Steven Universe (character)

Steven Universe
Steven Universe character
First appearance

Pilot (2013)

"Gem Glow" (2013) (main series)
Created by Rebecca Sugar
Voiced by Zach Callison
Information
Species Gem–human hybrid
Gender Male
Family Greg Universe (father)
Rose Quartz / Pink Diamond (mother)
Relatives Andy DeMayo (cousin once removed)
Nationality American

Steven Quartz Universe[1] is a fictional character, the titular character of the animated series Steven Universe, created by Rebecca Sugar. Steven is a hybrid between a "Gem", a fictional alien being that exists as a magical gemstone projecting a body of light, and a normal human being. Voiced by Zach Callison, he made his debut in the pilot episode of the series and made his main series debut in the first episode, "Gem Glow". He appears in almost every episode of the series, and the plot is developed from his perspective: the audience learns about the plot and backstory as Steven does.

Creation

Steven was created by Rebecca Sugar. In terms of appearance and name, Steven is based on Rebecca Sugar's brother, Steven Sugar, who is a background artist for the show.[2] While Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl underwent almost total redesigns from the unaired pilot to the series, the only significant change to Steven's design was the removal of the gold ring around his gem.

Character

[[File:Zach Callison January 2010 .jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|left|Zach Callison, Steven's voice actor.]] The 14-year-old[3] youngest member of the Crystal Gems. A unique being, Steven is the first and only known Gem–human hybrid, the product of the union between the Crystal Gems' original leader, Rose Quartz, and Greg Universe, a human musician and car-wash owner. Wanting to bridge the divide between humans and Gems, Rose "gave up her physical form" to create Steven, leaving behind only her pink, pentagonal-faceted gem, now embedded in his navel; as a result, Steven and Rose are in a sense the same entity. With this gem, Steven develops a wide variety of magical abilities. So far he has been able to summon his mother’s shield; create a spherical force field; heal Gems, humans, and objects with his saliva; create and control sentient plant life; shapeshift in limited ways; float; and use empathetic telepathy and astral projection; and in the episode Off Colors, his tears brought his friend Lars back from the dead with magical abilities.

Cheerful, kind-hearted, carefree, and always willing to see the best in people, Steven is beloved by the Gems and well-liked by the people of Beach City. Steven is said to take after Rose in terms of personality, empathetic and all-loving—though series creator Rebecca Sugar has noted that it is from Greg that Steven actually inherits this attitude.[4] Over the course of the series, Steven matures greatly, garnering a new respect for his position as a protector of Earth and becoming more aware of the dangers of being a Crystal Gem.

Steven usually wears a red T-shirt with a yellow star in the center, blue jeans and pink flip-flops.

Reception

Steven has been well-received by fans and critics alike. Susana Polo of Polygon praises Steven for being the "toxic masculinity antidote" in that his dominant traits of empathy and kindness are what make him such a vital member of the Crystal Gems.[5] Polo also commends Steven's subversion of gender definitions, him being a young boy in a feminine role with defensive abilities that manifest in shades of pink. Similarly, in a post on B**** Flicks, Ashley Gallagher also praises Steven's rejection of typical masculinity and his stereotypically defensive and feminine powers such as his shield and his healing while also expressing approval of his relationship with Connie.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Rebecca Sugar (6 October 2015). Guide to the Crystal Gems. Penguin Young Readers Group. ISBN 978-0-399-54062-2.
  2. ↑ Cavna, Michael (November 1, 2013). "'Steven Universe' creator Rebecca Sugar is a Cartoon Network trailblazer". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ Lamar Abrams and Katie Mitroff (writers); Joe Johnston (director) (5 January 2016). "Steven's Birthday". Steven Universe. Season 2. Cartoon Network.
  4. ↑ Mackenzie Atwood (25 January 2018). "The Steven Universe Podcast: Steven Universe" (Podcast). Cartoon Network.
  5. ↑ "Steven Universe, explained". Polygon.
  6. ↑ "Strong in the Real Way: 'Steven Universe' and the Shape of Masculinity to Come - B**** Flicks". www.btchflcks.com.
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