Is Bismuth a "she" in Steven Universe? Yes!
As a hardcore fan, I was pumped to see Bismuth‘s long-awaited return in Steven Universe Future! This black and rainbow-haired Gem makes an epic comeback after years bubbled away. And her role as a freedom-fighting blacksmith brings fierce female representation to the Crystal Gems.
A Fiery Female Force With Heart
From her first moments on screen in "Bismuth", it‘s obvious – with her curvy physique, energy, and Uzo Aduba‘s rich voice acting, Bismuth totally identifies as female. And as the one who literally builds weapons for the rebellion, she exudes fierce warrior woman energy!
Her boisterous personality also comes through clearly over multiple episodes. When greeting the Crystal Gems after reforming, she laughs heartily and calls them "crazy kids". We see her empathy too after learning how the team kept fighting in her absence. It‘s a tender moment showing Bismuth‘s heart under her hulking hammer-wielding form.
And talk about an intense backstory! As a former Homeworld builder and weapons manufacturer turned rebel, Bismuth carries deep trauma. But she channels it into determinedly crafting weapons to defeat enemies who want to destroy her home and friends.
Bismuth – Complex Character or Dangerous Extremist?
Bismuth treads a fascinating line between righteous rage and extremism. Afterlifetimes under Homeworld‘s oppressive caste system, who can blame her burning hatred towards the upper-crust elites?
Her breaking point weapon came from understanding that defeating enemies like warlord Hessonite required shattering them. Without a decisive end to the Diamonds‘ reign, the rebellion would never succeed.
And yet, Rose Quartz poofed and bubbled Bismuth away for millennia due to their ideological clash. Was Bismuth just ahead of her time embracing militant means the Crystal Gems weren‘t ready for? Did Rose rob her friends of a chance at decisive victory due to naïve ideals?
As in any war, the line between freedom fighter and antagonist blurs. And Bismuth‘s complexity shows Steven Universe‘s nuanced approach to such themes. No wonder fans ache to know more of her full history!
| Character | Ideology | Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Quartz | Protect Earth without needless destruction | Non-lethal combat |
| Bismuth | Defeat Homeworld elites decisively by any means | Craft weapons like Breaking Point designed to shatter enemy gems |
Her ominous warning "I‘ll be back" chills the spine! One can only imagine what chaos Bismuth might wreak with freedom to build an arsenal against former oppressors.
What Epic Storylines Await Bismuth‘s Return?
Now with Steven Universe entering an older teen phase, the possibilities for Bismuth feel limitless!
What happens if she learns of Rose Quartz‘s true identity? Will Bismuth rage against yet another betrayer – this time her beloved leader? I NEED to see her reaction!
And with peace between Homeworld and Crystal Gem factions – what role remains for such a staunch rebel warrior? Will Steven help Bismuth evolve to constructive goals like building housing rather than weapons?
Ooh, and what about Bismuth and Pearl? Their sweet relationship glimpsed in later seasons had so much untapped potential! As someone staunchly LGBTQ, seeing Pearl find happiness with a black female partner would shatter every stale TV trope.
Fans concur almost universally on one thing – we desperately need MORE Bismuth! With so much mystery still surrounding her history and motivations, she simply can‘t disappear for multiple seasons again.
Groundbreaking Representation Matters
Beyond captivating storylines, Bismuth brings much-needed representation to children‘s animation. In western media, dense statistics quantify how rarely youth encounter authentic, positive reflections of minorities on-screen.
| Year | % Kids Shows With Black Female Main Characters |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 3% |
| 2017 | 7% |
And when they do appear, damaging tropes persist – like the "Sapphire" stereotype playing to notions of black women as eccentric, loud, and angry.
Nuanced Gems like Bismuth shattering tired archetypes carry life-changing impact for youth who rarely see empathetic black women characters leading epic adventures.
Multiple research studies reveal around half of black girls wish they were a different race due to pervasive media bias. Portrayals lacking humanity literally shape self-perception for vulnerable youth during formative years.
So while Bismuth slays Homeworld destroyers with fiery rainbow dreadlocks in fiction, she also strikes a blow against noxious prejudice plaguing the real world. And that inspires this fan on so many levels!
