Reasons Behind the Creation of Alice In Borderland Season 3 After Season 2’s Conclusion

Alice in Borderland has recently made headlines with the announcement of its third season, which arrived roughly a year after the release of season two on Netflix. This news was particularly unexpected because the conclusion of season two seemed to wrap up the narrative. Originally based on Haro Aso’s manga, Alice in Borderland debuted in December 2020. Although a brief anime adaptation was produced in 2014, the live-action series significantly elevated the franchise’s popularity, establishing itself as a notable success on the streaming platform. The series resonated well not only with manga enthusiasts but also attracted a diverse audience of new viewers, a feat not often achieved by adaptations of manga and anime.

The show stars Kento Yamazaki as Arisu and Tao Tsuchiya as Usagi, taking the battle royale concept to new heights through its unique setting in an alternate Tokyo. The characters find themselves embroiled in deadly games, aiming for survival. The inevitable comparisons to Netflix’s Squid Game, which premiered a year later, reflected a trend in viewing habits; while Alice in Borderland did not reach the same level of notoriety as Squid Game, it nonetheless garnered substantial acclaim, as evidenced by its second season release in December 2022 and now, a confirmed third season.

A Look at Alice In Borderland Season 2’s Ending

Was Season 2 the Final Chapter?

Arisu and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Borderland season 2 finale

The revelation of season 3’s development surprised many fans, especially since the second season comprehensively covered the entire manga storyline. The finale mirrored key events from the manga, showcasing Arisu’s confrontation with the Queen of Hearts, who nearly deceives him. In the aftermath of her defeat, surviving players faced a pivotal choice: remain in the Borderland or return to their own reality. Remarkably, Arisu, Usagi, and the main cast declined to stay.

Season 3 is slated for release in 2025. This installment aims to unveil a twist: all characters were actually hospitalized, battling for survival after a meteorite struck Tokyo. The events that transpired in season 2 were depicted as a near-death experience lasting just an hour in real time. The manga also concluded with Arisu and Usagi reuniting in the real world, albeit with no recollection of their Borderland encounters.

The Teasing Cliffhanger of Alice In Borderland’s Joker Card

The Joker: An Obvious Hook for a Sequel

Chishiya and Arisu looking at the Joker Card in Alice in Borderland season 2

The confirmation of season 3 took nearly a year but was anticipated after the finale hinted at further developments. Unlike the manga’s definitive conclusion, season 2 concluded with a cliffhanger, zooming in on a Joker card. The absence of a Joker game in the earlier seasons led to assumptions that this closing scene served as a precursor to future plot arcs.

The spin-off, Alice in Borderland: Retry, set years after season 2, explores Arisu and Usagi as a married couple preparing for a child. However, an accident propels Arisu back into the Borderland, with issues resolved swiftly, suggesting it may not play a role in the upcoming season.

Notably, while a Joker figure exists in the manga, he functions merely as the ferryman of the Borderland. Therefore, the Joker card’s significance in season 2 likely indicates a departure from the original storyline, introducing new narrative elements. Speculation abounds regarding Arisu’s reality—whether he truly left the Borderland or is yet to confront the Joker game.

Alice In Borderland’s Netflix Success and Season 3’s Likelihood

A Record-Breaking Performance

The primary reason behind season 3’s confirmation, despite having exhausted the manga’s content, is Alice in Borderland’s remarkable performance on Netflix. Season 2 achieved the number one position in Netflix’s non-English series category, amassing an impressive 61.2 million viewing hours in its opening weekend, dominating charts in nine countries and landing in the Top 10 of 90 global regions. It has solidified its place as the most-watched live-action Japanese series on the platform.

Moreover, the series has made several creative alterations from the source material, such as reimagining Chishiya’s character and introducing original game concepts. This trajectory has allowed the live-action adaptation to carve out its unique identity, well-positioned to continue narratives that go beyond the manga. The forthcoming season holds much promise, and fans are eager to see how it will incorporate the elements that made the series a standout success.

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