Steven Universe: Rebecca Sugar animates The Will To Change
Bell Hooks would love Steven Universe, debate your mom.
Steven Universe is a captivating American animated series crafted by the talented Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It follows the coming-of-age journey of a young boy, Steven Universe, who becomes entangled in a cosmic conflict featuring fascinating gems—mineral-based lifeforms that defy the rule of a hierarchical empire ruled by the formidable Diamonds.
To truly understand the stakes of this interstellar drama, we must delve into the narrative that set the stage for Earth's colonization and ultimately led to Steven's extraordinary existence.
Let’s start with Homeworld, the majestic headquarters of the Diamond Empire. Initially, all gems served under the watchful eyes of the four Diamonds: the formidable White Diamond, followed closely by the powerful Yellow and Blue Diamonds, and the enigmatic Pink Diamond, who was viewed as the runt of the family. This hierarchy is underscored by the fact that White has successfully colonized more planets than the others, while Pink never achieved such feats. When a diamond claims a planet, it ceases to be habitable for other lifeforms and is transformed into a factory dedicated entirely to gem production.
Pink Diamond, curious and inventive in her youth, didn’t share the same boldness as her sisters. Her journey begins with Earth, where she approaches the colonization process with an open heart. Endowed with the gem’s powers of empathy, protection, and healing, she finds herself fascinated by the complexity of humans. To explore their intricacies—including their mating rituals—she creates a human zoo. It’s during this exploration that she uncovers the crucial distinction between gems and humans: while humans grow, change, and eventually perish, gems are trapped in an unchanging society that idolizes authority and status.
As the colonization of Earth unfolds, a rebellion ignites. Two gems fuse together, mirroring the deep connections that humans form but resulting in a fundamental transformation of their very essence. This unprecedented act infuriates the traditionalists of Homeworld, leading to a war spearheaded by Rose Quartz—a fierce defender of change—against Pink Diamond and the oppressive forces of Homeworld. Rose’s supporters became known as the Crystal Gems. After countless battles resulting in shattered and corrupted gems, the war culminates in a climactic moment: Pink Diamond is believed to be shattered by Rose Quartz.
But the truth unfolds later, revealing that Pink Diamond and Rose Quartz are one and the same. Pink orchestrated her own deception, faking her shattering to assume a new identity as Rose in order to experience life freely on Earth. Driven by an insatiable desire to connect with the complexities of living, she is joined by her fellow Crystal Gems: Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst—each grappling with their own identities.
Pearls are typically created to serve the Diamonds, and as such, Pearl's loyalty to Rose raises an intriguing question: is she following Rose out of genuine belief in her mission or merely fulfilling her programming? Yet, over time, Pearl’s feelings deepen into something beautifully romantic, illustrating her evolution into a fully realized being whose love transcends obligation. Their bond, forged over countless years, stands in stark contrast to the fleeting lives of humans and becomes even more poignant with the birth of Steven.
Garnet, the embodiment of rebellion, is a fusion of Ruby and Sapphire—an extraordinary act, as Rubies are engineered to fight and operate in clusters, while Sapphires are traditionally aligned with the Diamonds, capable of predicting future outcomes. A Ruby and a Sapphire choosing to fuse out of love is viewed as nothing short of blasphemous by Homeworld’s standards, making Garnet a bold statement against a predetermined existence.
Amethyst, a type of quartz, represents strength, yet she is physically smaller than expected due to her formation’s unique circumstances. Traditionalists would deem her a failure deserving of shattering; however, her very existence challenges the oppressive customs of Homeworld and embodies the more humanitarian ideals that Rose Quartz embraces.
When Steven is born, his mother’s gem finds its place in his stomach, tethering her life force to him. The Crystal Gems struggle with the realization that Steven is not just a reincarnation of Rose Quartz; instead, his Diamond heritage positions him as humanity's hope in the event of the Diamonds' wrath. Meanwhile, Pearl grapples with her complex feelings for Rose and her conflicting emotions toward Greg Universe, Steven’s father.
Steven Universe's gem grants him extraordinary gifts, including overwhelming emotional intelligence. This supernatural empathy shines through in every interaction he has, allowing him to forge relationships with nearly everyone in Beach City. He approaches each person with warmth and kindness, always ready to lend a helping hand. When faced with tough challenges, Steven doesn’t celebrate violence; instead, he looks for common ground, striving to understand even those who oppose him.
In many ways, Steven redefines masculinity. Growing up surrounded by empowered women—his alien guardians and a father who’s a musician—cultivated an environment where emotional intelligence flourished. In her book The Will to Change, Bell Hooks invites us to envision boys like Steven, who escape the constraints of patriarchy. With his tender heart and the bravery to pursue a romantic relationship with his close friend Connie, Steven subtly challenges traditional masculine ideals.
As we dive into Steven Universe: Future, we meet an older and more mature Steven, yet he remains a somewhat sheltered individual. This sequel thrusts us into the complexities of his character, revealing that like his mother, he can embody both hero and antagonist. His emotions sometimes get the best of him, and it becomes clear he’s still on a journey toward healing. Watching Steven evolve from a naive child to a multifaceted young man is both poignant and compelling.
Recently, Rebecca Sugar teased an exciting new project: Lars of the Stars, a spinoff series following Lars Barriga, the former donut shop clerk who gets a second chance at life thanks to Steven. Now part of a crew of intergalactic pirates, Lars’s adventures will intertwine with the unraveling of the Diamond Empire as they engage in a smuggling escapade. Given Lars’s connection to Steven post-resurrection, it’s easy to anticipate that Steven will play a role in this new narrative. I can't wait to see how Rebecca Sugar will push boundaries and surprise us once again.
