Quick recap of Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 2: Yosuke forces his way into Kihachi’s workshop to seize the 20th Century Electrical Catalog, but his fiancée Inako outsmarts him by handing over an empty box instead. Furious over her conduct, Inako’s father confines her to her room, only for Kihachi to rescue her. Encouraged by Inako to turn his childhood sketches into reality, the pair make a daring escape aboard one of Kihachi’s kite-like flying contraptions, though Yosuke eventually catches up with them. Brief flashbacks also reveal that both Yosuke and Inako’s brother-in-law, Kengo Kuga, once knew Kihachi’s elder brother Seiroku.
Pretty boy (Kihachi’s words, not mine) Yosuke Mizoe is extremely disappointed when he finds out the ’20th Century Electrical Catalog’ he was chasing is nothing but a collection of childish doodles by a younger Kihachi imagining what Japan might be like if it were electrified. Yosuke is convinced the book is a “fake.” He simply cannot understand the value of Kihachi’s dreams, and thankfully does not find out that the catalog also contains secret encrypted messages left by Seiroku.
Titled Their Dream, Episode 3 of ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ indicates a little more clearly that Yosuke Mizoe might’ve once looked up to and admired Seiroku Sakamoto, much like Kihachi does. However, his current ambitions remain unclear. Does he also want to make Seiroku’s vision of an electrified Japan come true? Or does he intend to ensure no such progress is made, given that he’s the heir to a wealthy steam-engine empire? Given that he seems to be the only antagonist in sight, we’ll just have to assume it’s the latter.
Anyway, the primary focus of ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ episode 3 is on Inako encouraging Kihachi to finally turn the ideas and doodles in the catalog into reality. Kihachi, however, remains skeptical and has all but lost faith in his late brother’s words. And of course Yosuke’s harsh dismissal of the book being nothing but childish gibberish also deals a big blow to his confidence. However Inako’s unwavering belief in him convinces the budding inventor to give Seiroku’s dreams another chance and prove Yosuke wrong.
This episode’s highlight is watching two of Inako’s classmates, Kato and Suzu, as they selflessly rally behind Hikachi, just because Inako believes in him. All three girls help their new friend at his workshop, offering all the assistance he needs. Kato is the bright-eyed, blonde-haired ball of energy, while Suzu is the calmer and more thoughtful of the two. It’s Suzu who discovers a secret message hidden inside the catalog, giving Kihachi the crucial clue he needs to make his electric bulbs last longer. Inako’s sister Noriko and husband Kengo come forward to help them group too.
The animation in ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ continues to be dreamy and colorful, and it’s a joy to watch the young protagonists come together in pursuit of a groundbreaking invention. The montage of Kihachi and the girls working round the clock as a team is engagingly animated, accompanied by the kind of optimistic musical flourishes one usually fins in classic animated films (Disney-like if you must).
Once again, it’s Inako’s infectious optimism and unwavering belief that drive ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ forward. The episode ends on a humorous note, with Kihachi and Yosuke once again confronting each other over the contents of the catalog. While Kihachi wants to find out what the wealthy steam-engine scion had to do with his brother, Yosuke is all rage and fury in the closing minute. Overall, a fun episode.
Watch ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ on Netflix.
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