Cartoons I Love: Steven Universe

Steven Universe. A show unlike anything else on television. An emotional masterpiece. An A+ work in character study. A cartoon that breaks down barriers left and right. I could go on. So I will!

If you're not watching Steven Universe, you need to be. Especially kidlit authors! At the moment, you can watch the first season on Hulu, or you can purchase all of Steven Universe on Cartoon Network's Youtube channel or on Amazon Instant Video. There are nearing 100 episodes, which may sound overwhelming, but the run time of each is short (11 minutes), so in reality 100 episodes is actually more like the length of one season of an hour long network show.

This wonderfully imaginative, heartbreakingly sincere sci-fi fantasy is created by Rebecca Sugar, who originally hit the spotlight because of her fabulous work on Adventure Time. She also is the first independent female creator for a Cartoon Network show. Woo!

For first-time viewers of Steven Universe, this cartoon may seem deceptively simplistic. At the beginning, the animation isn't solidified (it takes the first 15-20 episodes before characters are regularly "on model"), and the show feels episodic (it isn't--you want to watch it all, and in order, to fully grasp and appreciate what is going on).

Me, as Steven (complete with tummy gem!) last Halloween.

Steven Universe is about a boy, Steven (surprise!), and his three guardians, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. These characters are known as the Crystal Gems--a group of mysterious alien beings who protect Planet Earth from the Homeworld Gems. They each have a gem on their body, and their gem is the source of their powers and who they actually are (which makes more sense if you watch it, I promise).

Steven is the odd one out of the Crystal Gems--he's half human, half Gem. The first and only of his kind. His dad, Greg, is human, and also plays a significant role in the show, as does Steven's eventual human friend, Connie. An eclectic collection of townspeople that we get to know and love also come into play quite frequently. Steven's mother was Rose Quartz, a Crystal Gem who gave up her life to bring Steven into the world. Steven inherited her gem, but never got to know her himself.

As I said, at first, the adventures are fun, but nothing overly dramatic, and they wrap up neatly. The "slice of life" stories are similarly quaint. For the first 5-10 episodes, you might think that while cute, this show hardly adds up to the award-worthy levels I'm claiming it deserves.

This isn't because the world is simple. This is because we are seeing the world through Steven's experiences. And as he grows, so does the complexity of the setting, plot, and most importantly: the characters.

While I greatly enjoy both the setting and the plot (oh man oh man, does the plot get intense), I'm going to concentrate on the characters for the rest of this post. Because its in the characters that this show stands apart from the rest.

Each of the main characters--Steven, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl--not only get character development themselves, but get an intense web of relationship development with one another. As Steven grows, he starts to see and learn the backstories behind his guardians. The fact that his mother, their once leader, gave up her life for him, is a crucial piece of information about how the Crystal Gems feel about both him and his father, Greg. And that's just one part of the puzzle. Every character is treated with care and realism, from the main cast to the various townspeople to the villains--a rarity for kids' television. The relationships between them all is a hot mess, reflecting real life so poignantly you forget you're watching an animated show about sentient space rocks. But at the heart of it all is Steven, who believes so firmly in the good in others that you can see why he has the power (perhaps actual power) to bring people together.

I've learned a lot about character development from watching this show. I study it, to be honest. I can't think of another show that can make me feel this much in such a short run time, and it is 100% due to the depth of the characters and the emotional truths they bring to the surface.

Oh, and did I mention the lesbian relationships? On a show actively airing on Cartoon Network? Multiple instances of main characters as lesbian or bisexual? And did I mention how this isn't a big deal in the show? It's just accepted as normal? Beautiful. What a time to be alive.

Finally, Steven Universe isn't Steven Universe without its music. From silly/catchy songs like Do or Do Nut, to powerful emotional pieces, like from this Tuesday's episode. (Video is mildly spoilerish, but honestly this song doesn't reveal any big secrets you couldn't have already figured out from the first few episodes.)



Moral of all of this: GO WATCH STEVEN UNIVERSE. RIGHT NOW. AND BRING TISSUES. You won't regret it.

Cartoons I Love: Gravity Falls

If you haven't heard of Gravity Falls, I don't know where you've been the past three and a half years. If you've heard of it and haven't watched it--you are missing out.


In two days, the entire series comes to a close in what promises to be the most epic of epic finales. I can't stress enough just how amazing this show is. The twists, the turns, the imagination, the humor...

It's one of the best cartoons of all time. That is not exaggeration. This is just a really well done show.

The show follows Dipper and Mabel Pines, 12 year-old twins who have been sent to spend the summer helping at their Great Uncle's ("Grunkle Stan's") tourist trap Mystery Shack in the town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. There, they quickly discover real supernatural happenings and a mystery that eventually threatens not only their family, but the whole world. Mixed into this grand adventure are hilarious hijinks, unforgettable supporting characters, and far more winking and nudging than you'd ever expect Disney to allow.

The gang from R to L: Soos, Dipper, Stan, Mabel, and Wendy

Alex Hirsch, the creative force behind the show, made the choice to limit it to a two season run to keep it from losing its edge. While disappointing to fans, I personally respect his choice. Many creators fall into the trap of either wanting to stretch their show out for financial or egotistical reasons, or because they love the characters too much to let go. As a writer, I can see that temptation, but when a story is done, it is done. Alex Hirsch recognized this, so as much as I want Dipper and Mabel's crazy summer to never come to a close, I'm accepting it must be so. Just like the characters are learning to do.

No, I'm not crying about it.

Shut up.

...Anyway, unfortunately the show isn't available on full season dvds (why, Disney, why?!), but you can watch it on Amazon. 

Why should you? If the reasons above weren't enough, this show threads in clues to its future episodes like nobody's business. It's the most elaborate game I've personally every witnessed on television. There are ciphers at the end of the credits and hidden in the background throughout the show. Those change through time, so fans have to be on their toes to figure out the hints for the next pattern. Foreshadowing abounds, and meaningless throwaway jokes come back in big ways. This show spawned easily hundreds if not thousands of youtube analyses--many updating weekly as it aired. And unlike other shows that have had mysterious plots for fans to try and predict, following the hints in this one actually pays off.

Watch this show! Watch it now! And watch out for spoilers online, because the surprises are many, and with its 2-season-only run, they come quick.

Congratulations on being one of the best shows out there, Gravity Falls. I'll miss your antics, and I salute you.

(Please don't hurt my soul on Monday's finale...*whimper*)