English Dub Review: Dr. Stone: Stone Wars: “Secret Mission”

Overview: With Chrome (Matt Shipman) having now escaped from Tsukasa’s (Ian Sinclair) clutches and back with the Kingdom of Science, Senku (Aaron Dismuke), Kohaku (Felecia Angelle) and the gang go full tanks blazing as they seek to take the cave with the revival fluid back by force from the Empire of Might.  

Our Take: Things have finally kicked into high gear as chips begin falling into place with Senku’s various plans being set into motion.

Taiju and Yuzuriha fooling Tsukasa’s people was pretty much smooth sailing as one would expect but it attracted the attention of Ukyo. It’s here where we finally get more insight on the eagle-eared archer. “Secret Mission” does a good job of making you truly understand why he’s trying to preserve life in the best way possible. The episode subtly by using one scene to paint the picture of how failed to save lives in his past life and is doing what he can to make up for it. It’s artfully executed with a brief scene letting you connect the dots. Granted, this very well could change in the next few episodes with a more direct approach. However, this small tidbit was a smart way to introduce it. And as long as it’s explained tastefully and with some character driven beats, it should be more than fine. 

Yuzuriha’s covert operation, hence the name, also comes to light as it is revealed what she’s been secretly up to in the Empire of Might. I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of piecing people back together, some of which have broken into the tiniest of fragments. How did every piece of every person Tsukasa broke get recovered? Or were some lost? These are questions I’d love to know the answers to and we might get some of them. Heck, it could even be addressed in a comedic way just give me something. But with that being said, at the same time, I also remain impressed at how boldness of that particular choice that reinforces the concept of the preservation of life that the Kingdom of Science is upholding to the fullest, especially when you consider Ukyo’s condition. 

Finally, Tsukasa finding out about the phone and Senku initiating an all out attack hoping to take control of the Cave of Miracles without spilling any blood is a nice exciting way to kick everything off for the next episode and remaining ones.

Dr. Stone: Stone Wars puts all it’s chess pieces on the board as Yuzuriha’s secret mission comes into focus and Ukyo’s true intentions come to the surface in another nicely paced and character driven episode of the series’ sophomore season.