Quick recap of ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ Episode 7: Encouraged by her friends and sister, Inako runs away with Kihachi to escape her formal engagement to Yosuke to follow her dreams of becoming a sake brewer. Both of them are hilariously chased by Yosuke and Kengo across the land. The youngsters are headed to meet Kate’s father Stuart, who claims to have the other half of Seiroku’s 20th Century Electrical Catalog.
Titled ‘His Brother’s Footsteps’, episode 8 of ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ follows up on the mystery of whether Kate’s dad, Stuart, really has the rest of Seiroku’s book or not. Kengo too arrives with Kihachi and Inako at Stuart’s residence after helping them escape Yosuke’s relentless pursuit.
This is a flashback-filled episode that answers several crucial questions, like why Kengo looked so distraught when he first spotted Stuart at the amusement park in episode 6. Memories of Kengo’s time spent with Seiroku during the war show what happened between them. It’s a secret that Kengo had been carrying with a lot of guilt for almost three years, and he finally breaks down and unburdens himself.
The animation during the war flashbacks takes on a noticeably more somber and nostalgic quality, with the colors shifting to greyer, gloomier tones that match the oppressive atmosphere of the battlefield. We see Kengo and Seiroku sharing quieter moments in the trenches before throwing themselves headlong into the violence of war. These sequences are animated so vividly, making a fantastic contrast between the rest of the story. I really wanted the entire episode to be about the war flashback though. Anyway…
We also get clear answers about Stuart’s connection with Seiroku, and Kihachi has a new challenge to solve: finding a way to open an electrical door made by his older brother to gain access to what’s inside. So a significant amount of time is spent watching him look for a way to open the door, and of course, the ever-enthusiastic Inako tries to help him. Some of these moments are very entertaining, like watching two people excitedly solve a puzzle together.
While the brothers’ dream of ushering in an age powered by electricity remains the central theme of ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’, this chapter also marks a significant turning point in Inako and Kihachi’s friendship. Kihachi acknowledges how much Inako has grown: from a naive girl who would believe almost anything and never dare defy her father, to someone slowly gaining confidence in herself and her own dreams. And while much of the series so far has seen Inako encouraging Kihachi to believe in his inventions, it’s finally his turn to do the same for her.
Overall, this is a solid ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ episode that pushes the story forward, answers several lingering questions, and remains true to the show’s biggest theme: we shouldn’t be afraid to follow our dreams. Its only flaw? Not enough of the villainous Yosuke! (Sorry, I’ve become a bit of a fan of the ‘pretty boy’, as Kihachi likes to call him.)
Watch ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ on Netflix.
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