English Dub Review: Dr. Stone: Stone Wars: “Humanity’s Strongest Tag Team”

Overview: After Hyoga (Jerry Jewell) reveals his true nature, he stands off against Tsukasa (Ian Sinclair) and Senku (Aaron Dismuke) as these two geniuses in their own right join forces to take him down once and for all. 

Our Take: “Humanity’s Strongest Tag Team” in the form of the weakest episode yet. Okay, okay maybe that’s a bit harsh but the penultimate entry sure as heck did not do it any favors in making it a strong part of the season’s closing. 

Hyoga double-crossing Tsukasa was an aspect I truly didn’t expect, mostly because the character really hasn’t been a main focal point this season or even for much of the last one either. It’s unfortunate that the character that was revealed was nothing more than that of a Tsukasa double, so in that regard it was nothing too original or even exciting for that matter. But at the very least the spear wielder has that surprise moment to his name, whatever it’s worth. 

However, it’s not all doom and gloom though. There was indeed a highlight in this episode and that was seeing Senku and Tsukasa finally unite and take Hyoga on. To give credit where credit’s due, the tenth episode does a fine job of showing the impact of Senku and Tsukasa’s team-up. It succeeds at this by the tried and true formula of heart and works as it harkens back to a past moment in the duo’s beginnings in a meaningful way.     

With that being said, it only manages to go so far when it is hampered down by lackluster animation that’s stiff as a board and about as lifeless as one too. This, in turn, makes the entire twist of Senku’s concealed taser hamstrung by a weak final fight between Tsukasa and Hyoga, both stylistically and motion-wise also. With the magnitude of a partnership such as this, both the strongest primate and the science wiz are deserving of something immensely better than what was given. On the upside, it leaves the final episode in a great place to further give us more of their kindling friendship or at the very least more layers to their signature chemistry.  

Dr. Stone’s next to last episode is most certainly not worthy of ten billion points but I can give it a couple for it a few good twists and some decent character work. But unfortunately it doesn’t make up for all it’s glaring shortcomings like generic antagonists, underwhelming developments and bland animation.