The Netflix series Alice in Borderland has once again captured the attention of viewers with its third season, presenting a mix of emotional turmoil, dangerous decisions, and intense competition. This season takes a different direction from the original manga, placing the protagonists, Arisu (played by Kento Yamazaki) and Usagi (portrayed by Tao Tsuchiya), in even more daunting challenges within the perilous world known as Borderland. With Usagi confronting an unexpected pregnancy, the stakes have risen significantly.
As the plot progresses, viewers are faced with pressing questions: Will this couple’s aspirations of parenthood materialize? Can the remaining participants find a way to escape this lethal game? Is there a more significant threat that looms over the real world?
The final game: survival at all costs
Contestants face ultimate challenge in season finale
The climactic episode of season three begins with the remaining contestants ensnared in a high-stakes final game. They must navigate a complex structure featuring 16 rooms, tackling various challenges while managing a survival-based point system. Each player starts with 15 points. However, entering doors incurs a cost—points are deducted with each door they choose to open, and certain rooms impose even greater penalties. A player’s journey ends when their points reach zero.
In a tense situation, Arisu faces the immense task of leading his fellow players, which includes his pregnant wife, Usagi. Her condition provides a significant advantage, as she receives double the points due to the unborn child being assigned a separate wristband. This edge proves vital as the final eight contestants gather in the last chamber. However, fortune is unpredictable; they must roll dice to decide how many will escape to safety. When Arisu rolls a seven, he selflessly offers to sacrifice himself for the group, urging Usagi to exit despite her protests.
Heart-pounding choices and unexpected alliances
As Arisu resigns himself to a grim fate, he entrusts Ryuji (Kento Kaku) with a promise to protect Usagi and their unborn child. This act of courage earns Arisu a moment of recognition, yet the threats continue to loom. Following the escape of the other players, the room’s screens shift to display live footage from the outside world. Arisu watches in horror as Ryuji points a gun at Usagi, who is heartbroken over the loss of her husband. Ryuji’s initial allegiance to the sinister character Banda (Hayato Isomura) adds complexity to the situation. The plan involves eliminating Usagi to manipulate Arisu into staying in Borderland.
Ryuji’s humanity prevails as he refrains from pulling the trigger, bringing relief to Arisu. However, chaos erupts when nearby structures collapse, unleashing a torrent of water that threatens to engulf everything. As Usagi is swept away, Ryuji dives in to rescue her, while the remaining players cling to hope for survival.
A race against time: Arisu’s desperate mission
Driven by urgency, Arisu breaks through a wall to create an escape route for his friends before plunging into the turbulent waters to save Usagi. Guided by her voice amid the chaos, he navigates towards her, only to confront Banda, who presents Arisu with a grim ultimatum: join the ranks of Borderland’s citizens or face death. Unwavering, Arisu firmly rejects Banda’s offer. Before Banda can take action, a laser from above strikes him down, courtesy of the enigmatic Watchman (Ken Watanabe), who declares Banda’s citizenship null and void.
In a surprising turn of events, the Watchman pauses time and presents Arisu with a game of chance involving two cards. Drawing a Joker leads to dire consequences, but Arisu soon realizes that both cards are Jokers. In an unexpected development, the Watchman offers him the chance to shape his own fate: confront the ongoing challenges of life or accept immediate death. Arisu decides to fight for his wife and unborn child, choosing love over an easy escape.
Closure and new beginnings
As time resumes, Arisu plunges back into the water, determined to save Usagi. In a heartfelt moment, Ryuji comes to terms with his feelings and ultimately chooses to let Usagi go, sacrificing himself for her happiness. Meanwhile, Usagi’s return to the living world is marked by an emotional farewell to her father, who wishes her nothing but joy.
In the latest episode, Arisu and Usagi successfully navigate their return from Borderland, contemplating names for their future child. Meanwhile, the other contestants also find closure, each achieving their desired resolution.
As the narrative concludes, tranquility is abruptly disrupted by seismic activity in Tokyo, suggesting a looming global catastrophe that could lead more individuals into Borderland. The scene transitions to a bar in Los Angeles, where a waitress named Alice appears in an earthquake report, raising speculation about potential international adaptations of the series, similar to the widely acclaimed Squid Game. Although Netflix has not made any official announcements, the future of the series remains intriguingly ambiguous.