Pearl I think is a very deliberate parallel to Utena, in story rather than personality (Pearl is a lot smarter, much more self-conscious, and less daring than Utena).  Pearl wasn't just romantically interested in Rose, she would be more or less happy being needed by Rose.  She wanted to be the one to protect Rose, to the be person Rose could not be without, and in that way be the most important person to Rose. Kinda like how Utena wanted to protect Anthy mostly so that she could be the hero, and in the process put Anthy up on a pedestal and ignored who Anthy really was, and what she really wanted.   Part of her development was learning to value Anthy herself, and in the finale she gives up on wanting to save Anthy and instead admits the new truth: she just wants to be with her. She didn't reach for Anthy because it is what a hero would do, or even because she thought Anthy needed her to, she did it because she wanted to have tea with Anthy.

Greg and Rose's relationship didn't threaten Pearl (just) because it was romantic, but because Rose was expressing a side of herself to Greg that Pearl was unfamiliar with, which meant Greg was giving something to Rose that Pearl wasn't, and that meant Rose might need Greg more than she needs Pearl.  That sort of ranking is a weird way Pearl sees and quantifies relationships and her worth within the context of those relationship. Rose and Greg could get married and have a million babies, and Pearl would be okay with that romantic bond so long as it was clear that Pearl was still the person that Rose needed the most; the only one she confides in and trusts on the deepest level with her secrets.  This need to be needed, to protect, to prove herself to others, using a select set of cultural archetypes (knights/charges) to help her pick and emulate a role that could facilitate that...  reminds me a lot of Utena.

Plus, there is the whole bit with Pearl being a made to order Gem designed and expected to be subservient to others, to act in a certain way (look pretty, follow orders, symbolize status), who eschews those societal dictations and learns to fight and to build instead.  Much like Utena is a female Ohtori student who opts for boyshorts.  Heck, Pearl's season one outfit included red shorts.

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (12-18-2015 06:38:21 PM)

The only thing I would say against Pearl being more of an Anthy is Anthy made a conscious, deliberate choice to suit her current Master's needs and personality for the sake of manipulating them and self-preservation/ her own cynical worldview.  Pearl's intention was never to manipulate Rose, and she's not as self-aware as Anthy is in the sense that she's still very unsure (maybe has not even begun really contemplating) how much of her love of sword-fighting and technology sprang from her own individuality, were interests that Rose saw in her and fostered, or in her wanting to be more for Rose and feeling rewarded when Rose valued those skills. 

Then again, Utena and Anthy are two halves of one woman, so having Pearl share traits with both is pretty fitting!

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (12-18-2015 06:39:13 PM)

I was browsing the tag today and I found this: http://journemin.tumblr.com/post/132493 … k-at-these I wonder why people who work on SU seem to like this couple so much?  It seems a bit odd to me, since they don't seem like they'd make a very good couple in the show.

The Utena-themed art just works so well with the colors, since Jasper is yellow-orange.

I remember when I first got into Utena fandom I saw that a surprising number of fanfic writers liked to pair Juri and Saionji, which made no sense to me, so I sort of place people who ship Jasper and Lapis in the same category of "this is a thing that does not make sense to me."

Mostly I think we just haven't seen enough of Jasper's personality to see what she's really like, and the fans are filling in the blanks themselves. Every other character in Steven Universe is nuanced and complex, it would be incredibly out of place for Jasper to be a one-dimensional bully with no redeeming characteristics. That's just not the sort of show this is.

Thought some of you would like this, it's a Steven Universe Gemsona/OC maker. It'll help you kill time until new episodes start.

Guess who's back?

http://rinmatsuokas.tumblr.com/post/135 … se-is-back

Last edited by HonorableShadow (12-18-2015 02:40:03 PM)

http://www.toywiz.com/stevenuni.html

*screaming*
Lion plushie! I'll wait until they have an actual pic of it to order but I really want it!

Also I was in Hot Topic the other day and they have a lot of Steven Universe stuff! It makes me happy to see that it's getting more merchandise.

Super-excited for the new episodes! The hiatus was rather easy to live through, though. There are so many things to keep yourself busy with.

The merchandise, however? I HAVE TO KEEP REMINDING MYSELF THAT I ALREADY OWN TOO MANY THINGS AND THAT I AM TRYING TO REDUCE, NOT ADD. If any of the plushies end up being too adorable, I may cave in and get something.

Y'all saw the cut/re-edit to the European release of a recent episode, right? To stop kids from seeing girls get too close together and, y'know, destroying the fabric of sane humanity.

Decrescent Daytripper wrote:

Y'all saw the cut/re-edit to the European release of a recent episode, right? To stop kids from seeing girls get too close together and, y'know, destroying the fabric of sane humanity.

Ugh that's terrible. When I see stuff like this it always makes me worried that some day CN is going to change its mind about what it lets SU get away with in the US and start forcing them to tone it down. I hope that never happens.

YamPuff wrote:

I have fallen into the hell that is Blue Pearl love lol

I really like her too!

To be honest I don't think it was THAT much of a spoiler, like they seem to be heading towards redemption for all, it's just that kind of show.

Hm it might not be that shocking that it would happen eventually but considering that we haven't even seen [Malachite in the longest time it's kind of surprising to see a spoiler like that so soon.]

Last edited by HonorableShadow (01-07-2016 06:49:54 AM)

The episode was great! I like how they handled it, nicely fitting into a 12 minute episode without feeling rushed (as usual). Peridot was a funny character before and everything but now I genuinely like her and I'm happy to have her as a (hopefully) permanent member on the cast.

NOW FOR PERIDOT FUSIONS. YES. BRING THEM TO US SOON PLEASE.


I can't get over my Pearl feels. Do you realize how shit it is that Pearls are the only Gems we've seen that have some kind of uniqueness to their design HOWEVER it has nothing to do with their individuality, but rather that they are literally dressed up and 'customized' to look like their owners. That's some Ai no Kusabi type Furniture madness going down right there.

Pearl being White Diamond's Pearl is looking more and more likely. O: The tension!

HonorableShadow wrote:

I'm in love with Yellow Pearl.  Her attitude and those faces she was making were hilarious.

https://36.media.tumblr.com/17969816522 … 9y_540.png

Truly magnificent.

I'm also loving the memes about Yellow Diamond's neck. Hah!

The internet is pretty much obsessed with the little Pearls way more than the Diamonds. I think Pearls should be in charge. XD

But yeah Yellow Diamond confirmed for giraffe.