Sparks of Tomorrow Premieres July 5 on Netflix With US Premiere at Anime Expo

Kyoto Animation is back with what might be their most visually ambitious project yet. Sparks of Tomorrow — the studio’s adaptation of Hiro Yuki’s 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku novel — premieres on July 5, 2026, and US fans will get an early look at the first two episodes at Anime Expo on July 3.

Watch the official trailer

The announcement, made by Anime Expo on May 21, confirms that the screening will take place at 10:00 AM in the JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom. It’s the fourth stop in Sparks of Tomorrow’s global world premiere tour, following MCM Comic Con London, AFA Thailand, and AnimagiC in Germany — a remarkable international rollout for a KyoAni production.

A Steampunk Kyoto Unlike Any Other

Sparks of Tomorrow is set in an alternate-history 1907 Kyoto where steam engines evolved to dominance and electricity never took off. The city is perpetually shrouded in coal smoke, with massive steam-powered machinery integrated into everyday life. KyoAni’s signature background art takes on a new direction here — described as reminiscent of Impressionist paintings — creating a world that feels both historical and dreamlike.

The story follows Kihachi Sakamoto, a young man who writes his imagined electrical inventions into a “20th Century Electrical Catalog.” Together with his admired older brother Seiroku, he dreams of bringing electricity to this steam-choked world. But Seiroku takes the catalog to war — and never returns.

Years later, Kihachi meets Inako Momokawa, the 15-year-old daughter of a Fushimi sake brewer. Nothing ever goes right for Inako — she’s constantly scolded by her father and finds solace only in her prayers at Fushimi Inari shrine. When she meets Kihachi, the lost catalog resurfaces, setting off a chain of events that pits them against Yosuke Mizoe, the heir to a powerful steam conglomerate who’s pushing a political marriage with Inako.

The official website describes it as “a story of regeneration” — a tale of dreams, loss, and the fight to bring light to a world drowning in smoke.

Anime Expo Appearance

Beyond the premiere screening, Anime Expo will host an impressive lineup of Sparks of Tomorrow’s creative talent on July 4 at 6:00 PM in the same venue:

• Tomoya Kitagawa — Director of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
• Keiichiro Saito — Supporting director
• Yuichiro Fukushi — Animation producer
• Keisuke Kojima — Character designer

This is the same core team behind Frieren — one of the most critically acclaimed anime of the decade — and their involvement in Sparks of Tomorrow should tell you everything about the level of craft KyoAni is bringing to this project.

The convention will also host manga artist and illustrator Acky Bright, along with a packed music lineup including Yoko Kanno, SPYAIR, ALI, and a VOCALOID event featuring Hachioji-P and kz (livetune).

Netflix Streaming and Broadcast

Sparks of Tomorrow will stream exclusively worldwide on Netflix, with episodes dropping on Sundays starting July 5 at 11:00 PM JST — the same time as the Japanese broadcast on Tokyo MX, BS11, ABC TV, and TV Aichi.

This marks one of the most significant Netflix anime licensing deals of 2026. KyoAni productions have historically been scattered across different streaming platforms in the west (Violet Evergarden on Netflix, Hibike! Euphonium on Crunchyroll), so having Sparks of Tomorrow as a day-one Netflix worldwide exclusive gives it the broadest possible reach from the start.

J-Hub’s Take

Every new Kyoto Animation production carries weight. After the devastating 2019 arson attack that claimed 36 lives and injured many more, every KyoAni release feels like a statement of resilience. But Sparks of Tomorrow feels particularly significant — it’s KyoAni at its most experimental.

The alternate-history steampunk setting is a first for the studio, known primarily for school slice-of-life (K-ON!, Hibike! Euphonium) and fantasy dramas (Violet Evergarden, Frieren). The Impressionist-inspired background art, the Meiji-era Kyoto setting, and the tone described as “steampunk meets historical drama” represent new creative ground. The fact that this is adapted from a novel rather than a manga or original screenplay also suggests a tighter, more literary narrative structure than typical KyoAni fare.

The Frieren staff crossover is also worth noting. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was a phenomenon — a show that redefined what a fantasy anime could be by focusing on aftermath rather than adventure. If Sparks of Tomorrow captures even a fraction of that team’s storytelling discipline, we’re in for something special.

For those attending Anime Expo: the July 3 screening is going to be one of the most in-demand tickets at the convention. Arrive early. For everyone else: July 5 on Netflix. Mark your calendars.