One of the most impressive aspects of Dr. Stone is its ability to keep the premise fresh and captivating. New World takes a massive departure from the previous season, a war between kingdoms, and introduces us to an entirely new adventure: sailing to an unknown world, confronting new enemies, and unraveling the mystery behind the green petrification light. This refreshing change of pace demonstrates the anime’s flexibility and ensures that the story remains engaging.

The story of New World centers around Senkuu and his team’s journey to reach the source of the green light that petrified humanity. The season wastes no time, and the pacing is well-executed, maintaining a sense of urgency. As the episodes progress, the story takes us on an epic journey with Senkuu and his comrades. Episode by episode, we witness their determination to reach South America, the source of the petrification ray, and unravel the mysteries of the new world. The first episode sets the stage for their ambitious plan to construct an oil-powered ship, highlighting the importance of locating the Sagara Oil Field. The subsequent episodes delve into their challenges, such as finding resources for shipbuilding, developing farming techniques, and even searching for a professional chef to enhance their food production.

The story takes intriguing twists and turns, introducing the character of Amaryllis, an ambitious rebel from the new world, and Francois, Ryusui’s butler/chef, who adds a touch of sophistication to the group (as well as being the first LGBTQ+ character). As well as developing returning characters and giving lesser known names time to shine. The narrative seamlessly weaves scientific principles with creative problem-solving as Senkuu and his team invent new technologies, like the primitive camera and a radar/sonar system, to aid their mission. One fascinating revelation occurs in Episode 4 when the existence of Why-Man is debated, introducing the threat of a new enemy. This discovery adds depth and suspense to the storyline, prompting Senkuu to develop advanced technologies, including a cathode-ray tube television screen and a metal detector. These advancements aid their journey and showcase the brilliance of the scientific minds at work.

The characters face various barriers as the season progresses, from assembling a ship accurately to coordinating espionage into the new world’s elite. These challenges emphasize the importance of teamwork, which has and always has been Dr. Stone’s favorite theme. Each episode presents a new development that keeps you engaged and eager to see how Senkuu and the kingdom of science will overcome their current conflict. Dr. Stone balances its conflicts, serious scientific themes, and lighthearted humor. The characters’ quirks and comedic interactions are similar to SpongeBob (love it or hate it), adding an entertaining component to the series I adore. Despite their lovable goofball personalities, the characters remain dedicated and determined. If it wasn't clear enough by this season's funny Minecraft references (a record breaking amount for an anime?), this series knows it's target audience well.

Introducing a new island and its inhabitants in the latter episodes adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. The encounter with Amaryllis and learning she has a long-standing plan to steal the petrification weapon raise the stakes for our heroes. The storyline delves into her motivations, the significance of her engagement, and her willingness to join forces with Senkuu’s group. Senkuu’s strategic thinking and the group’s resourcefulness come to the forefront as they devise plans to infiltrate the island, acquire the green light, and rescue the petrified people. Joining forces with a member of the oppressive island shows how the kingdom of science didn't come to overtake the new world, only to find answers. To address the criticism that this season promotes colonization and imperialism: that seems far-fetched. Dr. Stone: New World primarily focuses on the spirit of exploration, mirroring the experience of embarking on an adventure in a survival video game. It’s important to note that there is no exploitation in this context.

Dr. Stone: New World’s first part . Using new renditions of the previous soundtrack throughout the series adds a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. At the same time, the consistently good opening and ending theme songs contribute to the overall enjoyment of the show. Fans of the first two seasons will find themselves engrossed by these 11 episodes, eagerly following Senkuu and his allies as they navigate the challenges of un-petrifying the world. The ending of part 1 may leave you unsatisfied, so it may be advisable to catch up when part 2 begins airing.