This review may contain spoilers
Fitting End to the Saga (Hopefully Netflix won't ruin it with more seasons)
AIB is my all time favorite show. I gave this season 9 only because S1 and S2 was that good. In S3 you get to witness how goated the gamer Arisu is. He went back to Borderlands without old memories(initially) and served everything I hoped he would - strategy, charisma and staying true to his personality (and fixed his posture too :) ). Showered Arisu aura farming left -right lol.
For 6 episodes, the show delivered what you would expect - they focused on the games ( AIB was always about the games) and the games were interesting with more mind twisters (they are joker games so definitely a combination of all suits in terms of difficulty). The last episode dealt more with the philosophical aspect of life vs death vs limbo (and I liked they kept the conversations moderate and not overly dramatic).
Initially I felt a bit let down with Usagi's portrayal but when I rewatched S2, it hit me - Usagi never got over her father's death and the stigma that came with it. In S2 beginning she wanted to stay back in Borderland and changed her mind in Queen of Spade game (after all the struggles they went through) - that character growth was lost when they went back to real world, thanks to the memory loss. Perhaps she felt uncomfortable in expressing those deeper, darker emotions to Arisu, who was literal sunshine bf/husband. She is also kind of closed off when it comes to emotions and grew up independent. Arisu might also have given her space and not pushed her (though that's still kind of a plothole). Thus when Ryuji offered her a chance to find answers, she took it (and Ryuji himself is a Joker level manipulator).
Ryuji falling for Usagi was both frustrating and interesting. Usagi does have that endearing tenacity which drives people to her. But I would have wanted him to remain true to his OG self and goal (there by making Banda's plans more meaningful).
Perhaps an additional episode could have covered certain questions - why Banda was so fascinated with Arisu when they never had any direct interactions in prior seasons. It could be that he heard about Arisu from other players who stayed and being the psycho he is, got obsessed with him. Banda had some wicked games but overall his presence was underwhelming compared to Mira (Queen of Hearts). My girl Ann deserved more screen time, tracing her journey discovering the secrets. My guess on why she could see Banda in real world is that she was in a limbo state even in Borderland when they finished all the games and hence she retained the memories.
Overall this season was a thrilling watch and a fitting end to the saga. I am so happy they ended the show with the OG crew showing up and talking about how they are living life to the fullest on their own terms and it's a full circle moment for each of their character arcs. I teared up when I saw Aguni with the hat (his ode to Hatter). While I am torn about none of them showing up in Joker games, I am happy that they are thriving in their own ways. (I did miss Chishiya's cool vibes and aura farming).
In. a nutshell, AIB asks and tries to answer the question "What makes your life worth living" - you may or may not find that answer and that's totally fine. Sometimes living just because you are living is what makes it worth it. Highly recommend this season and AIB as a whole.
For 6 episodes, the show delivered what you would expect - they focused on the games ( AIB was always about the games) and the games were interesting with more mind twisters (they are joker games so definitely a combination of all suits in terms of difficulty). The last episode dealt more with the philosophical aspect of life vs death vs limbo (and I liked they kept the conversations moderate and not overly dramatic).
Initially I felt a bit let down with Usagi's portrayal but when I rewatched S2, it hit me - Usagi never got over her father's death and the stigma that came with it. In S2 beginning she wanted to stay back in Borderland and changed her mind in Queen of Spade game (after all the struggles they went through) - that character growth was lost when they went back to real world, thanks to the memory loss. Perhaps she felt uncomfortable in expressing those deeper, darker emotions to Arisu, who was literal sunshine bf/husband. She is also kind of closed off when it comes to emotions and grew up independent. Arisu might also have given her space and not pushed her (though that's still kind of a plothole). Thus when Ryuji offered her a chance to find answers, she took it (and Ryuji himself is a Joker level manipulator).
Ryuji falling for Usagi was both frustrating and interesting. Usagi does have that endearing tenacity which drives people to her. But I would have wanted him to remain true to his OG self and goal (there by making Banda's plans more meaningful).
Perhaps an additional episode could have covered certain questions - why Banda was so fascinated with Arisu when they never had any direct interactions in prior seasons. It could be that he heard about Arisu from other players who stayed and being the psycho he is, got obsessed with him. Banda had some wicked games but overall his presence was underwhelming compared to Mira (Queen of Hearts). My girl Ann deserved more screen time, tracing her journey discovering the secrets. My guess on why she could see Banda in real world is that she was in a limbo state even in Borderland when they finished all the games and hence she retained the memories.
Overall this season was a thrilling watch and a fitting end to the saga. I am so happy they ended the show with the OG crew showing up and talking about how they are living life to the fullest on their own terms and it's a full circle moment for each of their character arcs. I teared up when I saw Aguni with the hat (his ode to Hatter). While I am torn about none of them showing up in Joker games, I am happy that they are thriving in their own ways. (I did miss Chishiya's cool vibes and aura farming).
In. a nutshell, AIB asks and tries to answer the question "What makes your life worth living" - you may or may not find that answer and that's totally fine. Sometimes living just because you are living is what makes it worth it. Highly recommend this season and AIB as a whole.
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