Alice in Borderland Returns with New Twists

“Alice in Borderland is back with a bang. This is an explosive and heart-wrenching third season. With higher stakes and big revelations, it will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.”

After three years of waiting, the Japanese hit series Alice in Borderland finally returns for a third season. It stars Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Hayato Isomura, Ayaka Miyoshi, Katsuya Maiguma, Koji Ohkura, and Kento Kaku. Unlike previous seasons, this one is composed of six episodes instead of eight. The series will be released on September 25th on Netflix.

Alice in Borderland Season 3 (Netflix) Review — Courtesy of Netflix

BACK IN THE GAMES

The first two seasons were based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. Season 2 ended with a big twist, revealing that the players were survivors of a meteorite impact in Shibuya, but that wasn’t the end. Indeed, season 3 picks up on that with an original story. So, this is truly uncharted territory, which makes it all the more exciting because there’s no way of predicting what will happen.

This season, the games are the most impactful yet, both emotionally for the characters and in terms of their significance for the story. Obviously, the stakes are also higher. This is a rollercoaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. The tension goes crescendo with the games. It starts high and keeps going up. This is an explosive season. Arisu and Usagi are joined by a new roster of characters. Each character has their own story arc, their own background, and their own moment to shine. They are all fully fledged characters with something to say and something to add to the story. With just a short amount of time, the story makes you care about them.

A HEART-WRENCHING STORY

This season goes hard with the feels. In fact, it’s a heart-wrenching story not just because of the characters who lose at the games but also because of their stories and why they are in the Borderland. There are incredibly poignant scenes. Tissues are required. You are not prepared for the flow of emotions that will hit you. At its heart, these games show the humanity of the characters and their will to survive. How far will they go to survive, and will they be willing to help people whom they don’t know? A human drama mixed with science fiction elements creates a powerful combo. This season isn’t just about the games; it also touches upon the why and the how. It comes with big twists and surprises.

CAST

It’s safe to say Kento Yamazaki is the king of playing lead characters in manga adaptations. Each time he slays it. And here, he continues to shine as Arisu. He has a great acting range and knows how to go from a tense scene to a more emotional one. He delivers a strong performance. The on-screen chemistry between him and Tao Tsuchiya is one that really works. Moreover, Tsuchiya continues to stand out with her physical performance, but with her emotional performance too. Usagi is a role that suits her.

The new additions to the cast are great, and each cast member brings their own touch to their respective characters. There are two I absolutely need to mention. Firstly, Kento Kaku feels at home in this universe. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t appeared before. He has an enigmatic presence that’s the right fit for his character. Secondly, Kotaro Daigo is at the beginning of his acting career, but he already impresses. And with this new role, he delivers a profoundly moving performance. There are many layers to his character, and he plays that so brilliantly. Undoubtedly, this is the best performance of his career so far.

VERDICT

Alice in Borderland is back with a bang. This is an explosive and heart-wrenching third season. With higher stakes and big surprises, it will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Kento Yamazaki still shines as the lead; he delivers a strong performance. There are great new additions to the cast, including Kento Kaku, who brings his enigmatic presence to the series, and Kotaro Daigo, who delivers a profoundly moving performance, the best of his career so far.