Dr. STONE Volume 1

Written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi

A manga for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Shayne

In the first volume of Dr. STONE, a big flash of light petrifies the whole world. The petrified include a scientist named Senku Ishigami, a really strong highschooler named Taiju Oki, and the strongest high school student, Tsukasa Shishio. After 3,700 years, Senku wakes up to find out everyone else is petrified. Not long after, Taiju wakes up and sees Senku in a big treehouse, which he created on his own. After that, the two work together to make revival fluid, which consists of alcohol and nitric acid. Taiju does all the heavy lifting, and Senku performs the scientific tasks. After they complete the fluid, Senku and Taiju revive Tsukasa, who becomes the series’ main antagonist.

I really like the first volume of Dr. STONE and the entire Dr. STONE series because of Senku and Taiju’s relationship. Taiju doesn't know anything about science, which is funny because he doesn’t understand Senku half the time. Even though that's the case, they really work well together. Tsukasa slows down their progress, but they still move on. The antagonist, Tsukasa, is also a really good character because he is just trying to find his sister. We learn that she was braindead and Tsukasa was participating in MMA matches to pay for her medical insurance. Overall, his journey to find her is great. He also believes that only youthful people can run the new world they now live in, since the ones who ran the old world didn't do so well.