If there was a way for Steven Universe to go out properly, it would be with this collection. It contains everything from shows to the movie, it’s packed with features, and the packaging is worthy of anyone’s shelf. Bravo to Warner Home Video for releasing one of the best collections this side of Lord of the Rings.
There are few cartoons out there these days that last across generations, yet Cartoon Network has made it a habit for doing just that by picking up series that brings emotion, purpose, and manage to entertain all ages. They had Adventure Time for a long time, putting humor and human kindness into all their characters, even Ice King. Then there was the playfulness of Regular Show, which brought different backgrounds to focus through a ragtag group of passionate park upkeeps that made it a point to remind everyone that the 80s existed. Now, we’re bidding a fond farewell to the latest feather in the Cartoon Network hat with Steven Universe. A cartoon that started out as playful and goofy, but soon tugged at the heartstrings of all its viewers.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has brought out the final salute to Steven Universe which has lasted six seasons, one movie, and one show season with an all-in-one final collection.
Let’s dig right into this.
The Show
The show started off questionable, as all great Cartoon Network shows usually do. The first season manages to introduce you to Steven and the other gems, seemingly giving you a measuring stick to the cartoon with goofy moments and one-off situations, then it starts changing. We get to learn about Steven’s mom, a bit more about her relationship to Steven’s father, Greg, then episode by episode, season by season, we learn about the complexity of each character and the world they inhabit.
As seasons really start to roll, the story gives us more information about the off-world inhabitants searching for gems, the complicated emotions of some gems, like Pearl (whom I just want to hug), and the universe just begins to expand into this unique storyline that is engrossing and alive. The first series concludes with a movie, then shifts to a season of wrapping up things and gem stories. Cartoon Network’s decision to allow for creator Rebecca Sugar to conclude the Steven Universe storyline was the right one, as Sugar created a wonderful show experience that will live on for a long time in the hearts of multiple generations. Anything less than a proper conclusion would have been an absolute travesty and disservice to the show and Sugar.
Anyway, if you haven’t seen Steven Universe, dive into it and get lost in every aspect of it. It’s worth your time and effort.
The contents
Much like the television show, the contents of this complete collection are incredible. You get a slew of goodies with the seasons and film, which include the pilot episode, music videos, bonus extras that came with the original season releases, and sing-alongs. There is a massive amount of content in this one collection outside of the show and movie.
Rivaling the extras in this release is the packaging. I usually don’t get twitterpated about DVD packaging because generally, it’s an afterthought, but whoever pushed for the packaging to be this way deserves huge kudos and a big raise. The DVD cover hides a large photo-album like a booklet of DVDs. For each page in that booklet, each contains their own unique page artwork that has episode listings and features for your reference. It’s a true work of art and a wonderful tip-of-the-hat to the show and how beautiful everything about it was when it was out. It’s just absolutely breathtaking.
The only issue I had with this release is that it’s on DVD, but that’s more snobby than it is crucial when it comes to presentation and the collection’s overall performance and presentation. In the end, it’s a gorgeous collection that does everything right.
Conclusion
If there was a way for Steven Universe to go out properly, it would be with this collection. It contains everything from shows to the movie, it’s packed with features, and the packaging is worthy of anyone’s shelf. Bravo to Warner Home Video for releasing one of the best collections this side of Lord of the Rings.
