Steven, the primary protagonist of Cartoon Network's popular Steven Universe, has won over countless fans with his contagious, upbeat personality and unyielding positive attitude. Over the years, the series has sparked countless discussions, with audiences meticulously breaking down the details of each episode.
Series creator Rebecca Sugar has done a truly remarkable job introducing and developing unique characters and storylines, which has spawned equally intriguing questions about the expansive universe. Though the series concluded in 2019, that hasn't stopped audiences from theorizing about the character's plotlines and origins. Here's a look at some of the questions fans have come up with.
10 Who Is Mystery Girl?
Mystery Girl, or "S" as she refers to herself, first appeared in the episode "Last One Out of Beach City" and bears a resemblance to Steven's mother, Rose Quartz. Pearl is immediately smitten with the mysterious character and awkwardly tries to interact with her.
Eventually, Pearl and the Mystery Girl are reunited at a rock show, where the pair briefly talk and exchange a handshake. They develop a rapport, and S eventually gives Pearl her phone number, much to Amethyst and Steven's surprise. The enigmatic Mystery Girl also appears in the episode "The Big Show"; however, her overall role franchise is still wildly debated by fans.
9 What Is The Great Diamond Authority?
The Great Diamond Authority or Order of the Diamonds is a group of Gem leaders, which consisted of White, Yellow, and Blue Diamond. They exerted total control over the Gem Homeworld, with each Diamond responsible for specific tasks.
After Steven's intervention in the episode "Change Your Mind," the once totalitarian rulers began to recant their restrictive ways. Though still rulers of the Gem Homeworld, they started allowing Gems to live in a free society, abolishing the political hierarchy.
8 How Did Steven Get The Name Universe?
Steven Quartz Universe, as he's known in the series, has his father Greg to thank for his unique and iconic name. In the episode "Gem Harvest," Steven learns for the first time that "Universe" isn't actually Greg's real last name.
In the Steven Universe Future episode "Mr. Universe," audiences discover that Greg had legally changed his last from DeMayo to "Universe." He took it from one of his favorite songs, "Mr. Universe," which also served as his inspiration to travel the world as a musician.
7 What Are Steven's Powers?
Throughout the series, Steven explores his various abilities, although it's debated on whether or not he has the same powers as a "pure" Gem. One of his more prominent abilities is his Gem weapon, which manifests in the form of a shield.
He also has the unique ability to shapeshift into different creatures. In the episode "Cat Fingers," Steven attempts to copy Amethyst's shapeshifting ability by turning himself into a cat. He is unsuccessful, however, resulting in his comical "cat-fingers."
6 What Happens To Jasper?
For those who may not be familiar with this character, Jasper is a notable antagonist in Steven Universe, whose primary goal is to fight the Crystal Gems. Jasper makes numerous appearances throughout the series, in countless episodes across almost every season.
At one point, Jasper becomes corrupted, refusing help from Steven and the Crystal Gems. However, Steven is eventually able to heal the corrupted Jasper, and in the episode, "Homeworld Bound," Jasper acknowledges Steve's power and pledges loyalty to him out of admiration.
5 Is Steven Human?
As part of Steven's origin story, it's revealed that his mother, Rose Quartz, sacrificed her "physical form" in order to create Steven. Her gem was thus infused with her son, forming the pink gem on his stomach.
As a result, Steven became the first and only Human-Gem hybrid, giving him unique abilities. Because he has split DNA, it's unclear whether he possesses all the powers of a "true" Gem, and whether he can reincarnate if he's killed, like the other Gems.
4 What Inspired The Steven Universe Character?
The actual character of Steven has a surprising origin and endearing source of inspiration. Rebecca Sugar, the creator of Steven Universe, has said that the character was partially inspired by her brother, Steven Sugar, who shares the protagonist's first name.
In addition to inspiring the series's titular character, Steven Sugar is also credited as a background artist for numerous episodes in the franchise, including the Steven Universe Future series. He even illustrated some of the covers of the Steven Universe comic series.
3 Who Was Greg's Family?
Greg grew up with strict, overbearing parents, which were a significant influence on his decision to travel and pursue the life of a musician. Prior to the Future series, little was actually known about his family, other than his cousin Andy DeMayo, from the episode "Gem Harvest."
In "Mr. Universe," Greg takes Steven to his childhood house, where audiences get a brief glimpse of Greg's parents in a photo on the wall. When Steven asks where Greg's parents are, he dismissively responds that they're at their timeshare in Florida, where they go every winter.
2 How Many Characters Has Steven Fused With?
In the Steven Universe world, two, or sometimes more, Gems can "fuse" to create a new entity. Typically, Gems don't fuse unless there's a strong need, although some fusions remain together at all times, like Garnet.
As he is part "Gem," Steven is able to fuse with both humans and Gems. Most memorably, he fuses with Connie to form "Stevonnie" in the episode "Alone Together." Throughout the series, he fuses to form a total of six different fusions, each impressively unique.
1 What Happens To Monster Steven?
In the poignant episode "I Am My Monster," the Crystal Gems encounter a giant pink monster bent on destroying the group. Garnet eventually realizes that the monster is actually Steven, and he will remain a monster as long as he believes he's a monster.
Each character takes a turn talking to the Steven Monster, trying to reassure and comfort him. Connie lovingly kisses the monster while the Gems express their love for Steven in a touching scene. He ultimately returns to his normal form and apologizes to the group for causing so much trouble. After being comforted, he clings to Lion and begins to cry, concluding the remarkably emotional episode.