Dr. Stone: Ryusui Anime review 2023

Plot Summary:

After successfully defeating the Tsukasa Empire, the Kingdom of Science led by the brilliant Senku faces a new challenge in the anime series "Dr. Stone." Now, Senku is determined to uncover the cause of the mysterious petrification that turned all animal life on earth to stone, and to do that, he must travel to the other side of the world. However, to embark on this journey, he needs a ship, and while he has all the scientific knowledge to build one, he lacks the expertise of a skilled captain to navigate the treacherous waters.

Enter Ryusui, a gifted sailor who attended a school near Senku's village. With his impressive nautical skills and his own reasons for wanting to join the quest, Ryusui eagerly volunteers to captain the ship. However, his services don't come cheap, and the group must engage in high-stakes negotiations to secure his help.

As the team prepares for their perilous journey, they face challenges at every turn, from securing resources and supplies to battling against a ruthless sea pirate. But with Senku's scientific ingenuity and Ryusui's expertise, they are determined to uncover the truth behind the petrification and perhaps even find a way to reverse its effects.

As with previous seasons, "Dr. Stone" is a delightful blend of science, adventure, and humor. The series expertly weaves scientific concepts into its narrative, making it not only entertaining but educational as well. With the addition of Ryusui, viewers are treated to a fresh set of characters and dynamics, as the Kingdom of Science sets out on its most ambitious mission yet.

 

Reviews:  

Dr. Stone: Ryusui serves as an epilogue to the second season while laying the foundation for the third by showing how Senku is trying to unite his tribe and bring everyone up to speed with his goals and philosophy. The former members of Tsukasa's tribe are now part of Senku's tribe, but they need to understand the mythos of the science tribe and feel included in the newly unified tribe.

The episode uses a stage play and a ship-building competition to educate and involve the newcomers while also showcasing the technology that the science tribe has rediscovered. The exploration team sent to hunt for oil consists of former members of both tribes, and the first human flight of this age is open to all, giving everyone a sense of unity despite the ongoing war. This inclusivity allows Senku to lead the tribe where he wants it to go while giving everyone the illusion of choice in how to achieve their goals.

The episode also introduces us to the titular character, Ryusui, who alters Senku's fledgling society by introducing capitalism. He seeks to exploit Senku's philosophy for his own gains by adding a new element to the tribe's economy. The introduction of money, based on the oil standard, allows people to obtain leisure items like fashionable clothes without bartering. However, the stability of the money depends on finding the oil, which has yet to be discovered. Senku uses this to his advantage, getting the people most invested in the new currency to work for free, knowing that if he doesn't find the oil, their money will be worthless.

Overall, the episode sets the stage for the next season, with Senku's tribe unified and working towards a common goal, while also introducing a new character with a different approach to achieving their objectives.

Ryusui is more than simply a foil for Senku; he is an intriguing character in his own right. He possesses not just sailing expertise and financial acumen but also a zest for adventure and remarkable experiences, such as sailing across the world or soaring over the air. Money is just a tool for him to accomplish whatever he wants, which occasionally leads to poor financial judgments. This provides Senku and Gen with an opportunity to control him in preparation for their forthcoming voyage across the world.

The special's art and animation are on par with those of a television series. The cloud dragon, on the other hand, is a wonderful visual portrayal of the storm they experience during their hot air balloon flight, and the chibi drawings employed in the scientific courses are as entertaining as ever. The theme tune is a fresh arrangement of the theme from the first season, with a full orchestra and fewer rock elements. The program is worth seeing just for the opening segment.

 

While not the most exciting or climactic episode of the series, Ryusui is a decent continuation of the tale that introduces a new character and ties up loose ends left by the end of Season 2's battle. Most significantly, it continues to highlight human development via science, showcasing the incredible progress that has been made. It foreshadows a fresh adventure at the start of the third season.

 

 Dr. Stone: Ryusui Anime review 2023