Peridot (Steven Universe)

Peridot
Steven Universe character
First appearance	Warp Tour January 8, 2015
Last appearance	The Future March 27, 2020
Created by	Rebecca Sugar
Voiced by	Shelby Rabara
In-universe information
Race	Gem
Occupation	Technician/"Kindergartener"
Affiliation	The Crystal Gems (as of "Message Received")
Origin	Gem Homeworld

Peridot, specifically Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG is a character from the American animated series Steven Universe. She is a recurring secondary character, and former antagonist, who makes her debut in the season 1 episode Warp Tour. Like other gems, she is a highly advanced alien AI being made of light who gains special abilities from her gemstone. She is voiced by Shelby Rabara.

Creation

Peridot was inspired by the animated series Invader Zim, whom series creator Rebecca Sugar is a fan of.

Character biography

In season 1 of Steven Universe, Peridot is sent to Beach City along with a pair of other Homeworld Gems to kidnap Steven and the Crystal Gems and take them back to their home planet. In her first appearances, she wears "limb enhancers" to make up for her short stature. She loses these and is captured by the Crystal Gems in the season 2 episode "Catch and Release". She is still technically enemies with the Crystal Gems, but is willing to work with them to build a drill to the center of the Earth to stop the threat known as the Cluster from destroying the Earth. Peridot officially becomes an ally of the Crystal Gems when she stands up to Yellow Diamond, one of the matriarchs of the Gem Homeworld. She lives in a barn on the outskirts of Beach City with Lapis Lazuli until the events of "Raising The Barn" in season 5. As of Steven Universe Future, she becomes a series regular. Storyboard artist Maya Petersen revealed that the character is asexual and aromantic.

Peridot is extremely smart and logical, but can also be sporadic when she's passionate about something. She regularly shows arrogance and self-aggrandizing behavior. Despite this, she does have a softer side that is shown when she joins the Crystal Gems, and deeply cares for Steven and Lapis. She is known for insulting people by calling them "Clods". She discovers in the episode "Too Short To Ride" from season 3 that she has metal-bending powers, but unlike most Gems, lacks the ability to shapeshift her physical form and also cannot fuse with other Gems.

Reception

Peridot has been well-received, and has become a fan favorite in the Steven Universe community along with Lapis Lazuli.