Dr. Stone Season 2 Episode 6 "Prison Break" Review
Synopsis:
The show opens with Senku and friends resolving to move out as quickly as possible to save Chrome. As Kohaku points out, Chrome is bound to run his big mouth and get into trouble. The point of view switches to Chrome. He’s determined to break out, but escape seems impossible with stone walls and a guarded bamboo door. Plus, there’s a new obstacle: an ex-cop named Yo-Kun.
Yo-Kun is quickly established as brutal and efficient, having casually fired at criminals in the pre-stone world. Chrome is motivated to escape upon seeing his new warden and uses a bathroom trip as an excuse to scavenge what supplies he can. Unfortunately, he only manages to get an assortment of grasses and sticks. Fortunately, someone slips his battery into the cell in the night, allowing him to escape.
MY THOUGHTS
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I enjoyed this episode! Chrome comes into his own in the "battle with Yo-Kun. Not only does he use science, but he uses techniques he picked up from others as well. With this Chrome cements himself as a jack of all trade, and a versatile member of the Kingdom of Science. I was vague about the ending on purpose, as this is really something worth watching yourself. Notably, Chrome has a certain immature style to his actions, but it works to his advantage.
I noticed that the different ‘battles’ have worked to develop the characters, first Kohaku vs Homura, then Chrome vs Yo-Kun. I wonder where this leading, if anywhere and if so, if it’ll be seen in this season. Talking about Homura...I miss her. Will she ever reappear in the series?
As always, Dr. Stone has a great soundtrack that is used effectively. Dr. Stone has a way of using the music parallel with its emotional moments. Sometimes this falls flat, like in last week’s episode, but when used effectively, I can feel my emotions swell along with the music, which is one of my favorite feelings.
I have very mixed feelings about Yo-Kun. While he’s supposed to be comically evil and possibly a later anti-hero, the corrupt violence-happy cop stereotype is one common in anime, makes me a little uncomfortable these days. However! This is not the place to unpack this trope’s complexities, nor am I equipped for it. It's just, while I l do like the character’s evil himbo’s personality, I hate this trope he represents.
The biggest question left by this episode is the mysterious benefactor of the battery is. As mentioned earlier, I think it’s Ukyou...he has a plan of his own that runs counter Tsukasa, and the only one I see both having access and motive to give Chrome the battery.
The plus side to Chrome escaping is that it means that the tank Senku and friends built can be used for something else. What exactly? I don’t know! Hopefully we will find out next episode.
Episode Score 4/5