Review: Dr. Stone Episode 19 – Best in Show

Quick Summary

In Dr. Stone episode 19, “To Modernity“, a brief flashback showed us Tsukasa Shishiou un-stoning Hyoga. The muscle-bound, less mentally agile of Tsukasa’s followers berate Hyoga for being so scrawny and weak, but their taunts don’t last for long. Meanwhile, we get to see that Tsukasa has built quite a following. Their cave homes looked to be the size of a small city, and his people adored him. What does this mean for Senkuu and his village? We get a partial answer as the narrative returns to the battle. Senkuu, Kohaku, and the others pushed back Hyoga and his forces, but they didn’t notice that another of Tsukasa’s agents, Homura, had used the main battle as a diversion. She busily set fire to the village. Everyone streamed out conflagration toward the waiting invaders. How will Senkuu and his friends save the villagers now?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Best Moment in the Show

Kohaku adapted her attack — but Homura, her opponent, had more than one move. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Do I pick moments with Kohaku too often? Well, dang it, she is so busy doing awesome things that I can’t help but notice. So, here we go…

While Senkuu and the others were focused on repelling Hyoga and his gang of of muscular miscreants, a new character, Homura, swam to the village’s island. Once on shore, she began lighting the houses on fire. Senkuu and the others didn’t notice at first, and by the time they did, the flames were spreading rapidly (see the posts by Irina and Lynn — a.k.a. The Otaku Author — for a discussion on that point: I have links under the heading Other Anime Sites, below).

Kokuyou, previously the village’s chief, was the first to see Homura calmly walking towards him across one of the rope bridges. Enraged, he charged, preparing to slice her with his katana. With apparent ease, she leaped into the air and flipped over his swing.

This next bit is the cool part.

Kohaku was behind him on the bridge. She saw what had happened and rushed to the attack. Instead of just swinging her katana sideways like her father had done, she leapt into the air and tried to bring her swing downward. Unfortunately, Homura used the top robe to swing herself sideways and away from Kohaku’s strike. She then flipped first over Senkuu and Chrome and second over Ginrou and Kinrou before landing beside Hyoga, who had called her his right hand.

Homura and Hyoga make an uncomfortably strong power couple. Though I guess there’s no evidence they’re romantically involved. Don’t want to make any assumptions! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I loved how Kohaku was smart enough to make a correction. Her father had frozen in astonishment, whereas she had the mental flexibility to adapt. Not only that, but as she watched Homura’s acrobatics, she wondered at the technique. She didn’t blurt out something like “Impossible!” Give her enough time, and she’ll be able to take on Homura — Hyoga, too, I’d bet. Though I hope it doesn’t come to that.

What did you think of Homura burning the village? 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 19 discussion
• I Drink and Watch Anime: Dr. Stone Episode 19 – Tsukasa the Beloved
• The Otaku Author: Dr. Stone (Episode 19) – To Modernity

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