Kyoto
Animation's art will reach the whole world simultaneously. During the Next
on Netflix 2026 event held in Tokyo, it was officially announced that
the Sparks of Tomorrow anime (known in Japan as Nijusseiki
Denki Mokuroku) will premiere exclusively on the streaming platform
next July 2026.
This
production marks a new frontier for the studio, betting on a bold art direction
inspired by Impressionist painting. The team has placed a special
emphasis on the representation of the characters' eyes, eschewing digital
processing to transmit light purely through the expression of colour.
Sparks
of Tomorrow Anime Details
The series
is the directorial debut of Minoru Ota (key animator on Violet
Evergarden and Liz and the Blue Bird). The script is
supervised by Tatsuhiko Urahata, with character design by Kohei
Okamura and music by Hitomi Koto.
Voice
cast
The story
will be led by two of the most sought-after voices in the industry:
- Yuma Uchida as Kihachi
Sakamoto
Known for playing Megumi Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen and Ash Lynx in Banana Fish. - Sora Amamiya as Inako Momokawa
Famous for being Aqua in KonoSuba and Chizuru Mizuhara in Rent-a-Girlfriend.
Director's
reactions
Director
Minoru Ota shared his vision on the technical and artistic challenge that this
project represents for the studio:
Minoru Ota (Director):
"The play is set in an 'if' (alternative) version of Kyoto in Japan, where
steam engines have evolved beyond reason... The entire core team accepted the
challenge of delivering never-before-seen expressions, approaching the project
with intense passion to introduce something new to anime fans."
"Although
the process was difficult and required repeated attempts, I think the result
achieved scenes where the art and characters elevate each other... The series
represents a new frontier for Kyoto Animation and is expected to resonate
deeply with viewers."
About
Sparks of Tomorrow
The story
is based on the original novel by Hiroshi Yuki, published under
the KA Esuma Bunko imprint. The work won an honorable mention
in the long-form novel category at the 8th Kyoto Animation Awards in
May 2017, being the only entry to win an award that year.
Set in an
alternate Kyoto of the early twentieth century, the plot follows Inako, a
devout girl, and Kihachi, a boy who rejects the gods. The two are united by the
search for the "Twentieth Century Electricity Catalog," a prophetic
book that his brother left behind in a world dominated by steam.
