"Dr. Stone" is a science fiction survival manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2017. It is written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi. The first anime season aired from July to December 2019, with the second season scheduled to begin in January 2021. Senku, the protagonist, is obsessed with science and conducts experiments almost daily in high school. One day, Senku's friend, Taiju, summons Magari to a camphor tree to confess his feelings. Suddenly, the Earth is enveloped in a mysterious light, and all humanity is petrified. Taiju wakes up to find himself in a stone world where human civilization has been wiped out. Taiju is the only survivor in this world. Senku, a boy studying chemistry, brings him back to life. Senku and Taiju resolve to save all humanity in this stone world where everything has been lost and rebuild civilization from scratch. This article will review the second half of the first season, which serves as the prologue to the series. Ready for season two? This post contains spoilers, so if you haven't seen it yet, be careful!
Suika Wants to Help Everyone
Chrome's discovery of the magnet ushered the Kingdom of Science into the Age of Iron. While collecting iron sand by the river, a watermelon floated by. It was a girl wearing a watermelon headgear. It's likely that Suika was a nickname. Suika, who was useless to anyone, wanted to help Senku and his friends in their troubles, so she started collecting iron sand. Suika's excuses were endless, but the Kingdom of Science was so short-staffed that it desperately needed every help it could get, so Senku accepted her kindness and Suika became a member of the Kingdom of Science.
Detective Suika
Senku and his friends were making iron from iron sand, but the Kingdom of Science was severely short-staffed. So they decided to use scientific bait to gain manpower. Suika can enter the watermelon she's wearing on her head and transform into a normal watermelon. Taking advantage of this, Suika headed out to investigate villagers who looked like they might be worth catching.
The Birth of Ramen: Food for Science
The watermelon survey gave them some insight into what the villagers wanted, but science can't solve things like boyfriends. However, the desire for food can be fulfilled with the power of science. Since they didn't have flour, they used cat toys to create cat toy powder, which they then used to make ramen. For Chrome and his friends, who had previously hunted wild animals and fish, this cat toy ramen was revolutionary and delicious. Senku and his friends served this cat toy ramen to the villagers. Of course, it wasn't free. They had to work hard for every meal they ate. In this way, the Kingdom of Science gained manpower, almost by force.
It was supposed to be his first proper meal in a long time...
Senku finally had a proper meal after 3,700 years...or so he thought, but he promptly threw it up (lol). Ramen made with catnip was no match for Senku's palate, who knows what's good. However, the villagers devoured the ramen, becoming enthralled. It seems the human palate has evolved significantly over time.
Tsukasa's Assassin, Gen Asagiri
While serving ramen to villagers, someone appears asking for a Coke. Knowing about Coke means he's undoubtedly a human who has been resurrected from petrification. Gen Asagiri, a renowned mentalist, claims to have no knowledge of Tsukasa, but when Senku teases him, he readily confesses that he's Tsukasa's assassin. Gen is determined to side with the party that will ensure his survival, even if it means betraying others. When he sees that the Kingdom of Science has even perfected iron, he decides to side with Senku.
From Zero to Here
Gen is amazed at the Kingdom of Science, where he has obtained iron, but in his heart he is still undecided on which side to join. Senku says that seeing what can be made using iron will make him 10 billion percent eager to join the Kingdom of Science. It's a "power plant" that no one could have predicted. He coats the iron with lacquer and wraps copper wire around it. He strikes it with lightning to create a high-power magnet. Although it's a power plant, it's still a massive step forward from primitive times. It's been one year and four months since his return from petrification. Senku's science, which began from scratch, finally arrived at the very foundation of science: electricity.
The Pride of a Frivolous Man
If Senku is not returned to Tsukasa, his survival will be revealed, and if he returns Gen, his survival may be revealed. The only way for the Kingdom of Science to win is to recruit Gen and have him spread false information. While he was pondering how to recruit him, someone nearly killed Gen. Gen was about to kill him. Gen survived, but his body was in a terrible state, and it would be difficult for him to return to Tsukasa in this state. So Gen made a deal with Senku. In exchange for joining the group, he wanted to make cola. The deal was made, and Phantom, despite his bruises, whipped his body and went back to give a false report to Tsukasa. Phantom had already decided to join Senku's side once electricity was completed. However, it seems Phantom had his own way of showing off.
Kohaku and the others challenge the Imperial Tournament
Magma was the culprit who attacked Phantom. Magma had mistakenly believed Phantom to be the sorcerer Kohaku had brought with him. Upon learning this, Suika reports it to Senku and the others. According to Suika, Magma was aiming to marry Ruri and become the village chief, and was plotting to kill Kohaku if possible. Magma held a grudge against Kohaku after losing to him in the royal tournament to decide the shrine maiden's husband. If Magma became chief, it would be difficult to get Ruri to drink the panacea. In order to save Ruri, a man from the Kingdom of Science needs to win the royal tournament and become the village chief. Kohaku asks Kinrou and Ginrou to take part in the royal tournament. Kinrou and Ginrou are uncooperative with the Kingdom of Science, but they already know that Senku is not a bad person, and after hearing Kohaku's earnest feelings, they agree to cooperate without any explanation.
Suika Suffering from Boyaboya Disease
While Kohaku and the others were training hard for the Imperial Tournament, Senku and the science team were trying to create glass to use as a chemical-resistant container. Incidentally, by this time, Chrome had become completely fascinated with Senku's science and began calling himself a scientist rather than a magician. Senku explains that glass would mean Suika wouldn't need to wear a headgear. Suika is extremely nearsighted, so she wears the headgear because it allows her to see things more easily when it's removed through the hole. Suika says she has Boyaboya Disease, but with glasses, there's no need to worry. After completing the glass, Senku attaches it to the hole in the watermelon headgear. Instead of the blurry view they'd seen before, they see a vivid image of the sunflowers and Senku and his friends.
Craftsmen in Every Age
Making sulfa drugs requires a laboratory with proper equipment. After making the glass, Senku and his friends try to make beakers and other glasswork, but since they're not craftsmen, it's difficult. Science relies on trial and error, but with Ruri's life at stake, they can't afford such leisurely pursuits. Chrome forcibly brings along the village craftsman, Kaseki. Kaseki had no intention of cooperating with the Kingdom of Science, but seeing Senku and his friends struggling with glasswork ignites his artisan spirit. Thus, the Kingdom of Science acquires the laboratory and Kaseki. Even so, Kaseki is a true warrior when he gets serious (lol).
Get sulfuric acid, the most difficult ingredient for safari potion
Senku makes a silver spear exclusively for Ginrou. Kinrou doesn't want one, but he's shocked by it. Ginrou is overjoyed to have one made just for him, but he ends up risking his life in return... Because silver reacts to sulfuric acid and turns black, Ginrou accompanies them in their search for sulfuric acid as a sensor. The group arrives at the sulfuric acid spring, but they decide to turn back because they cannot get close without their bare bodies. They make gas masks and try again, but it is a one-shot deal without any testing. Senku tries to teach Chrome everything about science in case he dies. Senku says it would be most logical for him to go since he knows how to use a gas mask and what materials are needed, but Chrome says that going together would give them the best chance of success. Senku gives in to this, and the scientists team up to take on a mission with the highest risk.
Senku Finally Enters the Village! The Imperial Tournament Begins
The Kingdom of Science has obtained the most difficult material, sulfuric acid, and has quickly completed their roadmap. The only ingredient left to complete the sulfa drug is alcohol. Having heard that if they win the Imperial Tournament, they'll be treated to more alcohol than they can drink, the group decides to take part in the Imperial Tournament. The participants are Kinrou, Ginrou, Kohaku, and Chrome. Senku also decides to participate. The intention behind increasing the number of participants is to forfeit if the Kingdom of Science faces off against each other, conserving their energy and moving on to the next round. The Imperial Tournament, full of intrigue, is about to begin.
The Underhanded Magmas
Fearing Kohaku, Magma orders Mantle to kidnap Suika. After tying Suika to a tree, Mantle claims that the watermelon will be swept away by the river and that Kohaku will have to rescue it in time. This is most likely a lie, but Kohaku heads to the river just in case. If he doesn't return in time for the match, he will be disqualified. Chrome tries to stall out the time until Kohaku returns, but Mantle immediately surrenders when he notices her return. The plan was for Kohaku to conserve her energy and advance, but Senku ended up winning.
The weakest player unexpectedly wins?!
With the power of science and a phantom assist, Chrome defeated Magma. Driven by his desire to become leader, Ginrou seriously tried to defeat Senku, but was easily defeated (lol). The final match was Senku vs. Chrome. Senku withdrew, and Chrome was supposed to win... but Chrome, battered from his battle with Magma, fainted in relief after seeing the Kingdom of Science's victory. Chrome withdrew, leaving Senku as the winner. Senku thus gained his wife and the position of village mayor.
Completion of Sulfa Drug
With the sake in hand, Senku and his team finally completed their long-running roadmap and successfully created the antibiotic sulfa drug. If Ruri's symptoms had been caused by pulmonary tuberculosis, there was nothing Senku and his team could do about it. However, Ruri's symptoms were pneumonia, and the sulfa drug's effects led to a remarkable recovery. This officially recognized Senku as village mayor.
Hyaku Monogatari No. 100: "Ishigami Senku"
Ruri knew Senku's name. Even his last name. The village's name was Ishigami Village. The final title of the Hyaku Monogatari told by Ruri, a shrine maiden, was "Ishigami Senku." The village was filled with names related to Senku. While the Hyaku Monogatari is filled with various folklore tales, "Ishigami Senku" is the only one that has been passed down as a true story. Its contents are a message left by Senku's father, Byakuya, an astronaut, upon returning to Earth from space after being petrified, in preparation for Senku's future resurrection.
The Tsukasa Empire Begins to Move
Phantom gives a false report to Tsukasa, but since he hasn't seen the body, it's not proof that Senku is dead. Fearing the worst, Tsukasa gathers forces and decides to invade the village. As a first step, Hyoga launches a night attack. Senku and his friends manage to drive Hyoga away with a fake gun. To counter this formidable enemy, the entire Kingdom of Science decides to create a Japanese sword.
The Birth of the Mobile Phone: A Communication Technology That Dominates the Information War
The Kingdom of Science is at a great disadvantage in terms of both numbers and combat ability. The only thing they have in common is their intelligence. Senku decides to use that intelligence to gain an advantage in the information war. With a mobile phone, he can contact Taiju and Kabata, who have infiltrated the Tsukasa Empire, giving him an overwhelming advantage. The final battle is in the spring, after the snow has melted. Senku and his friends must complete the extremely challenging roadmap and complete the mobile phone by then.
Before Season 2 begins, here's a recap of Season 1 (Part 2 - Spoilers Ahead!)
What did you think? Civilization has evolved rapidly since the Science Kingdom established its base in Ishigami Village. Senku and his teammates in the Science Kingdom, which gave birth to the mobile phone, battled against the military Tsukasa Empire. Find out more in Season 2!
