Dr. Stone Season 4 Episode 1 Summary: Senku and Ryusui Clash

The Kingdom of Science is approaching its conclusion, with the highly anticipated Dr. Stone Season 4 Episode 1 marking a significant milestone before wrapping up the beloved series. This season, dubbed Science Future, promises thrilling developments as the saga unfolds.

When discussing iconic anime, titles like One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto invariably come to mind. However, Dr. Stone has carved its niche alongside these giants and is now on the brink of its finale after a successful four-season run.

The plot centers around an extraordinary event where humanity was petrified for millennia. Protagonist Senku Ishigami dedicates his life to reviving the petrified population, all while striving to thwart the forces behind this calamity—who, intriguingly, reside on the moon. This overarching narrative sets the stage for the new season, and for fans who are caught up, here’s an in-depth look at Season 4 Episode 1. Be warned: spoilers follow!

The New Voyage Begins

The cast of Dr. Stone Season 4 — Crunchyroll

As we rejoin the ensemble in Season 4 Episode 1, the crew is well into their journey to North America aboard the ship Perseus. The lively Minami Hokutozai prompts her companions to share their feelings about the exciting adventure ahead while documenting their experiences on a urushi lacquer-coated wood cylinder, an element that will become significant later.

The crew, including Gen, Suika, Chrome, Kaseki, Kirisame, Kinro, Matsukaze, and the newly revived Tsukasa, is united for this vast expedition. Tsukasa, once a formidable adversary to the Kingdom of Science, has softened his stance and aligned with Senku after his resurrection from stone.

Matsukaze has also insisted on bringing Ginro along, despite Ginro’s evident disdain for the journey.

Authority Clash: Senku vs. Ryusui

Senku and Ryusui in Dr. Stone Season 4 — Crunchyroll

Conflicts arise early on between Senku and Ryusui regarding their travel plans. Ryusui estimates the trip to the U.S. will take 70 days, while Senku confidently asserts it can be accomplished in 40. In an effort to resolve the dispute, Taiju encourages them to present their perspectives to the rest of the crew.

For Ryusui, the most efficient route to their destination, San Francisco, is the Rhumb Line, a straight path minimizing crew fatigue. In contrast, Senku advocates for the Great Circle Route, which appears longer on flat maps but can significantly reduce travel time when measured on a globe. Through this logical assessment, Senku argues they could potentially save 30 days, although Ryusui voices concerns about the risks involved.

Refusing to budge, Senku insists on having a clear timeline to gather essential corn supplies for their mission, while Ryusui threatens to intervene if Senku’s risky plan goes ahead. Their rivalry culminates in an unexpected duel—a poker match that will determine the chosen route.

Senku and Dr. Stone Season 4 — Crunchyroll

This poker game, however, diverges from typical expectations. Senku partners with Kohaku, while Gen sides with Ryusui. As the game progresses, tension mounts. Kohaku quickly accuses Gen of deck manipulation, correctly guessing the first card, prompting Ukyo to step in to protect the integrity of the game.

As the match unfolds, Senku’s tactics become apparent. He suspects that Gen has swapped out Ryusui’s cards. Matching Ryusui’s all-in bet, Senku relies on the marked cards he stealthily prepared with transparent urushi lacquer, resulting in a royal straight flush. However, this victory comes at a cost: Senku is allergic to the lacquer, causing a comical and unfortunate swelling of his face.

Ultimately, Senku’s calculated strategy leads to the decision to adopt the Great Circle Route. Ryusui accepts this outcome but insists on an added condition: creating a comfortable leisure zone on deck that features a casino and bar, which inevitably results in extending their journey duration.

This turn of events prompts Ukyo to question the fairness of the outcome, suspecting that Gen orchestrated the entire poker match with cunning foresight, a claim Gen promptly denies.

Fans can now catch Dr. Stone Season 4, also known as Science Future, streaming weekly on Crunchyroll.

Source & Images