Steven Universe: Future has ended, wrapping up seven years of magnificent storytelling about Steven and the Crystal Gems. The show has been one of the best works of contemporary, American animation with mental health being one of the key themes and queer characters being some of the best heroes of the show.
With the series over, many fans are looking for something else they can lose themselves in. Whether it's beautiful ballads, compelling lead characters, conflicts that go beyond physical battles or amazing animation, here are five cartoons currently available that will bring a smile to any fan of Steven Universe.
REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA
Any fan of Steven Universe will notice the references it makes to different anime, but one of the most influential ones is Revolutionary Girl Utena, as seen in episodes like "Steven the Swordfighter," "Sworn to the Sword" and "Volleyball." Rebecca Sugar, the creator of Steven Universe, has been open about how this anime inspired her, remarking how the way it played with gender resonated with her as a bisexual teen in ways she's never felt before.
Revolutionary Girl Utena follows Utena Tenjou, who longs to be a prince and is drawn into sword duels in an attempt to win the hand of the mysterious Rose Bride. Like Steven Universe, this show plays with traditional notions of masculinity and femininity, showing how fluid gender can be while it balances dynamic fight scenes with the softer moments of everyday life.
ADVENTURE TIME
Adventure Time did wrap its final season, but the show still holds up and is available to stream on Hulu. The show, with its colorful cast of characters, is full of action and adventure while also dealing with important, complex issues like consent, becoming one's own person, ending toxic relationships and confronting one's mistakes.
Along with addressing issues similarly addressed in Steven Universe, Sugar also worked on Adventure Time as one of the writers, storyboard artists and composers. Steven Universe, along with its other accomplishments, is known for its song, so checking out Adventure Time will allow fans to listen to more of Sugar's music, including amazing songs like "Everything Stays," "Remember You" and "I'm Just Your Problem."
VIOLET EVERGARDEN
Violet Evergarden, a child soldier raised to be a killing machine with no emotions, is free of the war, so now she must figure out who she is as well as what her new string of emotions are. Similar to Steven Universe, this show, along with its gorgeous animation, beautifully handles coping with unfamiliar emotions such as loss, trauma and love.
Both shows focus on self-discovery and compassion, but Violet Evergarden has Violet learning about what it means to be human as the driving conflict. Steven Universe is a mix of external and internal conflicts, with the internal conflicts playing a bigger role later on in the show. Violet's journey also feels like the adventure Steven is about to embark on at the end of Steven Universe: Future, a journey full of learning about one's self and accepting emotions.
SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER
Adora, an orphan raised by the oppressive Horde, discovers not only has she been manipulated into supporting a deadly regime, but she is also the princess She-Ra, the only hope for the rebellion. Like Steven Universe, this show features beautiful worlds that excellently blend sci-fi and fantasy, and the characters, while brightly colored and fun, face life-threatening challenges.
Along with this, Adora's story is similar to Pink Diamond's, with both of them originally being part of tyrannical organizations and later realizing that the systems they've supported are corrupt and harmful. While Pink's story is told in fragments, Adora's is the focus of She-Ra, allowing fans to see her transformation from Horde soldier to Princess of Power as well as why the other princesses follow in her footsteps for the greater good.
SUMMER CAMP ISLAND
After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, this show was picked up by Cartoon Network in 2018, where it had a 48-hour marathon to debut the whole first season. Following the adventures of Oscar and Hedgehog, Summer Camp Island is about the literal "magic" that happens at sleepaway camp. It is a soft show that captures the beauty and imagination of childhood with enchantments and witchcraft.
While this show is full of magic, like Steven Universe, the real heart is seen in the relationships. In both shows, genre elements are used to elevate the themes, but they never take away from the messages about friendship, good communication, independence and collaboration. Summer Camp Island is a relaxing show that captures the warm feels of Steven Universe episodes like "Alone Together," "Love Letters" and "Barn Mates."