Since its 2013 television debut, Steven Universe has made a serious impact in the world of animation. The Cartoon Network series has been continually praised for its themes of inclusion, body positivity, and its support for the LGBTQ+ community, including during a recent episode that featured one of the first ever same-sex engagements in the history of cartoons. Although viewers have followed along with the adventures of Steven and the Gems for five seasons, a new creation between the series and Dove Self Esteem Project has presented the Beach City residents in a way we've never seen them before — stars of a music video.

In the music video, created with the help of animation studio Chromosphere, Steven Universe, along with a few friends and their fusion counterparts perform an original song titled "We Deserve to Shine." The track and its accompanying visuals are a celebration of body confidence and positivity, echoing the same message of acceptance displayed throughout the show. And in a Teen Vogue exclusive, we're getting a behind-the-scenes peek of the creative process that went into bringing this adorable musical moment to life.

For the BTS video, Steven Universe is taken from the actual drawing board to a computer screen. Along with an interview with the show's creator Rebecca Sugar, the clip features conversations with some key members of the animation team, who explain their vision for the project and how the video can be considered an extension of the characters' television personalities.

As Rebecca explained in an interview with Teen Vogue, the Steven Universe and Dove Self Esteem Project collaboration provided the show with a unique opportunity to reach viewers. "I feel an immense responsibility to use my platform to help children who are struggling," she said. "In my early conversations with Dove my main goal was to make sure that these shorts would be accessible not just for girls but also gender expansive kids and boys. I want all children to have access to messages about self care. To the kids watching for whom this isn’t an issue, I want them to gain a better understanding of their fellow kids who are struggling. What I love about the Steven Universe audience is that it’s a huge intersection of deeply compassionate kids. I believe they can move mountains if they stick together. "

The Steven Universe creator also told Teen Vogue that animation "can do a great deal of good when it comes to creating conversations about body equality," and credits cartoons with giving animators the platform to create characters of all sizes, shapes, and personalities. For this BTS clip, viewers see some of that variety present in Steven Universe and learn what inspired those who created the video to include certain moments.

Additionally, Rebecca shared that she believes cartoons can serve a powerful, magical purpose.

"Animated characters light up our brains, daring us to believe in them and relate to them. To give yourself over to the illusion requires openness and trust and a willingness to lend some of your own imagination," she said. "This is also why I think cartoons are a natural fit for self-reflection because the only way to bring them to life is to reflect some of yourself into them. Like all magic, the power isn’t in the trick, it’s in the believer… every member of our audience has the power to change their own life, even if it’s just in some small way, and if these cartoons spark any ideas for positive change, that would be actual magic."

Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.

Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Steven Universe Is Reportedly the First Cartoon to Feature a Same-Sex Engagement