After making waves at a music festival, Eiko accepts a
chance to perform at the Summer Sonia Music Festival. To qualify, she must attain 100,000 likes on
an online post. As Eiko grapples with
this new challenge, Kongming is already hard at work preparing his new strategy
to assist her. And part of that involves
recruiting a reclusive and legendary Freestyle Rap Artist to their cause. The plan to hook this new talent: Kongming
will do the unthinkable and challenge this master with his own rhymes in a Rap
Battle for the ages.
Look.
If you had
one shot, one opportunity…to seize everything you’ve ever wanted, one
moment…would you capture it, or just let is slip?
Honestly it’s hard not to have Eminem’s Lose
Yourself, aka the main theme from 8 mile, running through your head during much
of this weeks episodes of Ya Boy Kongming.
After a stellar premiere, we get to the moment that is arguably the most
talked about and most associated with this series.
If you thought this show was already a win
right out the gate, Kongming takes it to the next level with extra Mom’s
Spaghetti.
(also I cant promise I’m done
with the Lose Yourself quotes in this review.
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime after all…eh? See what I did
there?)
We’ll talk about Eiko’s continued journey in a little
bit.
For this review, we’re gonna start
off with Kongming’s newest musical master, Kabetaijin (I’ll call him Kabe for
short).
Firstly, it’s nice to meet a
musical artist who isnt a jerk on this show or made to be an antagonist to Eiko
like Mia or Jet Jacket.
In fact, much of
Kabe’s circle of fellow Freestylers are all pretty chill despite their fearsome
appearances.
As for his trouble
performing, I get it.
After winning and
appeasing so many people, the need to maintain that momentum can be rough.
It’s no wonder Kabe ended up getting hurt
under the pressure, it’d scare anyone off from continuing on.
His story is another well written tale in the
saga of Kongming, though I’ll admit, much of his intro is a very slow burn, to
the point where I was wondering about the episodes length.
It does pick up a lot when Kabe meets
Kongming in the laundromat though, the sparks can been seen on all corners of
the screen.
Alright you know what I wanna talk about.
It’s what everyone wants to talk about so let’s
get to it: the Rap Battle.
There’s no
better way to shake performance issues than getting called out in the middle of
a crowd and it did wonders for Kabe.
The
lyrical throwdown between him and Kongming was a master class of
wordsmanship.
Pouring in equal amounts
spitfire and personal history, you got the full range of emotion along with the
wildly entertaining prospect of a modern day lyrical master facing off with a
Chinese Tactician from the past.
More
importantly, it was just so freaking fun to watch and listen to.
Sick beats, hilarious jabs, and Eiko totally
lost over what theyre talking about while Kabe’s fellow Freestyler Sekitoba
Kung Fu, is grasping it 100%, even Kongming’s historical poem drops.
Suffice to say, Episode 6 has made its way
onto a very exclusive list of the Single Best Anime Episodes I’ve Ever Seen,
right up there with Ballad of Fallen Angels from Cowboy Bebop and Episode 24 of
Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Back to Eiko, she sure picked a heckuva challenge for
herself.
It’s quite a jump to go from
small festival to mega event seemingly on the level of Cochella.
One thing I don’t get: given everything he’s
managed to accomplish, why is Eiko still doubting the powers of Kongming?
I get she’s freaking out over what she’s
signed up for but she’s also got a guy who is quickly becoming acclimated to
everything present day in a matter of weeks.
I get Kongming wanting Eiko to let him do his thing but I also like that
he’s being up front with her about his stratagems.
He’s researching, he’s making connections,
he’s getting the lowdown on bands, the latest fads and music genres on a
nightly basis.
Dude’s doing his job and
doing it well.
Still, there should be a
bit more easy communication between Kongming and Eiko, just so the friendship
doesn’t need to be questioned.
On the plus
side, Eiko having time to kill while Kongming did his thing allowed her to
craft some sweet new tunes.
Her vocals
continue to be one of the shows high points for sure (tell me this show has an
OST of just Eiko stuff somewhere).
Well Kongming and Kabetaijin lost themselves in the music
and the moment cause they wanted it and owned it and weren’t ever letting go of
it (see toldja I wasn’t done with Lose Yourself yet).
Some nitpicks here and there aren’t enough to
deter from how much I’m loving this show.
And with Kabetaijin, Eiko’s musics about to reach a whole new
level.
Hopefully we’ll get to see some
of that musical magic when we continue Ya Boy Kongming Next Monday right here
at the Gundam Anime Corner…cause you’ve only got one shot, do not miss your
chance to blow.
This opportunity comes
once in a lifetime (OK OK IM DONE!!!)
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