Steven Universe

RollingStone

Watched the pilot and the two episodes. So, yeah, pretty much everything there is to watch.

I really liked the pilot - it had a pretty neat animation and design. Say what you want about the new style - it's not as good as the pilot. Bah, of course they did this because of the cash they had - it's a new show, they can't just put money into fluid animation in a new show and hold hands while waiting for it to be a success or a flop.
My main thing is the animation itself - it's reeeaaallyyyyy not very good. It has it's moments, but you can clearly see that they had to cut some stuff - characters rarely show emotions while speaking, it's just opening and closing a mouth while 95% of the time everything else is still.

The plot - the pilot was pretty warm, made me do what every pilot should - made me excited for the show. And the show itself… not very good. Steven has some "aww cute" moments, but his kid personality is very heavy, I don't know how long I can take someone as hyperactive. I do like Pearl (the skinny one, I hope I remember her name correctly) - looks like she's the mother figure.

Still - not much to say. As of now what I did get wasn't what I expected. After the pilot and when I learned that Rebecca Sugar does this show I expected that Adventure Time will have to give up the throne. No way, not for a long time.

I think Garnet is the mother figure.

Pachylad

Hey, new episode's up already

! That was a lot of Chekohov's Guns for the first part. o___o
! "TOGETHER BREAKFAST!" "It has the powers of breakfast!"

puffing.cinema

Really, what pissed me off the most about the characterization changes was that Pearl was the PERFECT animated version of Tilda Swinton + La Roux. And I just loved how she looked like.

About the episodes, the first two episodes were just to set the vibe on. This week, we got the third and the forth episodes…the third was o.k. but I'm not cool with the fact that Steven destroyed a piece of history and got out of it without any kind of punishment (I mean, really? Robin would break him and make him her bitch). I know, yeah, kids have to receive the message that it's fine if you can't do things right all the time (at least, that's what I hope this episode was about), but, c'mon without any consequences? Also, animation-wise, Steven's eyes disgusted me. Half of the time his eyes were way too big or just wrong in his face.

Episode 04 was niiice; I love how the door has an individualized appearance for each Gem Holder, and that their rooms, while completely distinct, are connected internally. I'm wondering about Rose's room now. Anyway, I find it cool that we get without a warning new abilities of the Gems and that, in the show's universe, nobody even blinks about it. Amethyst can just transfigure herself and Pearl can make projections with her gem. Cool. The group needed something more than a whip, gauntlets and a sword-lance (a proto-shield isn't of much use, as well).

Wagomu

After watching the first batch of episodes, I have to say that it has potential, but it feels somewhat inconsistent. Like, the world and music are fantastic and beautiful and they don't at all mesh with the silly character designs, animation or humor. I think the show is at its best when the silliness is to the side. It really comes together in the action scenes and in those moments where the bonds between the gems are explored (it's written in a really nice and sincere way. Sort of reminds me of the bonds in the Pines family on Gravity Falls). But the humor falls kind of flat in comparison and the butter face animation clashes with the setting and scenery in a bad way. That's not to say the humor and animation is all bad; Garnet hits the perfect balance between serious and silly and scenes like Pearl putting away her swords were really fluid and nice. They just need to find the right formula.

If this shifted to being more of an action/drama with a healthy dose of comedy, I think it would be perfect. The show definitely has a lot of promise and I'm definitely going to keep up with it in hopes that it hits its stride eventually. It still has some ways to go, though.

Conekiller

Frybo was the best episode yet. It fleshed out some side characters, it had a real nice blend off exaggerated expressions without looking off model, some really nice "skirting the edge" visuals (that wasn't blood dripping from the eye…it was ketchup...yeah) and some pretty thoughtful dialogue.

We have yet to see the cute younger girl from the theme song tho. (maybe she'll be this show's Marceline, in the theme song but only pops up once or twice a season)

Wagomu

I agree. The balance is definitely much better in this episode. There was also an unexpectedly dark side to it and the art and animation on Frybo is definitely some of the best the series had since its art overhaul. I've got a good feeling about where this series is going. Also, my god do I want a soundtrack for the show. It is so good. Sometimes it feels a little too powerful for the show itself (kind of like how the beautiful score of Dragon Quest VIII felt really out of place when you were just wiping the floor with slime corpses), but it has been a real standout for me. Who's responsible for the music?

Side note, I like how the jellyfish ride was called the Jelly Jiggler.

Jarhead

This post is deleted!

Jarhead

@Wagomu:

I agree. The balance is definitely much better in this episode. There was also an unexpectedly dark side to it and the art and animation on Frybo is definitely some of the best the series had since its art overhaul. I've got a good feeling about where this series is going. Also, my god do I want a soundtrack for the show. It is so good. Sometimes it feels a little too powerful for the show itself (kind of like how the beautiful score of Dragon Quest VIII felt really out of place when you were just wiping the floor with slime corpses), but it has been a real standout for me. Who's responsible for the music?

Side note, I like how the jellyfish ride was called the Jelly Jiggler.

….Jelly Jiggler? A block base leader?

Gizmo

@Wagomu:

Also, my god do I want a soundtrack for the show. It is so good. Sometimes it feels a little too powerful for the show itself (kind of like how the beautiful score of Dragon Quest VIII felt really out of place when you were just wiping the floor with slime corpses), but it has been a real standout for me. Who's responsible for the music?

I think Rebecca helped with the theme music.

Here's a soundcloud though of various BGMs of the first couple episodes. I think they're responsible for a lot of the music here.
https://soundcloud.com/aivisura

Also the behind the scenes tumblr is pretty cool too to see designs and stuff
http://stevencrewniverse.tumblr.com

Wagomu

Thanks, man! Pretty cool that Rebecca Sugar is so involved with that aspect, too. A lot of talent there. With more experience, she'll probably be a pretty big force in the animation world.

Gizmo

The latest episode just put a big smile on my face. That's the show for me at the moment. Warm feelings. It's kinda like watching Winnie the Pooh.

puffing.cinema

ho-leey-sheeat!

great episode! I loved basically everything, to Steven's song to the fusion! They way they handle with the fusion itself was quite good, as well. The elegant but energetic moves, the light song while Opal was running away from the scissored-crows. Beautiful. Re-watched these scenes countless times.

without knowing, was kind of a "hey, AT!, step up!" since Finn's episode this week was really weak (and disappointing).

Silver R. Bolt

While I'm not a huge fan of the nose, Opal reminds me a lot of Zelda 64 women.

Conekiller

I can't be the only one to take Amethyst's "I don't dance that way" and Pearls follow up reaction as a less than literal innuendo.

Also, I'm digging the minor continuity in the show. In the Cookie Cat episode we see the glow int he dark bracelet briefly in the freezer that gets brought up a few eps later. Also in the Kitten Fingers Amethyst is cycling through transformations and becomes the Panther from the Millionaire Tiger episode (geez this show sure likes cats…)

Silver R. Bolt

This show is bascially

Sailor Moon

90's Amercian Cartoons / Adventure Time
Internet

=

Steven Universe

Conekiller

I really dig how casually horrifying this show gets at the drop of a hat. It's like "Sweet, adorkable, funny, action, OHGODWHY!, resolution, end"

carcanclaw

The two most recent episodes (12 & 13) were both legitimately fantastic. One of my criticisms of the show has been that it tends to focus on Steven's characterization and growth over that of the Gems, who all have interesting flaws worth exploring. The fusion and aging plots both highlighted what makes the Gems interesting characters while also contributing compelling plotlines for Steven himself.

If the show can continue along this path of emphasizing the entire team's growth instead of just Steven's, then I'll be extremely impressed.

taboo

this is still season 1 right? i imagine that the show still hasn't hit it's stride yet and we have a good 2-3 more seasons that will possibly be better than this one

the thought of that makes me super happy

Silver R. Bolt

Its funny, but Steven is the weakest element of the show. He's cute, sure. But, I can see us all getting tired of him pretty quickly. I don't know how far I can stretch my liking of him. I think as the show progresses and ratings stay consistent we'll see more plots involving the Gem's without Steven.

The Gems are so interesting, I want to learn more. And with the fusions added to it, I really want to see what combinations they can achieve; or if all three can become one. I do know that Amethyst and Garnet are set to fused in a future episode.

Conekiller

I was afraid I'd like Steven the least when the show started. But he's really grown on me past the initial batch of episodes.

Maron

I think Steven's great, not growing to have any dislike whatsoever. Episodes like So Many Birthdays kinda just make me like him more since you see what he's going through.

Farsighted Annie

I just adore Steven Universe both the character and the show. I just fine Steven so adorable .
Oh, man am I behind on the episodes though.

LUFFY1fan

I really hate how this show is on Wednesday's now thanks to Adult Swim moving up a hour.

Hiroy

Caught up to this show recently. I was intially sour about trying it out after the pilot, but damn. What an adorable show~
The music is also the best I've ever heard in a cartoon. It's sounds so personal most of the time rather than generic stock sounds.

city_lights31

There is something hauntingly beautiful about this show. Does anyone else think of Tezuka's art when they look at Pearl?

taboo

Nolus

Okay, I'm sold. Watched like 3 random episodes. I'm so sold.

Steven is such a sweetheart, trying to help out~ And Garnet is darned cool~

Brb, gotta watch some more. Or not since I'm supposed to be studying…

Maron

Ha, I randomly saw that music video again and instantly thought of Garnet too. It'd be interesting if she had a chance to sing in an actual episode at some point.

Prismeru

Ok, just watched like the 4th episode. I'm in love. So personal and sensible. Really like those small moments. Also, i don't cable at home so i'll never finish watching it

Robby

@Prismeru:

Ok, just watched like the 4th episode. I'm in love. So personal and sensible. Really like those small moments. Also, i don't cable at home so i'll never finish watching it

http://animeflavor.com/cartoon/steven-universe

Prismeru

@Robby:

http://animeflavor.com/cartoon/steven-universe

!!!!!!!!1 .

taboo

@Maron:

Ha, I randomly saw that music video again and instantly thought of Garnet too. It'd be interesting if she had a chance to sing in an actual episode at some point.

im assuming if she sings, it'll be really unexpected and out of nowhere since the character is so quiet in the show. but yeah, they probably wouldnt have hired her if she wasn't gonna sing at some point!!

siiigh i love voice actors who sing

Prismeru

So, when is the next episode? b: i don't know the US cartoon network schedules and this show has really really helped me the past few days. It makes me so happy :3

Gizmo

@Prismeru:

So, when is the next episode? b: i don't know the US cartoon network schedules and this show has really really helped me the past few days. It makes me so happy :3

The show is currently releasing new episodes every Wednesday night. So try the website Thursday and the new episode should be up. Dunno how many episodes are still left this season though.

Prismeru

Yay! :3 .

Giant woman :3

Gizmo

@Prismeru:

Yay! :3 .

Giant woman :3

And this is how I feel right now.

But maybe try either next week or in June because this week is just a rerun. Should've checked this before posting sorry (hence the pie in the face). Glad there are other Steven Universe fans though!

Nolus

Oh god, I need to rewatch that ep. It made my heart break

Prismeru

@Nolus:

Oh god, I need to rewatch that ep. It made my heart break

I was so close to crying when Garnet got desperate

Nolus

@Prismeru:

I was so close to crying when Garnet got desperate

Yeah, put all the characters into a whole new light. Can't wait to see more of these eps. That's said, I enjoy the silly ones too. Even those have some pretty emotional moments. Light-cannon for example… hints about Steven's mom, the bond between the dad and his son etc.

The Frybo ep was just plain insane and horroristic. ~~well, okay, there was the Fries family plotline, but still~~

taboo

'I thought violence would help.' Same

Ubiq

So the lion has something to do with his mother, right?

Nolus

It seems Coach Steven is up on the internet for some reason despite it's not airing until August.

Conekiller

Thanks, I kept thinking my DVR skipped it but couldn't find any evidence of it airing in the US.

Gizmo

I didn't realize how much I missed the show until I started watching the episode! It was really fun to watch.

carcanclaw

Apparently an insane number of episodes have just been ordered. 104 total.

http://stevencrewniverse.tumblr.com/post/92948802132/its-official-were-making-more-episodes-a-lot

Pretty great news, but also super daunting considering we're only like 20 episodes in after a year!

Ubiq

Twenty-six half hours is a pretty big order; especially for Cartoon Network.

Wagomu

Yeah, I'm really glad about this. Was worried for a moment that CN was giving up, since it's handled the release of the first season so poorly and how it still flies a bit under the radar despite its pedigree. The show's been getting better over its run so far and still has a lot of potential.

Ubiq

Well, keep in mind that they did order sixty episodes of Generator Rex and fifty-two episodes of Mystery Incorporated; a big order doesn't mean a whole lot if the scheduling chimps lose interest.

Wagomu

Well, at least this means more Steven Universe for now, even if it is a death sentence by CN standards.

taboo

doesnt SU have like huge ratings though? i thought i read that somewhere recently but it could be wrong