Steven Universe
Steven Universe
Your feedback improves this guide
Your feedback highlights guides that need a second look and keeps the rating trustworthy.
Does this age rating seem accurate to you?
Sign in to vote
Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Steven Universe is a warm, imaginative animated series with a playful and often funny surface, yet it reaches emotional and story depths beyond most very young children's shows. The sensitive material mainly involves fantasy battles, occasionally unsettling monsters, threats to Earth, and themes of loss, identity, and family legacy that can raise real emotional questions. The intensity is usually moderate and highly stylized, with no gore and very little harsh language, but some episodes become noticeably heavier, with stronger suspense and more emotional weight than a typical early childhood cartoon. For a 4 year old, several ideas may feel confusing, sad, or intimidating, while slightly older children are more likely to enjoy the humor and understand the compassion centered messages. Parents may want to watch alongside younger viewers, especially if their child is sensitive to distorted creatures, symbolic parental absence, or stories involving an old war.
Synopsis
A young boy takes his mother's place in a group of gemstone-based beings, and must learn to control his powers.
Difficult scenes
Several episodes show Steven and the Gems fighting corrupted creatures or other magical enemies. The action is very cartoony and not graphic, but some monsters look distorted or unpredictable enough to unsettle a sensitive young child. The story often returns to the absence of Steven's mother, who gave up her physical form when he was born, and to the emotional burden of that legacy. Even though the series handles this gently, the idea of parental loss may feel sad or confusing for children who take stories very literally. As the series develops, Steven learns about an authoritarian empire connected to an old war and a threat to the planet. The stakes become heavier, with hostile characters, difficult family revelations, and more sustained tension than in the very light early episodes.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
About this title
- Format
- TV series
- Year
- 2013
- Runtime
- 11m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Rebecca Sugar
- Main cast
- Zach Callison, Estelle, Michaela Dietz, Deedee Magno Hall
- Studios
- Cartoon Network Studios, Turner Broadcasting System
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Steven Universe is a warm, imaginative animated series with a playful and often funny surface, yet it reaches emotional and story depths beyond most very young children's shows. The sensitive material mainly involves fantasy battles, occasionally unsettling monsters, threats to Earth, and themes of loss, identity, and family legacy that can raise real emotional questions. The intensity is usually moderate and highly stylized, with no gore and very little harsh language, but some episodes become noticeably heavier, with stronger suspense and more emotional weight than a typical early childhood cartoon. For a 4 year old, several ideas may feel confusing, sad, or intimidating, while slightly older children are more likely to enjoy the humor and understand the compassion centered messages. Parents may want to watch alongside younger viewers, especially if their child is sensitive to distorted creatures, symbolic parental absence, or stories involving an old war.
Synopsis
A young boy takes his mother's place in a group of gemstone-based beings, and must learn to control his powers.
Difficult scenes
Several episodes show Steven and the Gems fighting corrupted creatures or other magical enemies. The action is very cartoony and not graphic, but some monsters look distorted or unpredictable enough to unsettle a sensitive young child. The story often returns to the absence of Steven's mother, who gave up her physical form when he was born, and to the emotional burden of that legacy. Even though the series handles this gently, the idea of parental loss may feel sad or confusing for children who take stories very literally. As the series develops, Steven learns about an authoritarian empire connected to an old war and a threat to the planet. The stakes become heavier, with hostile characters, difficult family revelations, and more sustained tension than in the very light early episodes.