Alice in Borderland became a massive hit upon its Netflix debut in December 2020, claiming the title of the most-watched Japanese series on the platform. The second season wrapped up two years after its initial release in December 2022, which appeared to be the series finale… or so we thought.
In an announcement on X (formerly known as Twitter), Netflix has confirmed that the Japanese sci-fi thriller drama Alice in Borderland is coming back for the third season.
You may draw another card. 🃏 Alice in Borderland will return for Season 3!
— Netflix (@netflix) September 27, 2023
Netflix has also confirmed the return of Kento Yamazaki, who portrayed Arisu, and Tao Tsuchiya, known for her role as Usagi, for season 3.
The heart-pounding series, based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso, has captivated audiences worldwide with its intense plot and thrilling life and death games, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what the next season had in store.
The second season ended with Arisu and Usagi escaping to the real world, but then a Joker card appeared, suggesting that the games are not over just yet.
So, what could Alice in Borderland season 3 be about? Here are some interesting plot ideas the series could explore:
A new storyline featuring the Joker card
During the games in Alice in Borderland, the characters faced challenges linked to each playing card, covering everything from numbered cards to face cards, with the exception of the Joker.
As Season 2 of Alice in Borderland concluded, it left viewers hanging with an intriguing final scene - a close-up of a mysterious Joker card, sparking speculation about a Season 3. This Joker card hints at a lingering challenge for Arisu - the Joker game
Yet, the Joker card in the manga symbolizes the Ferryman, the one responsible for bringing Arisu and the surviving participants back to reality. This revelation opens the door for Alice in Borderland to explore an entirely different storyline if the creators opt to follow the Joker card narrative.
Arisu and Usagi may also decide to try to shut the Borderland down after they realize it’s a place of suffering and death. This would be a satisfying way to end the series.
Arisu and Usagi could become game masters
In the series, Arisu and Usagi manage to escape Borderland after defeating the Queen of Hearts, Mira Kano. Following their victory, they are presented with two options: to stay and assume the role of gamemasters or to leave the Borderland and return to the real world, with the latter being their chosen path.
But what if they had decided to stay instead? Season 3 could delve into this alternative plot, exploring how Arisu and Usagi grapple with the moral implications of becoming gamemasters.
Alice in Borderland Retry
The Alice in Borderland Retry manga is a sequel to the original Alice in Borderland manga, and it follows Arisu as he is transported back to the Borderland several years after he escaped.
In the Retry manga, Arisu is now an adult and is married to Usagi, who is pregnant with their first child. One day, Arisu is transported back to the Borderland, and he must once again compete in deadly games to survive. It is possible that Alice in Borderland season 3 will be inspired by the Retry manga.
It will be interesting to see how the creators of the Alice in Borderland series tie up all of the loose ends from the first two seasons in season 3.
However, it is too early to say for sure what Alice in Borderland season 3 has in store, but based on the first two seasons, we can expect it to be an equally thrilling and suspenseful ride.
No matter what direction the show takes, Alice in Borderland season 3 is sure to be a must-watch for fans of sci-fi, thriller and drama alike.
