Plot Summary: What Is Alice in Borderland About?
Alice in Borderland (original title: 今際の国のアリス) is a Japanese survival thriller that turns a familiar city into a place where losing a game can mean losing everything. The story centres on Arisu Ryohei, a young man who spends more time absorbed in video games than engaging with real life. Together with two friends, he ends up in a Tokyo that looks recognisable at first glance but clearly follows different rules.
In this altered version of the city, the only path forward is to take part in a series of dangerous games. Staying alive means playing, and playing means facing tests that challenge logic, nerve and trust. The real world has given way to a death game in which every round carries serious consequences.
The series blends psychological thriller, mystery and survival horror with a supernatural edge. Its own tagline sets the tone with a hint of irony: “Life is a game, you should enjoy it more.” Rather than relying only on spectacle, the premise asks what people reveal about themselves when survival depends on the choices they make under pressure.
What Makes Alice in Borderland Notable
Anyone reading up on the series before deciding whether to watch will find a Japanese production built on a strong genre foundation and a recognisable cast.
- Cast: Kento Yamazaki leads as Arisu Ryohei. Tao Tsuchiya co-stars as Usagi Yuzuha, also called “Rabbit”, and both appear in all 22 episodes. The ensemble also includes Nijiro Murakami (Chishiya Shuntaro), Aya Asahina (Kuina Hikari), Nobuaki Kaneko (Takeru Danma), Riisa Naka (Kano Mira), Keita Machida (Karube Daikichi), Ayaka Miyoshi (Ann Rizuna), Dori Sakurada (Niragi Suguru) and Yutaro Watanabe (Tatta Kodai).
- Director and writers: Shinsuke Sato directs and co-wrote the series with Yasuko Kuramitsu and Yoshiki Watanabe.
- Network: It is a Netflix series.
- Source material: The series is based on a manga.
- Format: There are three seasons with 22 episodes in total. Season 1 has 8 episodes, Season 2 has 8 and Season 3 has 6. Episodes are listed at a runtime of about 77 minutes.
- Release dates: Season 1 premiered on 10 December 2020, Season 2 on 22 December 2022 and Season 3 on 25 September 2025. The series has ended.
- Content rating: In the US it is rated TV-MA, so it is intended for mature audiences.
Who Will Enjoy It
- Fans of death-game and survival stories built around high-stakes challenges
- Viewers who like psychological thrillers that put characters under moral pressure
- Lovers of Japanese live-action adaptations of manga
- Anyone drawn to dystopian mysteries with a supernatural twist
- Adult viewers comfortable with horror elements and intense suspense
Where to Watch Alice in Borderland in the US
In the United States, Alice in Borderland is available on Netflix. You can watch it with a regular Netflix subscription or with the lower-cost Netflix Standard with Ads plan, which is also a subscription. No free official option is listed in the US. To support the creators, stick to these official platforms.
Trailer
Cast
Kento Yamazakias Arisu Ryohei / Alice22 episodes
Tao Tsuchiyaas Usagi Yuzuha / “Rabbit”22 episodes
Nijiro Murakamias Chishiya Shuntaro13 episodes
Aya Asahinaas Kuina Hikari13 episodes
Nobuaki Kanekoas Takeru / Bossia / The Hatter / Takeru Danma13 episodes
Riisa Nakaas Mira Kano / Kano Mira12 episodesSee credits →
Keita Machidaas Daikichi Karube / Karube Daikichi12 episodesSee credits →
Ayaka Miyoshias Ann Rizuna11 episodes
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired | |
| 2 | 1 | Aired | |
| 2 | 2 | Aired | |
| 2 | 3 | Aired | |
| 2 | 4 | Aired | |
| 2 | 5 | Aired | |
| 2 | 6 | Aired | |
| 2 | 7 | Aired | |
| 2 | 8 | Aired | |
| 3 | 1 | Aired | |
| 3 | 2 | Aired | |
| 3 | 3 | Aired | |
| 3 | 4 | Aired | |
| 3 | 5 | Aired | |
| 3 | 6 | Aired |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does Alice in Borderland have?
- Alice in Borderland has 22 episodes across three seasons: 8 in Season 1, 8 in Season 2 and 6 in Season 3. The series has ended.
- Where can I watch Alice in Borderland legally in the US?
- In the US, it is available on Netflix through a standard subscription or the Netflix Standard with Ads plan.
- Who is in the cast of Alice in Borderland?
- Kento Yamazaki stars as Arisu Ryohei and Tao Tsuchiya plays Usagi Yuzuha. The cast also includes Nijiro Murakami, Aya Asahina, Nobuaki Kaneko, Riisa Naka, Keita Machida, Ayaka Miyoshi, Dori Sakurada and Yutaro Watanabe.
- When was Alice in Borderland released?
- Season 1 premiered on 10 December 2020, Season 2 on 22 December 2022 and Season 3 on 25 September 2025.
- What genre is Alice in Borderland?
- It is a Japanese mystery and action drama with strong elements of survival horror, psychological thriller and dystopian suspense. It is based on a manga.
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