Dr.STONE – 6 [Two Nations of the Stone World]

Welcome one and all to my favorite episode of Dr.STONE yet. This week we finally meet our main character Science, the natives, and Taiju takes a hike. Let’s dive in!

Starting off let’s talk production, specifically I want to talk about the music. You see, I think it safe to say that Dr.STONE has one of the more unique OST’s this season. With a strong focus on rap/hip-hop and mixing in some more “ancient” instruments like woodwinds and drums. It’s not something I normally expect to see in anime, but it’s clearly worked before. Just look at Samurai Champloo for proof of that. I think it’s a good mix to combine the modern day with the “Stone World” of the series. OP and ED aside, both of which I enjoy the actual songs of, this episode had some great pieces. One the stands out to me played during Senku’s scene with Kohaku. It’s short, but something about Japanese Rap makes it a nice change of pace from American rap. But enough of that, onto the meat.

This week marks a big transition for the series. Where before it was focused on the character drama of Tsukasa and Senku, now we move onto the true focus. Science! Because of this, it should come as no surprise that the opening and ending segments are my two favorite of the week. Showing Senku’s inquisitive nature in full force as he works his way through problems bit by bit. Kohaku stated the appeal of the series well, when she described Senku’s dedication to his craft. As much as I may like the ideological differences between Senku and Tsukasa, Dr.STONE is at its strongest when the science is front and center. We saw this as far back as episode 1 during the time-lapse sequence. To back this up, the series is even splitting up our leads. Letting Taiju take care of the political drama and Senku the science.

This isn’t to say we are leaving it behind entirely. Dr.STONE made it clear the overarching political drama is still there, with naming the two Kingdoms. Those of Science and Stone. There is a stated end goal to the whole thing in the conflict between Tsukasa and Senku. It’s just that the current focus is on science instead of intrigue. Sure, its expected that Tsukasa will figure it out sooner or later. Arguably he should have already figured it out before of the poor lead in to this arc. However until then, we effectively have 2 separate stories. Because of this though, we can also expect to start meeting a lot of new characters. Since the secret of the miracle water is now out for both of them and Senku is meeting the natives.

On the topic of the natives, we actually met the first of them this week. Kohaku is the beginnings of a much *much* larger cast, and I think Dr.STONE did a good job with her intro. Sure, you could still land an airplane between those eyes of her, but that’s just Boichi’s design for me. They toned it down a bit here at the start though, which is for the best. For her intro section, I think it did a good job showing her power while still giving Tsukasa an out to not straight up kill her. Showing that he wants to conquer, and thinks he can do so at a later time. It also gives Tsukasa a reason later to investigate them, inevitably discovering Senku still lives and reigniting the conflict all over again. As important as all of this is though, it only sets up my favorite section.

I previously mentioned the real main character, and have scattered mentions of the Science up to this point. Now, we can get into it, because the Science is as I said the real focus of the series. You saw it when Senku was figuring out the miracle water before Taiju. We saw it when he was building the pulley system to move the tree. It’s easily my favorite part of Dr.STONE. The science is the aspect that sets it apart from other Shounen. That gives it the unique flare, beyond the standard fighting and all that. You can see the authors passion for it with the amount of research and tiny details that will start to come out. After all, progressing from the stone age to iron isn’t an easy process and Senku is going to do it in a matter of months.

This isn’t to say it will always be 100% accurate. As passionate about science as Dr.STONE may be, the authors are Mangaka, not Chemists or Physicists. There will be errors or aspects that they condense. Parts of the science they cut out so prevent people from trying it at home, similar to the gunpowder. If your looking for 100% scientifically accurate stuff, your going to be disappointed. However Dr.STONE does make the science fun. It presents it in a stylish manner and shows most of the parts that go into a lot of things we take for granted today. It’s like a Stone Age Bear Grylls in that sense. Seemingly designed to inspire kids/readers into science and have some fun while doing it. Suffice to say, if you enjoyed the pulley section, then your going to love this 2nd arc of the series.

So all in all, hows was Dr.STONE this week? For me, it was the best episode yet. We are finally getting to the aspect of the manga that I fell in love with. That kept me reading week after week. I won’t say it’s perfect, it’s not going to take anyone’s top spots or become their favorite. But it is a fun series with a unique premise. There are still a number of fan favorite characters that have yet to be introduced as well. Characters from both sides of the conflict, that get some great segments. From Senku becoming a sorcerer to the invention of cotton candy. So thank you for sitting through this opening segment with me, and I hope the upcoming arc of Dr.STONE is more your speed, for those were didn’t enjoy this opening.