Dr. Stone Graphic Novel Volume 5 cover image

In one day, in a blinding flash, every human is petrified and turned into a statue.  Civilization gradually falls apart.  When high school student, Taiju, reawakens, bursting from his stone shell, he is shocked to discover that it is 3700 years later!  And he is not alone, as his classmate, Senku, has been up and running for over half a year.  Now, the duo and more reawakened humans must kick-start civilization, which will not be easy, as not everyone agrees on how civilization should be rebuilt.

As Dr. Stone, Vol. 5 (Tale for the Ages; Chapters 35 to 43) opens, the battle to be the future leader of the village that Senku discovered continues.  Will Senku be able to create his “kingdom of science?”  He or an ally will have to win this battle/contest, but their adversary, Magma, will do anything not to lose.  Later, learn the origin of Senku, his last name, and the back story behind the day that a flash of light turned humans into stone statues.  If people just started emerging from stone, why is there a village full of young people and children, who were obviously born from people who were not stone?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Dr. Stone manga is a spry, imaginative manga.  It is also an odd shonen manga, one that constantly expands its scope.

Dr. Stone Graphic Novel Volume 5 continues the battle-for-leadership story arc that began in Vol. 4.  Then, all kinds of hell breaks loose.  No spoilers, you say, dear reader.  Well, there is an origin story or two here, and we will learn Senku's last name... and more.  Hey, Vol. 5 rewards you for reading this absolutely delightful and inventive series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for odd shonen manga will want to try the Shonen Jump title, Dr. Stone.

A
9 out of 10