Dr. Stone is a Japanese anime television series produced by TMS Entertainment based on the manga series of the same name written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi.
The series aired from July 5 to December 13, 2019 on Tokyo MX and other channels, spanning 24 episodes in its first season.
The story follows a 16-year-old science prodigy named Senku Ishigami, who awakens in a post-apocalyptic world where all of humanity has been turned to stone. Senku teams up with his friend Taiju to rebuild civilization using his scientific knowledge, facing challenges from rival groups along the way. After a mysterious light event petrifies all of humanity, Senku emerges from his stone shell 3,700 years later to find the world has reverted to a primitive state. He discovers that by applying the right formulas, he can free people from their stone state. Senku and Taiju, who was freed from stone alongside Senku, set out to rebuild civilization from scratch using Senku's scientific knowledge. They face opposition from Tsukasa Shishio, who wants to create a new world without the elderly and weak.
As Senku's group, known as the Kingdom of Science, grows, they work to develop tools, weapons, and medicines to aid their mission. They encounter other groups of revived humans along the way, some friendly and some hostile. The main characters include Senku Ishigami, a brilliant 16-year-old scientist; Taiju Ōki, Senku's best friend known for his incredible strength; Yuzuriha Ogawa, Taiju's love interest; Tsukasa Shishio, the main antagonist and powerful fighter who wants to create a new world; Chrome, a villager who becomes Senku's apprentice; and Kohaku, a strong-willed female warrior.
Dr. Stone has been well-received, with praise for its unique premise, engaging characters, and educational elements. It has spawned multiple seasons, with a second season titled Dr. Stone: Stone Wars airing in 2021 and a third season, Dr. Stone: New World, premiering in 2023. The series has been recognized as one of the best anime series of the 2010s, appearing on lists by publications like Crunchyroll and IGN. Its blend of science, adventure, and character drama has resonated with audiences worldwide, and it has been praised for sparking an interest in science. Overall, Dr. Stone stands out as a unique and compelling entry in the anime medium, blending an engaging post-apocalyptic story with a celebration of scientific knowledge and discovery.