Alien Stage
| Alien Stage | |
|---|---|
| Also known as |
|
| Genre | |
| Created by | Vivinos |
| Creative directors |
|
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Animator | Studio Lico |
| Original release | |
| Network | YouTube |
| Release | September 7, 2022 – June 27, 2025 |
Alien Stage (Korean: 에일리언 스테이지; stylized as ALIEN STAGE) is a South Korean dystopian science-fiction musical web series created by animator Vivinos. The series premiered on YouTube on September 7, 2022, and was developed in collaboration with animation director Qmeng and Studio Lico. It combines original music, short-form animation, and supplementary illustrated stories.
Set in a future in which extraterrestrials have subjugated humanity, the series follows a group of humans forced to participate in a televised singing competition where losing contestants face execution. Its narrative centers on the relationships between the contestants and explores captivity, exploitation, personal autonomy, and love.
Unlike conventional animated television series, Alien Stage communicates much of its story through musical performances, visual storytelling, and flashbacks rather than spoken dialogue. The original storyline was presented through a series of animated releases between September 2022 and June 2025.
The project subsequently expanded through soundtrack releases, illustrated publications, merchandise, and live entertainment. An anime adaptation was announced at Anime Expo in July 2026. A separate 3D concert project, Alien Stage Museum in 2372, was also announced in 2026, with international performances planned for 2027. An alternate-universe spin-off titled Zombie Stage premiered in June 2026, reimagining the original series' characters in a zombie-themed setting.
Premise
[edit]In the world of Alien Stage, humanity lives under the control of an extraterrestrial civilization. Humans are treated as possessions and are bred, raised, and trained to entertain alien audiences.
Several of the principal characters grow up together at Anakt Garden, an institution where human children are educated and prepared for their roles as entertainers.
The central competition, known as Alien Stage, is a televised singing tournament in which human contestants perform against one another. The contestant who loses a round is ordinarily executed, while the winner advances.
The story follows several contestants whose childhood relationships become central to the competition. Their performances reveal memories, emotional attachments, conflicts, and the consequences of living under alien rule.
While the competition provides the main narrative structure, the series also depicts resistance to the extraterrestrial authorities.[1][2]
Characters
[edit]The principal characters include six humans, five of whom participate directly in the central competition. Their singing performances are provided by different vocal artists.
- Mizi (미지; Miji; singing voice: Rubyeye) is a pink-haired contestant who is 22 years old at the beginning of the series and 29 following the time skip. Known for her outgoing and optimistic personality, she grew up in Anakt Garden, where she developed a close friendship and eventual romantic relationship with Sua. Their relationship ends tragically when Sua is killed during their performance against each other in the first round of Alien Stage.
- Sua (수아; Sua; singing voice: C!naH) is a 23-year-old contestant with black hair. Described by creator VIVINOS as elusive yet bold, Sua grew up alongside Mizi in Anakt Garden, where the two became romantically involved. She is killed during the first round of Alien Stage, in which she competes against Mizi.
- Till (틸; Til; singing voice: AKUGETSU) is a grey-haired contestant who is 21 years old at the beginning of the series and 28 following the time skip. Although initially portrayed as timid and emotionally sensitive, he frequently exhibits a rebellious temperament, resulting in punishment from the aliens. He is the son of Io and has a complicated relationship with Ivan, whom he secretly drew portraits of during childhood. Till initially harbors unrequited romantic feelings for Mizi but eventually recognizes their immaturity and moves beyond them.
- Ivan (이반; Iban; singing voice: Park Byeong-hoon) is a 22-year-old contestant distinguished by his black hair and dark eyes with red pupils. Standing at 186 cm (6 ft 1 in), he is the tallest of the principal characters. Characterized by his reserved and enigmatic demeanor, Ivan develops romantic feelings for Till, whom he has known since childhood.
- Hyuna (현아; Hyeona; singing voice: 6FU) is a 27-year-old contestant with brown hair. She is characterized by her independent, outspoken, and rebellious personality. Hyuna is the sister of Hyunwoo and becomes involved in resistance against the aliens. She ultimately sacrifices her life to protect Luka from a gunshot.
- Luka (루카; Ruka; singing voice: BL8M) is a blond-haired contestant who is 30 years old at the beginning of the series and 37 following the time skip. A previous winner of the 49th season of Alien Stage, he has accumulated nine victories and achieved widespread popularity among alien audiences, giving rise to a phenomenon known as "Luka syndrome". Despite his public popularity, he is depicted as emotionally distant and calculating. Luka has several chronic medical conditions, including a cardiovascular disorder and Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes discoloration of his fingertips.
The main characters' relationships are established through their childhood experiences and developed across the musical episodes and supplementary material.
The distinction between a character's singing performer and speaking voice actor is important because the series occasionally uses separate performers for spoken dialogue.
Episodes
[edit]The first teaser for Alien Stage was released on September 5, 2022, followed by the premiere of Round 1 on September 7.[3]
The following table retains the current article's twelve-release chronology.
| No. | Title | Original release date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Round 1" | September 7, 2022 | [4] |
| 2 | "ALIEN STAGE" | September 14, 2022 | [5] |
| 3 | "Round 2" | October 5, 2022 | [6] |
| 4 | "Round 3" | January 5, 2023 | [7] |
| 5 | "Round 5" | April 28, 2023 | [8] |
| 6 | "Top 3" | August 25, 2023 | [9] |
| 7 | "MIZISUA" | August 27, 2023 | [10] |
| 8 | "All-in" | December 9, 2023 | [11] |
| 9 | "Round 6" | April 5, 2024 | [12] |
| 10 | "Final" | October 25, 2024 | [13] |
| 11 | "wiege" | February 14, 2025 | [14] |
| 12 | "KARMA" | June 27, 2025 | [15] |
Production
[edit]Development and animation
[edit]Alien Stage was created by Vivinos, whose earlier animation projects were published on her YouTube channel. The project was developed in collaboration with Qmeng and Studio Lico.
The project's production credits identify Vivinos as chief director, Qmeng as animation director, and Kang as producer. The creators' work combines illustrated character narratives with music-driven animation.
The series is principally distributed through the official VIVINOS YouTube channel, with supplementary material released through associated social media accounts and publications.[2][16][17][18]
Music
[edit]Music is a central storytelling component of Alien Stage. Original songs accompany the animated performances, while flashbacks and other visual sequences reveal the characters' personal histories.
Studio Lico was involved in the production and distribution of the original soundtrack, with vocal performances supplied by individual singers portraying the characters.
In addition to songs introduced through the animated releases, the franchise has released alternate versions, remixes, and additional character-focused music.
Music
[edit]Original Soundtrack
[edit]Parts 1 to 8, during Alien Stage
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Clematis" (Korean: 나의 클레마티스; RR: Naui Keullematiseu) | Kang Kyung-min | Team JL |
| 3:52 |
| 2. | "Sweet Dream" |
|
| C!naH | 1:43 |
| 3. | "Unknown (Till the End...)" |
|
| Akugetsu | 2:07 |
| 4. | "Black Sorrow" |
|
| Park Byeong-hoon | 3:14 |
| 5. | "Ruler of My Heart" | Yeom Su-ji |
|
| 3:39 |
| 6. | "All-In" | Yeom Su-ji |
| 6FU; | 2:56 |
| 7. | "Cure" |
|
|
| 4:08 |
| 8. | "Blink Gone" |
|
|
| 3:09 |
Parts 9 and 10, after Alien Stage
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wiege" | Kapoo | Whisty |
| 3:56 |
| 2. | "KARMA" | Manju | Choi Yongsu | Rubyeye, C!naH | 05:36 |
Remix albums
[edit]| Album | Details |
|---|---|
| Alien Stage 1st Anniversary Remix Pt. 1 |
Track listing
|
| Alien Stage 1st Anniversary Remix Pt. 2 |
Track listing
|
| Alien Stage 2nd Anniversary Remix Pt. 1 |
Track listing
|
| Alien Stage 2nd Anniversary Remix Pt. 2 |
Track listing
|
| Alien Stage 2nd Anniversary Remix Pt. 3 |
Track listing
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "My Clematis" | 2022 | Rubyeye & C!naH |
| "Sweet Dream" | C!naH | |
| "Unknown (Till the End...)" | Akugetsu | |
| "Black Sorrow" | 2023 | Park Byeong-hoon |
| "Ruler of My Heart" | BL8M & Rubyeye | |
| "All-In" | 6FU; | |
| "Cure" | 2024 | Akugetsu & Park Byeong-hoon |
| "Love & Peace" | 6FU; | |
| "Drunk & Party" | ||
| "Blink Gone" | BL8M & Akugetsu | |
| "Wiege" | 2025 | 6FU & BL8M |
Other media
[edit]Zombie Stage
[edit]Zombie Stage (Korean: 좀비스테) is a South Korean animated musical series and official alternate-universe spin-off of Alien Stage, created by Vivinos and produced by Studio Format. The first installment, R O U N D 1 | Zombie Stage, premiered on the official VIVINOS YouTube channel on June 26, 2026.[19]
Unlike the original series, which depicts humans forced to compete for the entertainment of extraterrestrials, Zombie Stage takes place in an alternate setting involving a zombie outbreak. The series reimagines characters from Alien Stage as participants in a survival-based musical competition in which infected humans are exploited for entertainment.[19]
The series retains the original project's combination of animated musical performances and dystopian storytelling while introducing horror elements associated with its zombie setting. Its first installment attracted more than 2.7 million views within a day of release, according to Japanese gaming and entertainment news outlet Denfaminicogamer.[20]
Anime adaptation
[edit]On July 2, 2026, an anime adaptation of Alien Stage was announced during the "Animate Presents: ALIEN STAGE – Live Talk & Special Announcement!" panel at Anime Expo in Los Angeles.[21]
The announcement was made during a presentation featuring Vivinos and producer Kang. Following the panel, an official social media account confirmed that an anime series was in production.[21]
As of October 2026, no confirmed premiere date, animation studio, or principal cast for the adaptation had been publicly established in the sources reviewed.[21]
Live performances and exhibitions
[edit]In July 2026, a 3D concert project titled 3D LIVE ALIEN STAGE Museum in 2372 was announced as an expansion of the franchise.[22]
The project uses three-dimensional representations of characters from the animated series in a concert-style presentation.[23]
A showcase is scheduled to take place at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball in Tokyo from October 30 to November 1, 2026. The officially announced lineup features Sua, Ivan, and Luka.[23]
A subsequent world tour is planned for 2027, with Seoul, Tokyo, and Los Angeles identified as planned destinations. Specific dates for the tour have not yet been announced.[22]
Publications
[edit]An official Korean-language art book was published by Dasan Books.
In February 2025, Tokyopop announced that it had licensed an English-language edition of the book.[24]
The English edition, Alien Stage: The Art Book, was published on March 3, 2026. The 320-page hardcover includes character profiles, concept illustrations, production materials, and commentary from the creators.[25]
A deluxe edition was also released, featuring an additional drawing book, character prints, and other supplementary materials.[26]
Reception
[edit]Alien Stage developed an international audience through its distribution on YouTube and the circulation of its music and illustrations online.
In September 2026, Frontier Works, a company involved in the project's live entertainment activities, reported that the VIVINOS YouTube channel had surpassed 3.5 million subscribers and 400 million cumulative views. These figures refer to the channel rather than necessarily to Alien Stage videos alone.[27]
Coverage of the series has emphasized its combination of original music, short-form storytelling, and a survival-competition narrative. Its international popularity has contributed to the franchise's expansion into books, live performances, and an announced anime adaptation.[21][24]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Trending now: an alien singing competition, animation memes, on-the-go makeup & more". YouTube Official Blog. March 10, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- 1 2 Dennison, Kara (February 27, 2023). "Alien Stage: An Indie Idol Anime That Will Break Your Heart". Otaku USA Magazine. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ↑ Vivinos (September 5, 2022). TEASER (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos (September 7, 2022). ROUND 1 | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. ALIEN STAGE (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. ROUND 2 | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. ROUND 3 | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. ROUND 5 | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. TOP 3 | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. MIZISUA | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. All-in | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. ROUND 6 | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Vivinos. FINAL | Alien Stage (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ VIVINOS (February 14, 2025). wiege｜Alien Stage. Retrieved February 21, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ VIVINOS (June 27, 2025). KARMA. Retrieved November 14, 2025 – via Youtube.
- ↑ "R O U N D 1 ｜ Alien Stage". YouTube. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
Premiered Sep 7, 2022
- ↑ Leung, Hilary (June 2, 2025). "AX '25: ALIEN STAGE touches down at Anime Expo 2025 with live drawing panel". K-Comics Beat. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ↑ Ronning, Casandra (July 3, 2026). "It's Official: Viral Web Series Alien Stage Is Finally Getting an Anime". ScreenRant. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- 1 2 VIVINOS (June 26, 2026). R O U N D 1 ｜ Zombie Stage. Retrieved October 18, 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ TsushimaHiro (June 27, 2026). "宇宙人に飼われた人間が命がけで歌う超人気アニメ『ALIEN STAGE』のパラレルを描く新作「Zombie Stage」公開。ゾンビのアイドルが歌って踊る姿が見られる。再生回数は公開から1日と経たず「270万回」を突破". 電ファミニコゲーマー – ゲームの面白い記事読んでみない？ (in Japanese). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Guerrero, Justin (July 3, 2026). "AX '26: The ALIEN STAGE anime is actually happening!". K-Comics Beat. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- 1 2 Sunwoo, Lynn; Tan, Alexandra; Ogawa, Aaron; Park, Hyojin; Li, Laury (July 21, 2026). "Highlights and announcements from Anime Expo 2026". Annenberg Media. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- 1 2 "3D LIVE ALIEN STAGE Museum in 2372". 3D LIVE ALIEN STAGE Museum in 2372 (in Japanese). October 2, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- 1 2 "TOKYOPOP Licenses The Official Alien Stage Art Book For Publication In". TOKYOPOP Store. October 13, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- ↑ "ALIEN STAGE: The Art Book: 9781427884459 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- ↑ "ALIEN STAGE: The Art Book (Deluxe Edition): 9781427884466 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- ↑ S11 (September 4, 2026). "3D LIVE ALIEN STAGE Museum in 2372 SHOWCASE グッズ情報公開！さらに、本日より一部グッズが事前通販開始！！ - フロンティアワークス公式サイト｜アニメ・書籍・ゲーム・キャラクターグッズ・ミュージカルetc多様なコンテンツを展開". フロンティアワークス公式サイト｜アニメ・書籍・ゲーム・キャラクターグッズ・ミュージカルetc多様なコンテンツを展開 - アニメ、ゲーム、キャラクターグッズの企画制作・映像・出版・CD・配信・ライブ・SNS等、満足度の高いエンターテインメントを取り扱うフロンティアワークスの公式サイトです。. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
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