What is Steven Universe? Steven Universe is a show that follows the adventures of a group of gem based warriors known as the Crystal Gems (Steven, Pearl, Garnet, and Amythest) as they fight to protect life on Earth from monsters and other threats. The show uses fusion—the physical and mental merging of two gems—as a shorthand to illustrate the depth of both platonic and romantic relationships. It is a fun Cartoon Network show with great character development and even more amazing underlying themes. Steven Universe tackles some big issues in today's culture and does it in a tasteful, kid-friendly way.
Here are some of the most common topics challenged in Steven Universe.
1. Unhealthy Relationships
Perhaps the strongest unhealthy relationship is that between Lapis Lazuli and Jasper. In "Alone at Sea" Lapis Lazuli revealed that even though it was torture being trapped under the ocean as Malachite (Jasper and Lapis fusion) and how she knew Jasper only used her to become stronger, she missed being fused with her. This clearly illustrates an abusive or toxic relationship and the dynamic between these two characters teachers viewers of the importance of recognizing and removing one's self from unhealthy situations.
2. Non-traditional Families
Steven Universe is full of nontraditional families. Everything from 3 moms to single fathers, this show covers it all and celebrates the diversity of these families. It also addresses absent fathers and single mothers, family outside of blood relation, and stepfamilies.
3. Gay Relationships
One of the primary themes of the show is simply that love can be felt through anyone. It is revealed that Garnet, one of the Crystal Gems, is a fusion of two very small Gems named Ruby and Sapphire who love each other so much that they wanted to be together as one being. When Garnet appeared for the first time, other gems were appalled at the sight of two different types of gems fusing. Garnet was scared and afraid because of what the other Gems said about fusion. But, over the years, Garnet overcame her doubts and became confident and full of self-love showing how beautiful their relationship really was.
4. Consent
Main character Steven and best friend Connie fuse in "Alone Together" as Stevonnie and consult each other throughout to make sure they’re both okay with what this experience is. In this way, Steven Universe shows kids the importance of communication and respecting their partner. Contrastingly, in “Keeping it Together,” it’s discovered an enemy of the Crystal Gems has been creating forced fusions. “These were Crystal Gems, shattered into pieces, then buried together,” Garnet cries, “They were forced together. They were forced to fuse. This is wrong.” Garnet’s distress makes it clear that fusion should be a choice. In “A Cry For Help,” Pearl, a member of the Crystal Gems, deceives her fellow Gems to trick Garnet into fusing with her. Pearl compromised Garnet’s consent by lying to her and by having one of the show’s heroes behave this way, Steven Universe shows how it’s not only bad guys that make bad decisions.
5. Dealing with Repressed Feelings
In episode "Mindful Education" viewers learn that Connie, Steven's best friend, instinctively threw a kid at school to the ground after bumping into him, and is thereafter plagued with guilt. This leads to a massive amount of mental instability when she and Steven train as their fusion, Stevonnie. Because of the nature of fusion, both individuals need to be balanced emotionally and understand that they can't ignore their feelings. Connie repressed how she felt and split the fusion mid-training session. Again, Stevonnie experiences flashbacks, but this time, they're Steven's. In this episode, we see how Steven constantly suffers from the guilt of having to fight and, unfortunately, hurt opposing gems. During a beautiful song, though, we see how Connie and Steven address their repressed feelings in a healthy way and overcome some of the pain that it is causing them.
6. Harassment
Kevin, a new character and aloof party-goer, invades Stevonnie's personal space and consent making Stevonnie immediately uncomfortable. He is as invasive and unsettling to the viewer as he is to Stevonnie. Kevin serves as a representative of harassing and exploitative behavior. Notably, Stevonnie never allows him to make them a victim; they are a target of his harassment, but they never give in. Having a character like this who is visibly making Stevonnie uneasy teaches audiences to be wary of individuals with similar actions and stand firm against them.
7. Backgrounds Do Not Define a Person
Gem-kind came to Earth to populate thousands of years ago, using the planet's nutrients to grow more Gems that would eventually destroy the planet completely. The Gems grown on Earth were supposed to be mighty warriors against Earth. Crystal Gem, Amethyst, was meant to be one of those gems. The Crystal Gems never talked about this in order to shield Steven from their species' evil history, but this only made Amethyst feel worse about where she came from. When it is revealed how broken Amethyst is because of her past, she is reassured that she's actually one of the only good things to come out of a horrible event and that she is dearly loved. Another example of this is Peridot, a high-ranking gem in the war against Earth. After being stranded on Earth after a failed mission, Peridot is given a chance of redemption and finds that Earth is a beautiful, valuable place worth saving. She decides to rebel and stay on Earth to fight alongside the Crystal Gems. This teaches audiences that where a person comes from does not limit where they can go in life or what they can accomplish and become.
8. Grief of Loss
In “Rose’s Scabbard”, the viewers finally get to experience the depth and differences in each of the Crystal Gems’ methods with handling their lingering grief over the loss of Rose Quartz, former leader of the Crystal Gems. Within the episode, Pearl reveals her pride in harboring some of Rose’s past secrets that she didn’t share with any of the other gems. However, she becomes distraught when Steven reveals that he already knew some of these secrets. Upon being told that perhaps she wasn’t the only gem Rose kept secrets with, Pearl runs away to the old gem battlefield, ordering Steven to leave her alone when he arrives to comfort her. Once Steven reaches her, it’s clear that Pearl is ashamed of the strength of her grief, but is also obvious that she can’t let it go. Many characters in the series are affected by the loss of Rose, and each of them undergoes a unique journey of healing.
If this list isn't enough of a reason to watch Steven Universe, then consider the complex plot, character development, beautiful design, and wonderful soundtrack. You'll be sure to fall in love with it after listening to "Be Wherever You Are," "It's Over, Isn't It," and many others. Steven Universe is fun entertainment for people of all ages. Now get out there and start watching!
