The scene remains one of the most brutal and heart-wrenching moments in the Alien Stage webtoon and animation: the shocking moment when Ivan turns on his closest companion, Till, initiating a violent chokehold on the stage during Round 6. This controversial event, which occurred in the high-stakes, life-or-death music competition, has sparked endless debate and fan theories since its release. As of December 2025, the community is still dissecting the complex motivations behind Ivan’s actions, which appear to be a desperate act of betrayal, but are, in fact, a profound act of sacrifice and strategic genius.
The question "Why did Ivan choke Till?" is not answered with a simple explanation. It requires a deep dive into the characters’ complex relationship, the oppressive rules of the M.O.M system, and a desperate, last-minute contingency plan designed to save the person he loved most. The truth is a blend of self-sacrifice, strategic manipulation of the rules, and a final, desperate cry against the system.
Character Profiles: Ivan and Till (Alien Stage)
To fully grasp the gravity of the Round 6 incident, it is essential to understand the individuals at the center of the conflict, Ivan and Till, who were bound by a deep, complicated relationship forged under extreme duress.
- Ivan: A participant in the Alien Stage competition, known for his calm, strategic mind and his deep, protective bond with Till. He often appears stoic but harbors intense emotions. His actions throughout the competition are driven by a singular goal: ensuring Till's survival.
- Till: Another participant, often characterized by his emotional vulnerability and powerful singing voice. He is deeply dependent on Ivan, viewing him as his protector and closest confidant in the brutal environment of the stage.
- Relationship Dynamic: Their bond is the emotional core of the series. They are a duo, relying on each other for both psychological and physical support. Ivan's love for Till is often described as obsessive and protective, leading him to make the ultimate choice in the final round.
The Core Reason: A Final, Desperate Act of Sacrifice
The single most accepted and powerful theory explaining Ivan’s chokehold on Till is that it was a meticulously planned act of self-sacrifice. Ivan intended to use the violence to trigger his own execution, thereby saving Till from the inevitable fate of the loser.
1. The Contingency Plan Against Inevitable Loss
Ivan was a master strategist, constantly observing the rules and loopholes of the Alien Stage. He realized that in Round 6, with the scores fluctuating wildly, Till was in danger of losing the competition. The rules of the Alien Stage are absolute: the loser is executed.
- The Observation: Ivan had watched the previous rounds and understood that violence on the stage was an immediate, punishable offense, resulting in the perpetrator being shot by the guards.
- The Execution: By initiating a violent chokehold on Till, Ivan intentionally committed a capital offense. This act immediately shifted the focus from the singing competition to the violation of the rules.
- The Outcome: The guards, seeing the violence, immediately shot Ivan, effectively ending the match and, crucially, saving Till from the execution that would have followed his loss. This confirms that the choke was not an attack, but a strategic maneuver to throw the match and sacrifice himself.
2. Manipulating the Scoring System
The scoring system in the Alien Stage is tied to the performance. As Till's performance faltered or his score dipped, Ivan saw an opportunity to intervene before the final score was tallied.
- Stopping the Clock: The moment Ivan began choking Till, the entire competition was disrupted. The scoring stopped, and the focus shifted entirely to the violence.
- Ensuring Till's Survival: By forcing a premature, violent end to the round, Ivan ensured that Till could not be declared the loser by the M.O.M. system. His action was a deliberate attempt to cheat the system out of its intended victim.
Deeper Psychological and Symbolic Motivations
Beyond the pure strategy of sacrifice, the act of choking Till is layered with complex emotional and symbolic meanings that add profound depth to Ivan’s character.
3. A Final Expression of Possession and Love
Ivan's love for Till is often portrayed as intense and possessive. In a system where both of their lives were controlled by an external force (the M.O.M. system and the collars), the chokehold can be interpreted as a final, desperate attempt to reclaim agency over Till’s fate, even if it meant his own death.
- The Power Dynamic: In that moment, Ivan was the only one in control of Till’s life, not the system. It was a dark, final expression of his intense devotion, ensuring that if anyone was to die, it would be him, the protector, and not Till.
- The Paradox of Violence: The most violent act he could commit was, paradoxically, the greatest act of love and protection he could offer. He used the very system's rules (violence = death) against itself.
4. Reclaiming Power from the Oppressive Collar
Another compelling fan theory suggests the act was a symbolic defiance against the entire oppressive structure of the Alien Stage. The collars around the participants’ necks represent their enslavement and lack of control.
- The Symbolic Act: By strangling Till, Ivan was symbolically taking power away from the oppressive collar and the system it represented. He was asserting that their lives belonged to them, not the M.O.M.
- Trust and Compliance: The fact that Till was shocked but ultimately compliant during the chokehold speaks volumes about his underlying trust in Ivan, even in the face of apparent violence. Till knew Ivan’s actions were never truly malicious towards him.
5. The Need for a Definitive End
Some analyses suggest that Ivan was also driven by a psychological need for a definitive resolution. The constant stress and uncertainty of the Alien Stage were unbearable. Ivan needed a clear, final outcome, and his death provided that certainty for Till.
- Ending the Cycle: By sacrificing himself, Ivan ended the cycle of fear and competition for Till. He ensured that the only way Till could possibly survive was if Ivan took the punishment for the violence, forcing the system's hand.
- The Final Smile: The final image of Ivan, after being shot and falling, often shows him smiling. This smile is the ultimate confirmation of his success: he was shot, which means his plan worked, and Till was saved.
The Legacy of Ivan's Sacrifice
The question "why did ivan choke till" ultimately leads to one tragic and heroic conclusion: Ivan's action was not an act of malice, but a masterful, sacrificial strategy to save the person he loved from a fate worse than death. It cemented his role as a tragic hero in the Alien Stage narrative, a character who chose to violate the rules of the game in the most extreme way possible to ensure the survival of his partner. This single, violent act is the key to understanding the depth of their bond and the ultimate cruelty of the Alien Stage system.
Key Entities and Topical Authority
The discussion surrounding this event is rich with specific terms and concepts that lend topical authority to the analysis:
- Alien Stage Webtoon
- M.O.M. System
- Round 6 Competition
- Execution Protocol
- Contingency Plan
- Self-Sacrifice
- Character Motivation
- Oppression and Defiance
- The Collar Symbolism
- Scoring Manipulation
- Tragic Hero Archetype
- Ivan's Final Smile
- Fan Theories and Analysis
- Psychological Thriller Elements
- The Paradox of Love and Violence
- Till’s Survival
- Guard Intervention
- Plot Twist
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