Welcome to the Borderland, a brutal, parallel version of Tokyo where a deck of cards is the only thing standing between you and a laser from the sky. Alice in Borderland (Japanese: 今際の国のアリス, Imawa no Kuni no Arisu) is a Japanese science fiction and thriller series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso.
The series follows Arisu, a listless, unemployed young man obsessed with video games. He and his friends are suddenly transported to an empty, desolate Tokyo and forced to compete in a series of dangerous “games” to survive. The type and difficulty of each game are determined by a playing card.
- Spades (♠️): Physical games that test strength and endurance.
- Clubs (♣️): Team-based games that rely on cooperation.
- Diamonds (♦️): Games of intelligence, logic, and wits.
- Hearts (♥️): The most cruel games, which play on emotions, trust, and betrayal.
🎬 The Creators: Minds Behind the Games
The show’s incredible tension and cinematic scale are driven by a highly focused creative team.
- Director: Shinsuke Sato
- Sato is the visionary director behind the entire series, treating it like one long, epic film. He is renowned in Japan for his expertise in directing large-scale, live-action adaptations of popular manga and anime, including Gantz, Bleach, and Kingdom.
- Writers: Shinsuke Sato, Yoshiki Watabe, and Yasuko Kuramitsu.
- Based on Manga by: Haro Aso
- Producers:
- Production Company: Robot Communications
- Executive Producer (Netflix): Kaata Sakamoto
- Producer: Akira Morii
🃏 The Cast: The Players & Citizens
Here is a breakdown of the key actors who have brought the deadly games to life.
Main Protagonists
- Kento Yamazaki as Ryōhei Arisu
- The series protagonist. Arisu is a brilliant, analytical, and highly observant young man who excels at puzzle-solving and games of logic (Diamonds). He is initially unmotivated in the real world but finds a new purpose in the Borderland.
- Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi
- The female lead. Usagi is a highly skilled mountain climber (a “Spades” specialist) who is self-reliant, strong, and resilient. She becomes Arisu’s most trusted partner and ally.
Key Supporting Cast (Seasons 1 & 2)
- Nijirō Murakami as Shuntarō Chishiya
- A fan-favourite character. Chishiya is a mysterious, cunning, and aloof player who embodies the “Cheshire Cat” archetype. He is a master of manipulation and psychological games (Hearts), always playing his own angles.
- Ayaka Miyoshi as Rizuna Ann
- A former forensic scientist for the police, Ann is a key member of the “Beach” executive. She is highly intelligent, calm, and analytical, using her skills to solve “Diamond” games.
- Aya Asahina as Hikari Kuina
- A former “Beach” executive and a close friend of Chishiya. She is a skilled martial artist and a transgender woman who overcame a difficult past.
- Dori Sakurada as Suguru Niragi
- A volatile and dangerously unhinged member of the “Beach” militants. He serves as a recurring human antagonist to Arisu.
- Sho Aoyagi as Morizono Aguni
- The former leader of the “Beach” militants and the best friend of Hatter. A powerful and intimidating fighter, he is haunted by his past actions.
- Riisa Naka as Mira Kanō (The Queen of Hearts)
- A mysterious executive from the “Beach” who is revealed to be a “Citizen” of the Borderland and the master of the “Heart” games.
- Keita Machida as Daikichi Karube
- Arisu’s best friend and a bartender in the real world. (Season 1)
- Yūki Morinaga as Chōta Segawa
- Arisu’s other best friend is a deeply religious and often timid IT technician. (Season 1)
- Tomohisa Yamashita as Kyūma (The King of Clubs)
- The charismatic, naked leader of a group of “Citizens” who challenge Arisu’s team in the “Clubs” games. (Season 2)
🎲 Season 3: The Joker Returns
Status: Officially Confirmed by Netflix
The final shot of Season 2, a lingering close-up on a single Joker card, confirmed that the games are not over. Season 3 is officially in production.
Confirmed Returning Cast for Season 3:
- Kento Yamazaki (Arisu)
- Tao Tsuchiya (Usagi)
- Ayaka Miyoshi (Ann)
- Hayato Isomura (Banda – The man who chose to stay in the Borderland)
- Katsuya Maiguma (Yaba – The other man who chose to stay)
New Cast for Season 3:
- Kento Kaku as Ryuji Matsuyama
- …and several other new faces, including Kotaro Daigo, Risa Sudō, and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, are joining the cast for the final set of games.