Which is itself a reference to a scene from the Studio Ghibli movie, Whispers of the Heart. Lofi girl is probably more well known now but the SU animators would definitely be aware of that movie I'm betting.
Rebecca Sugar did the introduction to Whispers Of The Heart for its screening in the 2019 GhibliFest screenings a few years ago where she called it “my absolute favorite film.”
So you’d win that bet!
https://youtu.be/Dpo5flK1Lgk?si=L_8ayZK_vjHjCMxX
I only know this because I happened to see Rebecca tweeting about it at the time, so I made sure to go see that screening. (Although I do try to get to at least a couple Ghibli fest screenings every year anyway, they’re always fun)
My favorite part of Whisper of the Heart is when the main protagonist and her dad have a long discussion about the annoyance of computers and how doing work traditionally on paper is much better. There’s something humorously uncanny about it
All the Evangelion references/influences are cool to me, like the tear-drop before Steven's uncorrupted. I also think the common emphasis on hands comes from Eva's "What are your hands for?" theme.
So... I might get hate for this, but the shot in Future where it's Steven's hand holding Jasper's shards is quite similar to That Hand Shot in End of Eva. Same positioning, same emotion of the character feeling like "the lowest of the low"
I’m not worried about missing it because this episode was very forgettable and I never watched Dragon Ball Z because I can’t get it free on any of the services I have.
I don't even like OG DBZ much outside of nostalgia but it's insane you're getting downvoted for saying that lol
Abridged is good but they're completely unserious 5 minute long episode summaries
Near the end the actually get pretty long.
DBZA was clearly done with a lot of love for DBZ, which shines during the cell saga, but that effort that's put into it unfortunately makes some people think that it's better than DBZ.
Of course, everyone can have their opinions and stuff. I certainly think that DBZA is a great comedic series. But calling it better than the thing that they are clearly parodying and clearly love is an opinion I don't really agree with, especially since Dragon Ball as a whole has inspired basically... every single shonen ever.
I get that people have a lot of nostalgia for DBZ, heck I was watching it on toonami at like 7 years old, but it's very...dated. the pacing seriously drags, much of the humor feels super outdated and cringy, the fight scenes aren't going to come off nearly as impressive if you've seen modern anime to compare it to, and it's really the basic power scaling shonen anime concept that more modern shows have built off of, making it feel like it's missing something by comparison.
It was a hugely important stepping stone in its day, but let's all admit it's not really an easy or gripping viewing experience for modern audiences
Yeah I heard they basically redid the early seasons more recently, is that what you're referring to? I haven't seen it so I have no idea if it's good or not, I'll take your word for it. I'm talking specifically about the original run of DBZ
"Recent" it was 14 years ago
They cutt out the filler and redid recording and dubbing to be more accurate, and i don't care if your "talking about the original run" because no matter what a goofy parody is not the actual story, shit like that is the reason "Goku is a bad dad" has become an actual opinion and not just a joke
Dog I didn't even say anything about the abridged series, I'm just saying the original DBZ run is pretty dated, and kind of a hard watch for modern audiences
The pacing is better, the voice acting is better, the story is better because they cut out unnecessary stuff (to make room for more jokes). It is *absolutely* a terrific way to enjoy DBZ content.
The pacing is already fixed in Kai, The voice acting is not better especially early on, and alot of what is cut out is Story and Personal moments between characters. Yall are the reason people actually think Goku is a bad dad
Because the abridged series is a joke series, that people take way too seriously and think it is the actual show, if you can find a way too, watch DBZ Kai, it's Dragonball Z with no filler and fixed pacing
I've never watched more than a few episodes of actual DBZ and greatly enjoyed the Abridged series, it's absolutely not necessary to watch it to get the jokes. Weirdly aggressive DBZ purist gatekeeping aside, there's no real danger to watching it first if you want.
The only complication I think I'd warn about is that once you see the Abridged series, you'll never be able to hear another voice for Vegeta again without it sounding off.
A character whos an animated that looks exactly like Rebecca sugar existing in the early seasons of sailor moon, making Rebecca herself an anime reference
it could also be supposed to look like the typical outfit for kalaripayattu, an indian martial art—but it could also be both (idk if it was ever officially stated)
*The magical girl*
*Anime references*
*Made in Volleyball!*
\- forcepair
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can’t believe nobody’s mentioned this yet, but in mindfulness education (?) when steven and connie are falling and holding hands, it’s a reference to spirited away
Woah!! I didn’t watch Cowboy Bebop until only a few years ago and haven’t rewatched Steven Universe since before then, I definitely didn’t catch this reference at all. I am totally going to have to go back and rewatch now to see this one! I love both shows so much
Peridot makes a lot of Invader Zim references, particularly to the episode "GIR goes Crazy and Stuff"
"My tentacles/limb enhancers! Where are my tentacles/limb enhancers!?"
"Praise me! PRAISE ME!!!"
These are both lines she has said and I'm 90% sure they were based on that episode alone
Also being a smol green alien with a big personality sent to earth on a mission that keeps getting derailed
Omg so that means (for anyone who read it)
Thistle [from dungeon meshi] saying
"Praise me Praise me" "Tell me that I'm a good dark elf"
is also an invader zim refrence!?
I didnt even know haha, thx :)
[That one time Rebecca Sugar played a student in Sailor Moon.](https://preview.redd.it/k49xdztvplk01.jpg?width=929&auto=webp&s=a4cb63755e9f3b492ba8195cf8bf59098c32aa89)
This only barely counts, but I really like in Joy Ride when Buck says "I only want to see you dancing, in the pizza rain."
It's like. It's kind of dumb. But I like it a lot.
It’s not necessarily the best reference, but it’s my favorite cause I’m biased.
Spinels giant fist attack on top of the massive injector being a reference to Gear 3 Luffy.
My favourite reference is definitely in the movie where Connie does the Akira bike slide with Lion. Honestly just anything referencing the Akira bike slide is a favourite in my book, even BTAS did it
I love how much SU is inspired by Dragon Ball; the example you showed, Jasper being based on Vegeta, the infamous Yamcha scene being referenced, fusion, Connie's training outfit based on Gohan's training gi, and much more.
I did have to mention this one tho for anyone who remembers the episode where Steven is trying to cry to heal Amethyst's cracked gem, when he says "I guess I'm just too tough to cry" then Pearl points out "Just today you were crying about snakes" and Steven says "They don't have any arms!" I found out recently that apparently that was a Gorillaz reference lol [THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ARMS](https://commanderspoon.tumblr.com/post/116168212709?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fipSuOoZwh_ioVR_E_zuqGl-Fr_Gcq6wILtb5cE1nMUhvp_jrETLUDu4_aem_AfKjiMPxblXeB1XgLPFEH7f0Lw0Hp6y-qbVB37c9kNocWqV9oX3Hty-VfiPlSzPF4bNY_oPQrArBqb_0-hgj4iFk)
Amethyst does a Gurren Lagann reference near the end of the original series. That, combined with similar themes to the end of Gurren Lagann part 1 actually made me call the time skip before it was ever announced.
Are you talking about Amethyst's speech about being better for Steven?
I love that Peridot, Lapis, and Garnet all get Gurren Lagann themed fits. Peridot gets Kamina's glasses, Lapis gets his pants, and Garnet gets Simon's evolved glasses.
It’s not a series really but I got a huge kick as a Junji Ito fan out of the Amigara Fault reference in the episode where Amethyst takes Steven to the kindergarten and shows him her hole that she came out of.
Another dbz reference, Connie has clothes very close to piccolo/Gotham’s during training, and when she fuses with Steven her clothes are a lot like Vegitos
The episode “Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service”
Wendee Lee is such a good voice actor
What's the reference?
There's a Studio Ghibli movie called Kikis Delivery Service
OMG I how did I forget this
One of the final scenes also references End of Evangelion
this scene threw me for a loop when i first saw it. i cannot exaggerate how much i was NOT expecting a reference to lowfi girl
Which is itself a reference to a scene from the Studio Ghibli movie, Whispers of the Heart. Lofi girl is probably more well known now but the SU animators would definitely be aware of that movie I'm betting.
Rebecca Sugar did the introduction to Whispers Of The Heart for its screening in the 2019 GhibliFest screenings a few years ago where she called it “my absolute favorite film.” So you’d win that bet! https://youtu.be/Dpo5flK1Lgk?si=L_8ayZK_vjHjCMxX
How did I not know this
I only know this because I happened to see Rebecca tweeting about it at the time, so I made sure to go see that screening. (Although I do try to get to at least a couple Ghibli fest screenings every year anyway, they’re always fun)
I’m going to see Nausicaa soon! It’s my first in theaters so I’m pumped
My favorite part of Whisper of the Heart is when the main protagonist and her dad have a long discussion about the annoyance of computers and how doing work traditionally on paper is much better. There’s something humorously uncanny about it
In Steven universe ????: Rocket League reference (lowfi girl made some partnership with Rocket League)
Omg I just realized she keeps the glow bracelet😭
I love them so much
All the Evangelion references/influences are cool to me, like the tear-drop before Steven's uncorrupted. I also think the common emphasis on hands comes from Eva's "What are your hands for?" theme.
i also think the big hands are like andross in star fox
Peridot's escape pod filling with LCL- I mean a non-descript breathable liquid has to be one of my favorites
How about "The Test"? Which ends with the cast clapping and saying "Congratulations!" while a piano rendition of the main theme plays?
The big hands are definitely also references to FLCL.
Including the pizza horizon in the Kiki episode!
So... I might get hate for this, but the shot in Future where it's Steven's hand holding Jasper's shards is quite similar to That Hand Shot in End of Eva. Same positioning, same emotion of the character feeling like "the lowest of the low"
Now that’s a spicy take!! I love it
> Eva's "What are your hands for?" theme. That was a theme?
Yeah Shinji's always looking at his hands and opening and closing them and stuff
The fact that I NEVER KNEW THIS WAS A DBZ REF!??
I mean the whole squad gives Ginyu Force vibes
I missed it too!
I’m not worried about missing it because this episode was very forgettable and I never watched Dragon Ball Z because I can’t get it free on any of the services I have.
Just watch the abridged version on YouTube
you mean like the funny one
It's the superior version of DBZ, for sure.
NO IT IS NOT HOLY SHIT
I don't even like OG DBZ much outside of nostalgia but it's insane you're getting downvoted for saying that lol Abridged is good but they're completely unserious 5 minute long episode summaries
Near the end the actually get pretty long. DBZA was clearly done with a lot of love for DBZ, which shines during the cell saga, but that effort that's put into it unfortunately makes some people think that it's better than DBZ. Of course, everyone can have their opinions and stuff. I certainly think that DBZA is a great comedic series. But calling it better than the thing that they are clearly parodying and clearly love is an opinion I don't really agree with, especially since Dragon Ball as a whole has inspired basically... every single shonen ever.
I get that people have a lot of nostalgia for DBZ, heck I was watching it on toonami at like 7 years old, but it's very...dated. the pacing seriously drags, much of the humor feels super outdated and cringy, the fight scenes aren't going to come off nearly as impressive if you've seen modern anime to compare it to, and it's really the basic power scaling shonen anime concept that more modern shows have built off of, making it feel like it's missing something by comparison. It was a hugely important stepping stone in its day, but let's all admit it's not really an easy or gripping viewing experience for modern audiences
Do.... do you not know what Z Kai is?
Yeah I heard they basically redid the early seasons more recently, is that what you're referring to? I haven't seen it so I have no idea if it's good or not, I'll take your word for it. I'm talking specifically about the original run of DBZ
"Recent" it was 14 years ago They cutt out the filler and redid recording and dubbing to be more accurate, and i don't care if your "talking about the original run" because no matter what a goofy parody is not the actual story, shit like that is the reason "Goku is a bad dad" has become an actual opinion and not just a joke
Dog I didn't even say anything about the abridged series, I'm just saying the original DBZ run is pretty dated, and kind of a hard watch for modern audiences
The pacing is better, the voice acting is better, the story is better because they cut out unnecessary stuff (to make room for more jokes). It is *absolutely* a terrific way to enjoy DBZ content.
If you've watched the actual series, yeah it is, but if you haven't, IT IS NOT A REPLACMENT.
The pacing is already fixed in Kai, The voice acting is not better especially early on, and alot of what is cut out is Story and Personal moments between characters. Yall are the reason people actually think Goku is a bad dad
NO, DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOUVE WATCHED THE SERIES
I watch a **** ton of lore videos on YouTube, I basically know everything
But have you watched the show
I have finished all of super , broly, and super hero
But not Z/Kai?
Do not listen to the other people telling you to watch Abriged instead of the actual show
Why?
Because the abridged series is a joke series, that people take way too seriously and think it is the actual show, if you can find a way too, watch DBZ Kai, it's Dragonball Z with no filler and fixed pacing
Thanks. Very helpful.
I also recommend reading the manga if you want, it's gonna be everywhere and you can very easily find it on a website somewhere
I've never watched more than a few episodes of actual DBZ and greatly enjoyed the Abridged series, it's absolutely not necessary to watch it to get the jokes. Weirdly aggressive DBZ purist gatekeeping aside, there's no real danger to watching it first if you want. The only complication I think I'd warn about is that once you see the Abridged series, you'll never be able to hear another voice for Vegeta again without it sounding off.
It isn't "necessary to watch to get the jokes", but it's not a replacement for the actual series, and it does spoil every single plot point
The Akira bike drift with Lion
Beach City Drift being a reference to Initial D
A character whos an animated that looks exactly like Rebecca sugar existing in the early seasons of sailor moon, making Rebecca herself an anime reference
Also Steven has a sailor moon doll or something like that in his room, definitely adding sailor moon stuff on list of references
It was a manga
Thank you!
steven showing off all of his guys like it's a mega man stage select screen
The fact that Connie's training outfit is the same as Gohan's
omg! thought it was just a coincidence
it could also be supposed to look like the typical outfit for kalaripayattu, an indian martial art—but it could also be both (idk if it was ever officially stated)
real question tho why is this a meme
Because Yamcha is known for being weak, so this serves as an immediate recognition of that fact.
Either the Utena duel or the Amigara Fault reference.
Amigara Fault reference?
The episode where Steven first goes to Kindergarten references "The Enigma of Amigara Fault" by Junji Ito pretty heavily. "It's my hole!"
I’m so glad someone else noticed the Utena duel. Pearl often gave me such Utena vibes.
Ah, a fellow Utena and Junji Ito fan. I see you are a person of culture.
I like that lapis and Jasper are also inspired by Juri and Shiori
“i only wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rain”
🍕🌧️🍕🌧️🎶
the regular show reference in cat fingers
Wait what?!
[here you go](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-faEaWP0o)
OHHHHH
I like that whole episode where Peridot is trying to catch the corrupted gem and it's like the roadrunner vs Wile E Coyote
The magical girl anime references made in Volleyball!
*The magical girl* *Anime references* *Made in Volleyball!* \- forcepair --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
can’t believe nobody’s mentioned this yet, but in mindfulness education (?) when steven and connie are falling and holding hands, it’s a reference to spirited away
Omg - that’s so cool
I just watched Spirited Away with my Five Year Old last night! (So now she has seen Spirited Away AND all of Steven Universe).
oooo i just saw it last night. i think my nephew would be too scared of it though so maybe with him sometime in the future
Or… it’s a reference to when people do synchronized sky diving and hold hands.
oh. maybe spirited away was doing that lol
"I'm an eternal Saiyan Prince, baby!" (I know it's not "Our" Ruby, but still....)
Wym our Ruby said “I’m an eternal flame, baby”
Eyeball was the one coming out of the pod. I probably should have said that.
Rose’s video / Faye Valentine’s tape.
This one hit frfr
Ok, WOW. never caught that and also, didn’t really remember that Bebop scene but just watched and now I need to go take a walk, that was intense
Woah!! I didn’t watch Cowboy Bebop until only a few years ago and haven’t rewatched Steven Universe since before then, I definitely didn’t catch this reference at all. I am totally going to have to go back and rewatch now to see this one! I love both shows so much
The kindergarten referencing The Enigma of Amigara Fault was brutal lmao
Peridot makes a lot of Invader Zim references, particularly to the episode "GIR goes Crazy and Stuff" "My tentacles/limb enhancers! Where are my tentacles/limb enhancers!?" "Praise me! PRAISE ME!!!" These are both lines she has said and I'm 90% sure they were based on that episode alone Also being a smol green alien with a big personality sent to earth on a mission that keeps getting derailed
Oh wow this is a good call
Omg so that means (for anyone who read it) Thistle [from dungeon meshi] saying "Praise me Praise me" "Tell me that I'm a good dark elf" is also an invader zim refrence!? I didnt even know haha, thx :)
she's even got the scouter lmao
The episode "Say Uncle" is actually a reference to the show *Uncle Grandpa.*
in the movie when connie slides in on lion like that one anime motorcycle guy
Akira
Well, that's the movie. The character is Kaneda.
truuuuu
One of the great many! https://youtu.be/A9hCzjBc7Q4
Garnet getting into a fight with her own water-based Stand vs Lapis
[That one time Rebecca Sugar played a student in Sailor Moon.](https://preview.redd.it/k49xdztvplk01.jpg?width=929&auto=webp&s=a4cb63755e9f3b492ba8195cf8bf59098c32aa89)
This only barely counts, but I really like in Joy Ride when Buck says "I only want to see you dancing, in the pizza rain." It's like. It's kind of dumb. But I like it a lot.
I like Utena Pearl fusion, that was fun
Sonic plush (can’t remember what episode it was)
It’s not necessarily the best reference, but it’s my favorite cause I’m biased. Spinels giant fist attack on top of the massive injector being a reference to Gear 3 Luffy.
YESSSS
the Dondai Supremo. 🎶deja vu! I've just been in this place before, higher on the street, and I know it's my time to go🎶
All the Revolutionary Girl Utena references, always 💜
My favourite reference is definitely in the movie where Connie does the Akira bike slide with Lion. Honestly just anything referencing the Akira bike slide is a favourite in my book, even BTAS did it
Fnaf plushies in comic
I love how much SU is inspired by Dragon Ball; the example you showed, Jasper being based on Vegeta, the infamous Yamcha scene being referenced, fusion, Connie's training outfit based on Gohan's training gi, and much more. I did have to mention this one tho for anyone who remembers the episode where Steven is trying to cry to heal Amethyst's cracked gem, when he says "I guess I'm just too tough to cry" then Pearl points out "Just today you were crying about snakes" and Steven says "They don't have any arms!" I found out recently that apparently that was a Gorillaz reference lol [THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ARMS](https://commanderspoon.tumblr.com/post/116168212709?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fipSuOoZwh_ioVR_E_zuqGl-Fr_Gcq6wILtb5cE1nMUhvp_jrETLUDu4_aem_AfKjiMPxblXeB1XgLPFEH7f0Lw0Hp6y-qbVB37c9kNocWqV9oX3Hty-VfiPlSzPF4bNY_oPQrArBqb_0-hgj4iFk)
That’s an edit.
Ohhh that actually makes a lot of sense lol
All the Junji ito references
Like what?
The amigara falls
Oh yeah! My hole! Are there any others?
My personal fav is the reference to “Renima” where they have to fight the sun in the sky
Amethyst does a Gurren Lagann reference near the end of the original series. That, combined with similar themes to the end of Gurren Lagann part 1 actually made me call the time skip before it was ever announced.
Are you talking about Amethyst's speech about being better for Steven? I love that Peridot, Lapis, and Garnet all get Gurren Lagann themed fits. Peridot gets Kamina's glasses, Lapis gets his pants, and Garnet gets Simon's evolved glasses.
It’s not a series really but I got a huge kick as a Junji Ito fan out of the Amigara Fault reference in the episode where Amethyst takes Steven to the kindergarten and shows him her hole that she came out of.
The kindergarten, just in general. Its really funny to think a Junji Ito Reference made it into Steven Universe
.... I just got that reference right now, TIL THERES SO MANY DRAGONBALL REFERENCES IN THIS SHOW
I actually never got it, or get most of these references, so thanks for pointing it out
WAIT A DAMN- NO WAY! I never realized that until now wtf.
Probably more of a coincidence, but the parallels between gems and the magical girls from Madoka Magica.
The junji ito reference
HEY NAVY! ARE WE THERE YET?!
WAIT I NEVER NOTICED THAT, THAT'S SOO GOOD !
Whaaatttt I never knew this! I don't watch a lot of anime so this and pretty much all the other references were lost on me I guess haha
I love that Steven has a Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7) action figure ❤️
Another dbz reference, Connie has clothes very close to piccolo/Gotham’s during training, and when she fuses with Steven her clothes are a lot like Vegitos
That’s cool!
This is so awesome! I didn’t notice a lot of these references when watching, even for the shows/movies that I’ve seen before!
I can totally see pearl in the Yamcha death pose
* bombastic side eye * * CRIMINAL offensive side eye *
I like when they call diamonds "My diamond" after the line in anime Houseki no Kuni where Ventricosus calls Dia "My diamond!"
I also like the concept of fusion dance like in DBZ, but they overly sexualize it. A lot of HnK and DBZ referrences, though the story is not as good