Kyoto Animation has formally revealed that its highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Hiro Yuki’s light novel, 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku, officially titled Sparks of Tomorrow in English, is slated for a 2026 premiere. The announcement, accompanied by a first trailer and key visual, was made during the studio’s Fan Event in Kyoto on October 24, 2025.
The project, which was initially announced over eight years ago, will feature Minoru Ota as director, Tatsuhiko Urahata on series composition, and Kouhei Okamura handling character design and serving as chief animation director. Voice actors Yuma Uchida and Sora Amamiya are set to star as the lead characters Kihachi Sakamoto and Inako Momokawa, respectively.
A Long-Awaited Return: The Journey of Sparks of Tomorrow
The anime adaptation of 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku (Japanese: 二十世紀電氣目録; transl. ’20th Century Electricity Catalog’) was first revealed in July 2018. However, production was significantly impacted by the tragic arson attack on Kyoto Animation’s Studio 1 in July 2019, which resulted in the loss of multiple animators and physical materials. Despite the devastating setback, digital files were fortunately recovered, allowing the studio to eventually resume work on various projects. The light novel itself, written by Hiro Yuki with illustrations by Kazumi Ikeda, was published under Kyoto Animation’s KA Esuma Bunko label in August 2018, shortly after the anime announcement. It notably received an honorable mention at the 8th Kyoto Animation Award in 2017.
Synopsis and Setting
Sparks of Tomorrow is set in an alternate early 20th-century Kyoto, a city enshrouded in soot, smoke, and steam due to the rapid development and subsequent stagnation of steam power. The story follows Kihachi, a skeptical young boy haunted by the loss of his brother and their shared dream of an “Age of Electricity.” He crosses paths with Inako, a deeply spiritual girl who conceals her own dreams and regrets. Their encounter ignites a spark, propelling them to challenge this new era with the mysterious and visionary 20th Century Electric Catalogue as their guide, a record filled with secrets that could reshape their world. The narrative explores themes of renewal as the characters strive to reclaim their past dreams and move beyond their present circumstances.
Kyoto Animation’s Resurgence and Upcoming Slate
The announcement of Sparks of Tomorrow‘s 2026 debut highlights Kyoto Animation’s continued resilience and dedication to producing high-quality animation. The studio has steadily been releasing new works and continuing beloved franchises in the years following the 2019 tragedy.
Recent and Forthcoming Projects
Beyond Sparks of Tomorrow, Kyoto Animation has several other projects that have recently premiered or are slated for release. The TV anime series CITY The Animation premiered in July 2025 and is streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the film Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to be Loved opened in Japan in June 2025 and had a theatrical release in the United States in October 2025. The studio is also working on Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie, with the first part, Saishū Gakushō Hibike! Euphonium Zenpen, expected in spring 2026.
The formal reveal of Sparks of Tomorrow signifies a significant milestone for Kyoto Animation, showcasing their enduring commitment to storytelling and artistic excellence for a global audience.
