Kyoto Animation’s Sparks of Tomorrow has quietly generated hype for the last seven years up until this moment. As an anime adaptation of Hiro Yuki’s acclaimed light novel, 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku, speculation flew around as to what the adaptation would be like, particularly in terms of the voice acting cast and the art style. Finally, fans got what they’ve been waiting for at Kyoto Animation’s recent fan event, and it certainly did not disappoint, especially after the film’s dark past.
Sparks of Tomorrow was initially confirmed for adaptation back in 2018. Tragedy struck Kyoto Animation in the form of an arson attack just one year later on July 18th, 2019, an event in which 36 people died, with an additional 34 injuries. The devastating fire took the lives of multiple influential people in the industry, such as Yoshiji Kigami and Yasuhiro Takemoto, and Kyoto Animation’s main location, Studio 1, burned down during the attack. This put a pause on the production of many projects dear to the studio, but Sparks of Tomorrow will finally see the light of day in 2026.
Sparks of Tomorrow is Backed By a Familiar Crew & Voice Acting Cast
Kyoto Animation recruited many recognizable names to produce Sparks of Tomorrow. Minoru Ota, a familiar face to many of this studio’s titles, is making his directorial debut on this series as a step up from his usual role as an episode director. Tatsuhiko Urahata, known for his work on Violet Evergarden is responsible for Sparks of Tomorrow’s series composition. Kohei Okamura was the chief animation director and was also responsible for character designs. Okamura is recognized for his work on Free! The Final Stroke and Violet Evergarden.
KyoAni’s picks for the lead cast member’s voices are sure to generate even more hype for the Sparks of Tomorrow anime. Kihachi Sakamoto is voiced by Yuma Uchida, known for his roles as Jujutsu Kaisen’s Megumi Fushiguro, Fruits Basket’s Kyo Sohma, and Banana Fish’s Ash Lynx. Inako Momokawa is voiced by Sora Amamiya, known for her roles as Chizuru Mizuhara in Rent-A-Girlfriend, Kasumi Yoshizawa in Persona 5, and Touka Kirishima in Tokyo Ghoul.
Such a stacked lineup on the cast and crew definitely adds to the hype surrounding Sparks of Tomorrow. The trailer is already visually appealing on its own, proving that the series is in capable hands. The melancholic atmosphere mixed with steampunk aesthetics with the underlying messages of innovation and better days to come will truly be a sight to behold. Considering that Sparks of Tomorrow quite literally rose from the ashes of an arson attack, it makes the story’s core messages that much more powerful.
Sparks of Tomorrow Tells an Electric Story About Regeneration
Kyoto Animation describes the upcoming Sparks of Tomorrow series as:
“a tale of adventure of boys and girls who dreamed of the age of electricity in a world shrouded in smoke” and a story of “regeneration.” The series takes place in 1907 and follows Inako, a girl who lives in Kyoto’s Fushimi region. Inako has a very overbearing father who believes he can dictate her every decision for her, including those about marriage. The only place Inako can find any peace is at the shrine. As she says in the trailer, “Believing is my strength…that’s the only thing I can do!”
One day, her life completely changes when she meets Kihachi Sakamoto, who challenges her beliefs in the gods and is determined to bring about the age of electricity. Kihachi helps Inako finally make a decision for herself to run away from her family and stop the arranged marriage her father wants. The only way to prevent this marriage from moving forward is to hunt down the “Electricity Catalog,” a book full of predictions about electricity penned by Kihachi himself as a kid.
As Kyoto Animation’s description implies, Sparks of Tomorrow is bound to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster as Kihachi helps Inako finally live for herself. As seen in the trailer, Kihachi was a bit skeptical of Inako himself in the beginning, particularly about her faith in everyone and everything, especially because he couldn’t even trust himself or the things he’d created. However, Inako is quick to reassure Kihachi that she believes in him, telling him, “You are the one who can create the future and the age of electricity.”
It’s clear that Sparks of Tomorrow is just as much Inako’s story of coming into her own and learning how to stand on her own two feet as much as it is Kihachi’s of learning how to trust himself and others. It’s truly a story of regeneration in every sense of the word. Sparks of Tomorrow might just be the most important story the industry has to offer considering the circumstances that surrounded it over the past seven years. 2026 might seem like a long wait, especially considering that there’s no actual release date for the series. However, fans should get ready to dive headfirst into the age of electricity with Inako and Kihachi as soon as this anime comes out.
AloJapan.com