Cartoon Shows

[Dart]

Could anyone tell me if Steven Universe is worth watching? I've heard good things about it from Kirbopher, but don't know much about it otherwise.

[Rayfist]

>Kirbopher
You mean that one who made that really mediocre TOME series that Oney, Egoraptor, and Psychicpebbles ripped on?

Anyways, if you like shows with tumblr concepts it may be up your alley.

[Keane]

From what I've seen it doesn't look that bad. Well written and willing to try some new things, kinda like one of those animes that's simultaneously silly and focusing on emotional issues.

The only thing that kinda bugs me is that it feels like they're checking off the Tumblr approval list. Correct me if I'm wrong and SU isn't like this, but I'm not a fan of trying to please tumblrinas by just throwing in everything they go wild about.

On that note, I saw someone post pictures of black mario and black trans luigi once. That's the kind of cringe I'm talking about. But other than that, the show looks great and really seems to be taking its time to flesh out its characters.

[Dart]

>Kirbopher
You mean that one who made that really mediocre TOME series that Oney, Egoraptor, and Psychicpebbles ripped on?

Anyways, if you like shows with tumblr concepts it may be up your alley.

Is this a bad time to mention I really like TOME? and I'm more selective tumblr given how extreeme they are

From what I've seen it doesn't look that bad. Well written and willing to try some new things, kinda like one of those animes that's simultaneously silly and focusing on emotional issues.

The only thing that kinda bugs me is that it feels like they're checking off the Tumblr approval list. Correct me if I'm wrong and SU isn't like this, but I'm not a fan of trying to please tumblrinas by just throwing in everything they go wild about.

Okay, I'm starting to think I may not want to watch this. The vibe I'm getting ain't all that great.

[Bradandez]

There was literally a .gif I saw on tumblr where one of these SU characters said "Women are people." I could feel my eyeballs rolls so back in my head. It really feels like they're pushing this.

But hey, who watched the season premiere of Rick and Morty? It was a good episode, had me entertained the whole episode.

[GNineify]

TBH I'm fucking tired of seeing white straight male heroes, so Steven Universe is truly a refreshing change. It's not pandering to "them st00pid SJW tumblrinas wahhh", it simply acknowledges that more POC and queer representation is important and needed in television; thus being much more interesting and believable. I don't understand why some people instantly get uncomfortable about that and therefore can't watch the show. The "women are people" thing isn't just shoehorned in when you know the context behind it, because in that episode there was an asshole character with a sexist mindset who didn't seem to understand such a simple thing.

Also, did anyone else watch CN's newest show We Bare Bears? The voice actors made all the interaction between the bears so much more hilarious. It's super funny and cute, but the question is will it manage to remain fresh.

[ikke471]

The new Rick an Morty is hella good.
But that goes without saying.


And while the Steven Universe series has some episodes that do indeed kind of tick those boxes you really shouldn't judge a show over some gifs you see.
The show is pretty good but of course it has some 'mistakes'.
I do enjoy that the 'heroes' of the show aren't you typical 'heroes' too.
It's a nice change and a pretty good show overall

[Keane]

Okay, I'm starting to think I may not want to watch this. The vibe I'm getting ain't all that great.

Well no, you're better of listening to someone who's actually seen it ^^^ - That was just what I was picking up from snippets and pieces.

TBH I'm fucking tired of seeing white straight male heroes, so Steven Universe is truly a refreshing change. It's not pandering to "them st00pid SJW tumblrinas wahhh", it simply acknowledges that more POC and queer representation is important and needed in television; thus being much more interesting and believable. I don't understand why some people instantly get uncomfortable about that and therefore can't watch the show. The "women are people" thing isn't just shoehorned in when you know the context behind it, because in that episode there was an asshole character with a sexist mindset who didn't seem to understand such a simple thing.

It's more just me being unsure what's genuine and what's included just for the sake of having it. Obvs, I'm not too involved with the show and I'll take your word over glancing at stuff that's been circling social media, I just get a little skeptical when a show gets so much praise for that sort of thing.

See a thing I hate from Tumblr is how people mistake merely acknowledging identities as representation. The whole "transgender star child ^u^" thing is now an ironic meme because it just came across like people trying to boost their accepting, correct image and hoping that just reblogging bullshit with transgender in it will make these people feel good about themselves. I've seen people use my own anxiety problems as a theme for their hipster art, often not making a statement but just using the anxiety because it fits the edgy look of it.

I'm not accusing SU of that, I just hope future shows don't follow that trend - Ex: Strong, independent female characters are still poor female representation when she's just written as a man, and shames feminine traits to reinforce how unlike usual women she is. I'm 100% for throwing out outdated representation and lack of minority inclusion, but I want to really see it done right so it has a lasting effect and doesn't disappear again over time.

[Dart]

I'm still a bit sceptical, but for all it's worth I'll marathon a few episodes and go from there.

[Itooh]

Anyways, if you like shows with tumblr concepts it may be up your alley.

what?
There might be something I'm missing here. Or are we actually complaining about the cast's diversity?

I don't know much about tumblr (despite being interested in social issues and following some comics or art tumblr), but I care about social debates (anti-sexism, anti-racism, LGBT, representation, etc…). And I really don't understand how Steven Universe is anything of a SJW show, a flag of militancy or a pandering to political correctness. I guess he got this reputation because a lot of people on tumblr liked this show, but they liked it only for the reason that it's good.
I mean, SU is all about innocence, simple messages, and characters development. There's no political message whatsoever, really!

The major point that would make it “related” to that might be its diversity. Not that it's the most diverse cast in all existence, but it's good enough to be noticed, I think.
And I hardly see how this is a bad point.
Again, the show never insists on that aspect. I personally noticed it only after comparing it to another show during a discussion. People are of different genders and origins, but it is not forced, or shown with insistence. It's just there. The characters are all great not because there are representative of a minority or anything, just because they ARE great characters. The fact that they're diverse is a bonus (and a really nice one).

Maybe we can consider some of that as pandering to an audience that want diversity, but… If so, it's done with sincerity, and never interfere with the story or characters. And I see more a will from the creators to have a varied set of characters, and actually representing different kind of people, than an attempt to please the audience. It's like the difference between Scott Pilgrim and Pixels : one is a true love letter to pop-culture, the other a pathetic attempt to sell copies. SU writers made their characters diverse because they want it so and like that principle, no more no less.
Steven Universe don't try to make political points or to please an opinion. It's just sincere in its main message: empathy. It's not a show about minorities or social justice (seriously, that second thought would be ridiculous), but about people.
And it sometimes address serious issues in quite mature ways, while still being seen from the eyes of a kid.

It's no use to avoid something only because people with different political opinions happen to like it. Especially when there's actually alot of “anti-SJW” I know who also love the show. I never heard them complained about anything about that aspect because they just don't care: it's a good show, with qualities that might please to some tumblrers, but still a good show (and still qualities).

tr;dr: don't worry there are still white males and heterosexual romance in SU
(Yes, I'm a pathetic jerk :p)


By the way, the answer to the initial question is : YES.
The show isn't “the most epic cartoon ever”, but it success brilliantly to be enjoyable in very simple ways.
The first half of season 1 is all about little plots, characters personalities, and emotions a young kid can have. Almost every episode left me with a smile, and that was enough for me to really like it.
It also build the context for the second part which is more focused on a larger plot, while still caring about characters and slice of life issues. And that's what convinced me that the show was exceptional: while having epic adventures about magic, alien and stuff, I cared more about the interactions between the characters, and the impact on these fantastic events on their life. I enjoy the battles and action scene (more than often because of the creative animation and the soundtrack), but a discussion between Pearl and Amethyst can be way more intense!

Plus, the colors are great. It's a detailed, but there are a lot of scene with a balance of few colors, and I really like it. :3

So yeah, it is a show to watch. It's not guaranteed to please (it's not about epic action or complex stories, and while still really funny, it's far from being a goofy show), but if you think can enjoy a slice of life show with a great cast of characters, a very positive spirit, and a global tone about childhood and growing, with some science-fiction to wrap it up, you should definitely check it!

[Master]

I do like SU, it takes a while to gear up, but when it does, it's got a nice story and good heart. Don't let the crowd surrounding it put you off, it is a good show and deserves to be enjoyed.

[Keane]

Yeah Tumblr just gives things a bad name. It doesn't have have anything to do with themes, I think we can pretty much all agree that the lgbt/race/gender trio is important, Tumblr is just a horribly hypocritical and contradictory place. I can't stand the shabby dudes who moan and on about the "feminazi SJWs", but Tumblr is not a place to discuss politics and shape your agenda - I'm a very left leaning liberal myself, yet I tend to disagree with things there almost as much as conservative media.

Anyway, that's why some people get biased when they see Tumblr praising it. Having read the posts here, the show clearly doesn't reflect what I just described, but unfortunately it's inevitable that people are gonna be biased against it because of this.

[GNineify]

Speaking of Tumblr, Steven Universe as a show is great, but I must say the fandom drama there is quite possibly the scariest, worst fandom drama I've ever seen. Some fans have this massive superiority complex and think it's okay to shit on other shows and their fans just because they're not SU. Not to mention the whole Keystone Motel fiasco, harassing cosplayers (for example skinny people cosplaying as Rose) and shippers. They claim to want complex, flawed female characters but when Pearl was shown to be one, suddenly some got angry about her characterization and how she wasn't like they wanted her to be.

Of course every huge fandom gets scary at times and most of the time I shrug their shenanigans off, but holy shit I avoid the SU fandom like a plague.

[Keane]

I saw the hotel problem, people further spamming the page with apologies. Regardless, I might the give the show a shot, I'm not sure if it's my cup of tea but that's been my attitude to any show I like now.

[Master]

If you do give it a shot, do bear in mind what I said earlier. The show doesn't really start kicking off proper until you're halfway through Season 1, in my opinion.

[Bradandez]

I'm more disappointed with the fact no one here besides me has mentioned Over the Garden Wall, easily one of the best things Cartoon Network has put out.

And has anyone mentioned Star VS the Forces of Evil? That cartoon is great.

[Dart]

I'm more disappointed with the fact no one here besides me has mentioned Over the Garden Wall, easily one of the best things Cartoon Network has put out.

And has anyone mentioned Star VS the Forces of Evil? That cartoon is great.

Well, I haven't seen all of OTGW, so I'm kinda holding out on talking about it till I do. as for Star, I only saw the first two episodes before we quit having cable, but it seems... unique?

[Bradandez]

Dude, you have to see it! Over the Garden Wall is mind-blowingly good, they have the first episode on Youtube so just give it a watch to see if it's worth your time.

And as for Star Vs the Forces of Evil, I've see a handful of episodes and it definitely got me hooked in. And it's a very visually pleasing cartoon, it has a great art style to it.

[Dart]

Dude, you have to see it! Over the Garden Wall is mind-blowingly good, they have the first episode on Youtube so just give it a watch to see if it's worth your time.

I've got up to episode 4 actually. It's a good series, but there's about 12 episodes if I'm recalling right, and I'm afraid talking about the show will result in spoilers.

And as for Star Vs the Forces of Evil, I've see a handful of episodes and it definitely got me hooked in. And it's a very visually pleasing cartoon, it has a great art style to it.

I'm honestly a bit hesitant to continue watching after the 2nd episode when I saw a disembodied Pony head grinding on a really embarrassed looking dood. I guess the humor is just a bit to intense for me.

[Bradandez]

I've got up to episode 4 actually. It's a good series, but there's about 12 episodes if I'm recalling right, and I'm afraid talking about the show will result in spoilers.

Ah, okay. Well I hope you watch the rest soon! I would love to know your thoughts on the entire series.

I honestly a bit hesitant to continue watching after the 2nd episode when I saw a disembodied Pony head grinding on a really embarrassed looking dood. I guess the humor is just a bit to intense for me.

Oh yea, the humor does get more intense. They did a whole episode where Marco gets a tentacle for an arm. You can imagine what kind of jokes they made up, haha.