More and more as the anime adaptation moves forward, the more it’s easy to recognize just how singular an entity Dr.STONE is. Dr.STONE New World Episode 12 returns viewers to the heart of the drama that we left off with in a fast-paced installment that ups the ante while reminding us of just how addicting the series is. There’s no other series quite like it as the narrative continues on the same path it set out on, Senku’s (Yûsuke Kobayashi) main objective — to awaken all of Earth’s petrified population — driving him and his Kingdom of Science to their limits. Now dubbed the Kingdom of Science vs The Kingdom of Petrification, Senku once again must pull off a minor miracle, followed by subsequent minor miracles, in order to save his petrified friends and rescue Kohaku (Manami Numakura) and co. from their infiltration roles.
The first cour ended on an emotional high note, with Senku realizing the sacrifices his father made in order to ensure his son would have the tools he needed to save civilization. Dr.STONE New World Episode 2 sees him launch straight into the laborious work necessary to create the drones he’ll need to take down Ibara (Yutaka Aoyama) and his soldiers. This is where the delegation of strength comes into prominence, as they realize they’ll need their master craftsman, Kaseki (Mugihito) in order to build the drones. But, to retrieve Kaseki’s body which has been dropped into the ocean by Ibara’s men, they’ll need sailor Ryusui (Ryōta Suzuki) who knows the ocean better than anyone. He, along with Soyuz (Taito Ban) is able to locate the craftsman but needs Taiju’s (Makoto Furukawa) pure strength to pull him out of the muddy banks.
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Not to mention the scientific work that goes in prior to. But that’s part of the charm and inherent pull of the series. Everyone has a part. Senku’s brilliance is integral, of course, but he alongside the audience understands that one sole figure is nothing without a team to help with his weakness or shortcomings, no matter the miraculous creations he’s able to conjure with his mind. It starts in Ibara’s village, with Kohaku cleanly destroying Ryusui’s petrified body so that Senku and co. might be able to piece him back together. It follows into their cave where the group tirelessly builds two oxygen tanks to allow Ryusui and Soyuz to be able to survive the ocean depths to save Kaseki—Senku and Gen knowing they’ll never be the ones sent on an endeavor requiring physical might.
Gen (Kengo Kawanishi) demonstrates his intellect as well, understanding the Morse code being sent through the ropes that tether him and Senku with Ryusui. No team member is unimportant, and together they create a fully formed, cohesive machine. It’s mentioned a few times throughout the episode that this crew doesn’t require spoken words to communicate, that they simply understand one another through what they’ve learned of each other through trial and error of other escapades. The line works because it never aims for something sickly saccharine. Yes, there’s an emotional pull and comraderie between the group who have lived and nearly died together, but it goes to show the smooth efficiency of team creativity and innovation. They build and make together and, like what they’ve built, have become strongly constructed machines.
Based on the manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by artist Boichi, Dr. STONE New World still lacks some of the rugged lines of the first two seasons, but captures the essence and style of the manga well enough. That softness works in the elements, with the animation flourishing with the grand landscapes they’re able to play with. But it’s the writing that remains the strongest focal point of the series, especially with the continued acceleration of the plot and the do-or-die stakes of the current state of the series.
Dr. STONE New World Episode 12 is a thrilling return to the series after its break between cours. As Senku and his Kingdom of Science ready themselves for their upcoming challenges, the series digs deep into what makes it such a superb piece of storytelling. With a strong ensemble of characters who all add to the story and its development, Dr.Stone remains one of the most exciting series to watch week to week and one of the more individualistic anime currently airing.
Dr. STONE New World is available on Crunchyroll.
