Sean Wang

Cartoons are often deemed by the masses to be mainly a child-centric form of media. Funnily enough, cartoons were initially for adults. Despite this perception, Steven Universe is one of the better television shows, even when taking into account "adult" television shows of both live action and animated standards. The thing that this show does right is that it doesn't treat children like bumbling idiots who would consume everything thrusted upon them as long as it is colourful and fun. Even if kids will eat anything on a plate. This show tries to give a progressive outlook on life while not being too in-your-faces.The show is based around the life of the titular character, Steven Quartz Universe, who is the child of an ex-rockstar and a gem-based alien named Rose Quartz. Let's just say Rose... isn't around anymore. The show goes around with Steven's interactions with his city, Beach City, while protecting it with his mother-like figures, the Crystal Gems. They are Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl. In this narrative, there is a planet of gem-based organisms which take on a sentient illusory form in order to interact with others. As the show goes along, more is explained about this species, exploring social castes and biological marvels and even something called "Fusion". Yes, two gems can become a bigger gem. It sounds like something from an anime and yes, I would like to think this show has taken some inspiration from Japanese animation, in both the art style and story telling.The art style isn't exactly the most special as it is rather simple in nature. However, as you grow with these characters, you start to appreciate them more. A really important thing to appreciate about the creator's art style is that each character actually looks very different from each other without being too abstract to the point of doubting their humanity. This is because the artists have chosen to create a culturally and physically diverse cast for the humans. And for the aliens, well, they made them humanoid but used colour and minor details to distinguish them from one another. Some of the characters even evolve in art as their characters grow through certain arcs (although I won't explain why or how as it would spoil it).There is actually an absence of plot during the first half of the first season and this show is filled with an awful lot of filler despite constant hiatuses. That may sound bad but instead of it being just pointless filler, each bit of filler actually advances character arcs or the plot, just by smaller magnitudes. The earlier episodes serve more as world building, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in this abstract yet grounded world. This show allows a sense of innocence as it is all through Steven's point of view. Everything is just seen as purer than our reality. This gives audiences a much needed break from the real world.When the plot actually kicks up towards the second half of the first season, it goes down. When I say it goes down, it really goes down. There's action, there's drama, there's plot twists. It is a ride not only in story but in emotions portrayed.Steven Universe has one of the hands down best soundtracks to a cartoon. Since most of their cast members are singers by profession, you could imagine how well everything is done when the characters get to sing. Listen for yourself and let me know.For a kid's show, messages and morals are most important as it is what the children take from viewing this cartoon. This shows provides many important topics for children and even teenagers to contemplate. In certain cases, adults would also benefit from learning from this show.It is very rare to find a cast that is almost fully female, especially in a cartoon that isn't immediately a "girl's show". There are lessons taught in this cartoon that should be taught in schools. These would include consent, abusive relationships, mental health, racial diversity and cultural acceptance among many other necessary lessons for a kid to learn.This show is a must watch for all audiences. It is an entertaining ride, giving you swift blows to your emotions at points and all while giving positive messages.If you enjoy Steven Universe, you may enjoy Gravity Falls