For the video game–obsessed Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and his two high school buds, the Tokyo they know has disappeared in an instant — its bustling streets suddenly empty and silent — and they have no idea how they got there or how to leave. They soon find out that, in this new world, it’s always game time. So begins the series Alice in Borderland, a Japanese sci-fi thriller where survival requires winning a set of increasingly lethal challenges. Adapted from Haro Aso’s manga of the same name and directed by Shinsuke Sato (Kingdom), the series centers on gamer Arisu and mountain climber Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) as they navigate a world where every choice could be their last. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the series.

What happens in Alice in Borderland Season 1?

The first season opens with Arisu (Yamazaki), who, in his daily life in Tokyo, is directionless and constantly plays video games. One day, while spending time with his two high school best friends, Karube (Keita Machida) and Chota (Yuki Morinaga), the three of them are mysteriously transported into a version of the city that’s completely empty. With no way back to the real world, they quickly learn that, to earn their survival, they must enter a series of brutal games — the severity of each determined by a playing card’s number and suit. If they fail to make it through the game or “clear” it, they die. 

What happens in Alice in Borderland Season 2?

Season 2 finds Arisu, Usagi, Chishiya (Nijiro Murakami), and Kuina (Aya Asahina) facing a new phase of the Borderland’s game — one where the players must now hunt down Face Cards, each hosted by a Citizen who calls the Borderland home. The games have escalated, and the group must adapt fast if they want a real shot at survival. 

What happens in Alice in Borderland Season 3?

After the events of Season 2, Arisu and Usagi are safely back in the real world. But when Usagi is unexpectedly pulled back into the Borderland, Arisu has no choice but to track her down there. Once he arrives, with the help of Ann (Ayaka Miyoshi), Arisu is reunited with Banda (Hayato Isomura), who’s now a Citizen there. Now, only one card remains uncleared — the Joker — and it’s unlike anything he’s faced before. 

Who’s in the cast of Alice in Borderland? 

To learn about the full cast of the series, check out this guide.

How do the games work in Alice in Borderland? 

The games for Seasons 1, 2, and 3 are explained here. 

Where does Alice in Borderland take place? 

The series takes place in two different Tokyos — the bustling city as it exists IRL, and an apocalyptic fictional version known as the Borderland.

Is Alice in Borderland based on a book? 

Yes. It’s based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. 

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