Alice in Borderland (TV series)
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:02:27 PM Wikipedia source
Alice in Borderland (Japanese: 今際の国のアリス, Hepburn: Imawa no Kuni no Arisu; lit. 'Arisu in the present world') is a Japanese science fiction thriller drama television series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. The series is directed by Shinsuke Sato. It stars Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya as allies trapped in an empty, parallel version of Tokyo, forced to compete as players in dangerous, fatal games. The type and difficulty of each game is represented by playing cards based on French suits and the games are used to extend their "visas" that, if expired, result in the player's execution by lasers shot from the sky. The series' first season was announced in July 2019 and filmed from August to December 2019. Set locations included Shibuya districts and a green screen studio replica of Shibuya Crossing. The show's visual effects were produced in an international collaboration between Japan's Digital Frontier and teams from Singapore, the United States, and India. The musical score was composed by Yutaka Yamada, who had collaborated with Sato. The first season premiered on the Netflix streaming service on December 10, 2020, and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the action sequences, direction, and acting. They compared the show to many entries in the survival genre, including the films Battle Royale (2000) and Cube (1997). The first season's strong performance and high viewership in many countries resulted in Netflix renewing the series two weeks after its premiere; the second season was released on December 22, 2022. On September 27, 2023, it was renewed for a third season, which premiered on September 25, 2025. In a January 2026 article, Netflix stated that the third season was the show's final.
Infobox
Japanese
今際の国のアリス
Literal meaning
Arisu in the present world
Genre
Science fiction Thriller Drama
Based on
Alice in Borderland by Haro Aso
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe Yasuko Kuramitsu Shinsuke Sato
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Starring
Kento Yamazaki Tao Tsuchiya Nijirō Murakami Ayaka Miyoshi Aya Asahina Dori Sakurada Sho Aoyagi Riisa Naka Yuri Tsunematsu Kento Kaku Tina Tamashiro Risa Sudou Koji Ohkura Kotaro Daigo
Composers
Yutaka Yamada Benson Taylor (songs)
Country of origin
Japan
Original language
Japanese
No. of seasons
3
No. of episodes
22
Executive producer
Kaata Sakamoto
Producer
Akira Morii
Cinematography
Taro Kawazu
Editors
Tsuyoshi Imai Shoukichi Kaneda
Camera setup
Multi-camera
Running time
41–80 minutes
Production company
Robot Communications
Network
Netflix
Release
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) – September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Tables
1
1
Season
1
Episodes
8
Episodes
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
2
2
Season
2
Episodes
8
Episodes
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
3
3
Season
3
Episodes
6
Episodes
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
| 1 | 8 | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | ||
| 2 | 8 | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | ||
| 3 | 6 | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | ||
· Episodes › Season 1 (2020)
1
1
No.
overall
1
Episode
Episode 1
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
In Tokyo, jobless and video game-obsessed Arisu hangs out with his friends Chōta and Karube. After causing a disturbance in Shibuya Crossing, the three hide from police in the station bathroom and reemerge to find the city deserted. At night, they follow a billboard's instructions to a "game arena", where they find a stack of phones displaying the
In Tokyo, jobless and video game-obsessed Arisu hangs out with his friends Chōta and Karube. After causing a disturbance in Shibuya Crossing, the three hide from police in the station bathroom and reemerge to find the city deserted. At night, they follow a billboard's instructions to a "game arena", where they find a stack of phones displaying the
No.
overall
In Tokyo, jobless and video game-obsessed Arisu hangs out with his friends Chōta and Karube. After causing a disturbance in Shibuya Crossing, the three hide from police in the station bathroom and reemerge to find the city deserted. At night, they follow a billboard's instructions to a "game arena", where they find a stack of phones displaying the
2
2
No.
overall
2
Episode
Episode 2
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
With no way to escape the abandoned city, Arisu and Karube decide to play another game to extend their visas, leaving Shibuki to tend to the injured Chōta. They find a new game arena in an apartment complex and meet several players, including the agile Usagi, the friendly Tatta, the gruff Aguni, and the sly, mysterious Chishiya. Arisu also learns t
With no way to escape the abandoned city, Arisu and Karube decide to play another game to extend their visas, leaving Shibuki to tend to the injured Chōta. They find a new game arena in an apartment complex and meet several players, including the agile Usagi, the friendly Tatta, the gruff Aguni, and the sly, mysterious Chishiya. Arisu also learns t
No.
overall
With no way to escape the abandoned city, Arisu and Karube decide to play another game to extend their visas, leaving Shibuki to tend to the injured Chōta. They find a new game arena in an apartment complex and meet several players, including the agile Usagi, the friendly Tatta, the gruff Aguni, and the sly, mysterious Chishiya. Arisu also learns t
3
3
No.
overall
3
Episode
Episode 3
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
Karube tells the group about the radio message. To extend Shibuki and Chōta's visas, they head to a game arena in a botanical garden, where they enter a seven-of-hearts difficulty game titled "Hide-and-seek" as the only participants; they soon learn that only one can survive. Equipped with facial recognition headsets, they are assigned animal ident
Karube tells the group about the radio message. To extend Shibuki and Chōta's visas, they head to a game arena in a botanical garden, where they enter a seven-of-hearts difficulty game titled "Hide-and-seek" as the only participants; they soon learn that only one can survive. Equipped with facial recognition headsets, they are assigned animal ident
No.
overall
Karube tells the group about the radio message. To extend Shibuki and Chōta's visas, they head to a game arena in a botanical garden, where they enter a seven-of-hearts difficulty game titled "Hide-and-seek" as the only participants; they soon learn that only one can survive. Equipped with facial recognition headsets, they are assigned animal ident
4
4
No.
overall
4
Episode
Episode 4
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
In a flashback, Usagi is devastated after her mountaineer father commits suicide following public doubt about his Everest climb. In the present, she finds a despondent Arisu and decides to help him. They enter a game arena inside a bus in an underpass and are joined by three other players. For the four-of-clubs game titled "Distance", they are told
In a flashback, Usagi is devastated after her mountaineer father commits suicide following public doubt about his Everest climb. In the present, she finds a despondent Arisu and decides to help him. They enter a game arena inside a bus in an underpass and are joined by three other players. For the four-of-clubs game titled "Distance", they are told
No.
overall
In a flashback, Usagi is devastated after her mountaineer father commits suicide following public doubt about his Everest climb. In the present, she finds a despondent Arisu and decides to help him. They enter a game arena inside a bus in an underpass and are joined by three other players. For the four-of-clubs game titled "Distance", they are told
5
5
No.
overall
5
Episode
Episode 5
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
Arisu and Usagi, searching for the "Beach", secretly follow a group of players with similar wrist tags to a resort filled with players. They are captured and brought before the leader, Hatter, who confirms they have arrived at the "Beach". Hatter explains that their mission is to collect all the playing cards, which they believe will allow them to
Arisu and Usagi, searching for the "Beach", secretly follow a group of players with similar wrist tags to a resort filled with players. They are captured and brought before the leader, Hatter, who confirms they have arrived at the "Beach". Hatter explains that their mission is to collect all the playing cards, which they believe will allow them to
No.
overall
Arisu and Usagi, searching for the "Beach", secretly follow a group of players with similar wrist tags to a resort filled with players. They are captured and brought before the leader, Hatter, who confirms they have arrived at the "Beach". Hatter explains that their mission is to collect all the playing cards, which they believe will allow them to
6
6
No.
overall
6
Episode
Episode 6
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
To extend his visa, Hatter leaves to complete a game but is brought back to the Beach dead, with his henchmen claiming he died during the game. Niragi, a vicious Beach militant, forces the executives to vote Aguni in as the new leader, and Aguni receives the code to a safe containing the collected cards. Chishiya decodes the safe and convinces Aris
To extend his visa, Hatter leaves to complete a game but is brought back to the Beach dead, with his henchmen claiming he died during the game. Niragi, a vicious Beach militant, forces the executives to vote Aguni in as the new leader, and Aguni receives the code to a safe containing the collected cards. Chishiya decodes the safe and convinces Aris
No.
overall
To extend his visa, Hatter leaves to complete a game but is brought back to the Beach dead, with his henchmen claiming he died during the game. Niragi, a vicious Beach militant, forces the executives to vote Aguni in as the new leader, and Aguni receives the code to a safe containing the collected cards. Chishiya decodes the safe and convinces Aris
7
7
No.
overall
7
Episode
Episode 7
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
A girl named Momoka is found stabbed to death, and the players are tasked with identifying the "witch" who murdered her and throwing them onto a bonfire to win. With only two hours to identify the killer, Aguni and his militants decide to kill everyone to collect the last card. As dozens are murdered, Usagi teams up with Tatta, his friend Joe, and
A girl named Momoka is found stabbed to death, and the players are tasked with identifying the "witch" who murdered her and throwing them onto a bonfire to win. With only two hours to identify the killer, Aguni and his militants decide to kill everyone to collect the last card. As dozens are murdered, Usagi teams up with Tatta, his friend Joe, and
No.
overall
A girl named Momoka is found stabbed to death, and the players are tasked with identifying the "witch" who murdered her and throwing them onto a bonfire to win. With only two hours to identify the killer, Aguni and his militants decide to kill everyone to collect the last card. As dozens are murdered, Usagi teams up with Tatta, his friend Joe, and
8
8
No.
overall
8
Episode
Episode 8
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)
In a flashback, Momoka and Asahi wander through the empty city, the latter recording videos on a cellphone. In the present, Arisu confronts Aguni who, believing he is the "witch", confesses to shooting Hatter in self-defense. Arisu reveals the real witch to be Momoka, who killed herself. As Aguni engages Niragi, who still intends to kill everyone,
In a flashback, Momoka and Asahi wander through the empty city, the latter recording videos on a cellphone. In the present, Arisu confronts Aguni who, believing he is the "witch", confesses to shooting Hatter in self-defense. Arisu reveals the real witch to be Momoka, who killed herself. As Aguni engages Niragi, who still intends to kill everyone,
No.
overall
In a flashback, Momoka and Asahi wander through the empty city, the latter recording videos on a cellphone. In the present, Arisu confronts Aguni who, believing he is the "witch", confesses to shooting Hatter in self-defense. Arisu reveals the real witch to be Momoka, who killed herself. As Aguni engages Niragi, who still intends to kill everyone,
| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
| 1 | Episode 1 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| In Tokyo, jobless and video game-obsessed Arisu hangs out with his friends Chōta and Karube. After causing a disturbance in Shibuya Crossing, the three hide from police in the station bathroom and reemerge to find the city deserted. At night, they follow a billboard's instructions to a "game arena", where they find a stack of phones displaying the | |||||
| 2 | Episode 2 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| With no way to escape the abandoned city, Arisu and Karube decide to play another game to extend their visas, leaving Shibuki to tend to the injured Chōta. They find a new game arena in an apartment complex and meet several players, including the agile Usagi, the friendly Tatta, the gruff Aguni, and the sly, mysterious Chishiya. Arisu also learns t | |||||
| 3 | Episode 3 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| Karube tells the group about the radio message. To extend Shibuki and Chōta's visas, they head to a game arena in a botanical garden, where they enter a seven-of-hearts difficulty game titled "Hide-and-seek" as the only participants; they soon learn that only one can survive. Equipped with facial recognition headsets, they are assigned animal ident | |||||
| 4 | Episode 4 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| In a flashback, Usagi is devastated after her mountaineer father commits suicide following public doubt about his Everest climb. In the present, she finds a despondent Arisu and decides to help him. They enter a game arena inside a bus in an underpass and are joined by three other players. For the four-of-clubs game titled "Distance", they are told | |||||
| 5 | Episode 5 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| Arisu and Usagi, searching for the "Beach", secretly follow a group of players with similar wrist tags to a resort filled with players. They are captured and brought before the leader, Hatter, who confirms they have arrived at the "Beach". Hatter explains that their mission is to collect all the playing cards, which they believe will allow them to | |||||
| 6 | Episode 6 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| To extend his visa, Hatter leaves to complete a game but is brought back to the Beach dead, with his henchmen claiming he died during the game. Niragi, a vicious Beach militant, forces the executives to vote Aguni in as the new leader, and Aguni receives the code to a safe containing the collected cards. Chishiya decodes the safe and convinces Aris | |||||
| 7 | Episode 7 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| A girl named Momoka is found stabbed to death, and the players are tasked with identifying the "witch" who murdered her and throwing them onto a bonfire to win. With only two hours to identify the killer, Aguni and his militants decide to kill everyone to collect the last card. As dozens are murdered, Usagi teams up with Tatta, his friend Joe, and | |||||
| 8 | Episode 8 | Shinsuke Sato | Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato | December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10) | |
| In a flashback, Momoka and Asahi wander through the empty city, the latter recording videos on a cellphone. In the present, Arisu confronts Aguni who, believing he is the "witch", confesses to shooting Hatter in self-defense. Arisu reveals the real witch to be Momoka, who killed herself. As Aguni engages Niragi, who still intends to kill everyone, | |||||
· Episodes › Season 2 (2022)
9
9
No.
overall
9
Episode
Episode 1
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
The game begins when a cloaked gunman begins shooting players indiscriminately. The game arena spans the entire city, with a blimp displaying the king-of-spades card trailing the gunman. Arisu theorizes that to return to the real world, they must collect all the face cards, as they did with the pip cards. Arisu, Usagi, Kuina, and Tatta hide togethe
The game begins when a cloaked gunman begins shooting players indiscriminately. The game arena spans the entire city, with a blimp displaying the king-of-spades card trailing the gunman. Arisu theorizes that to return to the real world, they must collect all the face cards, as they did with the pip cards. Arisu, Usagi, Kuina, and Tatta hide togethe
No.
overall
The game begins when a cloaked gunman begins shooting players indiscriminately. The game arena spans the entire city, with a blimp displaying the king-of-spades card trailing the gunman. Arisu theorizes that to return to the real world, they must collect all the face cards, as they did with the pip cards. Arisu, Usagi, Kuina, and Tatta hide togethe
10
10
No.
overall
10
Episode
Episode 2
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
Flashbacks reveal that Kyuma and his team were a rock band before the games. In the present, Kyuma explains that all face-card games are death matches against the respective card's citizens. The king of clubs game, titled "Osmosis", involves players obtaining points via "battling" (touching an opponent, with the higher-scoring player taking 500 poi
Flashbacks reveal that Kyuma and his team were a rock band before the games. In the present, Kyuma explains that all face-card games are death matches against the respective card's citizens. The king of clubs game, titled "Osmosis", involves players obtaining points via "battling" (touching an opponent, with the higher-scoring player taking 500 poi
No.
overall
Flashbacks reveal that Kyuma and his team were a rock band before the games. In the present, Kyuma explains that all face-card games are death matches against the respective card's citizens. The king of clubs game, titled "Osmosis", involves players obtaining points via "battling" (touching an opponent, with the higher-scoring player taking 500 poi
11
11
No.
overall
11
Episode
Episode 3
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
Kyuma and Arisu, who have come to understand each other, talk as the countdown nears its end. Arisu realizes that Kyuma and his team were once regular players and fears this means that clearing the games will not allow them to return home. He then asks to shake Kyuma's hand, causing Kyuma to lose points and shifting the lead to Arisu's team. It is
Kyuma and Arisu, who have come to understand each other, talk as the countdown nears its end. Arisu realizes that Kyuma and his team were once regular players and fears this means that clearing the games will not allow them to return home. He then asks to shake Kyuma's hand, causing Kyuma to lose points and shifting the lead to Arisu's team. It is
No.
overall
Kyuma and Arisu, who have come to understand each other, talk as the countdown nears its end. Arisu realizes that Kyuma and his team were once regular players and fears this means that clearing the games will not allow them to return home. He then asks to shake Kyuma's hand, causing Kyuma to lose points and shifting the lead to Arisu's team. It is
12
12
No.
overall
12
Episode
Episode 4
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
Chishiya and two other players—a serial killer and a con man—identify the Jack of Hearts, Enji. Chishiya leaves while the two plan to torture Enji for information, but Enji commits suicide, ending the game. Kuina leaves Arisu and Usagi to search for Ann and Chishiya. Hopeless, Arisu speculates that since all citizens were once players, clearing the
Chishiya and two other players—a serial killer and a con man—identify the Jack of Hearts, Enji. Chishiya leaves while the two plan to torture Enji for information, but Enji commits suicide, ending the game. Kuina leaves Arisu and Usagi to search for Ann and Chishiya. Hopeless, Arisu speculates that since all citizens were once players, clearing the
No.
overall
Chishiya and two other players—a serial killer and a con man—identify the Jack of Hearts, Enji. Chishiya leaves while the two plan to torture Enji for information, but Enji commits suicide, ending the game. Kuina leaves Arisu and Usagi to search for Ann and Chishiya. Hopeless, Arisu speculates that since all citizens were once players, clearing the
13
13
No.
overall
13
Episode
Episode 5
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
In a flashback, Heiya is the sole survivor of her first game, the seven-of-spades "Boiling Death", losing her leg in the process. In the present, Arisu teams up with Aguni and Heiya to ambush the King of Spades, but their plan fails and he is separated from them. Ann hikes beyond the city, only to find it enclosed by mountains. Kuina survives the j
In a flashback, Heiya is the sole survivor of her first game, the seven-of-spades "Boiling Death", losing her leg in the process. In the present, Arisu teams up with Aguni and Heiya to ambush the King of Spades, but their plan fails and he is separated from them. Ann hikes beyond the city, only to find it enclosed by mountains. Kuina survives the j
No.
overall
In a flashback, Heiya is the sole survivor of her first game, the seven-of-spades "Boiling Death", losing her leg in the process. In the present, Arisu teams up with Aguni and Heiya to ambush the King of Spades, but their plan fails and he is separated from them. Ann hikes beyond the city, only to find it enclosed by mountains. Kuina survives the j
14
14
No.
overall
14
Episode
Episode 6
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
Usagi confronts the opposing players, questioning if they truly prefer to remain in the games rather than hold out for a chance to return home and start over. Her words persuade them to cooperate against the Queen of Spades, and they win the game. Afterward, Arisu and Usagi find a hot spring in the ruins of a stadium, where they bathe and share a k
Usagi confronts the opposing players, questioning if they truly prefer to remain in the games rather than hold out for a chance to return home and start over. Her words persuade them to cooperate against the Queen of Spades, and they win the game. Afterward, Arisu and Usagi find a hot spring in the ruins of a stadium, where they bathe and share a k
No.
overall
Usagi confronts the opposing players, questioning if they truly prefer to remain in the games rather than hold out for a chance to return home and start over. Her words persuade them to cooperate against the Queen of Spades, and they win the game. Afterward, Arisu and Usagi find a hot spring in the ruins of a stadium, where they bathe and share a k
15
15
No.
overall
15
Episode
Episode 7
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
Kuina and Ann reunite in the queen-of-clubs game and survive together. With only two face-card games left to clear, players begin to gather in Shibuya. Niragi forces Arisu and Chishiya into a gunfight, during which Arisu shoots Niragi, and Chishiya is wounded while saving Usagi. The King of Spades arrives. While Arisu sets a trap, Usagi, Kuina, Ann
Kuina and Ann reunite in the queen-of-clubs game and survive together. With only two face-card games left to clear, players begin to gather in Shibuya. Niragi forces Arisu and Chishiya into a gunfight, during which Arisu shoots Niragi, and Chishiya is wounded while saving Usagi. The King of Spades arrives. While Arisu sets a trap, Usagi, Kuina, Ann
No.
overall
Kuina and Ann reunite in the queen-of-clubs game and survive together. With only two face-card games left to clear, players begin to gather in Shibuya. Niragi forces Arisu and Chishiya into a gunfight, during which Arisu shoots Niragi, and Chishiya is wounded while saving Usagi. The King of Spades arrives. While Arisu sets a trap, Usagi, Kuina, Ann
16
16
No.
overall
16
Episode
Episode 8
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
Mira reveals herself to be the Queen of Hearts, and her game, "Croquet", only requires Arisu to complete three rounds without quitting, regardless of the outcome. Mira reveals that she designed the previous "Hide and Seek" game to provoke Arisu, who restrains himself upon realizing that killing Mira would prevent the game from ending. Mira continue
Mira reveals herself to be the Queen of Hearts, and her game, "Croquet", only requires Arisu to complete three rounds without quitting, regardless of the outcome. Mira reveals that she designed the previous "Hide and Seek" game to provoke Arisu, who restrains himself upon realizing that killing Mira would prevent the game from ending. Mira continue
No.
overall
Mira reveals herself to be the Queen of Hearts, and her game, "Croquet", only requires Arisu to complete three rounds without quitting, regardless of the outcome. Mira reveals that she designed the previous "Hide and Seek" game to provoke Arisu, who restrains himself upon realizing that killing Mira would prevent the game from ending. Mira continue
| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
| 9 | Episode 1 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| The game begins when a cloaked gunman begins shooting players indiscriminately. The game arena spans the entire city, with a blimp displaying the king-of-spades card trailing the gunman. Arisu theorizes that to return to the real world, they must collect all the face cards, as they did with the pip cards. Arisu, Usagi, Kuina, and Tatta hide togethe | |||||
| 10 | Episode 2 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| Flashbacks reveal that Kyuma and his team were a rock band before the games. In the present, Kyuma explains that all face-card games are death matches against the respective card's citizens. The king of clubs game, titled "Osmosis", involves players obtaining points via "battling" (touching an opponent, with the higher-scoring player taking 500 poi | |||||
| 11 | Episode 3 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| Kyuma and Arisu, who have come to understand each other, talk as the countdown nears its end. Arisu realizes that Kyuma and his team were once regular players and fears this means that clearing the games will not allow them to return home. He then asks to shake Kyuma's hand, causing Kyuma to lose points and shifting the lead to Arisu's team. It is | |||||
| 12 | Episode 4 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| Chishiya and two other players—a serial killer and a con man—identify the Jack of Hearts, Enji. Chishiya leaves while the two plan to torture Enji for information, but Enji commits suicide, ending the game. Kuina leaves Arisu and Usagi to search for Ann and Chishiya. Hopeless, Arisu speculates that since all citizens were once players, clearing the | |||||
| 13 | Episode 5 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| In a flashback, Heiya is the sole survivor of her first game, the seven-of-spades "Boiling Death", losing her leg in the process. In the present, Arisu teams up with Aguni and Heiya to ambush the King of Spades, but their plan fails and he is separated from them. Ann hikes beyond the city, only to find it enclosed by mountains. Kuina survives the j | |||||
| 14 | Episode 6 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| Usagi confronts the opposing players, questioning if they truly prefer to remain in the games rather than hold out for a chance to return home and start over. Her words persuade them to cooperate against the Queen of Spades, and they win the game. Afterward, Arisu and Usagi find a hot spring in the ruins of a stadium, where they bathe and share a k | |||||
| 15 | Episode 7 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| Kuina and Ann reunite in the queen-of-clubs game and survive together. With only two face-card games left to clear, players begin to gather in Shibuya. Niragi forces Arisu and Chishiya into a gunfight, during which Arisu shoots Niragi, and Chishiya is wounded while saving Usagi. The King of Spades arrives. While Arisu sets a trap, Usagi, Kuina, Ann | |||||
| 16 | Episode 8 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | December 22, 2022 (2022-12-22) | |
| Mira reveals herself to be the Queen of Hearts, and her game, "Croquet", only requires Arisu to complete three rounds without quitting, regardless of the outcome. Mira reveals that she designed the previous "Hide and Seek" game to provoke Arisu, who restrains himself upon realizing that killing Mira would prevent the game from ending. Mira continue | |||||
· Episodes › Season 3 (2025)
17
17
No.
overall
17
Episode
Episode 1
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Five years after the meteorite strike, Arisu is interviewed by Professor Ryuji Matsuyama, who is fascinated with the afterlife and is investigating the Borderland's existence. Arisu and Usagi have since married, but Usagi is haunted by recurring dreams of her late father. Ryuji's investigation leads him to a secret "game seminar", where the winner
Five years after the meteorite strike, Arisu is interviewed by Professor Ryuji Matsuyama, who is fascinated with the afterlife and is investigating the Borderland's existence. Arisu and Usagi have since married, but Usagi is haunted by recurring dreams of her late father. Ryuji's investigation leads him to a secret "game seminar", where the winner
No.
overall
Five years after the meteorite strike, Arisu is interviewed by Professor Ryuji Matsuyama, who is fascinated with the afterlife and is investigating the Borderland's existence. Arisu and Usagi have since married, but Usagi is haunted by recurring dreams of her late father. Ryuji's investigation leads him to a secret "game seminar", where the winner
18
18
No.
overall
18
Episode
Episode 2
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Arisu joins a group of players for the ten-round game "Fortunes", in which a different player must draw a fortune containing a riddle or mathematical question each round; incorrect answers trigger a trap that fires flaming arrows at the group. Arisu, whose memories have returned, answers incorrectly during his turn but uses clues from the previous
Arisu joins a group of players for the ten-round game "Fortunes", in which a different player must draw a fortune containing a riddle or mathematical question each round; incorrect answers trigger a trap that fires flaming arrows at the group. Arisu, whose memories have returned, answers incorrectly during his turn but uses clues from the previous
No.
overall
Arisu joins a group of players for the ten-round game "Fortunes", in which a different player must draw a fortune containing a riddle or mathematical question each round; incorrect answers trigger a trap that fires flaming arrows at the group. Arisu, whose memories have returned, answers incorrectly during his turn but uses clues from the previous
19
19
No.
overall
19
Episode
Episode 3
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Arisu is revealed to have been one of the original zombies, and he has been secretly infecting his allies, ensuring a majority zombie win. Rei joins Arisu's group as they travel to the next game arena. Elsewhere in the Borderland, Usagi and Ryuji win a game together. Ryuji, knowing that Usagi is haunted by her father's death, invited her to join hi
Arisu is revealed to have been one of the original zombies, and he has been secretly infecting his allies, ensuring a majority zombie win. Rei joins Arisu's group as they travel to the next game arena. Elsewhere in the Borderland, Usagi and Ryuji win a game together. Ryuji, knowing that Usagi is haunted by her father's death, invited her to join hi
No.
overall
Arisu is revealed to have been one of the original zombies, and he has been secretly infecting his allies, ensuring a majority zombie win. Rei joins Arisu's group as they travel to the next game arena. Elsewhere in the Borderland, Usagi and Ryuji win a game together. Ryuji, knowing that Usagi is haunted by her father's death, invited her to join hi
20
20
No.
overall
20
Episode
Episode 4
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Using the knowledge of a train hobbyist player, Usagi leads Ryuji and others to jump off their train to safety. She spots Arisu playing the same game on another train, but the pair are unable to reunite. Ryuji tells Usagi that he caused the death of his student who was as obsessed with death as he is, when their experiment to simulate a near-death
Using the knowledge of a train hobbyist player, Usagi leads Ryuji and others to jump off their train to safety. She spots Arisu playing the same game on another train, but the pair are unable to reunite. Ryuji tells Usagi that he caused the death of his student who was as obsessed with death as he is, when their experiment to simulate a near-death
No.
overall
Using the knowledge of a train hobbyist player, Usagi leads Ryuji and others to jump off their train to safety. She spots Arisu playing the same game on another train, but the pair are unable to reunite. Ryuji tells Usagi that he caused the death of his student who was as obsessed with death as he is, when their experiment to simulate a near-death
21
21
No.
overall
21
Episode
Episode 5
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Arisu and his team enter the final arena by following projections of their possible future lives, and Arisu reunites with Usagi. The final game is "Future Sugoroku", where the players are inside a labyrinth of rooms and have to find the exit, with dice rolls deciding the number of people allowed through each door. The players all wear bracelets wit
Arisu and his team enter the final arena by following projections of their possible future lives, and Arisu reunites with Usagi. The final game is "Future Sugoroku", where the players are inside a labyrinth of rooms and have to find the exit, with dice rolls deciding the number of people allowed through each door. The players all wear bracelets wit
No.
overall
Arisu and his team enter the final arena by following projections of their possible future lives, and Arisu reunites with Usagi. The final game is "Future Sugoroku", where the players are inside a labyrinth of rooms and have to find the exit, with dice rolls deciding the number of people allowed through each door. The players all wear bracelets wit
22
22
No.
overall
22
Episode
Episode 6
Directed by
Shinsuke Sato
Written by
Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato
Original release date
September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)
Arisu successfully guides everyone to the exit, but only seven can leave, so he sacrifices himself by staying behind. Ryuji attempts to shoot Usagi but ultimately cannot go through with it. Arisu is told that he is the winner, and he is met by Banda, who reveals that the new games were his plan to convince Arisu to become a Borderland citizen. Aris
Arisu successfully guides everyone to the exit, but only seven can leave, so he sacrifices himself by staying behind. Ryuji attempts to shoot Usagi but ultimately cannot go through with it. Arisu is told that he is the winner, and he is met by Banda, who reveals that the new games were his plan to convince Arisu to become a Borderland citizen. Aris
No.
overall
Arisu successfully guides everyone to the exit, but only seven can leave, so he sacrifices himself by staying behind. Ryuji attempts to shoot Usagi but ultimately cannot go through with it. Arisu is told that he is the winner, and he is met by Banda, who reveals that the new games were his plan to convince Arisu to become a Borderland citizen. Aris
| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
| 17 | Episode 1 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | |
| Five years after the meteorite strike, Arisu is interviewed by Professor Ryuji Matsuyama, who is fascinated with the afterlife and is investigating the Borderland's existence. Arisu and Usagi have since married, but Usagi is haunted by recurring dreams of her late father. Ryuji's investigation leads him to a secret "game seminar", where the winner | |||||
| 18 | Episode 2 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | |
| Arisu joins a group of players for the ten-round game "Fortunes", in which a different player must draw a fortune containing a riddle or mathematical question each round; incorrect answers trigger a trap that fires flaming arrows at the group. Arisu, whose memories have returned, answers incorrectly during his turn but uses clues from the previous | |||||
| 19 | Episode 3 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | |
| Arisu is revealed to have been one of the original zombies, and he has been secretly infecting his allies, ensuring a majority zombie win. Rei joins Arisu's group as they travel to the next game arena. Elsewhere in the Borderland, Usagi and Ryuji win a game together. Ryuji, knowing that Usagi is haunted by her father's death, invited her to join hi | |||||
| 20 | Episode 4 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | |
| Using the knowledge of a train hobbyist player, Usagi leads Ryuji and others to jump off their train to safety. She spots Arisu playing the same game on another train, but the pair are unable to reunite. Ryuji tells Usagi that he caused the death of his student who was as obsessed with death as he is, when their experiment to simulate a near-death | |||||
| 21 | Episode 5 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | |
| Arisu and his team enter the final arena by following projections of their possible future lives, and Arisu reunites with Usagi. The final game is "Future Sugoroku", where the players are inside a labyrinth of rooms and have to find the exit, with dice rolls deciding the number of people allowed through each door. The players all wear bracelets wit | |||||
| 22 | Episode 6 | Shinsuke Sato | Yasuko Kuramitsu & Shinsuke Sato | September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) | |
| Arisu successfully guides everyone to the exit, but only seven can leave, so he sacrifices himself by staying behind. Ryuji attempts to shoot Usagi but ultimately cannot go through with it. Arisu is told that he is the winner, and he is met by Banda, who reveals that the new games were his plan to convince Arisu to become a Borderland citizen. Aris | |||||
Critical response of Alice in Borderland · Reception
1
1
Season
1
Rotten Tomatoes
82% (11 reviews)
Metacritic
TBD
2
2
Season
2
Rotten Tomatoes
91% (11 reviews)
Metacritic
TBD
3
3
Season
3
Rotten Tomatoes
63% (8 reviews)
Metacritic
TBD
| Season | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
| 1 | 82% (11 reviews) | TBD |
| 2 | 91% (11 reviews) | TBD |
| 3 | 63% (8 reviews) | TBD |
References
- As depicted in season one, episode 7 (2020).
- Looperhttps://www.looper.com/313977/the-sci-fi-thriller-series-everyones-binging-on-netflix/
- Salonhttps://www.salon.com/2020/12/24/alice-in-borderland-netflix-the-stand-battle-royale/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/best-sci-fi-fantasy-shows-2020-according-imdb/
- abouthttps://about.netflix.com/en/news/what-we-watched-the-second-half-of-2025
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-10-28/live-action-alice-in-borderland-series-english-subtitled-trailer-previews-battle-royale-level-stakes/.165695
- Robot Communicationshttps://www.robot.co.jp/special/aliceinborderland/en.html
- Ars Technicahttps://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/12/review-alice-in-borderland-takes-us-down-a-deliciously-bonkers-rabbit-hole/
- "Niragi Alice in Borderland: The Game of Life And Death"https://thehollywoodupdate.com/niragi-alice-in-borderland-the-game-of-life-and-death-and-netflix-season-3/
- Comic Book Resourceshttps://www.cbr.com/netflix-alice-in-borderland-biggest-changes-to-manga/
- Comic Book Resourceshttps://www.cbr.com/alice-in-borderland-worse-to-be-dealer-than-player/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/07/alice-in-borderland-season-3-release-date-trailer-netflix-1236451356/
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-07-16/netflix-produces-live-action-alice-in-borderland-series/.149041
- Screen Anarchyhttps://screenanarchy.com/2020/12/interview-alice-in-borderland-director-sato-shinsuke-on-finding-hope.html
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-08-04/kento-yamazaki-tao-tsuchiya-star-in-live-action-alice-in-borderland-series-for-netflix/.149684
- Muuviiihttps://web.archive.org/web/20201223151203/https://muuviii.com/movie-imawa-kuni-arisu/
- ABS-CBNnewshttps://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/24/20/here-are-10-facts-about-alice-in-borderland-as-it-announces-second-season
- "Netflix orders 2nd season of Alice in Borderland, its global hit Japanese series"https://sg.style.yahoo.com/netflix-orders-2nd-season-alice-in-borderland-japanese-series-081056399.html
- Ashikaga Eizouhttps://www.ashikaga-eizou.jp/topics/topics.php?id=656
- "終了 * [12/11]NETFLIX大作ドラマ「今際の国のアリス」エキストラ募集"http://tokyo.mport.info/ex/n19/invite/alice_in_borderland_ex.php