‘Loki’: How Many Loki Variants Appeared in Episode 5?
Once Marvel’s Loki started throwing its characters into alternate universes, things were bound to go a little off the rails. The show delivered on that promise with Episode 5, which saw the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) main Loki (Tom Hiddleston) waking up in a “void at the end of time” after being pruned. He finds himself surrounded by different versions of himself, all of whom experienced other Nexus events to get there. The episode introduces a number of Lokis throughout its 49-minute run, begging the question: how many Loki variants appear in “Journey Into Mystery”?
A total of 16 Loki variants appear in ‘Journey Into Mystery’
Anyone keeping count will find that a total of 16 different Loki variants are featured in “Journey Into Mystery.” It’s a decent number, and there are probably more of them wandering around in alternate timelines.
Although 16 Loki variants show up over the course of the episode, only about half of them are actually relevant to its storyline. The majority of them appear in the background, serving as allies to President Loki — well, until they all start turning on one another anyway.
‘Loki’ shined a spotlight on about half of the variants featured in the episode
There wasn’t enough time to delve into every Loki’s backstory during a single episode, but fans did get to know a handful of them during “Journey Into Mystery.” The most prominent new Loki variants featured were Classic Loki (Richard E. Grant), Kid Loki (Jack Veal), Boastful Loki (Deobia Oparei), and Alligator Loki. They make up the group that helps Hiddleston’s character find a way out of the void.
President Loki is another new face who receives a decent amount of screen time, serving as one of the episode’s antagonists. Also portrayed by Hiddleston, this variant demonstrates what Loki could have become without undergoing any serious growth.
Naturally, the show’s main Loki and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) are the focal point of the episode. These two search for a way to escape their current circumstances in the hopes of taking down the TVA. They successfully manage to open a doorway out of the void, but where they’re headed is unknown. Whether they’ll see any of the other Loki variants again remains a mystery.
Could these alternate versions of Loki show up again?
With Loki and Sylvie finding their way out of the void, it’s possible fans have seen the last of the Loki variants stuck there. However, depending on how the show ends, there may be room to explore the other Loki variants in more depth. This is especially true if Marvel does kick open the doors to the multiverse.
Unfortunately, if any of the other Lokis do show up in the MCU, Classic Loki probably won’t be one of them. Grant’s character puts on a stunning display of power in order to distract the beast Alioth long enough for Sylvie to enchant it. The monster appears to devour him in the midst of it, but there’s always a chance he was creating another illusion. After all, his trickery was enough to fool Thanos.
Kid Loki and Alligator Loki were last seen parting ways with Loki and Sylvie, so it’s possible one or both of them will make a comeback. They could play a role in the finale, or they could make an appearance down the line.
As for Boastful Loki, President Loki, and all the unnamed variants from the episode, it’s hard to say how they fared following the Loki showdown that takes place halfway through. If any of them did survive (and a Loki usually does), they’re fair game for another appearance as well.
Fans will obviously see Hiddleston’s Loki and Sylvie again in the finale, and likely in the greater MCU as well. These two may uncover something big next episode, and that’s likely to have a ripple effect on the franchise. With any luck, they’ll be involved with dealing with that. It’s hard to imagine the MCU without at least one or two Lokis around.
