Synopsis

Permanent and thick, a haze of steam and smoke hangs over the streets of Kyoto. In this alternate early 1900s, electricity never took off: the world runs on boilers and pistons, and progress looks very different from our history books. Kihachi Sakamoto is a young inventor who used to dream about changing all that alongside his brother. Then his brother disappeared, and the dream died with him. Now Kihachi mostly just keeps his head down. Inako Momokawa is a deeply religious girl carrying her own quiet grief: her mother is gone, and the expectations stacked on her don't leave much room for the ambitions she keeps buried. When these two stumble onto something called the '20th Century Electrical Catalog,' a mysterious book that shouldn't exist in their steam-bound world, they start pulling at threads that could unravel everything they've been told about why electricity was abandoned. This is a Kyoto Animation TV series, and it shows: the impressionist-inspired art style gives the steampunk setting this hazy, painterly warmth that fits the tone perfectly. It's emotional and slow-burning, more interested in what these characters are carrying inside than in big action setpieces. If you liked the melancholy beauty of Violet Evergarden or the quiet ambition of The Place Promised in Our Early Days, this sits in that same space. There are shades of Steamboy's retro-futurism too, but grounded in something more personal. Based on a light novel, airing in 2026.

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chloe_344★★★★☆EP 44h

I was so moved when the mistress finally heard her husband and it made me tear up because I lost someone too but then that basement scene at the end totally ruined my peace of mind

aerith_gainsborough★★★☆☆EP 44h

You have to wonder if faking a dead mans voice is actually helping or if its just a cruel trick to play on a grieving woman who just needs real support and not some fake machine

serena★★★★☆EP 44h

The way Inako stood her ground against Yosuke was so brave and you can tell she really cares about keeping those old traditions alive even when everything else is changing around her

saix★★★★☆EP 44h

Those sparks in their eyes when Kihachi finally figured out the carbon resistance trick looked incredible and the animation style for the Kyoto sunset was such a treat to watch

tsubasa★★★★★VerifiedEP 48h

It looks like death and clinging to the past permeates this story about making the future possible. Inako is precious and today was her episode. Her and the proprietress' story was very emotional and relatable. Finally we get to see why Yosuke is so obsessed with the manual and we see how similar he is to Inako clinging to the past.

tsubasa★★★★★VerifiedEP 38h

I really liked how it was a team effort that brought the electric moon to life. Uchiyama Kouki's over the top reactions as Yousuke are still funny to watch.

reirei★★★★★VerifiedEP 49h

I liked the story flow in this episode, and things are just getting more interesting. But that ending really gave me chills. The whole vibe of this episode was emotional, and then that cliffhanger gave me so much to think about, leaving me staring at the wall, lol.

sandaime★★★★★VerifiedEP 49h

Really, really loved this episode! I loved the mix of drama and comedy. It never felt boring for a second. And the animation? Such a feast for the eyes, as always.

katana★★★★★VerifiedEP 49h

This was such an emotional episode. I loved the storyline in this one and Inako's little backstory about her mom. Also, dang, I know Yosuke is crazy, but I didn't expect him to be THAT crazy, lmao.

daxyhn13★★★★☆VerifiedEP 41d

Di episode ini, Kihachi terus menciptakan berbagai alat berdasarkan catatan kakaknya. Meski alur ceritanya terasa cukup klise dan episodik, episode ini berhasil menggali lebih dalam tentang sosok ibu Inako. Sayangnya, Mizoe justru terasa semakin creepy dan sulit disukai. Untungnya, Inako kembali menjadi karakter terbaik dan membuat anime ini secara keseluruhan menarik.

emperor★★★☆☆VerifiedEP 33d

good

emperor★★★★☆VerifiedEP 23d

decent enough

emperor★★★★☆VerifiedEP 13d

good

sophocles_343★★★★☆EP 37d

The way the show explained the bamboo filament reminded me of Dr Stone and my favorite part was the team working together in the glass workshop

asukawaifu★★★☆☆EP 37d

Inako standing up to Yosuke to take the notebook back was great and she has so much faith in Kihachi and his inventions

soifong_stinger★★★☆☆EP 37d

You can really feel for Yosuke when he finally breaks down in the garden and his jealousy over Seiroku explains why he was being such a jerk about the notebook

moryomaru_252★★★☆☆EP 37d

I was totally caught off guard by Yosuke's reaction at the end, especially since I thought he was just a standard villain type. Watching him drop to his knees while the bamboo lights glowed around him made me realize how much he actually misses Seiroku. It turns out he is just really bitter about his own life and choices.

betobeto_san★★★★☆EP 37d

That ninja powder Suzu used to find the hidden notes was so cool and it changed everything for Kihachi and gave me chills

rengoku_radiance★★★★☆EP 37d

The moment those bamboo bulbs lit up the whole courtyard was absolutely beautiful and seeing Yosuke realize his brother actually left a real legacy was a total gut punch

rinn123★★★★★VerifiedEP 37d

It was sad to see Kihachi's self confidence utterly destroyed by Mizoe when he was mocking the electric catalog as being useless child doodles. It was inspiring that they worked hard and finally realized his vision by having support from people around him. Also im pretty sure Mizoe and his brother were a couple or something. 🤔