English Dub Review: Dr. Stone – Science Future “Light Trap in the Darkness”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

Senku and the gang finally make it to America, but quickly realize they are not alone.

OUR TAKE

Finally, the season feels like it has actually, properly begun! The crew is finally in America and even lands in Northern California, where I’m from! Just like when they managed to find Treasure Island in the previous arc, the initial feeling of landing in this new location is creepy and mysterious as it is exciting, as the characters have to explore new terrain, piece together where they are based on their existing knowledge of the area before the Petrification, and then face whatever new threats are lying in wait. And since very few of them had ever been to America at all, they’re already starting on the back foot, but at least it’s a place that some of them were aware of geographically. Also like Treasure Island, there are people there already, not including the mounds of still petrified people in the water who they theorize were in their cars when turned to stone, just in case you needed a reminder that this process is pretty horrific, even if they do have the means of undoing it now. But no, there are alive people among them, and they’re clearly technologically advanced, meaning there may be a mind out there that rivals Senku’s.

Having not read the manga, I have only the OP and this season’s promotional materials to go by, but there is definitely a figure among those who has equally distinctive hair to Senku’s that is likely the culprit, meaning we’re probably in for a brain versus brain battle as opposed to against brawn like we have had before. A thing I’ve liked about this story is how it has leaned on linking Senku’s curiosity about the world and science to good while showing that fear and brute force from characters like Tsukasa early on and Ibara later on is bad. However, intellect itself is neither inherently good or bad, and we’ve all probably seen plenty of examples of evil scientists to show that things can go sour pretty easily. So, since this is the beginning of the final arc for the show, it makes sense that some of the last challenges Senku will face is someone who can match wits with him but uses their powers for EEEEVILLLLL. And now that we’re actually in the plot, it is easier than ever to heed Senku’s catchphrase and finally, truly, get excited for what’s to come. Oh yeah, and they’re looking for corn. Kinda forgot about that.