Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar strikes an optimistic tone about reviving the acclaimed animated comedy. The series, which debuted in 2013, focusing on the titular Steven Universe as he lives with the Crystal Gems, was a hit with both viewers and critics. The series has returned for revivals previously, though the original series concluded at the beginning of 2019.
In an interview with Variety to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the show’s debut and look back on the best of Steven Universe, Sugar was asked about the possibility of reviving the show. The question was asked in the context of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, a recent revival of another animated franchise that Sugar worked on. In the quote below, Sugar explains what it would take for a revival to happen and what that might look like:
I would really, really appreciate it if everyone who would be interested in [a revival] that would make a ton of noise and make it really known — because I would be thrilled to explore that. I think in this current media landscape, if there’s a huge amount of public demand, then that is something that becomes impossible to ignore.
I love these characters and I love this world, and I would love to return to it. And I hope, if everyone else feels the same as I do, I may have an opportunity to do something like that.
I know these characters in this world very well, and there’s so many interesting things in store for them and aspects of their personality that they’re still grappling with that I’m interested in exploring.
It’s not an easy answer, because there’s so much, and I’m also so grateful to the “Steven Universe” team, the crew that I worked with for eight years on the show. Thanks to them, these characters are so incredibly rich, and this world is so beautifully defined. Even just our rules and our lore and the meaning behind why the characters are the way they are is so full that, if I had an opportunity to work with them again, they really take on a life of their own.
Steven Universe Has A History Of Revivals
Sugar was informed in 2016 that Steven Universe would end after season 5. The series creator asked Cartoon Network to extend Steven Universe season 5 to 32 episodes to complete the story. But the overall franchise proved durable beyond that, extending to a television movie and even a spinoff series. This is a hopeful sign that the popular animated series could find its way back eventually.
Steven Universe: The Movie, which was announced in 2018, the beloved characters came roaring back. Debuting in 2019, and running for 82 minutes, the movie unfolds two years after the finale. The story follows Spinel, who is vengeful about Steven’s mother, Pink Diamond, and erases the memories of Crystal Gems as revenge for feeling abandoned by Steven’s mother. The movie drew positive reviews and was nominated for both a GLAAD and Annie Award.
Steven Universe also returned as a spinoff limited series, titled Steven Universe Future, which was similarly well-received. Though it was meant to serve as an epilogue, with the titular character coming to terms with everything that’s happened, including Steven Universe learning the origin of his name. Since then, Sugar has maintained the openness to revisiting the story. Her latest openness affirms that there may be a path forward, albeit with the caveat of audiences voicing their support.
