The games are far from over. “Alice in Borderland,” Netflix’s hit Japanese sci-fi thriller, launched its third season on Thursday, plunging viewers back into the deadly, parallel version of Tokyo known as the Borderland. This new chapter arrives with great anticipation and notable changes that have caught the attention of its dedicated fanbase.
The new season opens with protagonists Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) attempting to build a normal married life after escaping the lethal game arena. However, their hard-won peace is shattered when Usagi vanishes. She is kidnapped and taken back to the Borderland by a mysterious, afterlife-obsessed scholar, forcing a devastated Arisu to follow and face a new gauntlet of challenges.
This time, only one card remains: the enigmatic Joker. Directed once again by Shinsuke Sato, the season promises the same high-stakes survival drama but ventures into uncharted narrative territory. The new season sees the series move beyond the original manga's conclusion, crafting a new story that, as noted by fans on platforms like Reddit, has surprised some viewers who thought the narrative had reached its definitive end with Season 2.
The cast sees the return of its core heroes, Yamazaki and Tsuchiya, alongside key allies like Ann (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Banda (Hayato Isomura). The season also introduces several new players, including Kento Kaku as the enigmatic Professor Ryuji Matsuyama.
However, the return to the Borderland comes with a significant shift in its roster of characters. Notably absent from the main cast list are several fan-favorites from previous seasons, including the cunning Chishiya (Nijirō Murakami) and the resilient Kuina (Aya Asahina). Their absence has been noted by the show’s community.
On social media and fan forums, some critics have expressed disappointment. “Bit of a shame that certain characters seemingly aren’t returning like Chishiya, Kuina etc.,” one fan commented on Reddit expressing their opinion that their presence is integral to the show’s dynamic. While rumors have circulated regarding actor availability, the new season forges ahead with a fresh ensemble.
The series continues to be a critical success, holding strong scores of 80% on the Tomatometer and 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 3 aims to build on this foundation, delivering the suspenseful, game-based action that defined the first two seasons while exploring a new, post-manga storyline.
Whether the new cast and high-concept plot will satisfy long-time fans remains to be seen but one thing is certain: in the Borderland, the only constant is danger.
“Alice in Borderland” Season 3 is now streaming in its entirety on Netflix.
