Cultural Evolution in Ishigami Village in The Anime Dr. Stone by Riichiro Inagaki: A Cultural Anthropology Study

This research examines how the anime Dr. Stone represents the concept of cultural evolution, focusing on the alignment of cultural development in the anime with the theories proposed by Leslie A. White and Julian Steward. Using a qualitative descriptive approach with content analysis, the study explores changes in social structure, technology, and how the Ishigami Village community adapts to its environment and challenges. The findings indicate that Dr. Stone effectively depicts cultural evolution through energy and technology, aligning with White's perspective, while reflecting societal adaptation per Steward's theory. The transformation of Ishigami Village from a foraging society to a more advanced civilization mirrors the non-linear patterns of human civilization, emphasizing the roles of technological innovation and environmental adaptation in cultural evolution. This research aims to contribute to cultural anthropology studies that utilize popular media and enhance understanding of science's role in human civilization.