Kyoto Animation Announces Sparks of Tomorrow for 2026

Kyoto Animation has announced its latest television anime Sparks of Tomorrow will premiere in 2026. The announcement marks the directorial debut of Minoru Ota, with main cast members Yuma Uchida and Sora Amamiya bringing the protagonists to life. The studio unveiled the first promotional video and key visual alongside the broadcast confirmation.

Sparks of Tomorrow adapts Hiro Yuki's light novel that won the Encouragement Prize at the 8th Kyoto Animation Awards. The story unfolds in an alternate early 20th century Kyoto where steam technology dominates instead of electricity. The narrative follows a boy mourning his brother with whom he dreamed of an electrical age, and a devout girl carrying regrets about her deceased mother and aspirations for the future. Their encounter around the mysterious "20th Century Electrical Catalog" sparks an adventure as characters confront their past regrets while reclaiming forgotten dreams and rediscovering themselves in this tale of rebirth.

The 2026 release follows Kyoto Animation's 2025 lineup including The Little Dragon at Kobayashi's Place movie and CITY THE ANIMATION series, with Sound! Euphonium Final Movement's first film scheduled for spring 2026 theatrical release.

Director Minoru Ota previously served as instrument animation director for Sound! Euphonium Season 3 and directed notable episodes across Kyoto Animation productions, making Sparks of Tomorrow his first full directorial project. Series composition falls to Tatsuhiko Urahata who penned scripts for the Violet Evergarden series and handled series composition for Baki. Character designer and chief animation director Kohei Okamura previously worked on character settings and chief animation direction for Free! The Final Stroke theatrical films. World-building specialist Takaaki Suzuki brings experience from his work as consultant and supervisor on Violet Evergarden and Girls und Panzer. The music composition marks Hitomi Koto's debut in anime soundtrack production.

Main character Kihachi Sakamoto is voiced by Yuma Uchida, known for roles including Megumi Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen and Jun Yorikawa in The Medalist. Heroine Inako Momokawa is performed by Sora Amamiya, recognized for voicing Kanade Hisaishi in Sound! Euphonium and Aqua in KonoSuba.

Uchida commented on his casting that he felt determined from the audition stage to build his performance carefully, noting the director's emphasis on capturing the era's atmosphere. Amamiya described the role as presenting continuous challenges with its fresh tone, expressing commitment to portraying Inako's straightforward character who values belief.

The first promotional video showcases the anime's distinctive visual approach with art direction evoking impressionist paintings alongside Kyoto Animation's detailed animation techniques. Despite being debut footage, the trailer extensively features world-building shots with character voices from Sakamoto and Momokawa already included.

The accompanying key visual, illustrated by character designer Okamura, depicts protagonists Kihachi and Inako gazing forward with determination amid steam-filled Kyoto streets, foreshadowing the adventure ahead.

The announcement originated from the October 25 Kyoto Animation Fan Appreciation Event's new works presentation stage. The stage content remains available through the Kyoto Animation YouTube channel in archive format until November 4 at 10:00 AM.

Concurrent with the announcement, the anime launched its official website and social media accounts including Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and an English-language Twitter account. The official Twitter account is running a follow and repost campaign offering signed posters from cast members and original postcards.

Sparks of Tomorrow is scheduled to air in 2026 with further details forthcoming.