Two years after the previous season aired, one of the most successful anime franchises in recent years, “Dr Stone” returns with its final season, which will be presented in three parts throughout 2025. This review covers the first 12 episodes of the fourth season.
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Having resolved the conflict in the Petrification Kingdom, Senku and his expanded crew set their sights on the person responsible for the petrification phenomenon, believed to be residing on the moon. To reach them, however, they need massive resources and manpower scattered across the globe. The journey begins with a trip to the United States aboard the Perseus, an undertaking that presents its own challenges. Upon landing in America in search of corn, a material with multiple uses, they encounter their most formidable foe yet: a group of adults led by a scientific genius and supported by an ultra-powerful warrior. Unlike Senku’s science-driven philosophy, this new faction has focused on developing military equipment.
As I mentioned in the review of the previous season, “despite the intricacy of the technological advancements and the progress of civilization mirrored here, the series remains one mostly directed to kids (or young adults at least), with the lack of violence, sex, interpersonal relations, and character depth moving directly towards this direction. In many ways, “Dr Stone” begins to resemble “One Piece” in tone and structure.” While the slapstick comedy and youthful tone persist, this new season introduces elements that cater to more mature audiences, particularly through the concept and character design of the new antagonists.
During the crew’s trip to the US, themes like gambling and alcohol are introduced, opening the door to new narrative directions. The addition of Dr Xeno and especially Stanley, whose chain-smoking demeanor and ruthless gunmanship give the story a darker edge, contribute to this tonal shift. While the creators stop short of showing explicit violence or death, the groundwork for a more serious narrative direction is clearly in place. Luna’s presence, along with her flirtatious behavior and desire for romance, also adds a more adult dimension to the story.
The introduction of older characters allows Yuko Iwasa‘s character designs to evolve. Simply having adults in the mix gives her room to experiment. Stanley’s androgynous look is particularly striking, while the ‘perverse’ doctor Xeno and the voluptuous Luna showcase a fresh take on character design in the series.
Additionally, the animation by Die4studio and TMS Entertainment gets a creative boost, with new elements such as guns, boats, and especially airplanes adding depth to the visual storytelling. While the violence remains toned down, more so than the fanservice, the vibrant, ultra-colorful backgrounds are still present, reminding viewers that this is ultimately a title geared toward a younger demographic.
“Dr Stone: Science Future” may not completely reinvent the series, but the new elements are a welcome addition. They hint at a possible shift in tone and direction for an anime that was beginning to feel somewhat repetitive.
