This Sparks of Tomorrow episode was wack as hell! And in the best possible way! Definitely the best chapter of the anime so far. I mean Inako, Kate, and Suzu in a rebellious girl band? Bring it on!
Quick recap of Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 5: Kihachi works on a match-making machine which gets everybody excited, especially Inako. Thanks to the machine, the youngsters learn about a few pairs who are in love with each other, only to finally discover that the instrument doesn’t really work! Izo seems to harbor more than platonic feelings for his master, while Yosuke continues to be obsessed with Seiroku and the Electrical Catalog.
Titled ‘The Sound of Innovation’, episode 6 starts with Inako practicing the shamisen at home, but she ends up breaking a string and getting an earful. It sets the tone for this music-themed edition, where Inako and friends, including Kihachi, are challenged to a musical face-off by the glamorous Yosuke.
Most of this chapter unfolds at a giant theme park owned by Yosuke’s family, where he plans to inaugurate a new steam-powered musical marvel. He demonstrates it to Kihachi and the girls, who are left stunned – by just how bad it sounds. He he. Irate, Yosuke challenges them to perform after him on inauguration day and the group takes up the dare.
The middle section of this ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ episode changes the animation style to retro 80s style sketches, with the girls training to be in a band as if they’re going to war. The sequence hilarious pays ode to all kinds of action anime which involve the protagonist undergoing rigorous training to be battle ready. Older fans might think of shows like Dragon Ball Z, while others might remember Demon Slayer Hashira Arc. Regardless, it’s a highly entertaining sequence of Inako, Kate, and Suzu practicing day and night to perform in public.
But this isn’t just a simple musical face-off. Kihachi once again brings some of Seiroku’s ideas from the Electrical Catalog to life, giving the girls electric-powered instruments to perform with. The trio essentially gets to become Japan’s first rock band, and it’s pretty epic. Poor Inako, meanwhile, is forced to rebel against her father just to get on stage, as he strictly warns her against embarrassing him in front of the crowd when he learns that the girls intend to perform in public. (Although he’s probably more terrified that Yosuke will call off their engagement.)
For the first time, Inako also shows some real self-doubt, worried that she doesn’t have the confidence to step onto the stage. And this time, it’s Kihachi who asks her to channel her power of “belief.” It’s a nice little reversal in their dynamic: throughout ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’, Inako has been the one constantly encouraging Kihachi and pushing him to believe in his inventions. Now, Kihachi turns her own words and advice back on her, giving Inako the tug she needs to reach new heights.
Episode six also introduces Kate’s British father Stuart Smith for the first time, and Suzu’s younger sisters. In an interesting little twist, Stuart shows signs of recognizing Kihachi from somewhere, indicating he might have some link to Seiroku too. And to deepen the mystery, Kengo actively tried to avoid Stuart for some reason.
Overall, this is the best episode of ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’, with the girl’s performance on electrical instruments being the absolute highlight of the show. The edition ends with a creepy cliffhanger which gives viewers certain answers about the mechanical hands Yosuke was seen talking to at the end of episode 4.
Watch ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ on Netflix.
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