Forum - View topicEP. REVIEW: Sparks of Tomorrow
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SinisterOracle
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I’m trying to like the characters, but I find Kihachi and Inako to be complete buffoons who don’t know how to keep their mouths shut and Yosuke to be a creepy, perverted character who I’m not sure is understanding of his own sexuality. Normally I’d be all in for a story like this but the compatibility of the main trio (sans Seiroku) just does not appeal to me. Maybe if Inako was left out altogether or was only a side character?
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meiam
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Yeah this is the big disappointment of the season, maybe I'll try next episode... but honestly anything other than jettisoning most characters (and probably premise) wouldn't really be enough.
Kyoani are amazing at all aspect visual, but they really need to get better at picking story. I feel like this will be about as well remembered as that ghost hunting one they did a few years ago that I can't even recall the name of. |
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Gina Szanboti
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This review is ostensibly supposed to cover the first 3 episodes, but this implies the reviewer has not watched past the first one - though he did make passing mention of some of the newer characters, so I dunno. I guess I just expected a review covering 3 episodes to be a bit longer and engage a little more in depth with the content of those episodes. I hope he's not so disappointed and done with the genre that subsequent reviews sound like he's on a forced march. Unfortunately, "As someone whose [sic] got all the steam punk fiction they ever needed ... I find this kind of historical fiction to be really unappealing" doesn't bode well... On a lighter note, I'd never seen that Key & Peele sketch before. The costuming was brilliant! So thanks for that. 
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bassgs435
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I don't like the idea a show needs to earn good art and animation. So, what: Should Kyoani have put less effort into it because the story and characters is not good enough for some?
Do animators need permission before they're allowed to show their passion and skills on a project that some consider "doesn't deserve it"?. That entire "this show doesn't do enough right in script to merit these visuals" line is extremely anti-art. They don't need critical approval of the script they're working with to give it a great production. If an excellent team is assigned to the worst script ever, they're allowed to do their best and deliver a visual espectacle even if the script is a failure |
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EmeraldSaucer
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Will echo that this feels extremely thin for a review of all three episodes, and comes across as not really engaging with the material presented beyond episode 1. Where I think they've done an excellent job of grounding the romantic comedy shenanigans of Kihachi and Inako within a constant push and pull between skepticism and optimism through the focal point of invention (which doesn't exist if you excise Inako from the show altogether because you think she's "annoying" or whatever)
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ABtheOtaku
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Whilst I agree that the character work is a bit thin with the current cast, the absolute slapstick we see, especially in ep 2 makes it very clear what type of show they are aiming for. I doubt I will engage deeply with the sincere story DenMoku is trying to tell, but it is myopic to disregard all the neat inventions, over the top hilarity, and the worthwhile writing surrounding Seiroku which is driving the story forward. All of the eccentric cast are gravitating together so strongly due to the negative space Seiroku left in their lives after impacting them so much, and that slowly being teased out isn't as poorly executed as this short review implies.
The single episode reviews from the preview guide had more coverage of the actual show than Lucas' article here, I hope he can get past his initial dislike of the premise and delve into the rest of what's here in the future. If not, pass the reviewing to someone who isn't so abjectly against the content that they have to force themselves through the watch. |
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JustMonika
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Another day, another masterpiece from Kyoto Animation. I'm already leaning towards a 10/10 after 3 episodes.
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SinisterOracle
Subscriber Posts: 910 |
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This is what I’m talking about. Inako had no part of Seiroku’s story, so she is completely out of place here. I feel like the story as a whole would’ve been much stronger had Kihachi and Yosuke gradually bonded over their respective relationships with Seiroku, possibly even becoming romantically involved. Inako could’ve been a side character best friend rooting for them and gradually brought into the fold. |
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secondkas
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Contrary to some views here, I actually think the dynamic between Kihachi and Inako (why does Netflix sub it as Inago?) is cute and fun. Or maybe they might be so annoying individually that I'm relieved they have each other to bounce off their extreme pessimistic/optimistic personalities with. I also enjoy watching the rest of the cast like Inako's friends and sister. Yosuke unfortunately is a character I dislike so much that I hope his role doesn't overshadow the rest in the future (we all have our ships; mine is Yosuke and his butler). But so far, over all, I look forward to this series every week. Hoping for the best, because I haven't been too keen on KyoAni's storytelling style before (I'm also one of the rare few who do not like Nichijou).
Oh, and much praise to this series for educating me of bamboo strands as bulb filaments. I was in such disbelief I had to Google it immediately. Glad I can still learn something new at my age
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SinisterOracle
Subscriber Posts: 910 |
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Bwahahaha I could totally see Yosuke and his butler being a couple!!! I also found it extremely interesting that they used bamboo as filament for their full moon lighting! I just remembered that I read somewhere about alleged substantial rewriting of the story by KyoAni. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but if so it would explain why there seems to be such a strong opinion one way or the other. I’m a fan of the company so I’m always rooting for them to succeed in everything they produce. |
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secondkas
Posts: 104 |
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^If there's one thing I commend KyoAni, it's for giving me interesting characters to ship
It is surprising how the opinions are all over with this series, but I can also see where everyone is coming from. This has a potential to collapse in its own weight of ideas, so I'll just be optimistic that it sticks the landing Last edited by secondkas on Tue Jul 21, 2026 11:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mami-kouga
Posts: 319 |
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I don't even really like think this show is that good myself but wow this review is kind of boring. When the characters all following basic gimmicks was brought up I thought it was a prelude to explaining why they failed, but Narita works are just mentioned and that's it? The point about steampunk is similarly baffling, I understand outright disliking how a story handles an idea but you've still got to at least try to meet at it's level
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ABtheOtaku
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DenMoku is clearly trying to be a romcom and I agree with secondkas about Inako's presence being appreciated to bounce off and balance out Kihachi. I do get what you mean that when it comes to her being unrelated to the main thrust of the plot currently, that might be lessened as things develop (hopefully does), and I can easily see her daftness becoming quite annoying if no substantial development happens. I also like the variety Inako's friends bring and hope they become more than random POVs to cut to for jokes. I will give the show the benefit of doubt for now and enjoy it for the goofs it delivers on.
They are known for consistently changing stories they adapt, for better and worse. If they are majorly changing the story then I hope DenMoku will end on the Hibike S3 side of the spectrum rather than The Violet Evergarden movie side.
Kihachi teasingly calls Inako "Inago" cause that's what it sounded like on the playback from the wax cylinder recording at the temple in ep 1. The other charas call her Inako and the subs reflect that as far as I've seen.
I think Yosuke was/is in love with Seiroku. Seeing as they strongly imply him being the smaller skinny guy we saw in the beginning of ep 1 when Kihachi was small, and Kengo (who looks like the guy peddling the bike dynamo in ep 1) outright points to Yosuke's new flamboyant fashion (which I imagine is a reinvention of self rather than a pointer for him being gay necessarily) added onto his obsession with making Seiroku's dream a reality, decent chance that reveal will drop sometime this cour. I do think Yosuke x Izou (butler) is a fun ship, and hopefully we get to see some history to flesh that relationship out too. |
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secondkas
Posts: 104 |
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Oh right, I forgot about that, thanks for reminding me I guess I was more focused on scenes where Kihachi and Inako interact that her name only registered to me when he's talking
Yeah, Seiroku and Yosuke's relationship seems more significant to the plot so I hope it will be portrayed well. KyoAni has a history of never making my (gay) ships canon, but they are very impressive in still giving fanservice of them to lead me on. So I will take any crumbs I can get, even if it's just 5 seconds of Yosuke and Izou (thanks also for stating his name) in a quiet room staring meaningfully at each other |
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Eilavel
Posts: 556 |
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I found the goofy humour deeply unfunny, the characters not likeable and given these two factors were far more in focus than the ostensible plot I dropped it after 2 episodes, despite the fact that it looks fantastic. I'm absolutely here for dunking on this show- but even still, this is a bit light for a 3 episode review!
The background work is very good. Theres imaginative ideas in how the city runs on steam. I couldn't stand the goofy face cuts mid-conversation; others like them; this review only communicates them through the thumbnail. I personally think this is a shallow and basically poorly written show with superb production, but it deserves more engagement on its own terms than this- especially given quite a lot of other people disagree with me. |
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