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1This review may contain spoilers
Another series ruined by Netflix's greed
The season 2 finale was conclusive and satisfying. It tied everything together perfectly imo but of course Netflix had to bring it back for the cash grab. And it's still not enough as they're trying to stretch this even further into season 4... oh lord. And let me preface this by saying, I love this series, Alice In Borderland (Seasons 1-2) is one of my favorite drama's of all time. However Season 3 was a disappointment as the plot felt forced and so many things did not make sense to me.Let's start with the plot. The premise for this whole season is Arisu must return to the Borderlands to save Usagi, who was lured there by Banda ("Joker"). And Banda's reason for this was that he was lonely? He said he missed having players who were good at games so he wanted Arisu to become a citizen. But citizens don't even play the games so...? Anyway, one of the new characters Ryuji (professor who has this weird kink for death) is used as a tool to get Usagi back to the Borderlands. I did not understand their relationship at all lol. They said Usagi wanted to go back to the Borderland because she misses her dad? But her dad was dead a long time ago and wouldn't be there. Ryuji also has this weird obsession with Usagi, I couldn't tell if it was romantic or like it reminded him of his dead student he got killed (though I don't really see the correlation). On the other hand Usagi also seemed to keep protecting him even though he literally kidnapped and drugged her. Anyway that whole dynamic was just weird. Usagi in season 1 and 2 is a loyal and badass, but in this season she just becomes selfish and her sudden extreme depression didn't make sense to me. Like it didn't bother her for the past five years but now suddenly she has to take some extreme measures to deal with it. I hated this relationship between Usagi and Ryuji. Ann returns which was cool but her role was kinda lame and didn't make sense. Some of the other new characters were well written and interesting to me like Tetsu, but some were just horrible and not really fleshed out. The games are decent I suppose but not as emotional or intense as last time, since we didn't have two seasons to develop understanding and connection with the characters.
I apologize this ended up being more of a rant than a review.
TLDR: Poorly written plot that did not make sense, some games were fun and interesting, new characters were hit or miss, ruined Usagi's character. Alice In Borderland is a top 5 drama for me but only because I will pretend this season doesn't exist. Wasn't as bad as Squid Game season 3 though :D
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1Best things come in pairs… and season 3 proves the third time is definitely not the charm!
Season 3 landed, and honestly, it struggled to justify its return. The surface-level spectacle is undeniable...the visuals remain stylish, the action choreography is polished and the CGI is praiseworthy. But once the gloss wears off, what remains is a story that seems desperate to convince that it still has depth, when in reality it’s just circling the same drain with more expensive props.Starting with the positives, I enjoyed most of the games. Following the legacy of the previous two seasons, they were imaginative, tense and shot well. The sets were grand, and the larger-than-life vibes were definitely there. The adrenaline rush was present, reminding me what made AIB unique.
But once that wears off, I found it a bit underwhelming. The main issue was the set up itself especially Usagi's return to the Borderland. The reason wasn't justified enough, plus the idea of dealing with trauma and getting closure was very questionable. She was always this resilient, voice of reason kind of person and grounding force for Arisu, but the writers kind of shoved her emotional arc into the background.
Arisu was still the guy trying to strategise his way out of impossible games and succeeding. He really tries to keep it together, but life keeps dealing him impossible hands and somehow, he still manages to play them like a pro.
In previous seasons, seeing them together gave a humane side to all the chaos and tension. Like an escape for us and them...but this season that bond felt eroded and side-lined. In theory, yes, we did see them together, but it barely translated on screen.
We were also introduced to new characters this season and sadly, most of them didn't leave an impact on me and felt like background noise. Some have tragic backstories, sure, but with barely any screen time, it’s hard to actually care. I still remember deaths from season 1 and not from season 3 that I watched yesterday and it is self-explanatory.
You know how we discard the Joker card while playing most games. I had hoped this season would give the Joker card some real weight, but instead, it turned out to be the weakest leader we had so far.
Ryuji caught my attention as a character but the story never fully allowed him to shine. Whether it was the six-episode format or the uneven pacing, many of his traits and potential arcs felt rushed or underexplored.
And then there’s the great “mystery” of Borderland. I was hoping this would flip the tables for me but why give clear answers when you can always drown us in psychological symbolism that looks fancy at first glance but ultimately is all smoke and mirrors.
By the end, instead of feeling like I had been on a gripping, mind-bending journey, I felt like someone had reheated leftovers from the first two seasons. It technically fed me, but there was no flavour.
Acting-wise, it was good. We have some big names in the cast, and they deliver. It's the writing that held them back. The visuals are really good and polished. Also, Netflix needs to stop milking every golden goose. First Squid Game and now this... *sigh*
So would I recommend it? Honestly, yes and no. If you have already come this far, I am sure it's hard not to give in. It's not unwatchable, but if next to its predecessors, it's pale and weak.
But if you are new and considering starting from season 1...I would recommend to stop at season 2.
Thank you for reading my review! <3
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This review may contain spoilers
Not as bad as Squid Game but still... unnecessary
It was good, the cast, the acting, the games. But did we need this 3rd season? Absolutely not.Everything just felt so forced. I think Usagi just needed therapy, I don't really get why she thought that going back to the games would let her meet her father, like girl, he's long dead, what were you expecting to see there? My dad is dead too but I wouldn't go back to those games just to see him or whatever, like it doesn't make sense. Girl suddenly trusted this random ahh man that she met once and suddenly they're fighting life and death together like what lmao. I really did not understand her reason for going back to play the games, even ended up risking her own life, her baby's life, and her husband's life. It felt so forced, like please, you need therapy and more communication with your husband. I lost it when she reunited with Arisu and she was like "I wanted to see you!" and I'm like girl you wouldn't be in this situation in the first place if you didn't go back here.
It's also forced that this citizen wants Arisu as a citizen in Borderland too, like bro was literally just a couch potato before he got to Borderland, it's not like he's the only one who survived the games. I don't really get the point of Borderland Jesus either, like ok he explained that this place exists between life and death but it's not like we didn't know that already? It's just so confusing.
The other players were good characters, but I didn't feel as much emotional attachment as the ones in S1 and S2. The acting and CGI was amazing as always, I guess that's the only good thing in this season. I would've been happy if they just inserted a small scene in the last ep. of S2 with their new lives, like literally the last part of S3 with Arisu and Usagi happily married and with Arisu talking to everyone at the end.
Anyway, I don't even wanna talk about that America bit in the last ep., main character syndrome country fr when will Netflix learn that not everything needs an American spinoff.
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Games Thrill, Story Fails to Deliver"
The main purpose of Alice in Borderland Season 3 seemed to be clearing up all the mysteries – why the Borderland exists, who controls it, and why the world became so lifeless. But instead of giving answers, the season only added more confusion.Yes, the games were exciting, the visuals were great, and the thrill was there. But when it came to the story, the season lacked logic and direction. It felt like the creators had a chance to wrap everything up clearly, yet they chose to make it unnecessarily complex.
In the end, the season entertained with action but failed to satisfy with clarity. It left more questions than answers, which makes you wonder – what was really the point?
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it was good but so many things didn't make sense..
Overall I think the plot of alice in borderland is amazing the only things I have to say are 1. I don't get why the season 1 characters that survived didn't get their memories back except Ann(she never lost them), Arisu and Usagi. Like okay, I understand that Arisu and Usagi got them back because they went back into the games but why did only Ann never loose them and the rest of the cast just lost their memories, if they got them back the show would've ended much better in my opinion. 2. I understand that Niragi got bullied when he was in highschool but did we forget that he litteraly tried raping usagi not once but TWO times, how does it make sense that in the end he becomes really kind and helps kids (I get that he lost his memory and all but are we serious..) 3. Why did they just randomly show two Americans at the end?? it was so random, like yes I liked how it showed the name "alice" on the waiteress's shirt but why did it have to be set in America. It would've been much better if it was set in a restaurant in japan since the show is litteraly set in japan and had two other famous Japanese actors/actresses play a cameo instead of two random Americans who aren'teven good at acting. 4. Overall I don't think it was bad but it could've ended much better, it dosent compare to the first seasons at all and the characters in season 3 very likeable but let's just compare them all to the ones in the pervious seasons..Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
ANOTHER ORIGINAL ASIAN SERIES RUINED BY NETFLIX, NOTHING MADE SENSE AT ALL
Honestly, we didn't need season 3 at all, but here we are. So, let's talk about the horrible & logicless key points of this season -1. Borderland was supposed to be an alternate version of our world, but that watchman literally became KRISHNA, stopped time & told Arisu (ARJUN) to choose life or death. WHAT THE FUCK?
2. Usagi felt so weird this season, she argued with Arisu supporting that professor Ryuji, also hugged him, she wasn't this affectionate with men at all. Chishiya also took a bullet for her, she never thanked him a single time. Also when Ryuji told Arisu's teammates not to believe him, Rei stood up for Arisu, but not Usagi. Also, Usagi was never fragile, she never needed Arisu to save her physically, but here, we're seeing Ryuji & Arisu fighting for her in the currents. PURE NONSENSE.
3. Arisu couldn't find Usagi after that phone call & was searching for her through the whole night. He got a phone call at morning that Usagi was in coma, now he's going into borderland to save her in 2 MINUTES??? How many 2 minutes she have passed already? She should be back or become dead in those 2 minutes. How is time different for two? MADE NO SENSE.
4. What the hell with those afterlife kinda thing? Borderland was never related to afterlife.
5. THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES! Netflix is again making a western version of AIB. They have no shame at all.
I gave this 1 just because of Arisu, Rei, Nobu & previous season's cameos (except Niragi). Arisu got Chishiyafied this season.
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No… Did I need this season? No. Did I enjoy it? Unfortunately, also no.
Season 1 and 2 rank among my favorite seasons in all of television. Sadly, Season 3 didn’t live up to that standard — in fact, I was just waiting for it to finally end.At first, I thought the weakest point was the games, but it turned out the whole season was simply… underwhelming. The plot felt bare-bones, predictable, and too linear, with each development lacking impact. It was mostly boring, poorly written, and since I know it’s not based on the manga, it really felt different (and not in a good way). Characters were shallow, nothing was properly explained (likely to avoid plot holes), and the story ultimately led to an ending that felt meaningless.
The biggest issue for me, however, was the characters. Aside from Arisu and Usagi, I couldn’t connect with anyone. The rest were flat and given so little depth that it was hard to care about them.
At one point, I considered giving it 6 stars just to be generous — but then I thought of other 6-star series I truly enjoyed, and it wouldn’t have been fair to them.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not as Sharp as Before, but Still a Thrilling Ride
Alice in Borderland Season 3 isn’t quite as tightly developed or emotionally layered as Seasons 1 and 2, but I still enjoyed it a lot. Some of the characters feel a little less fleshed out this time, and the pacing dips here and there, yet the show still delivers where it matters most: the games.The Fire Arrow Game, the Zombie Game, Kick the Can, and especially the last game were all so creative, tense, and visually striking that they kept me glued to the screen. Those moments reminded me why I fell in love with this series in the first place.
And my GOAT Arisu is still shining. His intelligence, compassion, and resilience once again anchor all the chaos around him and make him such a compelling lead.
Season 3 might not reach the same heights as the first two seasons, but it’s still an adrenaline-charged continuation of the story and absolutely worth watching if you’ve been following from the start.
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Should have ended with Season 2 (THIS IS JUST MY OPINION DONT ATTACK me)
Spoilers for anyone who hasn’t watched:Arisu and Usagi return to the real world, Man in the Hat in the Borderlands claims that something massive is about to happen in the real world, which will eventually lead many souls to go to Borderlands ( for anyone who doesn’t know it’s the world between life and death ) .. But Arisu decides he wants to live instead of dying. Even if he suffers due to what the man in the hat said. Usagi also chooses to live after making peace with her father. It also seemed at first that Arisu and Usagi will live happily ever after especially with their kid on the way. But as we know the man in the hat said is true. Because later Multiple earthquakes hit Japan ad Arisu watched the news. Then the show takes us to California, hinting that the story ahead may have players from all over the world. The last moments the camera also zooms in on the name badge of a waitress at the diner, revealing her name to be "Alice." Since Arisu's was used as "Alice" from Alice in Wonderland in the show's first three seasons, the final scene hints that the next "Alice" will likely be an American woman. - this is were I have my issues. I understand the man in the hat said what would happen in the living world. But it honestly felt like the creators just wanted room to make a spin off ( I don’t know if I’m explaining this correctly) - for example in squid game (sorry spoilers if you didn’t watch that) it ends with hints of an American spin off. Alice in borderlands also does the same. But I feel like they are simply just trying to milk out as much money as possible since it’s so popular.. I personally feel like season 2 was the best ending we could get with such a show.
We also see him talk to many characters as he ask what is their meaning of life. (Showing us which characters choose to live from my understanding ). The last character he speaks to ask him “what is it that gives your life meaning” that person is Chishiya (he’s in the last episode just like a few other characters, characters that helped him and also characters like Niragi are shown as he ask them what is their meaning to life) - this is an issue I know some people had that they simply felt like the characters from season 1 and season 2 weren’t really shown or seen like Chishiya which makes sense some people watched for him and other characters but I personally didn’t mind if it didn’t feel a bit underwhelming with the characters we were shown (I guess we associated the story and plot so much with these characters and they all fulfilled their purpose in the story but I can also understand that this season without much of them could have felt different as well (just my idea) but - I just feel like maybe my expectations were to high or maybe I just felt like season 2 ending was enough for such an amazing show. The ending made me feel a bit disappointed (DONT GET ME WRONG) I loved that each character got somewhat of an ending but at the same time it felt underwhelming especially with the potential they had and the way they could have ended it with just season 2. Now we are hinted that the games aren’t over (just like squid game) and that different countries will also be effected - just seems like they wanna make a spin off. BUT ENOUGH OF MY OPINION. I loved the cast as always their acting did not disappoint and some of the moments were really epic and cool. But I just feel like it’s being dragged out when it could have been different (BUT IM NOT A PROFESSIONAL IM JUST A WATCHER) - Alice in borderland will always have a spot in my heart (since season 1) but i can say you can enjoy this season 3 (I did somewhat) but I just feel like we could have had more potential but overall I give it an 8 because the story wasn’t terrible and acting was amazing as always. It had it flaws like many shows but it’s not terrible! Would I rewatch? Sorry no 😅 I guess for me it ended in season 2..
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This review may contain spoilers
Started expecting the worst but it exceeded my expectations
Do i believe that they shouldve just made a movie rather than a 6 ep long season? Yeah. But do i hate S3? HAILLL NO. It's a solid oneIk everyone is complaining about the season not living up to the expectations. Y'all, the manga ended with season 2 and season 2 wrapped the story pretty well and that’s why season 3 felt like we're just trying to get the last frop of toothpaste out of an empty tube.
The explanation of the borderlands and the aftermath of such a disaster was handled pretty well. The only thing that i thought is dumb is the reason for usagi to return to the borderland. Like come on, she just needed some counselling.
Things that were good:
The games, the new characters weren't cardboard, the lore behind the borderland's existence AND THE FACT THAT ARISU DIDN'T DIE FOR SOME CGI BABY
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About the journey?
Alice in Borderland Season 3 is a mixed bag. For those invested in Arisu and Usagi's journey, the season provides a degree of closure while pushing the narrative in unexpected directions. However, it fails to capture the magic and narrative coherence of the first two seasons, leaving a number of unresolved questions. It is a season for dedicated fans rather than a triumphant return to form.Joker reveal and the twist: The Joker game brings Arisu and Usagi back to the Borderlands, and the story eventually reveals a new layer to the Borderlands mythology. However, the six-episode season concludes by teasing a wider, potentially international, narrative.
The finale teaser: The final scenes shift from Japan to a US diner, introducing a new waitress character named "Alice". This was a deliberate choice by the creators to leave the door open for a spin-off or a potential Season 4 in a new setting, rather than as an element of the Season 3 plot itself.
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This review may contain spoilers
Unnecessary third season
Alice in Borderland is totally awesome. Seriously, both the first and second seasons are mind-blowing!When the second season ended, I didn't imagine there would be a third, especially since the ending referenced the conclusion of the manga. They announced the third season, and I was excited, but also afraid it would be bad.
I was already disappointed at the beginning because I imagined the story would continue as if they had never left Borderland. Like, why would they want to go back? That doesn't make any sense! Even so, the plot was building up nicely and was actually really interesting, but then, as the episodes went on, it just felt like it was getting more and more boring.
WHAT KIND OF ENDING WAS THAT, THOUGH?! I was expecting something way bigger! So many things were just left hanging, totally unexplained. And that last scene? It totally looked like they're setting up for an American version. I seriously hope they don't do it. I would absolutely hate that with a passion.
Overall, the story followed a completely different path than what I expected.
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