The final season of the anime series Dr. Stone, titled Dr. Stone: Science Future, has added a new voice to its cast. Mariko Higashiuchi will be voicing the character of Maya, a former US Army soldier. The official announcement was made recently, generating excitement among fans as the series progresses through its final arc.
Maya: A Formidable New Character
Maya is introduced as a subordinate of Stanley Snyder and is described as highly skilled in both martial arts and firearms. Her character is set to appear in the anime’s fifth episode. Higashiuchi describes Maya as someone who “sings happily, eats delicious meat, and is a cheerful woman (and very strong),” and has expressed her enthusiasm for portraying all of Maya’s good qualities.
Mariko Higashiuchi: A Talented Voice Actress
Mariko Higashiuchi is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with VIMS, with a career spanning various anime and video game titles.
Higashiuchi’s notable roles include:
- Kurono Shinguji
- Ben Azuki
- Buntan Kurosuki’s Mother
- Annabel (Drug Store in Another World – The Slow Life of a Cheat Pharmacist)
She debuted as a voice actress in Naruto Shippuden and auditioned for the role of Torao Kanegami in No-Rin.
Dr. Stone: Science Future – The Final Arc
Dr. Stone: Science Future is the fourth and final season of the Dr. Stone anime series. The anime premiered on January 9, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other Japanese channels, and is being streamed by Crunchyroll in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS. The season is planned to run for three cours (quarters of the year) with breaks in between. Crunchyroll is also streaming same-day English dubs of the anime.
The Story So Far
The Dr. Stone saga begins in the year 2019 when a mysterious phenomenon turns all of humanity to stone. Senku Ishigami, a genius high school student with a love for science, awakens 3,700 years later to find the world devoid of human civilization. He embarks on a mission to rebuild society using the power of science, starting from scratch in this “Stone World”.
Setting Sights on the Moon
In Science Future, Senku and the Kingdom of Science return after the battle on Treasure Island. Their next ambitious goal is to reach the Moon. To achieve this, they plan a voyage to the Americas to gather the necessary resources. The synopsis states that through teamwork and science, they continue the fight to save humanity.
Production Team
The anime is directed by Shuhei Matsushita at TMS Entertainment. The opening theme song, “CASANOVA POSSE,” is performed by ALI, while the ending theme song, “Rolling Stone,” is performed by BREIMEN.
Previous Seasons
The first season of the Dr. Stone anime premiered in July 2019 and was streamed by Crunchyroll, with Funimation providing an English dub. The second season, Dr. Stone: Stone Wars, premiered in January 2021 and was also streamed by Crunchyroll worldwide (excluding Asia), with Funimation handling the English dub. In July 2022, a one-hour anime special, Dr. Stone: Ryusui, aired, bridging the gap between the second and third seasons.
The Legacy of Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone, written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from March 2017 to March 2022, comprising a total of 27 volumes. The manga has sold over 18 million copies, attesting to its popularity.
The series follows Senku Ishigami, who aims to rebuild civilization using scientific methods after humanity is petrified by a mysterious event. The story blends adventure, comedy, and science education, making it accessible and engaging for a broad audience.
With the final season underway and new characters like Maya joining the fray, Dr. Stone: Science Future promises to deliver a thrilling conclusion to Senku’s quest to revive humanity.
