The anime series Sparks of Tomorrow is getting ready to drop its ninth episode. Fans have been following the journey of Kihachi Sakamoto and Inako Momokawa as they search for the mysterious Electrical Catalog in an alternate version of early 20th-century Kyoto. The show, produced by the famous Kyoto Animation studio, has been building up to some major moments. Episode 9, titled “Time of Farewell,” is set to bring a lot of emotional weight and big changes for the main characters.
Episode 9 Release Date and Time
Sparks of Tomorrow episode 9 will officially air on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The episode will broadcast in Japan on networks like ABC TV, TOKYO MX, TV Aichi, and BS11 at 23:00 JST. For international viewers, the episode will be available to stream on Netflix shortly after its broadcast in Japan.
Here is the release schedule for different regions (based on August 30, 2026):
- Japan: 23:00 JST
- United States (Pacific Time): Approximately 07:00 AM
- United Kingdom: Approximately 03:00 PM
- India: Approximately 07:30 PM
- Australia (AEST): Approximately 12:00 AM (August 31)
The series follows a weekly release pattern, with new episodes arriving every Sunday. Episode 10 is already scheduled to follow on September 6, 2026.
Recap: What Happened Before Episode 9
The story of Sparks of Tomorrow is set in an alternate version of the Meiji era where steam engines are the main source of power. The show revolves around the “20th Century Electrical Catalog,” a book that holds the key to bringing electricity to the world.
The main character, Kihachi Sakamoto (voiced by Yuma Uchida), once dreamed of the “Age of Electricity” with his older brother, Seiroku Sakamoto (voiced by Daisuke Ono). However, Seiroku took the catalog to war and never returned, leaving Kihachi alone and cynical.
Years later, Kihachi meets Inako Momokawa (voiced by Sora Amamiya), the daughter of a sake brewer. Inako is pressured by her family to accept an arranged marriage. She wants to escape her fate, and Kihachi offers her a way out. The only way to stop her marriage is to find the lost Electrical Catalog.
The early episodes showed Kihachi and Inako forming an unlikely team. Episode 3 saw Yosuke Mizoe (voiced by Koki Uchiyama), who is Inako’s fiancé, clashing with Kihachi. Inako’s sharp senses helped reveal a secret that inspired Kihachi to recreate an invention. Episode 4 had Inako meeting a grieving shop owner and asking Kihachi to build an electric machine to help her. Episode 5 introduced a strange university graduate who was interested in Kihachi’s experiments.
As the story progressed, the search for the catalog became more intense. Kihachi finally got his hands on the book, but Yosuke reached him before he could examine it. The tension between Kihachi and Yosuke has been growing, especially since Yosuke is not only after the catalog but is also engaged to Inako.
What to Expect in Episode 9: “Time of Farewell”
Episode 9 is titled “Time of Farewell” (別れの時). The previews and summaries for this episode show that a major turning point is coming. The episode will focus on a big event: the engagement party for Yosuke Mizoe and Inako Momokawa.
The party is being held on a boat called the Mitsuzoe boat on Lake Biwa. Inako has made a difficult decision. To protect the Electrical Catalog, which is Kihachi’s dream, she has decided to accept the engagement. She goes to the party without telling Kihachi about her plan.
However, when Kihachi finds out what Inako is doing, he takes action. He urges her to chase her own dreams and helps her escape from the engagement ceremony. This suggests that episode 9 will be a major turning point for Inako’s character. She is moving from being a passive participant in her own life to actively choosing her own path.
The episode is also expected to advance the main plot. After escaping, Kihachi and Inako are guided by a letter from a character named Stuart and head toward Shiga Prefecture. This sets the stage for the next phase of their journey to find the Electrical Catalog.
Main Cast and Characters
Sparks of Tomorrow features a talented voice cast:
- Sora Amamiya as Inako Momokawa
- Yuma Uchida as Kihachi Sakamoto
- Koki Uchiyama as Yosuke Mizoe
- Daisuke Ono as Seiroku Sakamoto
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Kengo Kuga
- Minako Kotobuki as Noriko Momokawa
- Yo Taichi as Suzu Harashima
- Natsumi Kawaida as Kate Okura
- Kazuki Ura as Yajiro Yagura
- Daisuke Hirakawa as Izo Masubuchi
Where to Watch Sparks of Tomorrow
You can watch Sparks of Tomorrow exclusively on Netflix. The series is available with subtitles and dubs in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Japanese. All previous episodes are currently available to stream. Episode 9 will be added to the platform soon after its broadcast in Japan.
The series is a Kyoto Animation production, and it has been praised for its stunning visuals and detailed backgrounds. The opening theme song is “Eureka Evrika” by Luna Goami, and the ending theme is by Ginger Root.
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Fan Reactions and Early Reviews
The series has been well-received by fans and critics. One viewer commented on the show’s high production quality:
“What you would expect from KEAN, the highest quality of production, this smoke, background, folds — in general, every detail is a beauty!”
Some fans have noted the slow-burn nature of the relationship between the main characters:
“I don’t see any chemistry between the main couple yet, but they’re quite cute apart.”
Critics have also praised the show. CBR called it “Netflix’s Sleeper Hit Summer 2026 Anime” and said it “keeps getting better every episode”. The series has been described as “a deeply ambitious story, that consistently rewards its audience”. Another review from But Why Tho? gave the series a 9/10, calling it “a profound labor of love”.
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