“ |
I'm sorry, I think he's coming to me because... I'm the one who made him. |
” |
—Steven, "Gem Harvest" |
Pumpkin is a sentient pumpkin created by Steven for Peridot and Lapis Lazuli in "Gem Harvest". Pumpkin lived at The Barn until the events of "Raising the Barn", where she moved to Steven's Bathroom with Peridot until "Change Your Mind".
Appearance[]
Pumpkin is a small pumpkin with four stubby legs, two large pumpkin seeds for eyes, a carved mouth to bark out of, and a stem for a tail. Pumpkin also has a tongue made of pumpkin guts with pumpkin seeds for taste buds.
Personality[]
Pumpkin's personality matches that of a regular dog, being capable of barking, jumping, and rolling around on the ground, and is happy and playful in general. Pumpkin treats her owners with great loyalty and affection, but responds negatively when threatened, as she turned to Peridot and Lapis for comfort upon seeing Steven carve out a different pumpkin. Pumpkin was also willing to help Peridot, Lapis, and Connie at the car wash in "The New Crystal Gems".
History[]
"Gem Harvest"[]
Steven feels bad for Peridot and Lapis living alone at The Barn, so he licks a pumpkin seed and plants it in the ground. The next day, it transforms into Pumpkin. Initially, Pumpkin is loyal to Steven, similar to his Watermelon Stevens, until he gruesomely carves another pumpkin in front of her. After this event, Pumpkin shows the same amount of loyalty to Peridot and Lapis instead. Pumpkin is later seen being chased by Amethyst who shapeshifted into her. Pumpkin appears to be afraid of Steven, as she runs away in terror when seeing Steven wielding a knife. At the end of Andy DeMayo's visit to the Barn, Peridot is even shown trying to teach Pumpkin how to say "clod." Pumpkin also spits out the groom figurine from the wedding cake used at the family dinner, having swallowed it earlier, disgusting Andy.
"The New Crystal Gems"[]
Pumpkin arrives at the Temple with Peridot and Lapis, looking through a laundry basket. Later on, Connie holds her, and Pumpkin is given the role of Pearl on their new team. As Pearl, Pumpkin wears a party hat over her face to match Pearl's pointy nose. She helps dry off the cars at the car wash with Connie, and occasionally barks throughout the episode.
"Room for Ruby"[]
Pumpkin can be seen running around the Barn. Pumpkin licks "Navy" like a dog when the latter appears to be nice and is shown to be concerned when "Navy" tricks the Gems. Pumpkin accompanies Steven, Peridot, Lapis, and "Navy" throughout the episode.
"Raising the Barn"[]
Pumpkin greets Steven via video chat. Not wanting to leave Earth when Lapis says they must, Pumpkin runs away when Lapis levitates the barn with her hydrokinesis forcing the trio to look for her. Throughout the search, Peridot and Steven find a basketball and onions sold by Onion. Later in the day, Peridot finds her hiding in the crops and forcibly pulls the scared vegetable out of her hiding spot so hard that she falls down and Pumpkin runs to Steven for protection. Peridot instantly apologizes to her beloved pet, cheering Pumpkin up, but Pumpkin returns to her scared state and hides behind Steven when Lapis lifts and drops the barn with her powers. Pumpkin sadly watches Lapis take the barn and leave Earth. With nowhere else to go, a sad Peridot moves into Steven's bathroom while Pumpkin is with her.
"Back to the Kindergarten"[]
Pumpkin happily greets Amethyst and despite seemingly following Steven, Amethyst, and a depressed Peridot, Pumpkin does not accompany them to the Kindergarten.
"Can't Go Back"[]
Pumpkin can be seen together with Peridot at Steven's bathroom, sleeping.
"Reunited"[]
Pumpkin briefly appears at Ruby and Sapphire's wedding. Pumpkin also briefly appears along with the Crystal Gems, Greg, and Cat Steven after Yellow Diamond and Blue Diamond's Hand Ships go down.
"Change Your Mind"[]
Pumpkin is seen on the beach with everybody else at the end of the episode.
Relationships[]
Crystal Gems[]
Pumpkin has been shown to be comfortable around the Crystal Gems, such as when she rests on Connie's arms in "The New Crystal Gems". She was also happy around them in "Change Your Mind".
Steven Universe[]
Being created by Steven, Pumpkin initially loved him, and would not leave his side until Steven carved a pumpkin in front of her. For quite some time afterward, Pumpkin had both disliked and feared Steven. However, near the end of "Gem Harvest" and in "The New Crystal Gems", she appears to be fine with him. In "Room for Ruby", Pumpkin happily greets Steven and allows him to hold her when the four of them swim to shore after being tricked by "Navy". In "Raising the Barn", Pumpkin seems as friendly to Steven as she was when he created her, enthusiastically greeting him via video chat, leaping into his arms when Peridot gets angry at her, and hiding behind him when Lapis drops the Barn.
Peridot and Lapis Lazuli[]
Pumpkin loves Peridot and Lapis, living with them in the barn and acting as a pet or roommate to them. When Pumpkin fled from Steven and jumped into Peridot and Lapis' arms, Steven remarked that it was nice for them to have "a new addition to the family". Although the full extent of their relationship is unknown, Pumpkin has been seen listening to the two of them and cuddling in Lapis' arms. They are close enough for Peridot and Lapis to bring Pumpkin to Steven's house when they are told to protect Beach City in the Crystal Gems' stead. In "Raising the Barn", Peridot kisses her on the forehead after she scares her, showing she cares for her, and Peridot and Lapis (along with Steven) spend a good deal of time searching for her, seeming very worried by her absence and refraining from leaving Earth until they find her. However, Lapis decides to leave Pumpkin along with Peridot at the end of the episode.
Amethyst[]
Pumpkin seems to like Amethyst, as she is seen playing with Amethyst who is shapeshifted into her likeness. Although the full extent of their relationship is unknown, Pumpkin is shown to be comfortable enough to rest in Amethyst's arms before fleeing in fear at the sight of Steven holding a knife, after which Amethyst tells her to "chill out, dude" and chases after her to presumably calm her down. Also in "Back To The Kindergarten", when Amethyst walks out of the Temple Door, Pumpkin rushes over to her to greet her.
Cat Steven[]
In "Change Your Mind", Pumpkin was seen playing with Cat Steven, however the cat was scared of her.
Episode Appearances[]
Season 4 | |||||
1. "Kindergarten Kid": | Absent | 14. "The Zoo": | Absent | ||
2. "Know Your Fusion": | Absent | 15. "That Will Be All": | Absent | ||
3. "Buddy's Book": | Absent | 16. "The New Crystal Gems": | Appears | ||
4. "Mindful Education": | Absent | 17. "Storm in the Room": | Absent | ||
5. "Future Boy Zoltron": | Absent | 18. "Rocknaldo": | Absent | ||
6. "Last One Out of Beach City": | Absent | 19. "Tiger Philanthropist": | Absent | ||
7. "Onion Gang": | Absent | 20. "Room for Ruby": | Appears | ||
8/9. "Gem Harvest": | Debut | 21. "Lion 4: Alternate Ending": | Absent | ||
10. "Three Gems and a Baby": | Absent | 22. "Doug Out": | Absent | ||
11. "Steven's Dream": | Absent | 23. "The Good Lars": | Absent | ||
12. "Adventures in Light Distortion": | Absent | 24. "Are You My Dad?": | Absent | ||
13. "Gem Heist": | Absent | 25. "I Am My Mom": | Absent |
Season 5 | |||||
1. "Stuck Together": | Absent | 15. "Pool Hopping": | Absent | ||
2. "The Trial": | Absent | 16. "Letters to Lars": | Absent | ||
3. "Off Colors": | Absent | 17. "Can't Go Back": | Appears | ||
4. "Lars' Head": | Absent | 18. "A Single Pale Rose": | Absent | ||
5. "Dewey Wins": | Absent | 19. "Now We're Only Falling Apart": | Absent | ||
6. "Gemcation": | Absent | 20. "What's Your Problem?": | Absent | ||
7. "Raising the Barn": | Appears | 21. "The Question": | Absent | ||
8. "Back to the Kindergarten": | Appears | 22. "Made of Honor": | Absent | ||
9. "Sadie Killer": | Absent | 23/24. "Reunited": | Appears | ||
10. "Kevin Party": | Absent | 25. "Legs From Here to Homeworld": | Absent | ||
11. "Lars of the Stars": | Absent | 26. "Familiar": | Absent | ||
12. "Jungle Moon": | Absent | 27. "Together Alone": | Absent | ||
13. "Your Mother and Mine": | Absent | 28. "Escapism": | Absent | ||
14. "The Big Show": | Absent | 29-32. "Change Your Mind": | Appears |
Trivia[]
- While initially referred to with he/him pronouns by Steven, she has afterward been exclusively referred to with she/her pronouns instead.
- Pumpkin has a lifespan of multiple years, much longer than those of the Watermelon Stevens. However, Pumpkin's lifespan is still limited.[1]
- Pumpkin does not need to eat or sleep but can choose to do so just like Gems. As theorized by Rebecca Sugar, Pumpkin probably gets all of her nutrients from the Sun.[2]
- Due to Pumpkin being absent in Steven Universe: The Movie, fans began speculating that she had in fact passed away in the 2-year time skip. When the Crewniverse was asked about Pumpkin's fate during a Q&A at the Animation is Film Festival 2019, they joked that "Pumpkins don't last forever" but also stated "Pumpkin's okay" in reference to the character itself.
- In Cartoon Network Arcade, she is a collectible figure. Strangely, she is categorized as a Gem.