Kyoto Animation’s steampunk anime Sparks of Tomorrow arrives on Netflix in July

Kyoto Animation is partnering with Netflix to release a new steampunk anime, Sparks of Tomorrow, which is slated to premiere on Netflix in July. The series is set in an alternate early 20th-century Kyoto where steam power is the primary energy source. The story follows Kihachi Sakamoto, a boy who has lost his brother and their shared dream of an “Age of Electricity,” and Inako Momokawa, a devoted girl hiding regrets about her late mother.

When they meet, they begin to explore the 20th Century Electrical Catalog, “a glimpse into the future they long for,” according to the synopsis provided by Netflix in a news release. Sparks of Tomorrow is based on the light novel 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku by Hiro Yuki (published by KA Esuma Bunko / Kyoto Animation).

The series is directed by Minoru Ota, with series composition by Tatsuhiko Urahata, character design and chief animation direction by Kohei Okamura, world-building overseen by Takaaki Suzuki, and music by Hitomi Koto. Yuma Uchida and Sora Amamiya star as Kihachi and Inako, respectively.

Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) is known for titles such as Clannad, K-On!, and Violet Evergarden, and for high production values and an uncommon studio model in which employees are salaried and trained in-house. Netflix has been investing heavily in anime, including a full-time partnership with MAPPA, and Sparks of Tomorrow has been presented as “a new frontier” for the studio.

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