Netflix looks to light up its summer stream with Sparks of Tomorrow, a Kyoto Animation-produced title based on Hiro Yūki and Kazumi Ikeda’s 2018 light novel 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku. Sparks of Tomorrow is a Netflix Original sci-fi romantic drama that centers on teens Kihachi Sakamoto (Hunter McCoy) and Inako Momokawa (Audrey Hsieh) as they form an unlikely partnership, each trying to make their respective deceased family member proud while forging a better future. In this steampunk world, an Age of Electricity could change life as they know it, and it’s up to this young duo to dare to dream and take action, even in the face of a smoky world and its suspicious ruling powers.
Opening Shot: A voiceover narrates that in an alternate version of Kyoto, the fathers of the electrical age died before they could make their mark on history, ushering in an Era of Steam to power society. On board a smoky train, a young boy named Kihachi travels with his older brother, who challenges him to think for himself about what could shape the Age of Electricity.
The Gist: In this world, illuminaries in electrical inventions weren’t able to take flight, causing Meiji-era Japan to become a civilization dependent on steam power. In the 35th year of this era in Kyoto, a young Kihachi Sakamoto (Hunter McCoy) travels with his older brother, Seiroku (John Choi), to the 5th National Industrial Technology Exhibition and gets to see firsthand how dazzling electrical power can be. Seiroku is a visionary whose handwritten 20th-Century Electrical Catalog offers ideas to help lift Kyoto from its Era of Steam into an Age of Electricity. He promises Kihachi that they’ll enter this Age together, but when he leaves for war (with the Catalog in hand) and never returns, Kihachi is left alone, hurt, and cynical.
It’s not until the 40th year of the Meiji era that Kihachi happens upon Inako Momokawa (Audrey Hsieh), whose earnest desires to do good and believe in the world around her just might be enough to get Kihachi believing again. Inako is the devout second daughter of Jinemon Momokawa (William Salyers) and younger sister to the beautiful Noriko (Courtney Lin). While Noriko is the picture of grace, Inako is a clumsy dreamer with her head in the clouds. She desperately misses her late mother and prays to the Gods to let her communicate from the afterlife, and it’s at the shrine that Kihachi happens to catch Inako in the middle of a prayer. Their awkward first meeting, full of misunderstandings, eventually gives way to a tenuous partnership, as Kihachi offers his services as a repairman for any machines.
Kihachi lives at his uncle Bunshichi Yagura’s (Brent Mukai) boarding house, where he earns his keep by working as the local handyman. His only close bond seems to be with his cousin, Yajiro (Caleb Yen), whose shy and quiet exterior belies an exceptional talent for art. Together, they create vivid projections made of Yajiro’s paintings and Kihachi’s filament lightbulbs. While Kihachi sees these projections as nothing more than a parlor trick, Inako is absolutely amazed and declares this to be the century’s greatest invention. She and Kihachi seem destined to team up, especially after Noriko has Inako deliver Seiroku’s long-missing Electrical Catalog to Kihachi.
However, all is not sunshine, inventions, and light, as leading steam conglomerate heir Yosuke Mizoe (Paul Castro Jr.) enters the fray, forcing his hand to become Inako’s fiancé in hopes that it will get him one step closer to taking the Electrical Catalog for himself. Why does he want it, and why is it so important? Well, that’s just what we’ll have to watch to find out!
What Shows Will It Remind You Of? While it’s hard to find a direct comparison to this unique storyline, the striking visual stylings of Sparks of Tomorrow may be reminiscent of other memorable anime titles produced by Kyoto Animation, like A Silent Voice, Hyouka, and Violet Evergarden.
Our Take: Based on the first episode alone, Sparks of Tomorrow is a refreshing anime with plenty of promise. Bolstered by gorgeous, eye-catching art, fluid animation, and an incredible variety of animation styles, the series is already visually arresting and dynamic from the start. These stunning sights pull viewers in, but the one-of-a-kind storyline will make you stay as the series takes on a range of themes, including family trauma, innovation, romance, and fulfilling one’s destiny. The characters all feel distinct and intriguing from their initial introduction, begging viewers to continue watching in order to uncover their motivations, backstories, and growth.
While a hurt dreamer of a main male character and a wholesome and encouraging leading lady aren’t necessarily new archetypes, they still feel different and interesting within this unique world where steam reigns supreme and electricity is an outlier. Kihachi and Inako already have great chemistry, and while their respective wishes to honor dead loved ones are already a strong motivation, the added element of the unhinged and mysterious Yosuke Mizoe creates an additional reason to get invested. Sparks of Tomorrow has the capacity to be an underrated gem throughout all of the 2026 anime slate, so be sure to tune in to determine whether this tale is worth your while.
Performance Worth Watching: It’s hard not to be charmed by the ever-earnest Inako Momokawa (Audrey Hsieh) and her pet ermine, Inari. In a smoky, harsh world, it’s refreshing to see a character as optimistic and sincere as Inako, and I look forward to seeing her journey as the story progresses. Here’s to hoping she never loses her spark!
Sex And Skin: None in this episode.
Parting Shot: Just as Kihachi finally gazes upon his brother’s Electrical Catalog for the first time in years, Yosuke interrupts the moment, dramatically entering in a cloud of incense. He rushes up behind Kihachi, embracing him while creepily murmuring, “I found you at last, my wife,” understandably making Kihachi shirek in terror.
Sleeper Star: Yosuke Mizoe (Paul Castro Jr.) is deeply unsettling and strange but also fascinating and intriguing. I want to keep watching just so I can know what this freak’s deal is, and why he is the way he is.
Most Pilot-y Line: When Kihachi questions how Inako can believe that he has a talent for electricity, she declares, “That’s my talent! My talent is believing!” It’s cringe, but it’s sweet.
Our Call: Sparks of Tomorrow has a lot of promise, and any fan of high-quality animation, original storytelling, and memorable characters is likely to enjoy this Netflix Original series. At the very least, it’s a true feast for the eyes, so why not go ahead and STREAM IT!
Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.