Steven Universe

Steven Universe is one of the most exciting animated shows of the last many years, but I probably don't need to tell you that, because you almost certainly watch it. It's great for kids, it has an extremely diverse cast, there's queer representation, and it consistently delivers messages about the importance of compassion and positivity in the face of conflict and despair. It may be exactly the show the world needs right now, so thank the cartoon gods that we have it. In order to celebrate the show, we've picked out the ten very best episodes from the more-than 120 episodes that have aired so far!

While we were originally supposed to get a new Steven Universe episode this week, SU fans were disappointed to learn that the episode is being held off for a later date. Chances are it’ll be put as the first episode of the next Steven Bomb, but of course it’s still a bummer to have to wait. However, the silver lining is that this week featured a Stevonnie storyline in the the latest Steven Universe comic, and guess what? It’s lovely.

Welcome to Together Breakfast, the feature where Elle Collins and Katie Schenkel come together to dig in and relish every last drop of Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. With the show back on a weekly schedule, at least for now, we’re keeping up with it once a week. In this episode, a Ruby falls to Earth, and Steven is really determined to welcome her, despite Lapis Lazuli’s reservations. Room for Ruby was written by Raven M. Molisee and Lauren Zuke, and directed by Kat Morris and Ricky Cometa.

The pop culture power-pop band The Shake Ups have made a name for themselves on the Midwestern convention circuit as The Shake Ups in Ponyville, a My Little Pony-inspired project featuring original songs based on the hit cartoon show. For 2017, the band has announced their new side project; The Shake Ups In Beach City. That’s right, Together Breakfast readers --- they’re going full-on Steven Universe.

Good news for Steven Universe fans who also love video games: This weekend at PAX East, Cartoon Network is unveiling two new video games, including Steven Universe: Save the Light. Based on the popular and beloved animated series, Save the Light will be a console RPG with an original story by series creator Rebecca Sugar set for release this summer. But it's not alone. Cartoon Network is also launching OK KO: Let's Be Heroes with a game and animated series focused on "an endlessly optimistic kid attempting to level up to be the best he can be in a dynamic universe of friends and challenging foes," developed by Capybara Games and artist Ian Jones-Quartey.

The curious habit of collecting digital trading cards continues to grow, with major companies like Topps and Upper Deck holding center court. There's plenty of room in the space for smaller companies to pick up the slack though, and as users of Quidd can attest, that app has being doing a more than serviceable job hitting more niche properties. Already hosting card and "sticker" sets based on Bob's Burgers, Valiant comics, Star Trek and more, Quidd is now teaming up with Cryptozoic to bring some Cartoon Network favorites to fans eager for more Steven Universe, Rick and Morty and Adventure Time collectibles.

Welcome to Together Breakfast, the feature where Elle Collins and Katie Schenkel come together to dig in and relish every last drop of Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. With the show back on a weekly schedule, at least for now, we’re keeping up with it once a week. In this episode, Lars is particularly hard to please, and two wrestling legends retire from the ring. "Tiger Philanthropist" was written by Lamar Abrams and Katie Mitroff, and directed by Joe Johnston and Ricky Cometa.

In this episode, Bloodstone joins the Crystal Gems, and Ronaldo learns a lesson, maybe. Rocknaldo was written by Hilary Florido and Lauren Zuke, and directed by Hye Sung Park, Ricky Cometa, and Kat Morris.

Last year, McFarlane Toys reworked its strategy a bit. Instead of focusing on a few longrunning lines, the company switched to a primary series that encompassed all its licensed properties. Dubbed Color Tops, each wave mixes up comic, gaming, television and film characters into a larger collection. While the big guns like The Walking Dead still make up the primary focus, now things like Mass Effect, Attack on Titan, and even Spawn all fall under one banner. Add in building sets, and you have quite a bit of promising content coming from McFarlane in 2017.

Welcome to Together Breakfast, the feature where Elle Collins and Katie Schenkel come together to dig in and relish every last drop of Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. With the show back on a weekly schedule, at least for now, we’re keeping up with it once a week. In this episode, Steven comes face to face with Rose Quartz for the first time. Storm in the Room was written by Colin Howard and Jeff Liu, and directed by Joe Johnston and Ricky Cometa.