Index

A Alterity Politics (Nealon), 146 ableism, 201 American empire, 64 Abrams, Lamar, 32 Amethyst, 2, 146, 201, 206, 220, absence, 58–62 234, 235 Adolescence of Utena (film), 96 at ball, 5 , 31 beauty ideals of Homeworld (TV show), v, 1, 10, internalized by, 208, 211 13n, 32, 34, 49 black stereotypes of, 73–74, 78–81, affective credibility, 189 83 Afrofuturism, 103 as botched reproduction, 56, 97, Against Purity (Shotwell), 179–180 202–205, 208, 211 agender identity, 27 conspiracy theory debunked by, agray06, 38 117–119 Ahmed, Sara, 21 dancing by, 73–74 Akin, 164–167 and destruction of Communication Akio, 94–95 Hub, 83–84 Alexandrite, 64 ’s fusion with, 63, 78–81 alienation, 21 Greg’s bonding with, 105 alien encounter narrations, 153 guilt of, 187 alien–human symbiosis, 160 Kindergarten of, 186, 203–205, aliens, 7 222 humans treated by, 160–165 made from mineral, 49 “Alone at Sea” (episode), 232 oppression of, 71 “Alone Together” (episode), 155, 222 defended by, 158–160

© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive 239 license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 J. R. Ziegler and L. Richards (eds.), Representation in , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31881-9 240 INDEX

Pearl’s fusion with, 53, 70, 72–73 global impact of, 102 Pearl’s self-identification as superior Sait¯o on impoverishment of visual to, 72–73, 82 information in, 59 power of transformation of, 99 see also rejection of Homeworld standards (TV show); (TV for Quartz soldiers, 228 show) relation to heritage of, 222 Machine, The (Lamarre), 175 reluctance to interact with humans, Aniston, Jennifer, 123, 124 230 “Answer, The” (episode), 50, 55, 155, self-concept of, 222 202, 227 self-doubt of, 73, 74 Anthropocene, 172, 178–183, 193 Steven’s fusion with, 3, 56–57, 94 Anthy Himemiya, 93, 96–98, 101, “amplification through simplification”, 108 59–60 anushbanush, 39 animals, 160, 162, 165, 168 Apollo 11 landing module, 116 animated bodies, 13n “Arcade Mania” (episode), 177 Animated Landscape, 174 Area 51, 115 animation “articulate”, 82, 87n amorphous abstractions of the “art of the hand”, 175 future in, 47 Asian Americans, 205–206 as “ecology”, 175 Assmann, Jan, 220 as environmental media, 193 Attardo, Salvatore, 141 as escaping trap of heteronormativ- authorities, 201 ity, 69 Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV as extremely gendered, 28 show), 101, 103 episodic structure of, 10 A.V. Club, 125 fixating on bodies, 178 of, 14n, 22, 26, 31 B landscapes in, 178, 182 “Back to the Barns” (episode), 205, malleability of, 23–26, 46–47, 49, 206, 228 52, 56, 57, 61, 173 Barthes, Roland, 22, 48, 52, 105–107 futurity in, 46, 51, 92 Bauhaus design, 103 race in, 74–75, 79 Beach City, Delmarva, 2, 177, 231 as untraditional, 22–23 “Beach Party” (episode), 221, 231 animation studies Beauty and the Beast, 169n moving images in, 174–176 Beauty and the Beast (film), 20 preferential treatment of characters Bee, 40 in, 172, 178 “Beta” (episode), 56, 230 anime, 6, 9–12, 90, 94, 101, 102 Beyoncé, 123 Crewniverse’s love of, 102, 103 Bhabha, Homi, 209 fusion in, 46, 202 Bhambra, Gurminder K., 200 INDEX 241 bildungsroman, 6, 8 bronies, 33–34 Bilge, Sirma, 71 “Bubble Buddies” (episode), 221 biological sex, 3 “Buddy’s Book” (episode), 231 biopower, 55 , 22, 28, 62 Bismuth, 55, 138, 139, 169n, 201, Bullwinkle, 23 229 Burnett, Matt, 4, 128–129, 132n human cultural practices enjoyed Butler, Judith, 47, 99, 108–109 by, 232 Butler, Octavia, 12 tracing by effacing in, 60–62 Butler, Olivia, 153, 162–164 “Bismuth” (episode), 229 Bitch Media, 199, 208 Black Looks: Race and Representation C (hooks), 77 , v, 30, 89, 125 black people, 131n, 208 criticized by PTC, 34–36 crimes against, 163–164 as eliminating “just for kids” Black Rose duels, 98 animation, 31 black women Cartoon Network UK, 34 heterosexual privilege, 77 cartoons historical stereotypes of, 81 as bringing to life that which Jezebel stereotype of, 78, 81 has-never-been, 47–48 matriarch stereotype of, 78–79 criticism of simplicity of, 59 in recent television shows, 85 political potential of, 65 Steven Universe as reinforcing Castañeda, Claudia, 25 stereotypes of, 69, 70, 73–86 “Catch and Release” (episode), 226 black youth, 80 “Cat Fingers” (episode), 114 Blue Diamond, 50, 158, 169n, 189, Cayenne (dog), 157 203, 227, 230, 232, 234 Centipeetle, 138, 189–192, 223, 234 human zoo run by, 209–210 cephalopods, 168n Blumenfeld, Zach, 137, 138, 141, cetaceans, 168n 144 Cézanne, Paul, 184 bodies, 173–174 CGI, 177 arriving at queerness, 63 Chambers, Samuel A., 29 as illusions, 27 “Change Your Mind” (episode), 228, improbable, 106 233 LGBTQ+, 99 Chapman, Jacob, 91 as not fixed, 46 “Cheeseburger Backpack” (episode), Bodies That Matter (Butler), 99 221 Bollen, Jonathan, 57, 58 chibi, 62 Boo Boo, 23 Chidgey, Red, 227 boundaries, 201 child, 25 Bradford, K. Tempest, 155–156 children’s television, 6, 10 British colonization, 200 Chyna, Blac, 123 242 INDEX classism, 201 conspiracy theories, 65–66, 114 climate change, 182 about celebrities, 122–123 Climbing Rock, 204 about , 124–128 Clinton, Hillary, 115 as attempt to regain sense of Cluster, 115, 138, 187, 209–211, political agency, 117 223, 232 real world, 115 Gems fused into, 187–189 as social capital, 124 Cluster of Gem shard, 9 conspiracy theorists, 12 Cluster Quakes, 115–116 boundaries of, 122 “” (episode), 78–80 as heroes, 114, 115 coercion, 163 contact zones, 168n Cohen, Jeffrey Jerome, 181, 182 Cookie Cat theme song, 141 Coleman, Gabriella, 143–144 Cooley, Kevin, 11 Collins, Patricia Hill, 71, 77, 79, 81 corrupted Gems, 189, 220, 222–224, colonialism, 179, 199–215 232–235 Amethyst’s body and, 203 Creamy Mami, 99 technological, 181 credibility, 189 “Come Along With Me” (episode), Crewniverse, 89, 90, 101, 182 49 anime loved by, 101, 103, 105 comic books, 6 focus on humans of, 211 Communication Hub, 80, 82–84 involvement in fandom subculture communicative responsibility, 164 of, 105, 107 companion species, 168n “Cry for Help” (episode), 80, 82–84, compulsory heterosexuality, 47, 76–77 158 Homeworld embodying, 63 Crying Pear, 159 Connell, Raewyn, 213 crystalgemjammin, 40 Connie Maheswaran, 147, 201, 215, Crystal Gems, 2, 27 231, 232 as aided by monsters, 9 at ball, 5 and Amethyst’s guilt, 187 Garnet’s urge to fuse with Steven, bodies of, as property, 203 53–54, 60 culture of, 220–224 Pearl’s training in sword fighting, divvying up sexual rituals between 206–207, 223 Homeworld and, 63 Steven’s fusion with, 6, 60–62, 156, Earth seen as liberating by, 230 168n embodiment of, 14n Connolly, William, 146 art of, 39 consent, 12, 155, 160–165, 167 full identity of, 146 fusion’s negotiating of, 155, 157, fusion of. See fusion 202 Greg rescued from zoo by, 209–210 and interspecies relationships, 157, Homeworld memories of, 226 161–162 humans seen as companions by, 155 and preparation for future, 166–167 humans seen as lower by, 155, 156 INDEX 243

as independent from normative “Death of the Author” (Barthes), 106 structures of gender and sex, decoloniality, 200–202, 213, 215–216 27 deep state, 115 Kindergarten beautified by, 179 defective gems, 95–96 as minoritarian group, 197–198 de Jarjayes, Oscar François, 103 as not interfering with life on earth, Demarest, Rebecca, 72 162 Dennis, Jeffrey P., 10, 13n, 22–23 as not predetermined, 187 DenofGeek,51 Peridot’s conversion to side of, 10 Derrida, Jacques, 59 as presenting as female, 71 Desmond, Jane, 73 queerness embodied by, 70, DeviantArt, 45 173–174 Diamond Authority, 4, 128, 187, in rebellion against Gem Home- 198–200, 225, 228–229, 234 world, 28, 50, 225 “Diamond Days” (episode), vi relationship with Beach City humans Diamonds, 138, 233 of, 231 bodies created by, 203–204 reluctance to involve Steven in Gems as tools of, 180 danger, 8 methods of control of, 201 Ronaldo’s mirroring of, 129 Pearl’s threat to authority of, 208 Rose’s cause joined by, 201 différance, 59 transformation and immortality Dios, 94 possessed by, 187 Disney, Walt, 128 as victims of Homeworld retaliation, domestic abuse, v 8 Donaldson, Emrys, 12 violence performed by, 72 Doty, Alex, 21 weapons materialized by, 6, 9 Doty, William, 142, 147 Crystallocene, 179–183 “Dove Self-Esteem Project”, vi cultural appropriation, 197, 198 Z (TV show), 10, 56–57, cultural memory, 219–235 62 and attitude toward fusion, duels, 93–95, 97, 101 227–228 Duffett, Mark, 104 of humans, 227–232 Dunn, Eli, 3, 27, 50, 61, 70, 72, 76 multidirectional nature of, 220, 222 dystopia, 187 culture wars, 124–125 E Earth, 182, 188 D attitudes towards, 230 Darsey, James, 116 colonized by Gem Homeworld, Darwin, Charles, 167 198–199 Dave Guys, 141, 148 natural resources of, 214 Dawn (Butler), 160 “Earthlings” (episode), 56–57, 94, death drive, 25 228–229 244 INDEX ecocriticism, 178 “Frybo” (episode), 119 economy, 201 “Full Disclosure” (episode), 231 Ed, Edd, & Eddy (TV show), 105 fusion, 2–3, 19, 25–26 Edelman, Lee, 11, 25, 47, 63 as abominations on Gem Home- efficiency, 187 world, 27, 50–52, 95, 180, emergents, 165–166 207, 221, 227 Emmys, v as act of communication, 157 empathy, 12, 193 attitudes toward, 227–228 , 181 consent negotiated by, 155, 158, environment, 182 202 enviro-toon, 178 as contrasting Crystal Gem equilibrium, 157 Homeworld with Earth, 5 ethnic discrimination, v and deconstruction of Homeworld eugenics, 163–164 view of intimacy, 201–202 Eurasia, 179 as demonstration of love and trust, Eyeball, 139 85 as destabilizing traditional under- standing of body, 99 F different interpretations of, 11 , 37, 38 on , 56 fake allyship, 197, 198 as exceeding traditional categories “Familiar” (episode), 205, 226, 232 and terminologies around , as space of intersection, 86 bodies, 94 fandom, fans, vi, 11, 12 flexible rules of, 64 becoming, 36–37 as fostering new community, 97 conspiracy theories about, 124–128 heterogem, 56 impact on Steven Universe of, homogems, 50, 56 104–105 as journey, 26 infighting in, 36–38 as metaphor for romantic and sexual pathologization of, 33–36 relationships, 202 as relationship, 105–107 nonconsensual, 26, 158–160 Steven Universe art by, 40 as novum, 8 “toxic”, 37 open communication and, 27 Farrell, Nicoloe, 10 queer relationships investigated by, Firefly (TV show), 125 26, 27, 46–47, 50 Fleischer Studios, 45 as representing relationships, fluid embodiments, v 155–156 Fluorite, 64, 207 signifying carnivalesque, 72 Focus on the Family, 34 stigmatization of “impure”, Foucault, Michel, 54–55 180–181 French government, 128 and theme of transformation, 25, “Friend Ship” (episode), 86, 228 99 INDEX 245

three criteria for, 57, 60 relation to heritage of, 222 as useful in combat, 47, 50 reluctance to interact with humans, as way of co-opting remnant of 231 stable identity, 52 as representing stable relationship, “Fusion Cuisine” (episode), 27, 231 156 fusion dance, 3, 57–58, 81, 156 Rose’s meeting with, 145 future(s), 5–6, 166–167 sexualization of, 77–78 Steven’s fusion with Connie pushed by, 53, 60 G on Steven’s strength, 231 Garbanzo, 145 on three criteria necessary for Garnet, 2, 3, 5, 49, 85, 201, 206, fusion, 57, 60 222, 234 training montage of, 101 agency of, 85 unfusing of, 156 Amethyst’s fusion with, 78–81 war memories of, 222–223 at ball, 5 weapons of, 97 on bodies as illusion, 27 “Garnet’s Song”, 157 coded as Black, 159 “Garnet’s Universe” (episode), 101 complication of boundaries between Gavins, Joanna, 141–142 queer and not queer, 64 Gebrechirstos, Bemnet, 199, 205, and destruction of Communication 207–208, 210 Hub, 83–84 Gem Battlefield, 221 discrimination against, 71, 77 “” (episode), 138, 210, 232 as disruptive, 89 “Gem Glow” (episode), 221, 230 as fusion, 19, 26, 63–64, 75–76, “Gem Harvest” (episode), 231 132n, 202–203 on fusion, 155, 157 “Gem Heist” (episode), 99 homophobia faced by, 77 Gem Homeworld, 2, 4 Jasper’s battle with, 54, 157, 168 ball on, 5 made from mineral, 49 beauty ideals of, 208 marriage of, 64 caste system and hierarchy on, 4, 5, multiple senses of “discourse” 71, 74, 168n, 198, 201–202, claimed by, 53–54 205–207, 213, 216, 233 oppression of, 71 Crystal Gem’s memories of, 226 participation in mnemonic disregard of human life on, 214 composure, 225 divvying up sexual rituals between Pearl comforted by, 85 Crystal Gems and, 63 Pearl forgiven by, 158–159 earth as seen by, 230 Pearl’s fusions with, 60, 81, 83, Earth colonized by, 198 162, 158–160 fusions seen as abomination on, 27, Pearl’s using as outlet, 84 50, 95–96, 180, 207, 222, 227 Peridot’s disdain for, 227 Gem rebellion against, 28, 50, 225 246 INDEX

gem reproduction on, 19, 54–58, GLAAD Media Award, v 203 Glenn, Cheryl, 140 human deaths in war against, 213 globalization, 101–103 intimacy viewed on, 201–203 Global North, 213, 215 Pearl as authority on, 224 Global South, 200, 213, 215 retaliation on Gems from, 8 global warming, 116–117 Steven’s journey to, 189, 226 Goethals, George, 74 Steven’s learning about, 222 Goku, 62 Gems, 226–227 “Good Lars, The” (episode), 129 bodies as projections of gemstones, (TV show), 10 2 Gray, Jonathan, 11 as colonizers, 197–209 Greg Universe, 34, 57, 146, 201 concept of gender lacking in, 19 Amethyst’s bonding with, 105 corrupted, 189, 220, 233, 235 broken leg of, 137 creation of bodies of, 173–174 on deaths in war against Home- defective, 95–96 world, 214 full identity of, 145 distressed with Rose’s attitude healing of, 220, 222–223, 228, toward partnership, 231–232 230, 232–235 of, 39 hierarchies of looks and abilities in, Gem cannon of, 221 205 in human zoo, 208–210 production of, 179–180 inability to fuse, 156 as tools of authority, 180 as key to resolution of several see also Crystal Gems episodes, 230 gemsona, 40 as “largely absent” father, 8 Gem Talk (podcast), 46 Rose’s “fusion” with, 156, 167 gender, 4 Steven informed of Crystal Gems non-binary, 12 by, 221 tearing down of semiotics in, 89 Groensteen, Thierry, 52–53, 58–59 gender norms, 27–29 Grosz, Elizabeth, 192 bronies and, 33 Guynn, Noah, 106 genderqueer identity, 27 genderqueerness, in anime, 9–10 gender stereotypes, 12 H General Theory of Verbal Humor, Halberstam, J. Jack, 48, 49, 52, 56, 141 69 geo-toon, 178 on queer characters, 76 Geraghty, Lincoln, 11 on race in animation, 74–75, 79 ghetto, 131n Hall, Deedee Magno, 205 “Giant Woman” (episode), 27, 53, Haraway, Donna, 100, 154, 157, 70, 72–76, 222, 228 165–167, 168n Gilbert, Anne, 33–34 Harmon, Dan, 131n INDEX 247

Harris, Anne, 26 horror cinema, queer desire coded as Harris, Cheryl I., 202 monstrous in, 26 Harris, Frederick C., 131n “House Guest” (episode), 104 Hartzheim, Bryan Hikari, 104 “How to Turn an Angry Space Alien Haruka Tenou, 91 Into Your New Aunt With the “Haven’t You Noticed (I’m a Star)” Power of Friendship or Whatever (song), 87n by Steven Universe”, 39 healing, 233 human-Gem hybrids, fusion among, 7 of corrupted Crystal Gems, 219, humans 222, 224, 231–235 alien treatment of, 160–165 He-Man and the Masters of the Crystal Gems’ relationship with, Universe (TV show), 23, 173 231 Hendershot, Heather, 24 death in war against Homeworld of, henshin, 99 214 heterogeneity, 52–53 fusion among, 7, 156 heteronormativity, 2 Sugar’s focus on, 211, 213 animation and, 22, 23, 32, 69 as unaware of Gems, 155 bodies as static in, 99 viewed as lower than Gems, 155, escape from, 108–109 156 fusion as subversion of, 11 human zoo, 169n, 208–210, 212 Steven Universe’s revolt against, 70, hybridity, 12, 154 106 Hyde, Lewis, 144, 147 sustained by gay tv shows, 29–30 Hynes, William, 142 in traditional media, 107 in U.S. animation, 14n heterosexuality, children’s sci-fi as I challenge to compulsory, 14n “I Am My Mom” (episode), 211 heterosexual privilege, 77 Icke, David, 117 Heumann, Joseph K., 175 identity, vi Hills, Matt, 36, 124–125 identity politics, 146 Himitsu no Akkochan, 99 identitarian impulse, 50–52 “Historical Friction” (episode), 225, ideology, 7 231 Igarashi, Takuya, 109n Holly Blue Agate, 229 Ikuhara, Kunihiko, 12, 89–97, 101, Homeworld. See Gem Homeworld 103, 109n homogeneity, 52–53 Illuminati, 117, 123, 128 homonationalism, 63 image-repertoire, 105 homonormativity, 60 Imaginary, 105 homophobia, 77, 201 imperialism, 56, 180 homosexual oppression, 76–77 industrial extraction, 179 hooks, bell, 77 Injectors, 173 Hori, Takafumi, 109n , 115 248 INDEX

International Monetary Fund, 117 Jones-Quartey, Ian, 125, 130 internet trolls, 143 Jones, Stacy Holman, 26 intersectionality, 71 “Joy Ride” (episode), 211 failure of, 72–78 “” (episode), 61 inter-species relationships, 157 inter-species symbiosis, 154 intersubjectivity, 201 K intimacy, 155–156, 201–203 Kahn, Richard, 117 intimate violence, 158–160, 166–167 Kardashians, 123 Inu (anime), 11–12 Keep Beach City Weird (blog), 12, invisible hand, 187 114, 118–120, 125, 130n “It Could’ve Been Great” (episode), Keep Beach City Weird (Fryman), 12, 214, 228, 230 114, 115 “Keep Beach City Weird” (episode), 65, 117–118, 120, 122, 130 J Kelley, Shamus, 50–52 Jade, 5 Kelly, Megyn, 115 “Jail Break” (episode), 26, 54, 75–78, Kennedy assassination, 115 157, 226–227 Kenya, 34 Japan, 9–11 “Keystone Motel” (episode), 84 U.S. occupation of, 102 Kies, Bridget, 125 “Japan Cool”, 102 Kindergartens, 19, 54–58, 73, 179, jasker, 40 182, 187, 200 Jasper, 27, 139, 207, 228 of Amethyst, 186, 203–205, 222 allegiance to Diamond Authority, as inherently bad places, 204 228 living in, 207 Amethyst and Steven’s battle with, knowledge, 201 56–57 Korean animation studios, 103 Crystal Gems called traitors by, 226 Kožuchová, Pauline, 173, 179, 186 disdain for fusion of, 227 Kunzite, 92 fighting for reproductive futurity, 64 Garnet’s battle with, 53, 157 L as “ultimate Quartz”, 56 labor, 201 Jdahya, 162 Lacan, Jacques, 105 Jenkins, Henry, 104 Lamarre, Thomas, 13, 174, 175, 184, Jenson, Joli, 33–34 192 Jezebel, 78–79, 81 Lapis Lazuli, 10, 27, 40, 137, 201, Jodahs, 163, 165–167 221, 226, 232 (TV show), 30 conspiracy theory about, 126 Johnston, Joe, 3 convinced to join Crystal Gems by Jones, Alex, 115 Steven, 166 INDEX 249

Jasper’s abusive relationship with, Machold, Rhys, 122 63 , 91, 92, 99 in mirror, 224 Maheswaran, Dr., 232 Lars, 61, 147, 169n, 215, 232–233 mah¯osh¯ojo, 91 “Lars’ Head” (episode), 95 Maier, Lauren, 31–32 “Laser Light Cannon” (episode), 115, majokko, 91 119, 221, 231 Makoto Kino, 91, 92 Latin America, 200 Malachite, 26, 27, 63 Legend of Korra, The (TV show), 101 Malaysia, 34 “Legs from Here to Homeworld” malleability, of animation, 46–47, 49, (episode), 139, 234 52, 56, 57, 61, 173 lesbian stereotypes, 93 Mamdani, Mahmood, 131n Levin, Ben, 32 mametchi, 40–41 Levy, Michael M., 8 , 9 Lewis, Tyson, 117 fusion in, 46 LGBTQ+ bodies, 99 “Marble Madness” (episode), 226 LGBTQ+ community, 21 Marceline, 13n, 32, 49 LGBTQ+ themes, 26, 34 Margulis, Lynn, 167 in Sailor Moon, 91 matriarch, 78–79 Lil’ Butler, 105 Matrix, The (film), 114 Lilith, 160–163, 169n “Maximum Capacity” (episode), 105 Lilith’s Brood (Butler), 12, 153, McAndrew, Francis T., 124 160–168 McCloud, Scott, 58, 59 interbreeding in, 154, 160, 161, McDonnell, Chris, 45, 184 165, 167 media self-production, 37 “Lion 3: Straight to Video”, 146 medicine, 163–164 “Lion 4: Alternate Ending” (episode), Medina, José, 223 230 memories Liu, Jeff, 130 war, 22–223 Locke, Simon, 122 see also cultural memory “Log Date 7 15 2” (episode), 76 memory, as multidirectional, 12 Looney Tunes, 20 Mendlesohn, Farah, 7, 14n Lord of the Rings, 177 “Message, The” (episode), 231 Lost (TV show), 127 “Message Received” (episode), 228 “Love Letters” (episode), 78 Michiru Kaiou, 91 Lover’s Discourse, A (Barthes), 106 Mignolo, Walter, 200 “luminous ”, 184 Milenkovic, Megan A., 124 Lury, Karen, 30–31 “” (episode), 53, 139, 211, 231 “Mirror Gem” (episode), 221, M 223–224, 226 Macey, Deborah A., 107 Mittell, Jason, 126–127, 132n 250 INDEX

Moane, Geraldine, 201 “Now We’re Only Falling Apart” model minority myth, 205 (episode), 146, 156, 227 modernist paintings, 185 Mondrian, Piet, 184 monogamy, as queer, 64 O “Monster Buddy” (episode), 234 Oankali, 154, 160–164, 166, 167, “Monster Reunion” (episode), 234 169n monsters, 7 “Ocean Gem” (episode), 221, 223, in anime, 9 226, 232, 234 moon landing, 115, 128 Off Colors, 202, 207–208, 213, 225, Moore, Mandy Elizabeth, 5, 12 227, 232 Morris, Kat, 5 “Off Colors” (episode), 64, 95, 207 “Mr. Greg” (episode), 232 Ohtori.nu, 93 Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, 32 Ojou character type, 82, 87n Mr. Smiley, 143 Olson, Olivia, 32 Ong, Aihwa, 102 Muñoz, José Esteban, 47, 52, 57–58, Onion, 12, 105, 148–149 92, 108 boredom of, 148–149 Murray, Robin L., 175, 178 fan theory on, 147 Muto, Adam, 13n and poo emoji, 139, 143 Mutua, Kagendo, 199 “Onion Friend” (episode), 105 myles, 40 “Onion Gang” (episode), 145 My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, “Onion Trade” (episode), 148 33 “On the Run” (episode), 204, 222 ooloi, 161, 163, 169n Opal, 5, 53, 70, 74 N Pearl more prominent in, 75, 86 Nama, Adilifu, 75 Oring, Elliott, 150n Napier, Susan, 94 Orientalism, 103 Nealon, Jeffrey, 146 Orphan Black (TV show), 114 Neighbors, R.C., 5–7 Osmond, Donny, 30 neoliberalism, 7 , 102 “New Lars, The” (episode), 169n P Newman, Barnett, 184 Padparadscha, 207, 208 , 107 Pallant, Chris, 174, 175, 192 Nickelodeon, 30 Palumbo, Donald, 6 “Nightmare Hospital” (episode), 232 Parents Television Council (PTC), Nikanj, 160–163 34–35 “Noblewoman’s Laugh” (episode), Parikka, Jussi, 182, 187, 193 82–83, 87n Parkland shooting, 115 non-traditional family structures, v Paste, 25 novum, 7 Patrick Star, 23 INDEX 251 patrón, 200 Greg seen as unable to connect with Patten, Fred, 9 Rose by, 156 Patternist series (Butler), 169n as homage to Sailor Neptune, 104 PBS NewsHour, 26 human cultural practices enjoyed Pearl, 2, 146, 200, 204, 221, 222, by, 232 230, 233–235 on human-gem hybrid, 60 alien shards explained by, 119 made from mineral, 49 as allegedly responsible for Pink as made to order servant, 74, Diamond’s death, 127–128 205–206 ambiguous racial coding of, propagandistic play corrected by, 205–206 231 Amethyst consoled by, 222 reaction to Amethyst’s dance, Amethyst’s defense of, 158–160 73–74 Amethyst’s fusion with, 53, 70, read as Asian, 82, 87n 72–74 relation to heritage of, 222 and Amethyst’s fusion with Garnet, reluctance to interact with humans, 78–80 231 as authority on history of Rose Quartz embraced by, 34 Homeworld, 224 as Rose Quartz’s lover, 55 at ball, 5 Rose’s death faked by, 28 coded as white, 159 Sapphire’s forgiving of, 85 Communication Hub rebuilt by, 80 self-identified as superior to Connie trained to sword fight by, Amethyst, 72–74, 82 205–206, 223 Steven’s conversation with White on conspiracy theories, 65, Diamond opposed by, 138 117–119, 121 dismissed by, 62–64 as core of fusion, 83 stylized memory of, 225 deception involving Rose’s identity on “ultimate connection between of, 4–5 gems”, 57 and device for teaching Gem unrequited love for Rose Quartz, Culture to Steven, 223–224 89 Diamond authority threatened by, war memories of, 222–223 208 white privilege and, 71 exertion of control over Amethyst Pearls, as servants, 205–206 by, 74 Pearson, Wendy, 14n Garnet’s comforting of, 85 Pebbles, 223 Garnet’s forgiving of, 158–159 Pelkmans, Mathijs, 122 Garnet’s fusions with, 60, 81–83, Pelton, Robert, 147 158–160, 162 perfection, 181 Garnet used as outlet by, 84 Peridot, 10, 74, 76–77, 84, 138, 145, grappling with assigned role, 228 147, 201, 228 252 INDEX

allegiance to Diamond Authority, Princess Tutu, 103 228 Proctor, William, 125 attempt to destroy Cluster, 189 property, 203 beauty ideals of Homeworld psychoanalysis, 36, 41n internalized by, 208 Puar, Jasbir K., 63 on clothing, 127 public education, 54 on cluster, 210 purity, 179–181 conspiracy theory about, 126 convinced to join Crystal Gems by Steven, 166 Q disdain for fusion, 227 QAnon, 115 Pearl claimed as property by, 206 Quartz soldiers, 228 Steven’s education of, 214 Queer Art of Failure, The (Halber- permafusion, 50 stam), 48, 69 Petey Fryman, 118, 120–121 Queer as Folk (TV show), 29 Pheasant-Kelly, Fran, 175, 178, 189 queer children’s entertainment, 20 Philosophy of Boredom, A (Svendsen), queer-coded relationships, v 148 queer corporeality, 101 Phoenix, 166 queer dance floors, 57–58 Pink Diamond, 4–5, 142, 146, 169n, queer desire, v 200, 205, 211, 225, 226, 229, in anime, 9–11 233, 235 coded as monstrous in horror Pear as servant of, 205 movies, 26 theories on killing of, 127–128 queer future, 11, 46, 47, 49–53 see also Rose Quartz queer futurity Pinky and the Brain (TV show), 14n, “amplification through simplifica- 22 tion” in, 58–60 Pitre, Jacob, 173 in animation, 45–46, 51, 92–93 Pitre, Jake, 11 queer identity, 11 Pixar, 49 queer narratives, 25–27 Pixarvolt, 69 queerness, 173–174 pixelation filter, 191 bodies arriving at, 63 Pizza family, 215 in closed political systems, 63–64 #PizzaGate theory, 115 in cosmos of Steven Universe, 192 Pokémon (TV show), 9 embodied by Crystal Gems, 63 political queerness, 101 embodied by Steven and Crystal , 169n Gems, 70 “Pool Hopping” (episode), 149 in fandom of Steven Universe, 12 Porter, Charles A., 106 flexible boundary of, 64 post-coloniality, 200, 211 as ideality, 47 Pott, Julia, 10 meaning of, 22 , 13n, 32, 49 as potentiality and fluidity, 20–22 INDEX 253

of same-sex marriage, 3–4 condemnation of, 47 in , 22–24 Jasper’s fighting for, 63 white supremacy threatened by, reptile people, 117–118, 121 202–203 “Return, The” (episode), 214, 222 queer potentiality, 49 “Reunited” (episode), 3, 5, 64, 145, queer relationships, 12 156, 158 queer representation, 107–108 Revolutionary Girl Utena (TV show), queer theory, 29 90, 92–97, 98, 100, 101, 103 amorphous abstractions of the Rhodonite, 207, 208, 228 future in, 47 Rich, Adrienne, 77 queer utopia, 48 Richards, Leah, 12 Quijano, Aníbal, 200, 201, 214 Richards, Patricia, 213 (TV show), 33, 131n “Rising Tides/Crashing Skies” R (episode), 118 race Ristola, Jacqueline, 12, 31 in animation, 74–75, 79 “Rocknaldo” (episode), 121, 197–199 see also black women Rocko’s Modern Life (TV show), 14n racial coding, different interpretations Rock People, 197 of, 11 Rocky, 23 racial discrimination, v , 25 racism, 201 Ronaldo Fryman, 12, 113–130 Rainbow Quartz, creation of, 57 “Raising the Barn” (episode), 149 Crystal Gems emulated by, 198 Ramiel, Evelyn, 12–13 empowered by insider status, Ranger Guy, 141, 148 117–118 Rankin, Sandy, 6, 7 in-show criticism of, 117–120 rape, 84 lion conspiracy theory of, 123–124, Raskin, Victor, 141 131n Ravela, Christian, 4, 12, 199 as mirroring Crystal Gems, 128 Reagan era, 23 narcissism of, 114, 130 , 29, 115 as only partially correct in theories, Red Eye, 119 115 (TV show), 10 response to the Other, 27 Ren and Stimpy (TV show), 23, 173 Rock People theory of, 116, representation, v 121–123 reproduction, 200–201, 203 snake-people theory of, 117–119, Amethyst as botched, 56, 97, 124, 128 203–205 Steven contrasting with, 129–130 on Gem Homeworld, 19, 54–58, Steven’s attempt to fix, 120 203 Steven’s debunking of conspiracy reproductive futurity, 11, 154 theory of, 65–66 254 INDEX

and Steven’s supposed pregnancy, Rough Draft Korea, 103, 184 123–124, 131n Rubies, 228 theories about fandom, 124–125 Ruby, 3–5 truth defined by, 119, 120 de-fusing of, 83–85 xenophobia of, 121–122 Garnet’s unfusing into, 156 Rose Bride, 93, 94 on homogems, 50 Rose of Versailles, The, 103 as mass-produced foot soldier, 55 Rose Quartz, 1–2, 77, 84, 200, 205, PTSD of, 85 206, 223, 227 Sapphire’s fusion with, 2–3, 19, 20, attitude toward partnership with 26, 50, 53–55, 75, 77, 132n, Greg of, 231–232 158, 202 in battle for Earth, 145–146, 202 Sapphire’s marriage to, 2–3, 5, 51, on beauty of life and Earth, 214 146 Bismuth’s life changed by, 55–56 slated to be shattered, 227 complicated legacy, 28 Rupphire, 40 conception of new modes of being Russel, Kathy, 86 of, 55–56 , 34 death faked by, 28 Rutile twins, 207, 208 death of, 128–129 Ryan, Kathleen M., 107 embraced by Pearl, 34 escape from Homeworld of, 28 in fan art, 39 S fusion called love by, 155 Sadie, 61, 147 Garnet’s first meeting with, 225 “Sadie’s Song” (episode), 87n Gems’ discovering identity of, 156 Sad Spoon, 159 Greg’s “fusion” with, 156, 167 Sagan, Dorion, 167 healing fountain of, 234 Said, Edward, 213 identity as central to Steven Sailor Chibi Moon, 92 Universe, 219 Sailor Moon (TV show), 90–93, Jasper’s disdain for, 227 100–102, 104, 109n as Pearl’s lover, 49 , 109n Pearl’s unrequited love for, 89 , 109n as Pink Diamond. See Pink Diamond Sailor Moon R: The Film, 109n reaction to Bismuth’s lethal , 109n invention of, 229 Sailor Moon SuperS, 109n secrets kept from Pearl by, 225 Saint-Amand, Pierre, 106 Steven’s worries about filling shoes Sait¯o, Kumiko, 91, 92, 100 of, 211 Sait¯o, Tamaki, 59 Rose, rebellion of, 8 “Same Old World” (episode), 232 “Rose’s Scabbard” (episode), same-sex couples, in Pinky and the 222–223, 225, 230 Brain, 14n Rothberg, Philip, 222 same-sex marriage, 1–3 INDEX 255

San Diego Comic-Con, 22 Simpsons, The (TV show), 14n Sandy Hook truthers, 113, 115 “Single Pale Rose, A” (episode), 56, Sapphire, 3–4, 56 225 de-fusing of, 83–85 Sitting Rock, 204 Garnet’s unfusing into, 156 Sleeping Beauty, 169n Gem status of, 203 Smith, Adam, 187 on heterogem fusion, 56 Smut, B., 157 Pearl forgiven by, 85 snake-people theory, 119, 124, 128 Ruby’s fusion with, 2–3, 19, 26, social capital, 124 50, 53–55, 75, 77, 132n, 158, social inequality, 71–72 202 social learning theory, 79 Ruby’s marriage to, 2–4, 51, 146 social media, 36–40 wedding vows of, 5 hyper-individuation on, 38 Sapphire Stevens, 81 see also Facebook; Sardonyx, 64, 81–83, 87n “So Many Birthdays” (episode), 211, Saret, Justin, 12–13 221 Sartre, Jean-Paul, 47–48 Soul Blaster, 125 Sato, Junichi, 109n “Space Race” (episode), 221, 226 science fiction, 5, 11 SpongeBob SquarePants (TV show), as art form of identity, 6–7 14n, 23, 173 conspiracy theorists as heroes in, stabilization, 52, 53 113, 114, 116, 130n Star, 123 as multigeneric, 6–8 (TV show), 7 young adult, 8 Stein, Louisa Ella, 37 Scott, Suzanne, 14n “Steven’s Birthday” (episode), 2, 211 Sebeok, Thomas, 168n “Steven’s Dream” (episode), 230 Sedgwick, Eve Kosofsky, 25 “Steven’s Lion” (episode), 123–124 Seed, David, 6 Steven Universe, 1 self, 3 ability to grow and change, 232 “Serious Steven” (episode), 221 able to communicate with cluster, sex, 155, 201 210 sexual consent, v admirable qualities of, 27–29, 188 sexual conventions, bronies and, 33 as aided by monsters, 9 sexual exceptionalism, 64 Amethyst and Pearl’s fusion sexuality, 4, 201 encouraged by, 70 shonen manga, 46 Amethyst’s fusion with, 3, 56–57, Shotwell, Alexis, 179–181, 187, 94 191–192 and Amethyst’s fusion with Garnet, signs, 23 78–80 arbitrary, 48 and Amethyst’s guilt, 187 in cartoons, 48 Amethyst’s Kindergarten visited by, discontinuous, 48 203–205, 222 256 INDEX

appeal to White Diamond, 8 magical abilities of, 156 arcade pier in, 177 as manifesting as male, 49 attempt to destroy Cluster, 188 maturation of, 129–130 attempt to fix Ronaldo, 120 missing pants of, 120 at ball, 5 Onion’s bonding with, 104–105, on beauty of life and Earth, 214 141, 144, 145, 147–148 Connie’s fusion with, 2–3, 6–7, 60, Pearl’s memory excavated by, 225 156, 168n Peridot educated by, 214 Connie’s unhealthy attitude as postcolonial hybrid subject, 211 changed by, 223 in preamble to Ruby and Sapphire’s consciousness projected by, 6–7 wedding, 146 and corrupted Gems, 189 propensity for earnest conversation desire to be giant woman, 27, 70, of, 137–139 72 queerness embodied by, 70, 178 and device for learning Gem reaction to Bismuth’s lethal Culture, 223–224 invention of, 229 as embodying non-toxic masculinity, Rock People conspiracy rejected by, 4, 29 121 empathy of, 189 Ronaldo’s conspiracy theory evolution of character of, 27–28 debunked by, 65–66 as fan of Sailor Moon, 104 Ronaldo’s contrasting with, femininity embraced by, 29 129–130 first manifestation of powers of, 230 Ruby and Sapphire’s marriage and Garnet’s forgiving of Pearl, 159 officiated by, 3 Garnet’s urge to fuse with Connie, Sardonyx’s introduction to, 82 53–54, 60 shield of, 97 gem in stomach of, 182, 188 in skirt, 87n Gems see new future for earth snake-people theory accepted by, through, 166–167 119 Greg rescued from zoo by, 208–210 strength of, 231 Greg’s informing of Crystal Gems struggle with identity as Rose’s son, by, 222 211–213 growing independence of, 8 supposed lion of, 123–124, 131n healing influence of, 232 supposed secret pregnancy of, insistence on agency of objects and 123–124, 132n monsters, 223 surrogate parents of, 2 journey to Homeworld, 189, 226 unique experiences of, 165 Lapis Lazuli and Peridot convinced weapons of, 9 to join Crystal Gems by, 166 worried about filling Rose’s shoes, learning about Gem culture, 221 211 learning about Gem Homeworld, Steven Universe (TV show), 109n 221 adult themes of, 32 INDEX 257

“amplification through simplifica- monsters as misunderstood creatures tion” in, 59–60 in, 9 anime tradition and, 6, 9–11 as most explicitly queer show in as anti- and decolonial, 199–200, North American history, 35 208 negative portrayal of fans of, 41 artistic flexibility of, 45, 173–174 as nexus of cross-cultural exchange, as aspirational, 31–32 102 average age of fans of, 31 optimism of, 19, 21, 25 background of, 183–185, 187–191 as part of media ecology, 13, 14n blackness in, 159 planets in ethics of care of, 172 bodies not fixed in, 46 postcolonial narrative of, 5, 13 censorship of, 34, 49 praise for, 19 colonizers centered in, 199 purity and, 179–180 comprised of layers, 183 queer fandom of, 20–22, 34–36 desired communities fostered by, queerness in cosmos of, 192 108 queerness in fandom of, 12 diverse audience of, 30 redemption in, 25 as eco-toon, 178 as reinforcing stereotypes of black women, 69, 70, 73–86 as explicit about queer relations, 34 revolt against heteronormativity, 70, failure of intersectionality of, 72–78 106 fan art of, 39, 104 Rose Quartz’s identity as central to, fan blog for, 40 219 fan complaints about, 45 ruptures with contemporary world fan fiction of, 39 in, 7 female collaboration important to, same-sex wedding on, 1 70, 71 science fiction tradition and, 6–8, female Gems as performing violence 11 in, 72 as sci-fi, 6 fusion reimagined by, 46–47 serialization of, 10–11 Ikuhara’s influence on, 89–97, 101, stories of human oppression missing 104, 109n from, 208–215 immaterial bodies inclining toward Sugar on queer themes of, 22 ever-arriving queerness in, 63 synecdochic simplification in, 58–60 “improbable bodies” in, 106 “toxic” fandom of, 37–39 inclusivity in, 24–25 transformations in, 99–100 landscapes in, 185 Tumblr fandom of, 11, 37–40, 41n, legacy of, 192–193 89 magical girl dynamics in, 91, 99 episode materiality of body in, 100–101 with, 38–39 merchandising of, 14n, 104 version of Earth in, 178 message out in the open on, 49 weapons in, 97–101, 115–117 258 INDEX

Steven Universe: Art & Origins “Giant Woman” song written by, (McDonnell), 20, 23–24, 45, 27 178, 185 on importance of consent, 158 stevenuniverse.me, 40 interest in geology of, 181 “Steven Universe San Diego”, 97, 108 on lack of evil in , 25 “Steven Universe | Webisode”, 104 on LGBTQ+ stories, 107 “Steven vs. Amethyst” (episode), 205, as non-binary, 2 211 on queer themes of Steven Universe, Stevonnie, 53, 60–62, 156, 157, 22 168n, 231 on show as “subversive in positive as disruptive, 89 way,” 3 hallucination about guilt of, 211 on simple character models, 24 Pearl’s dismissal of, 63–64 on Steven’s evolution, 129 as vampiric, 61 on tearing down semiotics of gender Stone: An Ecology of the Inhuman in cartoons, 89 (Cohen), 181, 182 Tumblr site of, 105 stone(s), 171, 181–183, 189, 192 on weapons, 97 “Story for Steven” (episode), 231 as writer on Adventure Time, 32, 49 strangers, 7 Sugar, Steven, 183 “Stronger Than You” (song), 75 Sugilite, 64, 78–83 subalterns, 212 Suitcase Sam, 143, 144 subjectivity, 208 (TV show), 10 Sugar, Rebecca, 13 Sunmin Image Pictures Company, 103 accused of “selling out,” 126 “Superheros, Superpowers, and alleged Gallic influence on, 128 Sexuality” (Demarest), 72 background shaped by, 183–184 “SU Theories” (Tumblr page), Barthes admired by, 105, 106 127–128 as bisexual, 22, 108 Suvin, Darko, 6–7 childhood of, 20 Svendsen, Lars, 148–149 fan art encouraged by, 104, Swadener, Beth Blue, 199 106–107 Sweden, 34 fan art of, 105 swords, 97–98, 206–207 as fan of animation, 90, 103 “Sworn to the Sword” (episode), 206, as fan of foreign media, 102 223, 231 as fan of Revolutionary Girl Utena, synecdochic simplification, 58–60 100 focus on humans of, 211, 213 on fusion, 26 T on Gems as lacking sex, 29 tabloids, 12, 123, 124 on Gems as self-expression, 3 Takeuchi, Naoko, 90, 109n on gendered animation, 28 Talented Tenth, 131n INDEX 259 technological colonialism, 181 , 34 technology, 186 , 126, 130 Teen Titans (TV show), 101 typification, 52–53 Teen Titans Go (TV show), 10 television, boundary between children and adult or teen television, U 28–30 umwelt, 154, 157, 160, 165, 168n Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, 101 Uncle Andy, 138 Terrytoons, 45 Uncle Grandpa, 37, 39 “Test, The” (episode), 101 , 34, 57 That’s All Folks: Ecocritical Readings United Nations, 117 of American Animated Features United States, Japan colonized by, (Murray and Heumann), 175, 102 178 UPA, 185 Thomas, Ellery, 12 Usagi Tsukino, 90, 92 threat of activation, 185 Utena, 94–97, 101, 108 “Three Gems and a Baby” (episode), Utena (TV show), 91 232 utilitarianism, 187 Thurm, Eric, 125, 132n Tinfoil Fan Theories, 127, 132n V , 90 Vidalia, 139, 147 “Together Alone” (episode), 5, 226, viruses, 186–187 227 von Uexküll, Jakob, 168n Topaz, 232 tracing by effacing, 58–62 trans identity, 27 W media representation of, 51 W , 122–123 transnationalism, 101–103, 108 Wailing Stone, 231 “Trial, The” (episode), 230 Wang, Aileen, 107–108 tricksters, 142–144 Warner Bros., 45 trolls, 39–40 weapons, 6, 9, 97–101, 115–117 truth, 119, 120 Weekly World News, 122 Tsutsui, William, 102 “Week of Sardonyx” (episode), 84, 85 Tumblr, 11, 21–22, 36, 89, 105, 114 Wee, Valerie, 36–38 adult content banned from, 42n Wells, Paul, 175–177, 182, 185, 192 fan art on, 39 “We Need to Talk” (episode), 34, 45, infighting on, 36–37 57, 156, 231–232 of Ronaldo, 116–117, 122, 123 “What’s Your Problem?”, 235 Steven Universe fandom on, 37–40, “” (TV show), 32, 41n 49 Tunguska Incident, 179 Whedon, Joss, 125 Tunguska Sea, 179 “When It Rains” (TV episode), 91 260 INDEX

When Species Meet (Haraway), 154 Y White Diamond, 5, 138, 139, 180, Yahoo, 39 189, 205, 226 Yellow Diamond, 5, 189, 227, 229, Steven’s appeal to, 8 233, 234 White Gem, 71 Yogi Bear, 23 White male gaze, 77–78 Yogi Bear Show, The (TV show), 23 Whiteness as Property (Harris), 202 “Your Mother and Mine” (episode), white privilege, 71, 79 208, 225, 227 white supremacy, 202–203, 208 YouTube, 115 white women, in recent television Yurikuma Arashi (TV show), 93 shows, 86 WikiLeaks, 115 Will & Grace (TV show), 29 Wilson, Midge, 86 Z Winnicott, Donald, 36 Ziegler, John R., 12 Winter, Jay, 224 Zircon, 230 World Bank, 117 Zoisite, 92 Zolciak, Olivia, 11–12 X zoo of humans, 169n, 208–210, 212 xenophobia, 121–122 “Zoo, The” (episode), 169n, 209 X-Files, The (TV show), 114 Zuke, Lauren, 26, 126, 129