Squid Game was a worldwide Netflix hit in late 2021, becoming the streaming giant’s most-watched non-English language show of all time. But in many regards, Alice in Borderland walked so that Squid Game could run. This Japanese drama tells the story of Ryōhei Arisu and his friends, who end up trapped in an abandoned version of Tokyo where they must survive increasingly tricky and vicious games.
Based on a shônen manga penned by Haro Aso, the show made a splash at the time of its release in the winter of 2020 and warranted enough success for Netflix to greenlight a second season. Yet fans had to wait another two years for Arisu’s adventures to carry on. So, what to expect from season 2? We’ve got you covered with everything there is to know about the return of Alice in Borderland.
Alice in Borderland: release date
Barely two weeks after Alice in Borderland debuted, Netflix had already renewed the show for a second season. However, viewers were left in the dark for an excruciatingly long while until the streaming platform formally announced the series would return on December 22, 2022. Netflix took advantage of a virtual Japan Festival event in November this year to break the good news. A trailer for the upcoming second part of the series had already dropped on September 24, in the wake of the Tudum global fan event.
The cast of Alice in Borderland season 2
Alice of Borderland being a game of survival at its core, many characters perished in heart-breaking fashion throughout the first season. Still, several fan-favourite characters managed to make it through the most diabolical traps. Main actor Kento Yamazaki (Ryōhei Arisu) is returning alongside co-star Tao Tsuchiya (Yuzuha Usagi). Other actors will reprise their roles as well, including Nijirō Murakami (Shuntarō Chishiya), Riisa Naka (Mira Kano), and Aya Asahina (Hikari Kuina).
The cast also comprises new talents like Tsuyoshi Abe, Yuri Tsunematsu, and Maiguma Katsuya. J-pop fans may even be thrilled to discover Yamashita Tomohisa has joined in on the action. A former member of the NEWS boy band, Yamapi will portray Ginji Kyūma.
What might happen in season 2?
A lot has happened in the first season of Alice in Borderland. While speculating on season 2 might lean dangerously into spoiler territory, we can safely assume the show will bring back the formula that made audiences hooked up to its debut season.
A science fiction thriller drama, Alice in Borderland kicks off as three Japanese friends meet in Shibuya station. As Arisu, Karube, and Chōta hide away from police officers after messing around the Shibuya Crossing, they leave their hideout only to find the area is now empty. Trying to make sense of this strange reality, they spot a massive neon sign inviting them to play a game. But they quickly realize this game is much deadlier than it seems.
And in the dangerous universe they’ve been transported to, their only way out is to survive a series of wicked games. Each time they win, they are allowed an extension of their visa in these dystopian lands. They also earn the card associated with the game, intending to amass them all.
There are four distinct types of tests in The Borderlands. Spades imply games of physical endurance and strength. Diamonds play out on strategy and wits. Hearts tend to rely on psychological manipulation. And clubs strike a balance between all the above. Thus, players may as well try and kill wild animals as win an eliminatory game of Blackjack.
So, will there be some twisted spin on casino classics in Alice in Borderland’s season 2? Time will tell. Meanwhile, online casinos are much lower-risk for players to try out timeless card games. $1 deposit casinos are an ideal way to test a platform without committing chunky sums. Players may even claim welcome bonuses, to boot. And top low-deposit platforms have a large catalogue to explore for long-time gamblers and first-timers alike.
Will there be a third season?
Hopes are high that viewers might respond as positively to the show’s second season as to its first. And although an official confirmation is pending, word has it that Netflix may have begun working on a third season. With much manga content left bringing to the screen, the crew behind Alice in Borderland has lots to draw inspiration from anyway.
