Quick Summary
In Dr. Stone episode 12, “Buddies Back to Back,” Senkuu continues the search for the ingredients he’ll need to make antibiotics, and now the time has come for the most dangerous part: finding sulfuric acid. It’s dangerous because if places where it occurs naturally, the gas accompanying it is instantly lethal. Senkuu bribes Ginrou to be their guard with a silver-tipped spear. Why silver? Because it reacts with the gas and might give them a chance to back away before they die. Can Senkuu, Chrome, and Kohaku find a naturally occurring source of sulfuric acid? If they do, can they retrieve it without dying? And why does Senkuu seem to think it’s up to him to do it alone?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Best Moment in the Show
Chrome really came into his own in this episode. He made it clear: He was going to help Senkuu because it was the right thing to do. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’ll give Senkuu credit. He’s too soft-hearted to order someone else to do something mind-numbingly dangerous. Just as he couldn’t bluff Tsukasa back in episode 4 because of his compassion for Yuzuriha, he couldn’t order Chrome or anyone else to trust their lives to the untested gas masks. He’d prefer to do it himself.
Even if it meant risking the future of human science.
Senkuu told Chrome that he wasn’t going to allow Chrome to go near the pool of sulfuric acid. Senkuu wanted him to stay safely at camp. Senkuu even made the irrational promise to teach Chrome all of his science knowledge in one night!
Chrome isn’t an idiot, so he objects. Senkuu tries to argue that both scientists can’t die, or Ruri will never be healed.
Chrome had heard enough. “I have no intention of helping you with a plan that makes it okay for one of my friends to die” (10:50). Kohaku, sitting on a tree branch, watches in approval. Chrome goes on to point out that Senkuu’s very suggestion of going into that danger alone is illogical.
Chrome had to get physical to get his point across. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Something Senkuu should know to avoid!
Chrome closes his arguments with a single, concise statement of admirable logic. “Don’t patronize me, asshole,” he says (11:35).
Senkuu tried a few more feeble protests, but Chrome had won the argument. The two of them would face the danger, together, and watch each other’s backs. They would confront the danger and overcome it as a team.
All of that set up my Best in Show moment. Asking Senkuu to remember Taiju Ooki and Yuzuriha, Chrome pointed out that those two were risking their lives. He said (12:41), “If I’m your friend, neither higher nor lower than you, it’s not ‘I’ll protect you.'”
It’s that they’ll protect each other.
Who knew we’d get such enjoyable character development in a story about the world’s population getting turned into rock?
What did you think of Chrome’s resolve? What was your best in show moment? Let me know in the comments!
Other Posts about This Series
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Dr. Stone – Episode 12 discussion
- I Drink and Watch Anime: Dr. Stone Episode 12 – Chasing the Green Fairy
- Couch and Chill: [Review] Dr. Stone: Episode 12
This Site (Crow's World of Anime!)
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 01 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 02 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 03 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 04 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 05 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 06 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 07 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 08 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 09 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 10 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 11 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 12 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 13 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 14 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 15 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 16 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 17 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 18 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 19 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 20 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 21 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 22 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 23 – Best In Show
- Review: Dr. Stone Episode 24 – Best In Show
