Alien Stage, a Korean YouTube animated series, has just published its 7th episode, Wiege, this Valentine’s Day. As the premiere began, everyone had one expectation in mind; Heartbreak. Tears were shed, grief set in, and some even screamed from the sheer sorrow. Yet, this is not the end.
Created by YouTube animators VIVINOS and QMENG and produced by STUDIO LICO, Alien Stage has been going on for over two years. It has amassed quite a sizable following since its inception, and for good reason. With beautiful animation, music, and exceptional character writing, it's no surprise that the series was able to capture so many hearts.
Currently, 7 episodes are available on YouTube. However, the story isn't finished yet. Along with music videos, VIVINOS also creates mini-comics, and official art that helps flesh out the story. Sadly, I cannot speak too much about the contents of each episode without spoiling something.
VIVINOS, a lesbian herself, is known for portraying lesbian relationships in her animations. But, these animations typically depict sad love stories. Alien Stage isn't any different in its portrayal of love and loss. So be warned, death is depicted in the series. Multiple other heavy topics are depicted in the videos, including sexual assault and abuse.
The world of Alien Stage is one of sadness and struggle. In this reality, humanity has been enslaved by aliens and are treated like dogs. Some may see the animation as a critique of the Idol industry in Korea or just another classic doomed love story by Vivinos.
The main characters are Mizi, Sua, Till, Ivan, Luka, and Hyuna. Through music videos and comics, their stories are told. Each episode usually focuses on one or two of the main characters, showing flashbacks of their backstories while an original song plays.
These six humans are forced into the competition by their Alien owners. To lose the competition means to lose their very lives for the entertainment of their cruel overlords. However, VIVINOS and QMENG themselves provide their fans a brief respite from the angst, creating an official actor AU. Still, Alien Stage fans may commonly be found crying about the most recent episodes. Some fans wonder if VIVINOS has a secret grudge against the LGBTQ community, despite being in a loving relationship with her girlfriend and collaborator: QMENG.
So, if you’re looking for a series that saddens you with every episode, I recommend Alien Stage. But, most fans would strongly disagree: “I should’ve never watched Alien Stage 💔,” said TikTok user Mixie. Despite the sad plot, it may all be worth it for the spectacular storytelling and art.
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Alien Stage’s Emotional Anime Keep You Watching
All six main Alien Stage Characters (Left to right); Till, Mizi, Sua, Luka, Ivan, and Hyuna
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About the Contributor
Hello everyone, my name is Julliana Packard and I am a senior this year at WHS.
I’ve been told that I’m good at writing, and I enjoy doing so. Poetry, creative writing, literary breakdowns, and informative essays are my favorite things to write. However, I can’t say the same for argumentative essays.Outside of school, I enjoy drawing and playing video games. Though I mainly stick to digital art, it isn’t the only medium I fancy. I also dabble in painting, clay sculpture, and sewing. The main subjects of my drawings are people.
On the topic of video games, I adore RPGs, Horror, and any kind of game that’s story-focused. I also like fighting games such as Mortal Kombat, but I’m a very competitive person, so I try not to play too much, for the sake of my heart.
If it was profitable, I’d probably study the humanities. Art, culture, human biology, civilization, psychology- it’s all so fascinating to me for some reason. Don’t even get me started on philosophy! Sadly, having a degree in anthropology probably won’t help me get a job.
Like everyone, I love listening to music. Personally, I love rock and metal, particularly J-rock and J-metal. Since Japanese artists seek to appeal to Japanese audiences instead of the foreign market, their music differs from the pop or rock I may hear on the radio. I find that I enjoy that sound more, even if I can’t understand the lyrics. I think more people should listen to music in different languages.