Steven Universe premiered on the Cartoon Network channel in 2013 and became a hit. The animated series was a coming-of-age story about a boy with magical powers. He learns about his unique heritage and strives to protect his home. It received massive praise for featuring LGTBQ+ relationships and normalizing them towards children. Its run lasted for many years, but the legacy might continue.
Steven Universe, A Young Hero
Created by Rebecca Sugar, Steven Universe follows the unique childhood of the titular character. Steven may appear normal, but he’s partially a magical mineral-based alien called a Gem. Garnet, Pearl, and Amythyst, the Crystal Gems, act as his guardians and Earth’s protectors. Steven often joined them on dangerous adventures, hunting monsters and learning about his powers. Other times, Steven has fun throughout Beach City, his seaside hometown. He typically hangs out with his loving father, Greg, or Connie, his bookish crush.
As Steven Universe continues, the young protagonist learns the Gem Empire once invaded Earth. His late Gem mother, Rose Quartz, assembled The Crystal Gems to repel the forces. Their actions, unfortunately, angered The Great Diamond Authority, the Empire’s leaders. Steven eventually learns of a mysterious conspiracy between his mother and one of the Diamonds. This discovery leads to him wanting to establish peace with The Great Diamond Authority. He succeeds and garners a new peaceful age of prosperity between Earth and Gem’s homeworld.
A Series Beyond Its Prime
Aside from being filled with action and humor, Steven Universe is revolutionary. It’s the first show to express diversity and relationships to children. This Cartoon Network series featured a same-sex couple and showcased them getting married. These aspects have allowed writers to teach children that LGBTQ+ relationships are natural. Since then, the community has celebrated Steven Universe for its work. It spreads the message that love is love, whether it’s between different or same genders.
The TV movie, Steven Universe: The Movie followed after the conclusion of Steven Universe. The Crystal Gems are enjoying their new lives several years later. An enemy with a past connection to Rose Quartz suddenly disrupts the peace. Things become more complicated when he and the Gems return to their default states. It’s up to Steven to restore everyone and settle things with their new antagonist. Steven Universe: The Movie felt like the definitive end to the saga, except it’s not.
The Dark Epilogue to Steven’s Story
The saga continued in the limited sequel series, Steven Universe Future. This show essentially showcases the aftermath of the previous installment and the movie. Steven adheres to his new responsibilities while learning to adjust to his newly peaceful life. Eventually, he realizes he’s not needed as much, and his closest friends are moving on. Steven struggles with finding his new life purpose and questions his self-worth. This development leads to anxiety and emotional trauma that forces him into a dark place.
Steven Universe Future followed its predecessor’s revolutionary footsteps by promoting mental health awareness. Steven learns his past experiences have greatly traumatized him, causing his body to react violently. He is unwilling to address the issues, which is detrimental and leads to disastrous problems. His loved ones come together and assure him they’re there for him. The fact this show expresses this issue is commendable and grants its younger viewers insight. It even emphasizes the importance of seeking help from others, like loved ones.
The Future of Steven Universe
Steven Universe Future was the climax to the impressive series, yet it might not be. A deleted X (formerly Twitter) from Ian Quartely-Jones hints at a possible series continuation. They even suggest that it might become available on Amazon Prime Video. If these rumors are proven true, it could be monumental for the overall franchise. This change could elevate the show’s storytelling to a higher level and attract new fans. Only time will tell if the world will see a new Steven Universe show.
Final Thoughts
Steven Universe and its sequel series are groundbreaking shows that enlightened viewers. If another show comes to Amazon Prime Video, it could be incredible. It’ll be wonderful to see how much Steven has grown since the ending of Future. The possibilities are endless, but that’s until a confirmation occurs. In the meantime, Steven Universe is available on streaming services like Hulu and YouTube TV.
