How CN’s “Steven Universe” uses fusion as a beautiful metaphor for relationships
If you’re not familiar with the show, Steven Universe is a coming of age story created by trailblazing showrunner Rebecca Sugar who has been pushing the boundaries of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream children’s shows. With a talented team of artists, storyboarders, voice actors and many more collaborators, Sugar created an inclusive universe of acceptance, understanding, and self-love spreading these messages to a diverse audience of fans young and old.
Through the adventures of protagonist Steven and his three adoptive gem-based alien adoptive moms, Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl, SU tackles many complex emotions and challenges. In this thesis statement of what it means to yourself and others, Sugar and her team came up with a unique portrayal of the characters’ relationships depicted as “fusions”.
*Warning: this article contains BIG spoilers from the entire run of the show
What‘s fusion?
This concept, introduced fairly early on during the first season (Giant Woman), is the result of two characters amalgamating into one that shares all their combined physical and emotional strengths. To fuse you need two things: to be in tune with your partner’s emotions and of course to dance to your own rhythm without any inhibitions. The…
