Quick recap of Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 4: Furious that Kihachi’s ‘Full Moon’ lights are a success, Yosuke becomes even more determined to get his hands on the ‘real’ Electrical Catalog. Meanwhile, encouraged by the ever-optimistic Inako, Kihachi creates a device to help a grieving widow reconnect with life by making her believe she’s speaking to her late husband through her son. Some, however, mistake it for a machine that can communicate with the dead. The episode ends with Yosuke descending into his basement and speaking to a mysterious hand that appears to belong to Seiroku, though its true significance remains a mystery.
After giving us such a killer cliffhanger that makes you wonder if Yosuke is a complete psycho, someone who has probably preserved Seiroku’s corpse inside some bizarre mechanical contraption (probably, or not), Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 5 offers absolutely no explanation. What the hell?! Although, despite that omission, it’s a very entertaining episode that shifts its focus to Yosuke’s latest invention: a matchmaking machine.
Titled ‘Proof of Love’, Episode 5 begins with Inako enjoying some snacks with her close friends Kate and Suzu, while a creepy stranger secretly watches them. He clearly has a crush on one of the girls, and as the episode unfolds, he is revealed to be Ainosuke Oshie, a university student. Oshie hounds Kihachi to use his new matchmaking machine to find out whether his feelings are reciprocated.
Like always, Kihachi isn’t sure if the machine is capable of detecting whether two people are actually in love, but firm believer Inako, of course, has 100% confidence that it will work. The youngsters test the machine on a bunch of people, leading to some comedic results. Even Inako’s sister, Noriko, becomes the subject of one of their experiments. But the most hilariously unexpected test subjects? Yosuke and Izo.
So while watching ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ Episode 4, my brain immediately started ‘ghost shipping’ the bratty Yosuke with his perpetually loyal lackey, Izo Masubuchi. I mean, the man is attached to his boss’ hip 24/7. One montage has Yosuke dramatically stomping around the mansion, getting out of bed, stripping, and tossing his clothes at poor Izo, who dutifully puts up with it all. Minutes later, he casually walks into Yosuke’s bath to deliver updates. I figured it was just subtle master-servant comedy… until Episode 5 reveals that Izo may have developed feelings for his insufferably rich employer, even if he never intends to act on them.
I definitely don’t think, or even expect ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ to seriously explore Yosuke and Izo’s dynamic, especially since Izo remains completely obsessed with Seiroku and is also engaged to Inako, whom he hilariously keeps referring to as “my honey.” Still, it’s an intriguing little subplot that fits neatly into Episode 5’s broader theme of exploring different forms of love. Beyond romance, the episode touches on comradeship, childhood friendships, and the many different ways people become attached to one another.
Overall, this was an entertaining episode in which Kihachi continues bringing to life the many inventions he once dreamed up with his brother, while also growing closer to Inako and her circle of friends.
Watch ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ on Netflix.
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