Steven Universe Future is an American animated limited series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It serves as both an epilogue and the de facto sixth and final season of 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 Gem 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 not know 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.
Voice 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 ("Everything's Fine", "I Am My Monster" & "The Future") 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
Archival recordings and footage of Susan Egan as Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond are utilized.
Episodes
The series consisted of a total of 20 11-minute episodes, with a four-part finale that aired on March 27, 2020.
All episodes were supervised directed by Kat Morris and Alonso Ramirez Ramos, with Liz Artinian directing all of the art. The art was also co-directed by Patrick Bryson for the first four episodes.