For a good portion of the 2010's, Cartoon Network inspired a large debate about which of its animation standouts, Adventure Time and Steven Universe, were truly the best of their generation. What does this mean? Cartoon Network is really good at making cartoons. However, besides the channel's consistency, there is something to be said about the very different routes that either series took to success.
Both have developed a cult following of their own that other cartoons have only tried to replicate. This list will be looking at some of the best traits of either, as it breaks down a few things that Steven Universe does better and a few things that Adventure Time does.
Steven Universe: Ongoing Narratives
Steven Universe has managed to do the one thing that most other cartoons of its caliber have failed to do: maintain an ongoing story. Even some of the most action-packed adventure series include some filler and padding here and there, but Steven Universe thrives on creating long, continuous story arcs. Some of them even occupy entire week-long releases known as "Steven Bombs."
Adventure Time had an intriguing ongoing narrative, but it often broke those stories up across seasons, and this may have been to their detriment. Steven Universe's narrative philosophy has proven to be more rewarding and consistent for its fans.
Adventure Time: Non-Linear Storytelling
What Adventure Time lacks in consistency it more than makes up for in unique experiences. Western animation has become famous for non-linear stories, in which, everyone's favorite animated pals would go on amazing adventures that would be reset the following week.
While this may make it easier for the casual fan to jump in at any moment, most cartoons have had a hard time maintaining variety. But not Adventure Time. It has some of the most varied and surreal stories in all of animation. Every week, there's something fresh, guaranteeing that fans will be getting something they've never seen before.
Steven Universe: Fights
While Adventure Time is advertised as, well, an adventure series, its action has left a lot to be admired. For a world filled with warriors, blades, and superpowered monarchs, there are not many fan favorite fights across the series. That's where Steven Universe gets to offset the curve.
In a Cartoon Network generation seemingly lacking in serious, action shows, Steven Universe pulls out all the stops to give even the smallest fight some decent choreography and imagination to really get the fans' blood pumping. Who could forget Garnet's epic clash with Jasper or the group's great encounter with Spinel? On the other hand, everyone forgot Finn vs. Jake.
Adventure Time: Animation
Steven Universe has had some incredibly consistent animation over the years, but it's hard to argue that it's ongoing streamlining hasn't been noticed by the fans. With increased production schedules comes a greater need for easier animation, and this has affected the experience a bit.
While Adventure Time's animation has changed over the years, it has arguably evolved more with the series' changing tones and, at its best, has offered more opportunities for experimentation. Special episodes like "A Glitch is a Glitch," "Bad Jubies," or "Food Chain" have each ingrained themselves in fans' mind in a special way. It's a stylistic variety that compliments the series' variety as a whole.
Steven Universe: World Building
While Adventure Time may have an arguably larger and more colorful world than Steven Universe, it's not actually a detailed one. Adventure Time revels in the random possibilities and events of its diverse writing, but some of this has watered down the actual identity of the show.
Steven Universe, on the other hand, has a consistent and understood reality for its characters. The Gem Homeworld, the Gems, and their history on the planet earth are not only distinct elements from any other series, but they're also well-built across the history of the show.
Adventure Time: High Concept Adventures
While Adventure Time's world may not be the most consistent one in animation, that shifting nature may be to its advantage. As stated earlier, Adventure Time is a masterclass on non-linear storytelling and a huge part of that is the world's capacity for unique and high concept adventures.
Episodes like Finn's blind adventure to escape a dungeon, the inner workings of Jake's body, or the famous Farmworld adventures have been strange yet incredibly impactful experiences that could only be imagined in a series like Adventure Time.
Steven Universe: Magic Systems
While Adventure Time may have quite a few high concept adventures, those same experiences, like the rest of the series, seemingly only appear at random. Steven Universe's sense of wonder and magic may be more contained but that consistency has done more to bolster its tangibility than ruin its potential.
Every fan understands how varied yet personal Gem powers can be and that there's a lot of potential in Gem fusion. This, in turn, has sparked the fans' imagination for different powers, fusions, and Gems that could only be possible with a well-detailed magic system.
Adventure Time: Themes
Steven Universe has developed an entire cult following for its progressive LGBT themes and powerful messages about healthy relationships. While this may have made the series a calling card for healthy living everywhere, it's made the voice of the series as a whole a little niche.
Adventure Time has had all the space in the world to go over a variety of interesting topics and messages that related to anything from young love, mental illness, to even fine art. There's a sense of culture and philosophy in this series that, while not totally absent from Steven Universe, can't simply be done by any other animation besides Adventure Time.
Steven Universe: Music
If there's at least one thing that's iconic about Steven Universe, it's its music. Adventure Time has had a few good ditties across the years; but after Rebecca Sugar left to make Steven Universe, it relied on either more simplified songs or indie covers. Rebecca Sugar not only gave Steven Universe a consistent amount of music but actual, full songs.
Hits like "Stronger Than You," "Here Comes a Thought," and "It's Over Isn't It" not only ring in the ears of millions of fans but rival the emotional and thematic intensity of even Disney's best.
Adventure Time: Jokes
Steven Universe himself is a pretty funny guy, but he hasn't really made his show famous for its yucks. Adventure Time may have some pretty heavy scenes every now and then, but a huge part of its charm is its capacity to make children and adult alike laugh with its unique tone.
Whether it's Finn's iconic screams, Cinnamon Bun's awkward antics, or everything about Lumpy Space Princess, Adventure Time can just as powerfully make its fans laugh as it can make them cry and think.