The Kyoto Animation series Sparks of Tomorrow continues its weekly run with Episode 8 arriving this Sunday. The anime, which premiered on July 5, 2026, has been drawing viewers with its steampunk-inspired alternate history set in early 20th-century Kyoto. Episode 8, titled “Brother’s Footsteps” (兄の足跡), is set to release on August 23, 2026.
The show follows Kihachi Sakamoto (voiced by Yuma Uchida) and Inako Momokawa (voiced by Sora Amamiya) as they search for a missing catalog that could bring electricity to the smoke-filled streets of Kyoto. Each new episode has raised the emotional stakes between the two leads.
Episode 8 Release Date and Time
Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 8 releases on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The episode airs in Japan at 23:00 JST (11:00 PM Japan Standard Time).
For viewers around the world streaming on Netflix, here are the exact release times:
- Japan (JST): Sunday, August 23 at 11:00 PM
- United States (EST): Sunday, August 23 at 10:00 AM
- United States (PST): Sunday, August 23 at 7:00 AM
- United Kingdom (BST): Sunday, August 23 at 3:00 PM
- Central Europe (CEST): Sunday, August 23 at 4:00 PM
- India (IST): Sunday, August 23 at 7:30 PM
- Australia (AEST): Monday, August 24 at 12:00 AM
Netflix releases new episodes every Sunday at 23:00 JST, which translates to a Sunday morning release for North American audiences.
Where to Watch Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 8
Sparks of Tomorrow streams exclusively on Netflix worldwide. The series is not available on any other streaming platform.
In Japan, the anime also broadcasts on television through TOKYO MX, BS11, ABC TV, and TV Aichi. However, international viewers can only watch the show on Netflix.
Each episode runs for approximately 24 to 25 minutes. The series is scheduled for 13 episodes total, with the finale expected on September 27, 2026.
Episode 7 Recap: What Happened Before
Episode 7, which aired on August 16, 2026, was titled “Elopement”. The episode marked the start of the second arc of the series.
The episode picked up with Inako Momokawa facing pressure from her family. Her father, Jinemon Momokawa (voiced by Hiroshi Yanaka), was making decisions about her future without her input. The topic of marriage came up, and Inako was about to give up hope.
Kihachi Sakamoto stepped in and suggested that Inako run away from her family. The only way to stop her forced marriage was to find an unusual book called the “Electricity Catalog”.
Yosuke Mizoe (voiced by Koki Uchiyama), who is Inako’s fiancé, stormed into Kihachi’s workshop and demanded the Catalog. He also demanded his fiancée back. Yosuke was in denial about the situation and clashed with Kihachi.
Later in the episode, Inako’s sharp senses revealed a secret. Her belief in Kihachi inspired him to recreate an invention. Inako met a grieving shop owner whose loss echoed her own. Fully believing in Kihachi’s skills, she asked him to build an electric machine to help.
The episode ended with Inako appearing to accept a marriage proposal from Yosuke – a choice that threatened to end the partnership between Kihachi and Inako at the worst possible moment. This development set up major conflict for Episode 8.
What to Expect in Episode 8
Episode 8 is titled “Brother’s Footsteps” (兄の足跡). The preview for the episode was released on August 19, 2026.
According to the official synopsis, the episode will see Kihachi and Inako continue their journey. The preview reveals that when they arrive at their destination, they find Kate’s father – who turns out to be Stewart-sensei, the teacher who once taught Seiroku and the others.
Seiroku Sakamoto (voiced by Daisuke Ono) is Kihachi’s older brother and an inventor who was passionately devoted to electricity. His fate has been a central mystery of the series. The episode title “Brother’s Footsteps” suggests that Kihachi will be following in his brother’s path, potentially uncovering more about what happened to Seiroku.
The anime’s official social media account shared a preview of the episode on August 19, building anticipation for the Sunday release.
The Story So Far
Sparks of Tomorrow is set in the summer of 1907, the 40th year of the Meiji era. The story takes place in Kyoto, specifically in the Fushimi area.
Kihachi Sakamoto once witnessed the wonders of electricity with his brother Seiroku. But when Seiroku brought the catalog with him to war and never returned, Kihachi was left alone and cynical.
Four years later, Kihachi met Inako Momokawa, the daughter of a sake brewer. Their encounter set Kihachi’s stagnant life in motion again. Inako was being pressured into a political marriage in exchange for a loan to her family. She escaped Yosuke and reunited with Kihachi, carrying the “20th Century Electrical Catalog” in her hands.
The series has been described as a “steampunk romance” and one of the most discussed anime releases of summer 2026.
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Cast and Characters
The main cast of Sparks of Tomorrow includes:
- Yuma Uchida as Kihachi Sakamoto
- Sora Amamiya as Inako Momokawa
- Koki Uchiyama as Yosuke Mizoe
- Daisuke Ono as Seiroku Sakamoto
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Kengo Kuga
- Minako Kotobuki as Noriko Momokawa
- You Taichi as Suzu Harashima
- Natsumi Kawaida as Kate Okura
- Kazuki Ura as Yajiro Yagura
- Daisuke Hirakawa as Izo Masubuchi
The opening theme song is “Eureka Evrika” performed by Luna Goami.
Also Read: Sparks of Tomorrow Episode 6 Release Date and Time for Every Major Region
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