Dr. Stone - Reviews

(Spoiler Free Review)

Minor objectionable content (TV-14).

This anime is certainly enjoyable, but it is hard to rate it high objectively. It falls short on both plot development and character growth. Dr. Stone is a standard shounen anime and (as with most shounen anime) doesn't have a clear goal for the plot. There is a vague overarching plot, but any paths have yet to be determined. I believe that multiple seasons are anticipated. The characters are nice, however the majority of character growth is stagnant; get used to the initial characters. I like that there actual science behind common modern items is used throughout the show. Dr. Stone is indeed educational. The sound quality is above average.

All in all, I rate this anime 5/10 -- Average. If you're board, then give it a watch.

Just another anime that represents supposedly "geniuses" in a very incorrect way. Holes are everywhere in the scientific "facts". My college professor is really an intelligent and sharp person but guess what he doesn't know every scientific facts or how they occured. I think this anime represents 80% of reddit smart wannabes in a very accurate way. I watched this anime and told myself to not be judgemental until I watch a few more episodes, only to be more dissapointed. 

Story:

All of humanity is petrified by a strange event. Eventually Senku, who is a scientific genius, and his friend somehow break out of the petrification thousands of years later. Senku's goal is the resurrect the modern world. His friend's goal is to unpetrify the girl he was about to confess to. Along they way, they unpetrify a person who's goals are opposite of theirs, so that causes the creation of the main antagonist. The story then follows Senku trying to acheive his goal.

The story does start out kind of slow too. I liked the 1st episode, but I really did not get into it until about episode 6 or7.

This anime claims to be "science based", but it really isn't. Much of the things that Senku and his group do would not be possible, mostly due to the limitations of resources and material type. But, it is an anime, so a level of unrealism is expected. Overall, the story is enjoyable, so in the end that is what really counts.

Also, this season answers almost zero questions about: What is going on? How it happened? Why it happened? Why Tsukasa has the goals that he has? But, it has a confirmed 2nd season, so hopefully there will be some answers there.

Animation:

The animation is pretty good. It is clear and sharp. They just have this strange habit of making the characters look really strange at random points.

Sounds:

The sound is average. It did not really jump out at me either one way, or the other.

Character:

I think that they did a great job with all the characters. They are all distinct and most of them show growth. Even though I like the show, I could not like Senku. What he was doing was good and he had the ability to do it, but to me, he was super arrogant and annoying. That put me off of him, but I like the other characters.

Overall:

Not one to watch if you think it is going to be "realistic" or "scientific", but it is fun and enjoyable. Worth the watch, I would say.

Time to split from Jojo's until further notice, let's do this Dr. Stone review!

• The plot and themes are quite intriguing. Makes you question reality and mortality pretty often. 

A few turn offs for the series:

• the openings
• excessively long storylines
• rehashed plots
• the episodes starting with a recap
• the god forsaken female faces (though stylistic, it is quite obnoxious)
• the characters seem kind of flat and basic

I love the science behind this series, I am learning a lot. Also, it made me realize that science is a universal subject — combining mathematics, history, literature, writing, and many other niche topics.

Lastly, the foliage and background work in Dr. Stone is orgasmic

It's very sad that in this day and age there are still people out there who have access to the internet but refuse to spend any time whatsoever doing basic research, especially pertaining to factual knowledge (such as chemicals). Some even like to spend their time reviewing certain anime whilst spouting demonstrably false information, like that hydrogen sulfide is perfectly safe unless heavily concentrated or that cinnabar is infinitely more dangerous (see: featured reviews of this anime). Unfortunately, due to a combination of personal biases and a desperation to be different from everyone else (see: "edgy"), some people will say anything to stand out.

Science has been ruined for so many people because of arrogant cynics who spout the nonsense that everything is WAY over our simple laymen heads. And those same spiteful people attempt to tear down Dr. Stone because it dares to commit the crime of attempting to bring science to everyone in an exciting and easily digestible fashion. How dare anyone but the most self-styled "brilliant minds" take an interest in how our world works.

But I digress. This is supposed to be a review of Dr. Stone, not a review of nitpicky petulence wrapped in clothes of intellect. And Dr. Stone is truly something remarkable and special.

Let's begin with the thing that stands out the most: this show is unabashedly loving. Love for humanity and what they can achieve, love for the wonder of nature, love for the individual and the strengths that each of us can bring to the world and love for the strength that those people can take in each other. For the most part, this is an anime that can be comfortably shared with your family, friends and even children (I say most part because there is some cursing). Other than that, however, this show exudes a determined positivity that is extremely hard to find nowadays.

Onto the story. The plot of Dr. Stone is that every human being on the earth has been turned to stone. This petrification lasts for some 3,700 years before the protagonists finally awaken.

Underlying the story of the show is a compelling philosophical approach to life between the main protagonist (Senku) and the main antagonist (Tsukasa). It's very typical for stories - anime or otherwise - to place the antagonist in an indefensible position. Either they're evil (just because) or their dog died (so let's destroy the world) or so on and so forth. In Dr. Stone, however, each side has a reasoned argument for their position. Since they effectively have a new world to work with, should they bring everyone back to life? Or will that just put the world back to the same oppressive and classist system? Are some lives more valuable than others?

It's these differences that ultimately lead to how the rest of the show unfolds. And along the way we are treated to very different characters, each with their own motivations and contributions. Dr. Stone tells a story that everyone, whether they are acting selfishly or in deference to one another, wants to help. People like being good to each other and they like feeling like they're useful and part of something. Characters who have given into a miserable way of life or feel resigned to their fate become redeemed and renewed. If there's one message that Dr. Stone wants told, it's that each and every one of us matters.

Beyond all of that, there lies the science itself (the facts of which lead to shallow debates that don't address any of the underlying qualities of the show at all). Incidentally, for the most part the science is surprisingly sound, to the point that I'm surprised it actually aired. Some of what they teach can be very dangerous if attempted in real life and they are not vague in how such things are achieved. There's even a warning as to this effect at the end of every episode.

As far as the animation is concerned, sometimes the beauty in the stills is breathtaking.  There have been moments where I've paused for no reason other than to examine the details of a single frame.  It is a wildly colorful show and equally as vibrant.  The soundtrack is highly immersive and dynamic shifting all the way from playful to anxious to touching as needed without skipping a beat.  I thought both of the opening songs were pretty good not particularly remarkable, however, both ending songs were fantastic.  I still listen to them from time to time.

To finalize this review, I am not an accredited biologist, chemist, physicist or mathematician but I shouldn't have to be to enjoy this show. Finding every possible flaw just to puff out your chest to anyone who'll listen just isn't for me. I wanted to let those who created Dr. Stone tell their story and give them a chance. It's what I try to do with everything I watch. And in the end, Dr. Stone left me with positivity, hope and a renewed wonder for the world around us.

10/10