‘Alice in Borderland,’ released in December 2020, is a Netflix adaptation of a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Haro Aso. The thriller series follows Ryohei Arisu, played by Kento Yamazaki, a family outsider who becomes trapped in a dystopian world and is compelled to participate in deadly games to survive.
As indicated by its title, ‘Alice In Borderland’ is somewhat inspired by Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’, featuring many characters that directly mirror the traits and roles of those from the 1865 novel. For instance, Arisu is the Japanese phonetic equivalent of Alice, and Usagi, who becomes Arisu’s companion throughout the seasons, translates to Rabbit. Additionally, Mira, the main antagonist of the second season, translates to queen of. This signifies their respective roles as Alice, The White Rabbit, and The Queen Of Hearts. Although only a select few character names directly correspond to characters from the 1865 novel, after numerous rewatches, I have identified that most characters serve as direct parallels to each other. This is one of my favourite aspects of the show, as it is well thought out and cleverly executed.
During my first watch, I began with the impression that ‘Alice In Borderland’ would have a similar plot to ‘Squid Game,’ as my dad had recommended it to me after I enjoyed the 2021 hit series so much. However, after finishing the series, I was captivated by the storyline. I couldn’t help but feel that its exploration of themes such as friendship, betrayal, and survival had surpassed my expectations, which unexpectedly led me to favour it.
The series begins with Arisu struggling to fit in with his family. His father, an extremely business-oriented man, openly outcasts Arisu and constantly favours his younger son, Hajime. To feel liberated from the constant pressure placed upon him by his father, Arisu spends time with his friends Chota and Karube, and they unintentionally cause traffic in the city of Tokyo, leading to them being chased by the police. In an attempt to seek refuge, they hide in a subway restroom. The lights go out, and as they exit, the once busy and chaotic streets are now isolated and unsettlingly tranquil. I tried to rationalise this sudden and unexpected occurrence during my first viewing. Unable to make sense of it, I couldn’t help but feel more engaged by the surrounding ambiguity, which left me eager to continue watching.
During the following episodes, we learn that there are other players trapped in this world, forced to engage in sadistic survival games to avoid death from an expiring visa. The games fall into four categories: Diamonds, Spades, Hearts, and Clubs. Each card represents the type of game players will encounter, while also indicating the difficulty level. Diamonds entail logic and strategy games, requiring players to make rational decisions to survive. Spades involve tests of physical strength and endurance, posing a significant risk to those not physically capable. Hearts challenge players emotionally and psychologically; although these games do not test physical abilities, they can erode trust, inevitably leading to betrayal—even among friends. Clubs demand teamwork and confidence, but they must also be approached with strategy, as most players fight for their own survival. The aggression of the players can make these games extremely challenging. While I believe all four types of games are difficult to endure, in my view, the Diamond games stand out in terms of challenge. Initially, I thought Hearts was the most challenging category, but after watching season one and reflecting a year later upon finishing season two, my opinion has shifted entirely. The ‘Beauty Contest’ game left me utterly stunned. Classed as ‘King of Diamonds’, this game necessitates intellectual strength and strategy, as players also need to understand their competitors deeply to anticipate their decisions.
To this day, Alice in Borderland remains one of my favourite shows. With its third season set to release later in the year, I can’t wait to see the series’ alleged conclusion.
By Alysha
Winchmore School Newsroom