Originally released on Netflix in 2020,Alice in Borderlandwas a fantastic live-action manga adaptation that quickly built an impressive global following over the course of its two seasons. However, during that time,Squid Game(2021) became a massive hit, followed bythe live-actionOne Piece(2023). Both proved that content originating from Asia could go mainstream on Netflix and that shows based on manga and anime could succeed on their own terms. WhileAlice in Borderlandwas an early example of both trends, it got somewhat lost in the runaway success ofSquid GameandOne Piece.
Now,Alice in Borderlandis ready to stage a comeback with a third season. Originally announced in 2023,we now have confirmation that it will air on Netflix in September 2025.With its return, the series aims to reclaim its place as one of the most intense and visually striking adaptations of a Japanese manga.
From Manga to Live-Action, Alice in Borderland Is a Series You Don’t Want to Miss
A Deadly Game of Survival With a Mystery Element
Alice in Borderlandbegan as a suspense manga series serialized in Japan from 2010 to 2016 inWeekly Shonen Sunday Sbefore moving toWeekly Shonen Sundayfor its final chapters. The manga, created by Haro Aso, was known for its psychological intensity and creative survival game scenarios. In 2014, it was adapted into athree-episode OVA anime, but it wasn’t until 2020 that it truly found a global audience through its Netflix live-action series, directed by Shinsuke Sato (Gantz).
The story follows Ryohei Arisu, who, along with his friends Karube and Chota, is transported to a deserted Tokyo. There, they must compete in deadly games to survive, each assigned to a different suit and number in a deck of playing cards, determining their difficulty and nature. Together, they face various trials and search for a way back to reality.LikeSquid GameandBattle Royale,Alice in Borderlandcaptivated audiences by exploring themes of survival, friendship, and moralitywhile placing characters in high-stakes, gamified life-or-death situations.
The Series Makes Important Changes from the Manga
A Well-Timed Return
Despite being one of the best live-action adaptations from Japan,Alice in Borderlandsignificantly altered Haro Aso’s original manga. Some of the changes include introducing original games like the Queen of Spades’Checkmateand modifying existing ones to better suit the series' narrative structure and pacing. While long-time fans of the manga had mixed reactions to these changes, newer viewers who were unfamiliar with the source material did not seem to mind.
However,the upcoming third seasonis expected to reintroduce more elements from the manga, including the highly anticipated gameGood Fortune, Bad Fortune. This intense challenge involves flaming arrows and demands teamwork and strategic thinking, signaling a return to the series' roots and delivering the adrenaline-pumping action fans have come to expect.
Alice In Borderland Season 3 Is Officially Bringing Back The Coolest Game That The Netflix Show Ignored
Alice in Borderland skipped one of the manga’s coolest games, but the Netflix live-action show is now bringing it back for the upcoming season 3.
WithSquid Gamestill capturing the public’s imagination andOne Pieceproving the staying power of live-action anime adaptations,Alice in Borderland’s third season arrives at the perfect time. If it can recapture its original intensity, emotional depth, and innovative game design, it may finally get the recognition it deserves alongside these global hits.
