Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“My talent is believing!”
Based on the Japanese light novel ’20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku’ (20th Century Electricity Catalog) by Hiro Yūki, ‘Sparks of Tomorrow‘ is an alternate-history anime that follows a boy determined to electrify Japan at a time when the nation still runs almost entirely on steam power. Ironically, the person who might help him realize his dream is a deeply devout girl, someone so quick to mistake people for deities that she’s practically his complete opposite.
Directed by Minoru Ôta, ‘Sparks of Tomorrow‘ opens with a flashback of protagonist Kihachi Sakamoto (voiced by Yuma Uchida) traveling with his elder brother, Seiroku, who promises that the two of them will usher in an age of electricity in Japan together. However, Seiroku disappears during the war, along with his manual, 20th Century Electrical Catalog. With neither his brother nor the book to guide him, Kihachi resigns himself to a quiet life repairing small machines at his uncle’s workshop. But a chance encounter with a young woman named Inako Momokawa at a shrine rekindles his dream.
Titled “The Electric Boy,” episode one does a solid job of world-building, introducing both the principal characters and the story’s main antagonist. Yosuke Mizoe, a wealthy young heir, immediately sets his sights on the Momokawa family, from his introductory moments, he is established as a flambyouyant, manipulative, unsettling figure. Ironically, he also looks gorgeous, but has those crazy villain eyes. One of my favorite little details is that he’s constantly followed by an attendant carrying an incense burner, a clever visual cue that not only signals his status, but also suggests he considers the very air breathed by ordinary people beneath him.
Over the course of this season’s thirteen episodes, Kihachi Sakamoto proves to be a worthy protagonist, young, intelligent, practical, ambitious, hard-working, forever tinkering with machines. His personality hilariously clashes with that of Inako Momokawa. Kihachi believes in reason, science, and electricity, whereas Inako believes in heaven and hell, even mistaking music coming from a gramophone-like device for the gods trying to communicate with her. And while Kihachi is meticulous and constantly trying to innovate, Inako is a clumsy train wreck, forever breaking things around her.
In some ways, ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ is a simple enough sci-fi fantasies about two youngsters pursuing their dreams. Kihachi wants to electrify Japan, while Inako wants to carry forward her mother’s legacy and become a master brewer of Sake. She is constantly pushing and encouraging Kihachi to innovate. However, there’s also a lot of suspense in the show about what happened to Kihachi’s older brother Seiroku and his connection to the powerful Yosuke, who shows an obsessive interest in acquiring his electrical catalog. Some more of their flashbacks in the second-half would’ve been appreciated.
More often than not, Yosuke overshadows both lead protagonists with his sinister, sparkly personality. He serves both some of the darkest and the funniest moments of the show. Yosuke’s obsession with Seiroku and ultimately Kihachi is disturbingly twisted. But one of the best part about ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ is the lasting, memorable sibling relationships portrayed in the anime. Kihachi’s emotional connection to his older brother Seiroku is beautifully depicted throughout the show, while Inako’s older sister Noriko too consistently stands up for Inako, supporting her decision to not marry and instead become a master brewer.
A minor subplot follows Noriko’s engagement to the bulky, Hulk-like Kengo, who often sides with Yosuke in the anime and also shares a strong connection with Kihachi’s brother. Kengo mostly serves as comic relief, he is basically a lovable himbo who is huge, good-natured and prefers thinking with his muscles. But my favorite supporting characters in Sparks of Tomorrow are Inako’s best friends, Suzu and Kate, who are always ready to help with her various schemes. From lending a hand to build Kihachi’s strange machines to forming a crazy little girl band with Inako, Suzu and Kate are the ultimate girls’ girls.
Animated by Kyoto Animation (Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice), the artwork for ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ is a sight to behold. The visual style is a bright blend of glossy modern anime and more traditional brushstrokes, with many backgrounds giving the impression of being hand-painted. By combining digital animation (which of course is more dominant) with analog illustrations, the production team gives ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ a vivid, dynamic atmosphere.
Episode 6 had a wonderful animated sequence, where the creators change the animation style to retro 80s style sketches to show Inako and her friends 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.
Overall, Sparks of Tomorrow is consistently entertaining, throwing in twists both big and small while its primary characters relentlessly chase their dreams through sweat, blood and tears. Kihachi and Inako embody the optimism and determination of youth, while Yosuke represents what happens when that same drive takes a darker, more destructive turn.
If you’re a fan of historic or steampunk animes like Leviathan or Arcane, check this show out too.
Rating: 7.5 on 10. Watch ‘Sparks of Tomorrow’ on Netflix.
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