Steven Universe Future facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steven Universe Future |
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| Genre |
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| Created by | Rebecca Sugar |
| Voices of |
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| Theme music composer |
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| Opening theme | "Steven Universe Future", performed by Zach Callison, Estelle, Michaela Dietz, Deedee Magno Hall, Jennifer Paz, Shelby Rabara, and Uzo Aduba |
| Ending theme | "Being Human", performed by Emily King |
| Composer(s) |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 20 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Jackie Buscarino |
| Running time | 11 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Cartoon Network Studios |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | Cartoon Network |
| Picture format | 1080i ( HDTV) |
| Audio format | Dolby Surround |
| Original release | December 7, 2019 – March 27, 2020 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by |
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Steven Universe Future is an American animated limited series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It serves as an epilogue to the 2013–2019 original series Steven Universe and its follow-up 2019 animated film Steven Universe: The Movie. It premiered on December 7, 2019 and concluded on March 27, 2020.
The series focuses on the aftermath of the events of Steven Universe, where humans and Gems coexist in harmony after the end of the war between the Crystal Gems and Homeworld. Without the threats of the Diamonds or corrupted Gems, Steven must deal with the everyday challenges that still come with his now relatively peaceful life, and question his new life objectives.
Like the original series, Steven Universe Future has been critically acclaimed, with the design, music, voice acting, characterization, and prominence of LGBT themes being similarly praised; Future has been singled out for addressing issues some had with the original series, for its unique choice of focusing on the aftermath of the main story's climax, and for promoting mental health awareness through its treatment of Steven's experience with psychological trauma. The show was nominated for the 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Short Form Animated Program.
Premise and synopsis
The series is set after the events of Steven Universe: The Movie, which itself takes place two years after the Steven Universe series finale "Change Your Mind". In "Change Your Mind", teenage protagonist Steven persuaded the Diamonds, the rulers of the intergalactic Gem empire, to cease their abusive, imperialist ways, and to heal the monstrous corrupted Gems that had been menacing the planet Earth. Now, Steven and his friends and family, the Crystal Gems, have constructed Little Homeworld, a community on Earth where humans and Gems can live in harmony. Steven now dedicates his time to inviting Gems to come to "Little Homeschool," and educating those who do on how to find their new place in the galaxy.
Steven Universe Future follows Steven's everyday life trying to help Gems find new purpose; it also depicts the disappointments he faces with his new life, including the realization that there are things he cannot fix, and his own feelings of aimlessness after successfully liberating the Gem empire. He confronts old foes who are looking for revenge, tries to master a new power that he doesn't fully understand, and is challenged to decide what he wants for his own future.
Cast and characters
Main
- Zach Callison as Steven Universe/Monster Steven, Onion, Cactus Steven, and Jingle Singer
- Estelle Swaray as Garnet
- Michaela Dietz as Amethyst, and other Quartz Gems
- Deedee Magno Hall as Pearl, Pink Pearl/Volleyball, Shell, Brandish, Mega Pearl and Aubergine Pearl
- Shelby Rabara as Peridot
Recurring
- Tom Scharpling as Greg Universe
- Grace Rolek as Connie Maheswaran
- Charlyne Yi as Ruby, Eyeball, and other Rubies
- Erica Luttrell as Sapphire
- Jennifer Paz as Lapis Lazuli and other Lapises
- Miriam A. Hyman as Bismuth
- Kimberly Brooks as Jasper and other Quartz gems
- Sarah Stiles as Spinel
- Christine Ebersole as White Diamond
- Patti LuPone as Yellow Diamond
- Lisa Hannigan as Blue Diamond
- Michelle Maryk as Larimar
- Dee Bradley Baker as Lion
Guest
- Uzo Aduba as Bismuth (“Bismuth Casual”) and Khadijah
- Matthew Moy as Lars Barriga
- Kate Micucci as Sadie Miller
- Reagan Gomez-Preston as Jenny Pizza
- Brian Posehn as Sour Cream
- Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Priyanka Maheswaran
- Lamar Abrams as Wy-Six, Jaime, and Daniel
- Indya Moore as Shep
- Johnny Hawkes as Rodrigo and Cookie Cat
- Marieve Herington as Jasmine
- Tahani Anderson as Patricia
- Ian Jones-Quartey as Snowflake Obsidian
- Natasha Lyonne as Smoky Quartz
- Alastair James as Rainbow Quartz 2.0
- Shoniqua Shandai as Sunstone
- Christine Pedi as Holly Blue Agate
- Della Saba as Aquamarine
- Larissa Gallagher as Bluebird Azurite
- Chris Jai Alex as Drew the Dog and Announcer
- Jemaine Clement as Kerry Moonbeam
- Susan Egan as Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond (archive audio)
Episodes
The series consisted of a total of 20 11-minute episodes, with a four-part finale that aired on March 27, 2020.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written and storyboarded by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
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| 1 | "Little Homeschool" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian & Patrick Bryson (art) |
Drew Green & Paul Villeco | December 7, 2019 | 0.81 |
| Steven and the Gems have opened up Little Homeschool, a place where Gems can learn to integrate into Earth society. Meanwhile, Jasper, still bitter about having lost her purpose, is living in self-imposed exile in the woods. Steven's attempt to reason with her escalates into a fight, during which he develops new powerful abilities. | |||||
| 2 | "Guidance" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian & Patrick Bryson (art) |
Aaron Austin & Amish Kumar | December 7, 2019 | 0.80 |
| Amethyst has started a new program wherein Gems choose jobs in Beach City. While happy with the effort, Steven is unhappy that most have chosen jobs that resemble what they did on Homeworld. He attempts to open them up to new experiences by assigning them different occupations, but this results in panic and destruction as the Gems work at jobs they are unsuited for. | |||||
| 3 | "Rose Buds" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian & Patrick Bryson (art) |
Lamar Abrams & Adam Muto | December 7, 2019 | 0.84 |
| The Rose Quartzes that Pink Diamond created to resemble her Rose Quartz persona travel to Beach City to visit Steven. He, Greg, and the Crystal Gems are uncomfortable around the Rose Quartzes due to their similarity to Steven's mother; but Steven doesn't have the heart to ask them to leave. | |||||
| 4 | "Volleyball" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian & Patrick Bryson (art) |
Etienne Guignard & Maya Petersen | December 7, 2019 | 0.76 |
| Pink Diamond's original Pearl, nicknamed Volleyball, has a crack on her face that is impossible to heal, even after Steven and Pearl take her to the Reef, a Pearl repair station. At the Reef, a new conflict ensues when Volleyball explains how Pink Diamond caused the crack. | |||||
| 5 | "Bluebird" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Lamar Abrams & Miki Brewster | December 14, 2019 | 0.71 |
| Aquamarine and Eyeball Ruby seek revenge on Steven for ruining their careers. This leads them to fuse into Bluebird Azurite, who arrives in Beach City and pulls a series of pranks against Steven; the others warm up to her, but Steven has difficulty trusting her, and his suspicions are proven correct when Bluebird takes Greg hostage. | |||||
| 6 | "A Very Special Episode" | Kat Morris and Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Aaron Austin & Amish Kumar | December 14, 2019 | 0.71 |
| Steven has fused with Pearl to babysit Onion on the same day that he is scheduled to fuse with Garnet to teach a safety seminar. Steven rushes between fusions to try to fulfill both obligations, becoming stressed that he cannot do both activities at the same time. The episode is ultimately revealed to be a safety video hosted by Sunstone herself about the dangers of poor time management. | |||||
| 7 | "Snow Day" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Etienne Guignard & Maya Petersen | December 21, 2019 | 0.72 |
| Steven is becoming overworked running Little Homeschool and is spending less time with Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl; their attempts to hang out with him fall flat as they keep planning activities he has outgrown. When an overnight snowstorm forces Steven to close Little Homeschool for the day, the Gems try to use this as a bonding opportunity by playing a game of "Steven Tag" against his will. | |||||
| 8 | "Why So Blue?" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Warren Fok, Joe Johnston & Amish Kumar | December 21, 2019 | 0.67 |
| Steven and Lapis visit an alien planet being terraformed by a pair of other Lapis Lazulis and try to convince them to find other ways of expressing themselves. Their efforts prove difficult, and Lapis soon becomes agitated at how much they remind her of her former disregard for life. | |||||
| 9 | "Little Graduation" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Drew Green & Paul Villeco | December 28, 2019 | 0.41 |
| As the Off-Colors graduate from Little Homeschool, Steven learns that Sadie Killer and the Suspects have broken up to pursue their own interests; Sadie is now dating a new partner, Shep; and Lars has decided to leave his bakery in Beach City and return to space. Worried that his friends are drifting away from him, Steven literally tries to keep everyone together. | |||||
| 10 | "Prickly Pair" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Drew Green & Paul Villeco | December 28, 2019 | 0.49 |
| Steven resigns from Little Homeschool, and unhealthily takes up gardening as a hobby. He accidentally brings a cactus to life, which soon begins to look like and imitate him by repeating his innermost feelings. Things get out of control when "Cactus Steven" grows into a monster while acting out Steven's aggression. | |||||
| 11 | "In Dreams" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Etienne Guignard & Maya Petersen | March 6, 2020 | 0.54 |
| Steven and Peridot watch a reboot of their favorite show, Camp Pining Hearts, and are dismayed by the new characters and plotlines. When they discover that Steven is capable of projecting his dreams onto the television screen, they try to use this as an opportunity to create new episodes of Camp Pining Hearts more to their liking; but Steven's anxiety prevents his subconscious from following the script. | |||||
| 12 | "Bismuth Casual" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Lamar Abrams & Miki Brewster | March 6, 2020 | 0.52 |
| Steven, Connie, Pearl, and Bismuth head to the skating rink together. Steven is introduced to Connie's friends from cram school, but finds himself awkwardly detached from humans. Pearl tries to get Bismuth to socialize with humans, but Bismuth confides in Steven that she only came to spend time with Pearl while convincing Steven to assert his friendship with Connie. | |||||
| 13 | "Together Forever" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Etienne Guignard & Maya Petersen | March 13, 2020 | 0.57 |
| When Steven learns that Connie is going to be leaving Beach City for college, he realizes he can't visualize his future without her. He asks Ruby and Sapphire for advice, and becomes convinced that their kind of marriage is the only way to keep Connie close to him. | |||||
| 14 | "Growing Pains" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Drew Green & Paul Villeco | March 13, 2020 | 0.55 |
| After Connie rejects his proposal, Steven's body begins deforming and swelling up to massive size. Connie's mother, a physician, examines Steven and concludes that he is suffering physical consequences of the emotional trauma he experienced as a child. | |||||
| 15 | "Mr. Universe" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Warren Fok, Joe Johnston & Amish Kumar | March 20, 2020 | 0.50 |
| Greg takes Steven on a road trip in an attempt to help him figure out what he wants out of life. They end up at Greg's childhood home, where Steven learns that Greg rebelled against his restrictive parents. While Greg encourages Steven to find his own path, Steven envies Greg for having grown up with structure and supervision. | |||||
| 16 | "Fragments" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Lamar Abrams & Miki Brewster | March 20, 2020 | 0.52 |
| With Steven's condition worsening, he runs away from home and turns to Jasper for help in taking control of his powers. Jasper's training methods prove to be too effective, however, and her rematch with Steven leads to her being shattered. Steven uses the essences of the Diamonds to repair her, and when she reforms, she bows to him as her Diamond. | |||||
| 17 | "Homeworld Bound" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Drew Green & Paul Villeco | March 27, 2020 |
0.69 |
| Steven flees to Homeworld to ask the Diamonds for advice about his condition. He finds them doing the opposite of what they used to do: Yellow Diamond fixes broken Gems, Blue Diamond makes people happy, and White Diamond lets other beings control her. After Steven attempts to hurt White Diamond while controlling her body, his condition worsens and he flees again. | |||||
| 18 | "Everything's Fine" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Amish Kumar & Maya Petersen | March 27, 2020 | 0.71 |
| After coming back from Homeworld unsettled, Steven insists that everything is fine. Things prove otherwise, however, as he attempts to be helpful around Little Homeschool; his denial of his problems and lack of control over his powers causes havoc. When finally confronted at home by his concerned loved ones, it's the last straw, and Steven hits an all-time low. | |||||
| 19 | "I Am My Monster" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Etienne Guignard & Miki Brewster | March 27, 2020 | 0.80 |
| In his emotional meltdown, Steven has transformed into a giant monster and is threatening to destroy Beach City. Everyone scrambles to help him and protect the town, including Spinel, the Diamonds, and even the Cluster. Ultimately, Connie convinces them that they need to be there for Steven and emotionally support him as he always has for them. | |||||
| 20 | "The Future" | Kat Morris & Alonso Ramirez Ramos (supervising) Liz Artinian (art) |
Lamar Abrams & Miki Brewster | March 27, 2020 | 0.74 |
| A few months following his meltdown, Steven, now back to normal, is preparing to leave Beach City and start a new journey in life. He is disappointed that Pearl, Garnet and Amethyst are taking his departure in stride and acting like they won't miss him. Just as he is about to leave, he finally confronts the three and they admit that they have been holding their emotions back so as not to dissuade him from leaving. Steven finally moves on, knowing they will always remain a part of his life. | |||||
Future
While Rebecca Sugar has confirmed that this is the series finale of the franchise and that there is no continuation in development, nor any ongoing projects, she has hinted that possible future stories exist. "The story is continuing off screen and I do know what happens next...But I would have to decide how and when I'd want to dig into that, or if it's best to give them their privacy."
Sugar later told Fast Company: "I'm certainly interested in spending more time in this world with these characters. But the thing about Steven Universe, it's about Steven Universe and I want to give him the time to heal", [Sugar says.] "I want to give that to my team as well. So I'm not really sure for certain what's going to happen in the future. I have a few ideas, but I'm going to take a little time to reevaluate everything before I jump into them." When asked by TVLine, Sugar responded similarly, "I love these characters and this world, and I have theories about the timelines that follow Future. But I want to give the characters some time and some privacy, at least for a while. I need a little of that too."
See also
In Spanish: Steven Universe Future para niños
