Why ‘Alligator Loki’ is the new Baby Yoda of Marvel universe

Baby Yoda, get back to your crib. “Alligator Loki” is coming to snatch your title.

Marvel’s third smash streaming hit — “Loki”, currently airing on Disney+ — is finally catching up to the hype surrounding “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” with its very own unofficial mascot.

Disney+ first made waves with its streaming platform in 2019, but the introduction of Baby Yoda in “The Mandalorian” was the not-so-secret weapon what drew audiences and subscribers in. With just two seasons of “The Mandalorian,” Baby Yoda has become the unofficial mascot for Disney+.

But after the fifth episode of “Loki,” Marvel might be giving “The Mandalorian” a run for its money.

In 2021 alone, Marvel released three separate TV series: “WandaVision,” “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” and now comes “Loki.” It appears the third time may be another charm for the cinematic universe.

In Episode 5, which aired July 7, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki surrounded himself with variants of himself from other dimensions, including Boastful Loki, President Loki, Kid Loki, Classic Loki and the new fan favorite, Alligator Loki — a gator sporting Loki’s familiar horned headgear.

President Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in Marvel Studios' "Loki"
President Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in Marvel Studios’ “Loki”
Marvel Studios

In typical Marvel fashion, the alligator’s true identity wasn’t explicitly revealed. Fans have no prior knowledge of this addition, because the character is just that, an addition, not a character from the comics. However, fans and cast members have begun to speculate.

“The question is, ‘Is he really Loki? Or is he just green?’ ” Hiddleston explained in an interview with Marvel.com. “It’s such a funny question that [the Lokis] all bicker about. One thing about Loki is that Loki loves to be right. And they all have a different opinion about this alligator.”

The “Loki” audience is joining in on the fun with the Loki variants, but fans are accepting this new character with open arms, whether or not it’s a legitimate Loki.

The addition of Alligator Loki’ prompted the social-media dominating question of whether or not it really is Loki from another dimension, just like its predecessor.

The show’s director, Kate Herron, even joined in on the fun, playfully declaring Alligator Loki “one of the biggest divas and the most demanding actor I’ve ever worked with.” Meanwhile, other “Loki” fans are already calling for a gator-driven spinoff.

Some fans are already calling for Alligator Loki merchandise, too.

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