When a series comes to a close it's interesting to look back at the beginning to see just how much the characters have grown. It's a sign of good character development when there's a significant contrast between how the character started and how they ended. With Steven Universe, a lot has happened.
Steven and Connie are not the same characters they were back in "Bubble Buddies". They've been to space, they formed Stevonnie, and faced their greatest enemy: Kevin. There have been some highs and lows but they've come out stronger and better than ever from these experiences. These are the five was Steven has changed since the first episode and five ways Connie has changed.
10 Steven: No Longer Hero Worships
As a kid, Greg and the Crystal Gems probably look like the coolest parental figures. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl protect the Earth from monsters and Greg is a former rock star. Of course, Steven would idolize them. As the series progressed, Steven discovered that they weren't the perfect beings he thought them to be. Greg ran away from home his strict household to follow his dream, costing Steven a normal childhood. As for the Gems, they kept secrets about his mom, they've bottled their insecurities forcing Steven to fix them, and treated him like a child. He still loves them and knows that they were trying their best, but he also acknowledges that they aren't flawless.
9 Connie: No Longer Fears Her Parents
There was a time when Connie was an obedient girl who couldn't talk to her parents. She went behind their backs to visit Steven and train with Pearl. The truth inevitably came to light but Connie also called them out for neglecting and smothering her. Since then they've loosened their restrictions on her and placed more trust in their daughter, allowing her to go on missions with Steven and even travel into space. Connie's relationship with her parents is better than ever.
8 Steven: Eats Healthier
Everyone has grown up wishing they could eat nothing but junk food, but as time goes on that dream becomes more problematic health-wise. Steven realized that in Steven Universe Future and improved his dietary needs.
He's grown past fry bits and together breakfasts and switched them out with protein shakes to watch his cholesterol. He's also admitted to switching to veganism. Looking back, he'd probably get nauseous thinking of all those cookie cats he ate.
7 Connie: Not Afraid To Stand Out
Back in "Alone Together" Connie confessed that she was too scared to ever dance in front of people until Steven offered to dance with her. They wound up switching roles later on in "Together Alone" when Connie was the one to convince Steven to dance at the ball on Homeworld. Thanks to her time with Steven and the Crystal Gems, Connie has learned to be less self-conscious. She isn't afraid of what people think and wants to make sure Steven is having just as much fun as she is.
6 Steven: Better Control Over His Powers
Like most novices, Steven had difficulty manifesting his powers. He worked tirelessly just to get a handle on using bubbles, shields, and healing spit. With the help of the Crystal Gems and some unlikely mentors, he managed to hone his ability and learn so much more. In addition to the prior powers, he can leap great bounds like a certain Man of Steel, his strength and speed increased tremendously, he can mildly shapeshift his appearances, and transfer his mind into other beings.
5 Connie: A Strong Warrior
Connie used to be a bookworm that couldn't protect herself from danger. While she is still a bookworm, she's more than capable of defending herself. Thanks to Pearl's tutelage, Connie has progressed in her sword fighting and can help Steven in the heat of battle.
While she can't take down a Diamond by herself, she is still useful when it comes to rescuing others. During Steven Universe: The Movie she helped rescue bystanders from the poison Spinel's Injector used to destroyed Beach City. She's gone from reading about sword fighters to becoming one.
4 Steven: Barely Knows How To Socialize
Back when Steven was still a kid, it was simple for him to make friends. All he had to do was walk up to someone, introduce himself, and he'd make friends with anyone in a matter of minutes. That all changed as he spent more time dealing with the Diamonds and fixing his friends' insecurities. He became reliant on fixing someone's problems to make a connection and forgot how to naturally talk to people. It's a good thing he managed to make friends before this happened, otherwise he'd be in real trouble.
3 Connie: Finally Has Friends
Due to her parents' jobs requiring her family to move, Connie never got to make friends. There was a time where she feared that she would never make a single friend. Then Steven befriended her and her life was never the same after that.
While Steven was busy helping dismantle the Diamond Authority, she was making friends at school and developing a social life. She even introduces Steven to her new friends in "Bismuth Casual". In an ironic turn of events, she turned out to have better social skills than Steven.
2 Steven: Free To Choose His Future
Like most kids, Steven's goals changed as he matured. At first, he wanted nothing more than to be like his mom, Rose Quartz. Then he learned the truth and wanted to fix her mistakes striving to be better than her. Eventually, he lost sight of who he was and feared that he was going to turn out like Diamonds. Now that he is facing his problems and getting therapy, he's left his past and hometown behind to figure out who he is as a person. Allowing him to make his own future without any interference.
1 Connie: Natural Born Leader
Thanks to her upbringing, Connie used to be a follower who did as she was told. As she spent more time with Steven, she was forced into positions where she had to take charge. Her first notable example was in "The New Crystal Gems" when she had to get Lapis and Peridot to stop acting like kids. She truly shined when she rallied Steven's friends and family in "I Am My Monster" to work together and turn Steven back to normal. Connie has proven herself as a reliable leader with a bright future ahead of her.