The Subversive Boyhood of Steven Universe

Stop! Giant robots shouldn’t fight!

Steven Universe is an adventure show about

a boy with super powers derived from an

interstellar gemstone in his belly.

But in many ways it’s also a coming-of-age

story about a young man growing up and

trying to find his place in the world.

My gem!

Quick! Try and summon your weapon.

I don't know how.

Ah! It's fading! How do I make it come back?

Calm down, Steven. Breathe. D--

[Group sigh.]

Aww! I was really close that time.

Coming-of-age narratives for boys usually

involve an education in sex, sports,

hunting, or fighting.

Jonathan: These activities are framed as a

sort of rite-of-passage. In stories set in

sci-fi, fantasy, or superhero genres,

combat is almost always the mechanism

through which young men must prove

their worthiness.

This is usually not framed as outright

aggression on the hero’s part, but is

instead justified as the ability to “fight back.”

There are accompanying characteristics like

wit, determination, cleverness or confidence,

but learning how to be “tough" and proficient

in dealing out violence is consistently framed

as a necessary step for boys to complete

their journey into manhood.

As the series begins, Steven Universe appears

to be following in the footsteps of these

well-worn conventions. Steven wants his own

gem-powered weapon to help fight off

monsters like the other Crystal Gems.

But when he finally does conjure his weapon

it isn’t a weapon.