to our main character in Paripi Koumei. One of the hidden gems in Spring 2022, Ya Boy Kongming gave us a fresh take on the reincarnation/isekai theme by combining the reverse isekai theme with music.

Kongming, a famous war tactician from China, was reincarnated into modern-day Japan with his past memories. His fateful encounter with aspiring singer Eiko leads to the two forming a unique friendship where they both put their faith and trust in one another. For Kongming, he sees Eiko's potential as a singer and believes that she can go further with her hard work and dedication to music. For Eiko, she placed her trust in his plans to help her achieve her dream. With a good plot, catchy music, and eccentric characters, it's no wonder this anime stands out from the rest. Here is six anime that are similar to Paripi Koumei!


Similar Anime to Paripi Koumei / Similar Anime to Ya Boy Kongming!

1. Zombieland Saga

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: October 2018 to December 2018

Sakura Minamoto dreams of becoming an idol. Unfortunately, that dream was cut short after getting killed in a car accident the day she planned to turn in her audition form. Ten years later, Sakura woke up only to discover she had become a zombie. She meets a man named Koutarou Tatsumi, who suddenly tells her that she and six other girls will become zombie idols that will save Saga prefecture! With no memories and no other choice, they formed an idol group called Franchouchou. Their goal: is to become famous idols while trying to keep the fact that they are zombies from the public.

If you are looking for a good story with eccentric characters and good music, you should watch Zombieland Saga. While the premise is quite similar to Paripi Koumei, the difference is that the girls of Franchouchou are all zombies. Each of the girls of Franchouchou has a unique personality, and each comes from different timelines and backgrounds that sometimes clash with one another. With one goal in their mind, though, they were able to form a bond based on trust and friendship. They even have their own mysterious and eccentric manager, Koutarou, trying to raise them into idols in his way.

Original TV animation “Zombieland Saga” PV


2. Carole & Tuesday

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: April 2019 to October 2019

Two girls, one dream. Carole, an orphan, working part-time in the city of Alba dreams of being a musician. Tuesday, a girl born in a wealthy family, runs away from home with her trusty acoustic guitar and her dream of being a musician. One fateful encounter brought these two girls together. Together, they make music hoping to achieve their dream as musicians, not knowing that that one fateful encounter will lead to something more significant.

Paripi Koumei and Carole & Tuesday both focus on the theme of music. It was music that brought Carole and Tuesday together, just as how music brought Kouemi and Eiko together. It was also the same music that Carole and Tuesday have that not only changed their lives but has also reached and changed others' lives as well. Although not mysterious, they have their own unique manager who is there to help them every step of the way. Not only that, when it comes to music Carole and Tuesday's hard work and passion rival even Eiko's passion for music.

CAROLE&TUESDAY Promotion Video


3. Idolish7

  • Episodes: 17
  • Aired: January 2018 to May 2018

The Idolish7 anime is based on a mobile rhythm and visual novel app game by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It follows the story of 7 boys starting out as rookie idols and their newly hired manager as they embark on a journey to be top idols. Together they formed a group called Idolish7 as they prepared to face obstacles and strong rivals in their journey to be famous idols. The anime's first season covers the first part of the story from the game.

If you thought Kongming and a few other characters are unique, how about a group of them? The boys of Idolish7 each have unique personalities and habits. It's a wonder how they got together. While each member has different reasons for becoming an idol, their goal is the same. Idolish7 and Paripi Koumei showcase their hard work and struggle in the entertainment industry. They struggle to gain exposure, face tough rival idols, and even struggle to find themselves and what it means to be an idol. Through those struggles, we were able to see how the characters develop over time, making us love them even more.

Idolish7 1stl PV



Any Anime Like Ya Boy Kongming! / Any Anime Like Paripi Koumei?

4. Yuri!!! on Ice

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: October 2016 to December 2016

After a crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finals, Yuri Katsuki returns to his family home in Japan, unsure of what to do for the future and his career in ice skating. He suddenly got into the spotlight when a video of him performing a routine performed by five-time world champion Victor Nikiforov went viral. Suddenly, Victor came to visit Yuri and offered to be his coach, which he accepted. With Victor as his coach, Yuri decided to face the world of ice skating once again and was determined to be back on the world stage.

While the core theme isn't music, Yuri!!! on Ice shows similarities to Paripi Koumei through character development, story, and unique characters. They both have eccentric managers, or coach in this case, a main character with the passion and potential to go further, and an array of skaters with unique personalities and traits. The opportunity from the video and Yuri's passion for ice skating also lead to the developing relationship between Yuri and Victor. It was a chance opportunity of a lifetime.

TV anime “Yuri!!! on Ice” Teaser 1st PV


5. D4DJ: First Mix

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: October 2020 to January 2021

Based on the rhythm app game, D4DJ: First Mix follows the story of Rinku Aimoto, who returned to Japan to Yoba Academy. The academy is known for its DJ units and their popularity. She meets Maho Akashi, who aspires to be a DJ. Maho taught Rinku about the basics of DJ, which got her interested in music, and she decided to make her own DJ unit, Happy Around. Rinku, together with Maho, and two new recruits, Muni Oonaruto, and Rei Togetsu, faced the DJ world intending to be the best DJ unit in the country.

Like Paripi Koumei, the theme of D4DJ: First Mix is also music. Rinku discovery of DJs and the music they created is similar to Kongming’s discovery of music through Eiko's singing. In fact, the music led Rinku to create her own DJ unit Happy Around, and their goal of being the best DJ in the world. One difference is that instead of having a manager to support them, the girls of Happy Around have to gain fame and recognition by themselves. If you are interested in music but want something different, why not give D4DJ: First Mix a try?

[TVAnime] “D4DJ: First Mix” Promotion Video


6. Hinamatsuri

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: April 2018 to June 2018

Yakuza member, Yoshifumi Nitta, was celebrating his victory in winning a prized vase for his collection when suddenly a large capsule fell on his head. When he opens the capsule, a blue-haired girl that goes by the name of Hina appears with a mysterious but strong power. Not wanting to let her power be unchecked and with no other places to go, Nitta decides to be her caretaker. Thus, starts the life of a Yakuza member and a mysterious, powerful girl.

Although the premise differs from Paripi Koumei, it is still similar since Hina was transported into modern-day Japan. One thing to note is the character development of both Hina and Nitta after their initial meeting. After living together, Nitta and Hina's lives started to change in the same way Eiko's life changed when meeting Kongming. How has their life changed? Well, you would have to watch and find out.

TV Anime “Hinamatsuri” 1stl PV


Final Thoughts

Here is our list of 6 anime similar to Paripi Koumei! Paripi Koumei is a unique anime that gave us great characters, stories, and music to which we all can party to. We hope that the anime listed here can give you the same feeling as Paripi Koumei whether through their storylines, music, or even characters. So why not give these anime a try?

What do you think about Paripi Koumei? Are there any anime missing in this list that you think is similar to Paripi Koumei? Let us know in the comment section below.

by Gerrymelyn “Lyn”