Alice in Borderland Season 3 Review: Season 3 of Alice in Borderland finally dropped on Netflix. Six full episodes, six hours of mind games, survival pressure, and emotional chaos. I went in with massive expectations after how wild Season 1 and 2 were. And honestly? Season 3 didn’t exactly maintain the same magic, but it still gave me a hell of a ride.
My Rating:3.5/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Alice in Borderland Season 3 |
| Genre | Thriller, Survival, Psychological Drama |
| Platform / Network | Netflix |
| Episodes | 6 |
| Episode Duration | ~1 hour each |
| Language | Japanese (with subtitles / dubbed options) |
| Country | Japan |
| Creator / Director | Shinsuke Sato / Netflix Original |
| Main Characters | Arisu, Usagi, Ryuuji, Rei, Kazuya |
My First Impressions of Season 3
Right off the bat, the show pulls you back into its twisted world of survival games. The setup is familiar, the danger feels real, but here’s the catch: Season 3 slows down in parts. It’s not the non-stop adrenaline Season 1 delivered. Still, by the time I finished all six episodes, I knew one thing: the makers had saved the best for the ending.
The Legacy of AIB – Did Season 3 Live Up to It?
Let’s be real, Seasons 1 and 2 set the bar insanely high. The mix of psychological tension, brutal survival, and emotional stakes was unmatched. Season 3 tried to carry that forward, but at times it stumbled. Did it completely break the legacy? No. Did it shine as brightly? Not really.
Storyline and Pacing
- How the Narrative Flows: The story keeps throwing twists, sometimes too many. That unpredictability is a double-edged sword, great for surprises, but it also risks confusing viewers.
- Dragging Moments (Episodes 4 & 5): Episodes 4 and 5 felt stretched. You could sense the makers trying to pad out the runtime. Not boring, but not gripping either.
- Where the Story Truly Shines (Episode 6 Ending): Episode 6 changes everything. The slow buildup pays off with a finale that’s shocking, emotional, and unforgettable. The ending redeems most of the season’s flaws.
The Games in Alice in Borderland Season 3
- Number of Games and Intensity: Unlike Squid Game’s over-the-top playground feel, Alice in Borderland keeps its games brutally logical and mentally exhausting. Season 3 sticks to that formula with about five to six major games.
- Difficulty Levels Compared to Previous Seasons: The difficulty is still sky-high. No kiddie games here; every challenge demands sharp thinking and nerves of steel.
- Arisu’s Smart Gameplay: Arisu once again proves why he’s the heart of the show. Calm, logical, and unshaken, even when everyone else is breaking down.
- The Final Game – A Complete Mind-Bender: The last game will wreck you emotionally. Watching the characters fall apart piece by piece makes you feel like you’re playing alongside them.
Character Arcs
- Arisu – Calm Under Pressure: Same old Arisu, same old brilliance. No matter the chaos, this guy always finds a way forward.
- Usagi – Same Spirit, Same Fight: She’s still leaping headfirst into danger, but her bond with Arisu holds the emotional center.
- Ryuuji – The New Standout: This guy stole the show for me. Despite his physical limitations, Ryuuji outsmarts and outlasts in ways you wouldn’t expect.
- New Faces – Rei and Kazuya: Rei brings charm and brains, while Kazuya feels like the perfect replacement for Aguni’s absence. Both add freshness to the mix.
- Emotional Depth That Season 1 & 2 Missed: Finally, the creators nailed emotional arcs. Unlike earlier seasons, you actually feel the pain when characters die. That emotional weight hits hard.
Emotional Build-Up
- The Power of Character Connections: Season 3 finally bridges the gap between survival and emotion. You care deeply about who lives and who doesn’t, which makes the losses brutal.
- Why This Matters More Than the Games: At the end of the day, the characters, not the puzzles, carry the season.
Also Read: Wayward Review: Netflix’s Darkest Series Yet—Are You Brave Enough to Watch?
The Ending – Worth the Wait
- How the Finale Redeems Weak Spots: Even if you got restless mid-season, the ending makes it worth sticking around.
- Shocking Surprises and Theories Confirmed: Fan theories were flying for months, but the makers hid the real twist so well that no one saw it coming.
Weaknesses of Season 3
- Some pacing issues.
- Confusing twists.
- A few unclear creative choices.
Strengths of Season 3
- Emotional storytelling.
- Strong, clever games.
- A finale that hits like a hammer.
Season 4 Possibility
- Is Netflix Planning Ahead? The way Season 3 ends, it feels like the door is wide open for Season 4.
- What Season 3 Leaves Open: There are enough unanswered questions to fuel another round of madness.
Good & Bad of Alice in Borderland Season 3
| Good | Bad |
|---|---|
| Emotional depth finally done right | Pacing drags in Ep 4 & 5 |
| Arisu and Ryuuji’s smart gameplay | Some story choices unclear |
| Solid, high-stakes games | Too many twists create confusion |
| Strong new characters | Legacy of Season 1 & 2 not fully matched |
| Explosive finale that redeems flaws | Shorter list of games than expected |
Final Verdict: Alice in Borderland Season 3
So, is Alice in Borderland Season 3 worth your six hours? For me, yes. It’s not perfect, it doesn’t hit the insane highs of Season 1 and 2, but it’s still a wild, emotional, one-time must-watch. The games are sharp, the characters shine brighter than ever, and the ending… well, the ending alone is worth your time.
FAQs
Q1: Is Alice in Borderland Season 3 better than Season 2?
Not exactly. Season 2 had tighter pacing. Season 3 delivers more emotional weight and a stronger finale, though.
Q2: How many episodes are in Alice in Borderland Season 3?
There are six episodes, each roughly an hour long.
Q3: Are the games in Season 3 different from previous seasons?
Yes. While the style remains similar, logical, high-stakes survival, the twists and outcomes feel fresh.
Q4: Do we get closure at the end of Season 3?
Yes and no. The ending answers a lot, but also leaves enough open for a potential Season 4.
Q5: Is it worth watching if I loved Season 1 and 2?
Absolutely. It may not fully match their legacy, but it’s still a gripping watch.