Top 10 Best Steven Universe Episodes

Few shows have managed to be as bold, emotional, and downright fun as Steven Universe. From its heartwarming moments to its mind-blowing revelations, this series gave fans everything including music, action, deep character growth, and plenty of tears (both happy and sad).

This list is all about celebrating the absolute best Steven Universe has to offer. Maybe you love the musical episodes that hit you right in the feels. Or maybe you're drawn to the ones with major plot twists, deep backstory, or intense battles. Some episodes changed everything we thought we knew. Others were simple, beautiful moments between characters we grew to love.

So, what episodes deserve to be at the top? That's up to you. Vote for the ones that stuck with you the most.

The Top Ten

Jail Break

This episode was the turning point from Steven Universe being a sorta happy, life-lesson kids' show into something amazing with more plot and more diverse character portrayal! It was amazing to see this on screen, and when I first watched it as a 9-year-old, I loved it.
This episode and many others in this show taught me lots of things as a child and really shaped me as I grew into the teen I am today. It's helped me deal with lots of issues, and it's always fun to watch.

This episode was amazing. It's really cool to find out Garnet's a fusion. The battle between Jasper and Garnet is really great, and we get a new fusion, Malachite. I wish it were explained how Steven could break out of the fields, because it's annoying when they want us to assume it's because Steven's half-human. Still a great episode.
Mr. Greg

I'm so, so, SO glad they made a musical episode and that they finished up Pearl's arc. My favorite episode used to be Jailbreak because of Stronger Than You and the fact we find out Garnet is a fusion. But this episode. My god, THIS EPISODE.
I was in tears the entire time. The songs are great, the animation looks just a cut above the rest. I just can't say enough good about this episode. I've loved Steven Universe ever since I watched the first episode, and I've seen a fair share of sad parts and beautifully well-done parts in episodes. But this entire episode is just beautiful.
I may sound like a broken record, but this is just hands down the best episode. EVER.
Change Your Mind

What did I just watch? I'm not okay! Where could they go from here? If I didn't already know that there is still at least one more season and a movie, I would've thought this was the series finale! This is one of the series' best episodes, and the outstanding climax we have all been waiting for.

This was intended to be the series finale before the movie and season six was ever picked up, and it shows. This episode tried to be perfect, and it succeeded. And if you don't think this deserves to be #1, then maybe it's time that you change your mind!
Rose's Scabbard

Rose's Scabbard is my favorite episode because it speaks to me on a very personal level. This episode made me cry the most. I understand Pearl so much, and it's from that moment she became my favorite character.
The experience of being so attached to a person that they become your entire world, and then feeling lost when they leave, is something I totally understand and which deeply touches me.
So, this episode is by far my favorite, even though there are many others that I really like (Mr. Greg is one of them).

The most important part of this episode was when Steven looked into Pearl's eyes and knew that Pearl blamed Steven for his mother's death. She lets Steven fall. And yet, at the end, Steven still forgives her for her mistake, seeing the connection between Pearl and Rose.
Ocean Gem

I love how you can really connect with Lapis. Even though she stole the ocean and fought the Crystal Gems, I believe I would have probably felt and done the same thing.
The Crystal Gems didn't give her a chance to explain herself or who she was. They kept her imprisoned in a mirror for thousands of years, and all she wants to do is return home. She isn't aware that she's causing any harm since she doesn't know the importance of water on Earth. Who wouldn't want to return home after being away for so long?
Plus, after I watched the new episodes and saw that Lapis suffered a lot more than I could have imagined, I'm surprised she hasn't begun a rampage to destroy all she hates.
On the Run

Pretty much all Amethyst character development episodes are amazing. This one especially, because Amethyst's insecurities are relatable. "I didn't ask to be made" is a really touching statement, and it becomes meaningful when you compare it to the Amethyst at the end of the series, when she is more confident and self-loving.

This is arguably one of the best episodes of Steven Universe so far. It gives us insight not only into Amethyst's backstory but also clues as to how gems are made. Not to mention the deep and emotional confrontation she has with Pearl, revealing her feelings of worthlessness compared to the others because of her past, when all she really wants is a place to call home.
Sworn to the Sword

Man, if Steven the Sword Fighter was a turning point in Season One, then the series did a full-on 270-degree turn here. Connie learning to use a sword in a fight is an important part of her new character. She's not as fragile as you'd think.
Heck, this episode shows that, albeit with the aid of Steven, she can hold her own against Pearl! A Crystal Gem! And this affects almost every other episode she's in as well. She can apparently carry, wield, and use Rose's Cloud Strife Buster Sword, most notably in Nightmare Hospital.
A development this huge can't just be left off this list.

Deep down I know that I'm just a human, but I know that I can draw my sword and fight. In my short existence, I can make a difference. I can be there for him. I can be his knight! This is stuck in my head!
Reunited

I really loved this episode, not because I fanboyed too much over Ruby and Sapphire getting married, but because the episode was just so climactic and action-packed! Seeing the Crystal Gems fight Blue Diamond has probably become one of the best fight scenes in the whole show. It's also good to know that the Diamonds now know Steven is Pink Diamond.

I typically hate re-watching episodes of any show because I get so bored so easily, but holy moly. It's been out for less than a week, and I've watched it eleven times already. I'm still excited by it.
Log Date 7 15 2

This episode is hilarious. It has the simple premise of Steven listening through Peridot's tape recorder as she tries to become accustomed to Earth. Just watching Peridot interact with the other gems for 15 minutes is enough to create a really well-done episode.

I LOVED this. Peridot FINALLY becomes a gem. I've been waiting for this since I first saw her character! You gotta love that green quirky gem, and this episode is awesome because you can see how she developed as a gem and became buds with everyone!
I know this is kinda weird, but I've loved her even more since she lost her fake arms and legs, or weaponry/armor, because I think her new short size really adds to her spunk. WELCOME TO THE GEMS PERIDOT.
A Single Pale Rose

All plot twists aside, this episode was masterfully crafted, giving us wonderful new insight into Pearl, as well as giving the show rewatch value in any scene with Rose or about Rose. This episode also paints Pearl in a much more tragic light, giving some of her choices and actions a lot more weight and meaning, and turning her into a much more complex character.

No other episode made me feel like this one did. With its masterful episode structure and, of course, the major plot twist, it holds a special place for me.

The Newcomers

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Legs from Here to Homeworld

"..There you are, hello starlight, you certainly gave everyone a scare. They are all just thrilled to see you safe and sound."
And, White Pearl!

Your presence is required, Pink Diamond.
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Familiar

I love how the song Familiar sounds and how, at the end, Steven is wearing Pink Diamond's outfit.

The Contenders

Mindful Education

This episode is just beyond words. Not only did it open my eyes, but it filled my heart with a new sensation that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"To find balance, you must understand your feelings. To understand your feelings, you must see them clearly without running from them." - Garnet
"I didn't want to hurt anyone! I'm sorry! None of them would let me help them! I had no choice!" - Steven
"It's okay!" - Connie
"No, it's not!" - Steven
"But it's okay to think about it!" - Connie
"It feels so bad." - Steven
"That's okay too. There was nothing else you could have done!" - Connie
"I don't want to feel this way." - Steven
"You have to. You have to be honest about how bad it feels so you can move on. That's how it was for me." - Connie
Clarity, truth, and freedom.
Also, this episode aired four days after my birthday, so I guess I can say that this was a gift from the universe. A gift which I will hold and cherish for the rest of my life.
The Test

Does this episode have any mind-blowingly awesome revelations? No. Does it feature any never-before-heard songs? No.
But it does have a roller-coaster of emotional twists and reversals, culminating in an absolute heartbreaker of an ending. Steven realizes his struggle to prove himself in his own eyes pales in comparison to the Gems' struggle to fill a motherly role that is as alien to them as they are to the Earth. He chooses to lie to them about how amazing their test was just to boost their confidence in having boosted his, after what is depicted as a single-minded march to take them to task.
What I love is that we're never shown exactly when during this march Steven chooses to pretend for their sake. If anything, his dejected collapse at the height of their whoops and cheers suggests that he came very close to confronting them about their deceit. It's in this episode that we are shown the ultimate test and proof of love - when mere truth isn't good enough.
I'd put this episode right up there with Rose's Scabbard and Jailbreak. For me, the way it delivers its message in such a sublime fashion puts it slightly above both of them.
Alone Together

I loved this episode. It's the first time that Stevonnie is introduced, and I so hope that they play a bigger role.

I can't believe this isn't higher. This episode was really awesome!

Absolutely one of the best episodes ever. This one was where Steven and Connie fuse for the first time.
Steven the Sword Fighter

This was one of the turning point episodes for season one. This is the episode where they took all the people (myself included) who thought that Steven Universe was another happy and simple cartoon and slapped them across the face. How did they plan to wake us up to the darker aspects of the show? By stabbing Pearl through the chest, on-screen!

I thought this episode was a very cool example. The sword fighting theme is catchy to me. The battle was cool too. I was so freaked out when Pearl got stabbed. And when I heard gems could heal, I was relieved.
Bismuth

Best episode of Steven Universe, definitely. Epic, mature, controversial. This is the Steven Universe I want.

This episode is the most recent, but one of the most epic!

Really shows us that the war with Homeworld was really brutal.
Gem Glow

This episode foreshadows Steven's loss of innocence, his future, what Gems are, corruption, and fusion.
Steven's powers are linked to his emotions, as we can see in Steven Floats and others. That's why the Cookie Cat helped him summon his shield.
This episode may not be super exciting, but it is certainly important, as it gave us introductions to the show's personalities and foreshadowed events to come and still coming.
So yeah. It's a good heckin' episode.

The one that started it all. The first time meeting the gems. (And one of the few episodes to not have feels of some sort.)
Lion 3: Straight to Video

This episode is just amazing!
It has an important message for everyone.
Made me understand how important it is to appreciate the work of our parents and that they will always be inside our hearts. They are a part of us.

This is such an emotional episode. This deserves to be way higher on the list. This episode was nominated for an Emmy in 2015, and I'm not surprised as to why.

Loved this episode. There was a lot of comedy, it had the first appearance of Rose (excluding pictures), and the ending with Sadie was great.
Together Breakfast

Cool! I should do that. What are the ingredients again?

You can't outrun me! We both have short legs!
Fusion Cuisine

Connie isn't the best character in this episode. She's a stereotypical good girl "gone bad." She could have just said Steven came from a single-parent family.
Also, in the scene with the phone, Garnet sounds really sarcastic. If she has future vision, then why did she say, "Sorry, I panicked"? The parents don't react to what she said over the phone. They don't even call the police.
But overall, I liked this episode despite a few logical errors.

Great episode! I loved the scene when Garnet was on the phone.
That Will Be All

The other episodes in this series pale in comparison to this episode. The beautifully delivered song from Yellow Diamond helps cement this as my favorite episode of this series.

This episode should be higher.
Space Race

How is this last? We got to know a little about how Pearl thinks about her life, and it tells us that we might see Homeworld in the future! I can't wait for that episode. If that episode were to come out, I would instantly vote for that one.

This was an amazing episode about the character of Pearl. It showed a lot of depth and definitely had a lot of feels. This episode does not deserve to be at the bottom.

One of my favorite moments was when Steven tells Pearl the importance of bailing while she has tears in her eyes. Ugh, FEELS.
Giant Woman

Let's be honest, without fusions this show wouldn't be so popular. Honestly, we couldn't ask for a better introduction to this concept than Giant Woman. The song makes me cringe a little after all the rewatches, but I still love the episode.

This episode is one of the best in terms of pacing. Plus, it changed the show forever by introducing fusion.

This is one of the best. I really love the song and how Opal looks. She is one of the most beautiful gems besides Rose and Pearl.
So Many Birthdays

This episode has so many funny and sad emotions. I love it though! It's a really good episode, and Steven's voice actor did a good job of changing his voices.

This episode made me take a vacation to feels town.

It's so sad. It shows how much Pearl loves Steven.
Winter Forecast
Steven's Lion