I was a bit scared that I wouldn’t remember where we had left off. It seems to me that the first half of this split cour aired like years ago… I know it didn’t but it was really far in my mind for some reason. Maybe I’ve watched too many fun series since or something. But it’s like riding a bike, it all just comes back to you, doesn’t it?
Actually, if it didn’t come back to you, that’s ok. Boldly, this episode chose not to do much of a recap for the audience so I will instead. It seems that the second wave of humanity split up into at least two groups. The now Kingdom of Science (the villagers) who we all know and love and these islanders who were isolated on a distant well, uhm…island… And lately, these guys seem tto have (re)discovered the secret of petrification although it doesn’t seem like they know how to undo it yet.
I say these guys but really it’s just a small group of people who are using it to exert complete control over the population. Also, our friend Soyuz is originally from this island and this is where the space capsule landed which has a lot of precious resources hence why Senku & Co. are also here.
Last season, everyone except a small group of primary cast members got petrified and in an effort to rescue them and learn the secrets of this island, Kohaku and Ginro went undercover as concubines to the mysterious master, aided by their new friend Amaryllis. The villagers have rock names and the islanders have flower names I guess…
The season left off with Kohaku having just discovered and opened the space pod. Ok, we’re all up to date now!
Episode 12 throws us right back into the action as the petrified members of the crew get thrown overboard where they break to pieces at the bottom of the ocean. Except for Ryusu whose statue gets brought back to the harem in hopes that smashing it in front of everyone might smoke out the traitor (Kohaku). Doesn’t work, Kohaku gets a message from Seku and is more than happy doing the smashing herself. I did quite enjoy Kahaku’s imitation of Ryuusui, especially when we got confirmation of its accuracy later on. It was a cute touch. And a clue that these two might be better friends than we thought!
I also liked the fact that Ryuusui was then smuggled out back to Senku and friends bit by bit. It’s actually really gruesome when you think about it. A lot of Dr. Stone is. I was happy to see the crew getting revived although personally, I would like to see Chrome back. I think he makes a good foil for Senku.
I did notice a few changes. Maybe it’s just me but I thought the exaggerated expressions looked different. They were still there but it’s as if the art style has been tweaked. It’s a little smoother, it looks a bit more Chuck Jones to me. I like it and am possibly imagining it. Also, we didn’t get such a detailed scientific explanation for the oxygen tanks. We got an explanation but not the usual education break with flash cards. That I liked less. I thought those little explanations set the show apart and I found a few of them really interesting to be honest.
Anywho, the plan was to first revive Kaseki (his name means fossil so it’s in the rock category) so they can start building more sweet sweet machinery and well I’m not sure. They want to unpetrify the whole crew, that’s number 1 and they want to retrieve the capsule but we don’t quite know what the plan there is but beyond that, it’s a bit of a grey zone. Amaryllis wants to overthrow the Master and Senku did imply he would help but you know, Senku isn’t exactly the most reliable/moral guy around. I could see him just peacing out as soon as he gets what he wants. But he does most definitely want to know the secret of petrification so we’ll get that at least.
And I want to know that secret too!
Previous Dr. Stone 3 Posts
- Dr. Stone 3 Episode 1 – Return to the Kingdom of Science
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 2 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 3 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 4 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 5 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 6 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 7 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 8 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 9 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 10 Review
- Dr. Stone: New World Episode 11 Review
Agreed, I also noticed a slight difference in the art style, possibly thicker line work as well.
The Anime has caught up to a spoiler image I’d stumbled across ages ago, Senku & Company in the canoe with bifurcated Kaseki: That entire underwater rescue sequence was downright harrowing!
New opening and ending songs of course, haven’t decided if I like either yet, the OP song is definitely more contemplative in tone than usual.
I had the same thought about how the show looked “different” at first. It might have changed, but the show (and manga) are in a distinctive style that’s just slightly “off” from most other anime (not in a bad way.) I know I didn’t care for the promos Crunchyroll ran before, and I watched the first 2.5 seasons in a rather compressed time frame. It might just take a while to get used to the style again after watching other anime.
I’d like to call out the end credits animation. I think this was the first time I completely re-wound and re-watched an ending right after seeing it. Okay, it was right after one specific moment… It’s pretty clear that the animation staff is on Team Kohaku, not that there’s a reason for them NOT to be.
The end credits animation (… drawings?) are very nice. And the song is growing on me.
Bouchi – The ‘Dr. Stone’ Manga Artist – is originally from South Korea, which contributes to his unique style.
There’s a lovely splash page of Kohaku throwing herself/falling backwards from the elevated tree walkways (… Chapter 114) which was adapted into the Anime late in the first cour: They did a nice job but somehow I prefer the Manga version just a tiny bit …
https://images.app.goo.gl/cJ6vW8kYdLUmDXGr8
Hm..