Steven Universe (2013)

Steven Universe started strong and only improved. By season two, Rebecca Sugar had found a confidence that made the show feel inevitable. Jail Break is one of the finest episodes in animated television history.

I did not expect Steven Universe to make me cry but here we are. Mr. Greg hit me completely off guard. Garnet is written with such care that the emotional moments land with full weight.

I grew up with Steven Universe and now I'm watching it with my own children. They love it as much as I did. the character-driven storytelling is just as effective the twentieth time. True classics work across generations.

Ask anyone to name the best animated shows ever made and Steven Universe will be on every list. Lapis Lazuli is one of animation's great characters. The grief and recovery theme gives it lasting relevance.

Steven Universe manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely insightful. the character-driven storytelling gives the show a comedic engine that never gets old. Rebecca Sugar understood that smart humour and broad comedy can coexist.

Steven Universe pushed the boundaries of what animated storytelling could do. The exploration of love as strength was groundbreaking for its medium. I still think about Pearl's arc regularly.

I watched Steven Universe as a kid and rewatched it as an adult. It's even better the second time. the character-driven storytelling is only apparent when you're older. Lapis Lazuli remains one of the great animated characters.

Steven Universe is one of those shows you can't believe was made for children. The themes of grief and recovery are handled with more depth than most adult dramas. Rebecca Sugar's vision is unmistakable.

Steven Universe has a visual identity so distinctive that you can recognise it from a single frame. Rebecca Sugar worked with artists who understood that style should reflect substance. The look of the show embodies identity and self-acceptance.

More people should watch Steven Universe. It never got the cultural attention it deserved while it was airing. the LGBTQ+ representation is genuinely brilliant and the grief and recovery exploration is more sophisticated than most prestige live-action drama.