Summary

ROUND 5^[b] is the fourth episode of the ALIEN STAGE series. It introduces Luka, winner of the past season of Alien Stage, and his performance against Mizi.

After having an easy first round^[1], Luka goes against Mizi, who is fragilized after ROUND 1 and the loss of Sua. Luka mocks her throughout the performance, which leads to Mizi snapping and attacking him at the near end of the round, with the Segyein audience, Luka's owner, Heperu, Till, and the guards watching in shock. Before she's killed by the guards, the Rebellion invades the stage and Hyuna saves Mizi. The episode ends with Hyuna and Luka exchanging brief glances after having not seen each other in some time.

Commentary

The concept for ROUND 5 was a political marriage in which Mizi, the bride, finds herself in an unwanted marriage with a man, Luka, who disregards and thinks of her as inferior.^[2]

The stage for ROUND 5 is based on a opera house, borrowing elements from science fiction to fully display Alien Stage's futuristic themes. ^[3] Contrary to the previous rounds, the Anakt Group provided the stage especially for Luka, courtesy of being the winner of Alien Stage's 49th Season. Anakt Group's logo can be seen engraved on the floor.^[4] The location seen on ROUND 5 is actually a historial site built from the remains of an ancient creature that once lived on the planet before it was invaded by the Anakt Group. After the invasion, future generation used the bones left behind in honor of the creature. The place is usually open for the public, but an exception was made for Luka to use it for his performance.^[5]

Luka has always lived under strict control, so the stage was a place where he could finally come to life and express himself. As such, being the best in this kind of place was his only joy in life.^[6]

Although Luka said to not have paid much attention to his oponent, Mizi, in the interview before the round, he had actually done extensive reserch on her, which allowed him to easily toy with her troughout the round.^[7]

In the second half of the episode, a terrible halllucination of Sua's last moments appears before Mizi, bringing forth the trauma caused by her loss. This, in addition to her fear of the ever-approaching death, makes Mizi lose her mind, and the feelings she repressed throughout the performance explode. She then releases her violent nature, choking and beating Luka against her better judgement in an attempt to escape from the situation.^[8]

Luka, who has no concern over his body, smiles even though he's injured. This smile shows not only a sense of satisfaction over having won, but also mockery towards Mizi, who couldn't control her primitive emotions.^[9]

At the end, there is the reunion between Luka and Hyuna who, once inseparable, are now more accostumed to life without each other.^[10]

Trivia

• Mizi's emotions spike when she sees Sua in Luka's place, while Luka's do so when he smirks at her after getting beat up.^[11]
• Mizi has a mental breakdown when she's dragged off of Luka as he smiles at her.^[11]
• ROUND 5 has the largest and grandest stage in the series.
^[12]

Notes

↑ Although Mizi loses, there are no proper scores as she goes MISSING at the end.

↑ The videos skip over ROUND 4. Instead, it's shown at the beginning of ROUND 5.

References

[1] A Legendary Comeback Coming Soon!

[2] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 100

[3] ALNST Stage Concept

[4] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 109

[5] ALNST 5ROUND work log

[6] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 120

[7] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 121

[8] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 125, 126

[9] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 127

[10] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 128

[11] Alien Stage Album VOL.2

[12] Alien Stage Official Artbook Pg. 317