History of Steven Universe in Timeline
Steven Universe is an animated series centered on Steven, a half-Gem boy living with the Crystal Gems: Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. Set in Beach City, the show follows Steven's journey as he learns to control his powers, protect Earth from Gem threats, and understand his heritage. The series explores themes of family, identity, love, and acceptance. It ran for five seasons, followed by a movie and an epilogue series, Steven Universe Future. The franchise also includes books, comics, video games, and soundtracks.
2 days ago : Steven Universe sequel announced alongside new Mister Miracle animated series and Star Trek news.
A Steven Universe sequel was announced with a new Mister Miracle animated series. News also broke about Star Trek: Strange New Worlds final season and casting.
2005: Reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender
In 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender was referenced as part of a growing trend of cartoons that appeal to both adults and children, which also includes Steven Universe.
2010: Reference to Adventure Time and Regular Show
In 2010, Adventure Time and Regular Show were referenced as part of a growing trend of cartoons that appeal to both adults and children, which also includes Steven Universe.
2011: Initial Ideas for Steven Universe
In 2011, Rebecca Sugar presented her initial ideas for what would become Steven Universe to Cartoon Network Vice President of Comedy Animation Curtis Lelash, and the project was chosen for development.
2011: Reference to Adventure Time episode 'What Was Missing'
In 2011, the Adventure Time episode "What Was Missing" was referenced as a previous depiction of subtextual or minimal LGBTQ themes in children's cartoons, prior to the more prominent themes in Steven Universe.
September 2012: Production Crew Assembled
In September 2012, Jackie Buscarino was brought in as a producer and tasked with hiring people and supervising the show's crew for Steven Universe.
2012: Reference to The Legend of Korra
In 2012, The Legend of Korra was referenced as part of a growing trend of cartoons that appeal to both adults and children, which also includes Steven Universe.
May 2013: Pilot Released
In May 2013, Cartoon Network released the original pilot of Steven Universe. The pilot was popular and generated discussions and positive reactions, reassuring the crew that the series could be successful.
May 2013: Television pilot shown
In May 2013, the television pilot for Steven Universe was first shown. This marked the introduction of the series to the public before it was officially picked up.
May 21, 2013: Pilot Episode Release
On May 21, 2013, the pilot episode of Steven Universe was released on Cartoon Network's video platform.
November 4, 2013: US Series Premiere
On November 4, 2013, Steven Universe premiered in the United States on Cartoon Network with two episodes.
November 11, 2013: Canada Series Premiere on Cartoon Network
On November 11, 2013, Steven Universe began airing on Cartoon Network in Canada.
November 2013: Series Premiere
In November 2013, the Steven Universe series officially premiered, beginning its five-season run on Cartoon Network.
February 3, 2014: Australia Series Premiere
On February 3, 2014, Steven Universe began airing on Cartoon Network channels in Australia.
April 24, 2014: Canada Series Premiere on Teletoon
On April 24, 2014, Steven Universe began airing on Teletoon in Canada.
July 25, 2014: Second Season Renewal
On July 25, 2014, Steven Universe was renewed for a second season.
2014: Reference to Clarence and The Legend of Korra
In 2014, the series Clarence and the finale of The Legend of Korra were referenced as previous depictions of subtextual or minimal LGBTQ themes in children's cartoons, prior to the more prominent themes in Steven Universe.
March 13, 2015: Second Season Airs
On March 13, 2015, the second season of Steven Universe began airing.
April 2, 2015: "Say Uncle" Crossover Episode
On April 2, 2015, the crossover episode "Say Uncle" with Uncle Grandpa aired. In this episode, Uncle Grandpa helps Steven use his Gem powers.
July 2015: Third Season Renewal
In July 2015, Steven Universe was renewed for a third season.
October 2015: Cartoon Network Announces Steven Universe Toy Line
In October 2015, Cartoon Network announced a line of toys based on Steven Universe, which would be sold by specialty retailers.
2015: Introduction of Stevenbombs
Beginning in 2015, Cartoon Network often aired new episodes of Steven Universe in groups of five over one week, marketed as "Stevenbombs."
2015: Jones-Quartey Leaves Show
In 2015, Jones-Quartey left the show to develop his own show (OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes). He noted how the focus of Steven Universe on identity struck a chord with audiences.
2015: Steven Universe noted for Queer Themes
In 2015, Steven Universe was noted as the most-recent animated series for a younger audience with significant queer themes, such as the androgynous fusion Stevonnie and the romantic relationship between Ruby and Sapphire.
2015: Steven Universe on the Tiptree Award Honor List
In 2015, Steven Universe was placed on the honor list of the Tiptree Award, which recognizes works of science fiction or fantasy that explore and expand gender roles. The jury noted the show's open and mature handling of gender in the context of children's television.
2015: Fan Artist Attempts Suicide After Bullying
In 2015, a Steven Universe fan artist attempted suicide after being bullied on social media because of the body proportions in her art.
March 2016: Renewal for Additional Seasons
In March 2016, Cartoon Network issued its last renewal to Steven Universe for an additional two seasons.
April 2016: Steven Universe Outstrips Other Cartoon Network Series in Popularity
In April 2016, public interest in Steven Universe, measured by Google Trends, vastly outstripped that of Cartoon Network's other series, leading The A.V. Club to call it "definitive proof that Steven Universe is now Cartoon Network's flagship series".
July 21, 2016: Release of Steven Universe: Soundtrack Attack
On July 21, 2016, Steven Universe: Soundtrack Attack, a rhythm-based mobile game, was released in the United States. The game involves a player-created Gem fleeing her pursuer through side-scrolling stages set to remixes of the series' music.
2016: LGBT themes in Steven Universe
During a 2016 Comic-Con panel, Rebecca Sugar said the LGBT themes in Steven Universe were largely based on her own experience as a bisexual woman.
2016: Controversy in the UK
In 2016, Cartoon Network UK removed an embrace between Rose and Pearl from its British broadcast of Steven Universe, sparking controversy and criticism for alleged homophobia.
2016: Series Cancellation Notification
In 2016, Rebecca Sugar was notified that the series Steven Universe would be canceled at the end of the fifth season.
2016: Fan Campaign Protests Cartoon Network UK Censorship
In 2016, a fan campaign was launched to protest Cartoon Network's British subsidiary's practice of removing scenes of affection between Gems from UK broadcasts of Steven Universe.
2016: Jesse Zuke Quits Twitter After Harassment
In 2016, storyboard artist and writer Jesse Zuke quit Twitter after being harassed by Steven Universe fans over perceived support for a particular romantic relationship between characters.
2016: Zag Toys Releases Collectible Bobbleheads and Mini-Figures
In early 2016, Zag Toys released collectible bobbleheads and other mini-figures based on Steven Universe.
June 2, 2017: Release of Steven Universe Soundtrack: Volume 1
On June 2, 2017, the first soundtrack album collecting songs from the first four seasons, Steven Universe Soundtrack: Volume 1, was released. The soundtrack debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200.
October 2017: Release of Steven Universe: Save the Light
In October 2017, the sequel to Steven Universe: Attack the Light!, Steven Universe: Save the Light, was released for consoles.
2017: Beach City Con Fan Convention
In 2017, Beach City Con, a Steven Universe fan convention, was held in Virginia Beach on October 13–15.
2017: Release of Steven Universe: Dreamland Arcade
In 2017, another mobile game, Steven Universe: Dreamland Arcade, was released. It is a collection of arcade games with characters from the series.
2017: Series Banned in Kenya
In 2017, the Kenya Film Classification Board banned Steven Universe and other cartoon series from being broadcast for allegedly "glorifying homosexual behavior."
May 2018: Cartoon Network Apologizes for Spoilers
In May 2018, Cartoon Network apologized to fans after one of the channel's promotional videos contained unaired footage with significant spoilers for future episodes of Steven Universe.
July 2018: Gems as non-binary women
In July 2018, Rebecca Sugar stated she created the Gems as "non-binary women" to express herself, as a non-binary woman, through them.
October 8, 2018: Garnet's Appearance in OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes
On October 8, 2018, Garnet appeared in "Crossover Nexus", an episode of OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, where she teamed up with K.O., Ben Tennyson from Ben 10, and Raven from Teen Titans Go! to stop the villain Strike.
2018: Collaboration with Dove
In 2018, Rebecca Sugar collaborated with Dove to create six shorts addressing self-esteem issues.
January 2019: Series Finale
In January 2019, Steven Universe concluded its five-season run on Cartoon Network.
April 12, 2019: Release of Steven Universe: Volume 2 (Original Soundtrack) and Karaoke Album
On April 12, 2019, Steven Universe: Volume 2 (Original Soundtrack), an album of songs from the fifth and final season, as well as a karaoke album were released. Volume 2 debuted at number 24 on the Soundtracks chart.
September 3, 2019: Release of Steven Universe Movie Soundtrack
On September 3, 2019, a soundtrack for the Steven Universe movie, featuring its songs and score, was released, peaking at number 57 on the Billboard 200.
September 2019: Movie Release
In September 2019, Steven Universe: The Movie was released, continuing the story after the original series.
November 2019: Release of Steven Universe: Unleash the Light on Apple Arcade
In November 2019, Steven Universe: Unleash the Light, another sequel to Steven Universe: Attack the Light!, was released exclusively on Apple Arcade.
December 2019: Epilogue Series Launch
In December 2019, Steven Universe Future, an epilogue limited series, began airing, providing further closure to the series' storyline.
2019: Steven Universe Mash-Up Pack in Minecraft and Brawlhalla Addition
In 2019, Minecraft released a Mash-Up Pack based on Steven Universe. Also in 2019, Brawlhalla, a free-to-play fighting game, added Steven Universe characters.
2019: Awards and Accolades
In 2019, Steven Universe earned a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Kids & Family Program, becoming the first animated series to win the award. It also received a Peabody Award for Children's & Youth Programming in 2019, recognizing its storytelling, character development, and LGBTQ+ representation.
2019: Steven Universe Ranked Among Top Contemporary TV Series
In 2019, TV Guide ranked Steven Universe number 61 in its selection of the top 100 contemporary television series, describing the series as "groundbreaking" with an "uplifting, self-affirming message".
2019: Release of Steven Universe: The Movie
In 2019, the follow-up television film, Steven Universe: The Movie, was released.
March 2020: Epilogue Series Conclusion
In March 2020, Steven Universe Future concluded, marking the end of the Steven Universe storyline.
September 25, 2020: Release of Fifth Music Score Album
On September 25, 2020, the fifth in a series of five albums featuring the music score from Steven Universe was released.
October 2020: Demoralizing Leaks
In an October 2020 art book for the series, Rebecca Sugar stated that when clips from unaired episodes, giving away major spoilers, were leaked or those clips were used in official promotional videos, it was "very demoralizing for the crew".
October 23, 2020: Release of Steven Universe Future Soundtrack
On October 23, 2020, the soundtrack for Steven Universe Future was released.
2020: Release of Steven Universe Future
In 2020, Steven Universe Future, a sequel series taking place after the events of the film, was released.
January 2021: Janelle Monáe Quotes Steven Universe on Gender Identity
In January 2021, singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe quoted a tweet saying that there was "absolutely nothing better than living outside the gender binary," with a GIF of Stevonnie, stating "'Are you a boy or a girl?' I'm an experience," and added the hashtag #IAmNonbinary."
February 2021: Rerelease of Steven Universe: Unleash the Light on PC and Consoles
In February 2021, Steven Universe: Unleash the Light, which had previously been released on Apple Arcade, was rereleased on PC (Steam) and consoles.
June 2021: Sugar Discusses LGBTQ+ Representation and Challenges
In June 2021, Rebecca Sugar spoke about the challenges and fears she faced as a creator at the forefront of LGBTQ+ representation in media, including potential backlash and cancellation.
September 2021: Steven Universe as Upending Gender Expectations
In September 2021, Abbey White described Steven Universe as "an upending of gender expectation", with Steven as a "gender nonconforming boy" with a family of "feminine non-binary, non-gendered aliens".
2021: Cartoon Network Executive Discusses Show's Inclusion Impact
In 2021, a former Cartoon Network executive, Katie Krentz, told Insider that part of a shift more inclusion in animation, might be due, in part, to events at conventions filled up with Steven Universe fans.
2021: Steven Universe featured in MultiVersus
In 2021, the platform fighter MultiVersus featured characters, locations, and elements from the Steven Universe show.
June 2025: Spin-off series Lars of the Stars
In June 2025, a spin-off titled Lars of the Stars was announced to be in development for Amazon Prime Video.
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