Peridot, specifically Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG is a character from the American animated series ''

Steven Universe ''Steven Universe'' is an American animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It tells the coming-of-age story of a young boy, Steven Universe (character), Steven Universe (Zach Callison), who lives with the Crys ...

''. 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 being made of light who gains special abilities from her gemstone. She is voiced by

Shelby Rabara Shelby Ann Narito Rabara Shum (née Rabara; born October 5, 1983) is an American actress and dancer who has appeared in a number of films, television series and commercials as both an actress and a dancer. Rabara is known for providing the voice ...

Creation

Peridot was inspired by the animated series ''

Invader Zim ''Invader Zim'' is an American animated science fiction horror comedy television series created by comic book writer and cartoonist Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon. The series centers on the titular character Zim (voiced by Richard Steven Ho ...

'', 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 Lapis lazuli (; ), or lapis for short, is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. Originating from the Persian word for the gem, ''lāžward'', lapis lazuli is ...

until the events of "Raising The Barn" in season 5. As of ''

Steven Universe Future ''Steven Universe Future'' is an American animated series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It serves as an epilogue to ''Steven Universe'' (2013–2019) and a follow-up to its Television film, television film Sequel, sequel ''Steven ...

'', 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.

References

{{Steven Universe Steven Universe characters Television characters introduced in 2015 Fictional engineers Fictional extraterrestrial characters Fictional defectors Animated characters introduced in 2015 Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities Fictional gemstones and jewelry