It’s important for an anime to keep the stakes high for its characters and situations. This is true even for light-hearted and goofy anime, most of the time. Dr. Stone is one of those series that is never too serious and never very dark. I do like that about the show, but I was starting to think things were going too well in the new season. But in episode 7, Senku’s group finally suffers a serious blow. The stakes are raised significantly. You’ll see what I mean in the following episode reviews!
Episode 7: Ray of Despair, Ray of Hope
As the storm ends, Ryuusui hides the ship behind a large rock and orders the recon party to go onto the island. The recon party consists of Senku, Kohaku, Gen, and Soyuz. It turns out that Suika stowed away on the ship. She wanted to go with the recon group, but Ryuusui forbade it. Not long after starting their trek inland, Gen and Soyuz stop to look back at the ship with a telescope. To their horror, everyone on board the Perseus has been petrified. Someone on the island has the power to petrify people. This also explains why there are statues in the water.
Senku’s recon group are the only ones who haven’t been frozen (besides Suika, who was kicked into the water by Ryuusui). The group is horrified, but they manage to stay calm and do what they need to do: find the inhabitants of the island. After finding some discarded seashells, Senku and company track down a young woman named Amaryllis who had been collecting the shells. Amaryllis is regarded as the most beautiful girl on the island, with several men proposing to her that day. After turning down the men, Amaryllis hears a commotion and rushes to her village. Senku and company follow.
At the village, the people are rioting because they believe Amaryllis has been taken away by someone they call “The Master.” Apparently, this Master has the power of petrification. Senku forces the raging villagers to stop by using teargas. Impressed by this “sorcery,” Amaryllis asks Senku for help. Ever since she was a young child, she planned to become a beautiful woman so that the Master would invite her to the inner palace. There, Amaryllis could have a chance to defeat him and save everyone from his tyranny. Senku and his group will now be working together with the island girl.
This episode was rather shocking. I had no idea we would lose so many characters in one fell swoop. (Though I had been thinking there were too many characters to focus on for a single season.) But at least these characters aren’t dead, and will surely be revived. As for the new character, Amaryllis seems great, though it might be too early to tell. I like characters who make secret, long-term strategies that are perfected over many years. That describes Amaryllis and her ambition of defeating “The Master.”
My other main thought was that it’s surprising to find someone with petrification powers so quickly. I wonder exactly how this power works, and if it’s a technology or more of an innate supernatural ability. The theme of Dr. Stone is science, so one would think the answer is sci-fi technology. But I guess we can’t be certain yet. Anyway, I’m quite excited for the next episode. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about “The Master” and have some character development for Amaryllis. Though, truth be told, I don’t think anyone can take Kohaku’s place as my favorite girl from Dr. Stone.
Ep 8: The Trump Card Aboard The Science Vessel
Amaryllis recounts the story of when she saw the green petrification light five years ago. She and some other children broke the rules by setting off from the island in a small boat. Their punishment was to be turned into stone by Kirisame, one of the Master’s two best warriors. Kirisame threw something grenade-like into the air with a rope attached to it. An orb of green light came from the object and froze all the kids except Amaryllis. Technically, the edge of the light hit her as well, but only on the ends of her hair, which she ripped off to stop the petrification.
Back in the present, Amaryllis explains that she thinks the green light is a weapon. If she is taken into the inner palace by the Master tomorrow, she will attempt to steal it from him. Senku’s group suggests bringing someone along who can fight, and there’s no better choice than Kohaku. However, in order for their plan to work, they need to get the portable lab cart from the ship. It’s their trump card. So, by cover of night, the group proceeds to the rocky shore near the ship.
Minister Ibara, the other leader of the island below the Master, is already on the ship with a bunch of men. Ginro is also there, having avoided the green light. Kirisame finds Kohaku on the shore and starts fighting her. Kohaku shouts “I want the lab” to Ginro. Then Gen and Senku arrive and pretend that Kohaku is here to meet her lover, Lab (AKA Senku). Kirisame leaves them alone after that. Meanwhile, on the ship, Suika saves Ginro from being caught. Now, it’s up to her to find a way to secure the lab.
Although this episode was fine overall, I want to take the time to point out something I didn’t enjoy. It was maddening to watch the casual sexism during the scene with Kohaku trying on the dress. The scene mocks Kohaku for not being “cute” – by which it means timid, clueless, and traditionally feminine. Audiences are supposed to laugh at the idea that any man would find a woman like Kohaku attractive. The implication is that women are not valid unless they meet certain arbitrary criteria for “femininity” enforced by a misogynistic culture. If Japan is still this backwards, I feel terribly sorry for the women living there.
Moving on, this episode was important because it gave us a lot of hints about the petrification power. Senku neatly summarized what we know somewhere in the episode, so I don’t think I need to go over the details. I’m curious about the Master and his mysterious weapon, but at the moment, I’m too tired to speculate.
Episode 9: Beautiful Science
Suika and Ginro work together to get the lab car out of the ship and onto shore. The lab can function as a vehicle on boat land and sea. Minister Ibara’s men follow and surround the lab, thinking it’s a beast of kind. Senku uses a combination of natural chemicals to create a foul smell and spews it on the men. Senku and company then escape in the lab car. They even leave fake tracks behind and cover their real tracks. With the lab secured, it’s time to get ready for the beauty selection tomorrow.
Using various ingredients from fruits, rocks, and other chemicals, Senku creates shampoo, conditioner, and makeup. It takes some time, but they make Kohaku look more traditionally feminine with the products and a new dress. Since they need as many people as possible, Amaryllis experiments on the boys, too. However, the only one who can reliably pass as a woman is Ginro. Reluctantly, he comes along with Kohaku and Amaryllis for the beautiful girl selection.
All three of our heroes are chosen by Minister Ibara to be taken into the inner palace. But at one point, the disgusting old man tries to touch Kohaku. She was prepared to defend herself, but Mozu interrupted before anything happened. He can sense that Kohaku is very strong, so he tells her he will meet her in the inner palace for some sparring. I might have been slightly grateful for Mozu if we didn’t know already how he’s a pervert who sexualizes young girls. Now, Kohaku and company are ready for their mission.
This episode was a bit difficult to watch since it kept implying that Kohaku is not cute or beautiful unless she puts on makeup and a fake personality. The entire idea is extremely misogynistic. Putting aside that discomfort, there were a few enjoyable elements of this episode, too. For example, seeing the boys dressed femininely was mildly entertaining. They may not have “passed,” but I think Senku and Gen looked cool regardless. I was also interested in the science of this episode, since it was more understandable than usual, and used plants and fruits that I like. (Jasmine and coconut, mostly.)
Only two episodes remain in Dr. Stone: New World. I’m a little skeptical that they can finish the mission in just two episodes. Infiltrating the palace and stealing the petrification weapon might spill over into a fourth season. Although there some things I didn’t like in these episodes, I still love Dr. Stone and will gladly watch season 4 whenever it comes out. Anyway, that wraps up my thoughts for today.
Thank you for reading~
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