Welcome! It’s the final episode of the first half of Dr. Stone: Science Future. One of my favorite parts of the episode was when the “acting presidents” of Japan and the USA negotiated over the radio. Nikki represented the Japanese and Dr. Brody represented the USA. I loved this because it showed us that Brody is a strong, reasonable leader who cares about human lives. It was also cool to see a person of color and a woman both depicted as leaders. With that in mind, let’s review episode 12.
Episode 12: Reunion
Episode Rating: 8/10
Kohaku and company successfully captured Xeno. They encountered a few guards, but Gen distracted them so they could be easily taken out. Tsukasa also handled the men who were guarding Xeno’s main chamber. Once they were there, Kohaku tied up Xeno and carried him like a sack of potatoes. Quickly, the digging team headed back the way they came, trying to make a smooth escape.
Chrome had a plan to ignite a bomb that would seal the way to Xeno’s castle and propel himself and Xeno forward in a rail cart. The plan was poorly thought out, and the bomb nearly caused casualities. It also made the tunnel cave in on both sides. Chrome was trapped underground with Xeno. While they were down there, waiting for rescue, Xeno explained why he wanted to be a dictator.
Ruling over others was the only way, in Xeno’s mind, to make sure science was properly used and respected in a world previously ruled by foolish politicians and meatheads who didn’t comprehend science. I understand the sentiment. Ignorant people are ending up in charge more than ever in our world. But it’s still wrong to be an authoritarian leader who controls life, death, and basic rights. Chrome agreed with me. He wasn’t interested in following Xeno’s new world order.
Some of Xeno’s men wanted to run out and find the other end of the tunnel, but Brody stopped them. He asserted that the priority was saving the people trapped underground. In addition, Brody said that nobody deserves to die, showing his strong sense of altruism and respect for human life. It was a race to the rescue! While Brody and the Americans dug from one side, Taiju was on the other side with the drill. Fortunately, Taiju was faster. He rescued Chrome and Xeno.
After this development, a new group was formed called the advance team. It was comprised of the diggers and fighters like Chrome and Kohaku; along with Senku and Ryusui; and several people from the Perseus (Kaseki, Francois) who were set free by Max and Luna. (Luna and Senku had a cute moment.) There’s one thing I don’t understand, though. When we last left off, Senku and Ryusui were at the plane crash site, being held at gunpoint by Stanley’s look-alike. How did they escape that situation and meet up with the others? Was this a writing mistake?
Following the reunion of Senku and Xeno, it was time for negotiations. Brody and Stanley had almost everyone from the Perseus captured, including Nikki and Yuzuriha. A boatload of people in exchange for one person – Xeno – was not an equal trade, but Senku knew what to do. He revealed the recipe for revival fluid and proposed the idea of starting a new nation of a million people. They would grow corn and build technology, bringing more and more people back to life with each batch of revival fluid.
Since Senku couldn’t speak English, Nikki took over and communicated in the rough Engrish she had picked up. Impressed by Nikki’s spirit, Brody agreed to the deal. He and the Americans would build “Corn City” in collaboration with the crew of the Perseus. However, Stanley would still come after Senku, trying to rescue Xeno by any means necessary. In other words, Senku and the advance team were still in danger.
Senku and company stole a steamboat from Xeno’s side and fled, using the petrification device as a bluff to get past the Persues. From now on, the advance team will be “playing high-speed tag with Stanley” while the others work on building the new nation. That’s where the episode leaves off. I also enjoyed the funny moments with beloved characters like Francois and Kaseki in this episode. It was a great season of Dr. Stone!
~Thanks for reading~
Written by 7Mononoke at Anime Rants
