The Japanese Netflix series Alice in Borderland has once again captured the attention of viewers with its latest season. This installment masterfully blends suspense, emotional turmoil, and high-stakes decisions. Season 3 expands upon the original manga’s narrative, placing characters Arisu, portrayed by Kento Yamazaki, and Usagi, played by Tao Tsuchiya, in a more dangerous situation within Borderland. The stakes escalate as Usagi’s unexpected pregnancy introduces an additional layer of tension to the already chaotic environment of the series.
Final game and desperate decisions
As the season approaches its conclusion, the remaining players are caught in a challenging final game. They find themselves navigating a grid of 16 rooms, facing a series of exits over the course of 15 rounds. Each contestant is equipped with a wristband that begins with 15 points, which decrease with each door they enter. Certain rooms impose additional penalties, heightening the stakes of survival. Once a player’s points reach zero, they are eliminated from the game.
Arisu’s leadership in turmoil
Arisu faces the daunting task of leading a diverse group, which includes his wife and their unborn child. Usagi benefits from double the points due to her pregnancy, enhancing the group’s chances of survival as they approach the final room. However, their escape hinges on a roll of the dice, determining the number of players who will survive. When Arisu rolls a seven, he makes a critical sacrifice, volunteering to remain behind while urging Usagi to escape. Despite her initial refusal to leave him, he insists she go and entrusts Ryuji (Kento Kaku) with her safety.
Confrontation and chaos unfold
Arisu’s selfless act earns him recognition for his bravery. However, as the remaining players exit, the room’s screens reveal a horrifying scene. Ryuji, under immense pressure, draws a gun aimed at Usagi, who is overwhelmed with grief. He had made a deal with Banda (Hayato Isomura), a resident of Borderland, to kill her in a misguided attempt to keep Arisu in this distorted realm. Just as the tension peaks, Ryuji has a change of heart, deciding against the act, much to Arisu’s relief.
Meanwhile, chaos ensues as surrounding buildings collapse and a torrent of water engulfs Shibuya Crossing, causing widespread destruction. In the frenzy, Usagi is swept away, prompting Ryuji to plunge after her. Arisu reacts swiftly, breaking through a wall to help his companions find refuge. He then dives into the raging waters in a desperate attempt to save his wife.
The ultimate choice
In a pivotal moment, Arisu hears Usagi’s voice amidst the turmoil and follows it toward a whirlpool leading to the afterlife. Just as he finds a brief moment of calm, Banda confronts him, presenting a critical choice: embrace life as a citizen of Borderland or confront death. Arisu firmly rejects Banda’s offer. Before Banda can act, a beam from above strikes him down, courtesy of the Watchman, played by Ken Watanabe, who announces the revocation of Banda’s citizenship.
Time comes to a standstill as the Watchman introduces a new game, compelling Arisu to choose between two cards. Drawing a Joker would seal his fate; however, he soon discovers that both cards are Jokers. The Watchman provides him with an opportunity to shape his destiny: does he wish to return to the living, enduring inevitable suffering, or opt for immediate peace in death? Motivated by his love for his wife and child, Arisu chooses life and embarks on a quest to rescue them.
Survival and new beginnings
As events unfold, Arisu returns to the water, determined to reach Usagi. Ryuji, grappling with his emotions and the need to protect Usagi, ultimately decides to relinquish his own safety for hers. This choice leads to a heartfelt farewell as Usagi navigates her journey back to the living world, highlighted by a touching moment with her father, who urges her to seek happiness.
In an unexpected turn, Arisu and Usagi manage to escape Borderland once again, reentering their previous lives and discussing future baby names. Other surviving contestants also find their way back, embracing the resolutions they had longed for.
Hints of future turmoil
Calm in the region proves to be temporary as an earthquake strikes Tokyo. This event indicates a larger global phenomenon at play. The occurrence suggests the potential unfolding of the Watchman’s prophecy, which may lead to a rise in new participants entering Borderland.
The episode concludes in a bar in Los Angeles, where news of the earthquakes is displayed on a television screen. A waitress, wearing a name tag that reads ‘Alice,’ subtly implies the possibility of an international adaptation of the series, leaving viewers anticipating future developments.
