Survival Twists and Mind Games: Netflix’s Alice In Borderland Season 3 Insights

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where one must choose between their own safety or rescuing someone from a dire fate. Yet, it’s these intense moral dilemmas that have transformed the Japanese dystopian thriller “Alice In Borderland” into a global hit on Netflix.

With Season 3 premiering on September 25, I binge-watched the first two seasons before diving into the media preview of the new episodes. I quickly recalled why this gruesome yet thought-provoking series had captured my attention.

The narrative follows a disillusioned gamer named Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), who finds himself in a deadly parallel Tokyo. He must navigate treacherous challenges alongside strangers, engaging in brutal games that test not only his physical prowess but also his wit, strategy, and teamwork.

Spoiler alert: Not everyone survives to see another day.

If you’re unfamiliar with “Alice In Borderland,” its central theme serves as a stark reminder that every choice might be your last. This reflects society’s increasing flirtation with nihilism — the notion that life lacks inherent meaning or purpose.

After all, what’s the point of fighting to survive when death is inevitable?

Season 3 builds on this idea, delving deeper into psychological landscapes.

A MENTAL LANDSCAPE

Now, with “Borderland” becoming more of a psychological experience than just a physical one, the focus shifts to what happens after surviving trauma.

For Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya), now wed to Arisu, the journey to healing is long and fraught with challenges. Confronted with memories of her deceased father and a yearning to heal, she finds herself drawn back into Borderland’s gripping twilight, aided by a man researching the afterlife.

Meanwhile, Arisu is pulled into Borderland, driven by the desperate need to locate his wife, even though their reunion doesn’t occur until later in the season.

Director Shinsuke Sato explained in an interview that the creative decision to separate the couple stemmed from a desire to move away from the manga’s original storyline, opting instead for a fresh narrative direction.

To honor the series’ roots, the team turned to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice In Wonderland.” In the 1865 classic, Alice follows a white rabbit into “Wonderland”—a realm where, similar to Borderland, the common rules of reality do not apply.

Carroll’s narrative became their guiding inspiration, with Sato emphasizing the need to understand why Haro Aso’s original work reflects Carroll’s tale. This led them back to the idea of pursuing the “lost rabbit”—which symbolizes Usagi.

Despite Arisu and Usagi’s prolonged separation, their bond, established in the previous seasons, continues to resonate throughout the series.

Tao Tsuchiya mentioned, “After two seasons, my character’s feelings for Arisu are unwavering. Even during separate filming, those emotions come through strongly.”

INTENTIONAL CREATIVE DECISIONS

Much like Alice’s adventure down the rabbit hole, those returning to Borderland this season act not from impulsive despair but with a clear purpose,” producers Akira Morii and Tomoki Takase stated in Netflix’s press details.

To return signifies that they are not just surviving; each character must navigate the dystopian landscape with intention to survive the relentless games.

For instance, Episode 5’s maze game reveals potential futures, emphasizing that only those “brave enough to confront their pain can advance.” It’s no surprise that not everyone succeeds.

“Arisu has matured through prior seasons, striving to save as many people as possible. The story dives into human struggles and psychological battles,” shared lead actor Kento Yamazaki, who portrays Arisu.

“We encounter darker facets of humanity that we might not face in the real world. Observing this aspect is one of the show’s captivating qualities.”

Likewise, Sato was careful to ground “Borderland” in the familiar city of Tokyo. This choice makes the disorienting reality of the show more impactful.

The season kicks off in Shibuya, one of the city’s busiest areas, and culminates in a visually striking scene of its “total destruction.” Sato indicated that this juxtaposition is not merely philosophical; it plays a key role in the overarching themes of the series.

The themes explored include existence versus death, luck versus merit, and the meaning versus the absurdity of life—concepts we regularly confront.

“Arisu represents our everyday experiences,” Sato explained. He is an ordinary man whose life becomes chaotic the moment he enters Borderland. This journey could only unfold in a Tokyo turned on its head.

In that twisted city, every choice forces both Arisu and the viewer to confront the weight of decisions.

I previously suspected that the psychological angle in “Alice In Borderland” might be a fleeting gimmick. Instead, it amplifies the central message: Life is rarely black or white, and our true selves emerge in the uncertain grey areas before we take action.

People may be driven by their choices or held back by them. Yet, the objective is not to fixate on finding a single “correct” answer. Instead, as “Alice In Borderland” illustrates, it’s essential to recognize that every choice brings consequences.

Ultimately, our autonomy remains intact, even in our minds—perhaps even more so there; we’re always one choice away from transforming our lives.

CNA Lifestyle was in Tokyo at the invitation of Netflix.

Mark your calendars: “Alice In Borderland” Season 3 will debut globally on Netflix on September 25.