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Netflix’s dystopian thriller Alice in Borderland wrapped its third season on September 25, leaving fans with more questions than answers about the franchise’s future. The Japanese series, adapted from Haro Aso’s manga, has captivated global audiences since 2020 with its deadly survival games and parallel universe concept.
Season 3 Ending Explained
The season 3 finale delivered what initially appeared to be closure for protagonists Ryohei Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and Yuzuha Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya). Set three years after their escape from Borderland, the couple finds themselves pulled back into purgatory when Usagi chases the opportunity to see her deceased father.
After surviving another brutal round of games, they return to the real world. But the ending throws a curveball – a series of earthquakes threatens to create an apocalyptic scenario that could send more souls into Borderland.
The final scene shifts unexpectedly to Los Angeles, where two men discuss sports at a bar while news coverage plays about escalating earthquakes. When a waitress approaches, her name tag reveals she’s called “Alice” – sparking immediate speculation about a potential American spinoff.
Netflix Hasn’t Renewed the Show Yet
Despite the ambiguous ending, Netflix hasn’t officially greenlit a fourth season. The streaming platform typically waits several weeks or months after a season premiere to announce renewal decisions based on viewership data and audience engagement metrics.
Director and screenwriter Shinsuke Sato told Salon that season 3 had to tackle a different central question than previous installments. While seasons 1 and 2 focused on “What is this strange world?” – eventually revealing Borderland as a form of purgatory – season 3 asked: “Can we return to the real world after going back to Borderland?”
Cast Interest in Continuing the Story
Both lead actors have expressed enthusiasm about returning for another season.
Yamazaki told The Hollywood Reporter: “I am a fan of the show myself, and to be able to make season three comes with a bit of pressure as well because it’s so beloved by the global audience. And of course if it’s going to continue in some way, I’ll be very much keen to be part of that.”
Tsuchiya revealed she was surprised season 3 even happened, noting that season 2 felt like a complete ending. However, she’s intrigued by future storytelling possibilities: “Obviously in this season, [Usagi is] pregnant, so there’s going to be a child in the future. And she would love to see that child return [to the normal world], not just the two lead characters. The story is set to be familial. I think that could be really interesting.”
Potential Returning Cast Members
While season 3 killed off characters like Ryuji (Kento Kaku) and Banda (Hayato Isomura), several fan-favorites made brief cameos with storylines that could be expanded:
- Ann (Ayaka Miyoshi)
- Kuina (Asahina Aya)
- Chishiya (Nijiro Murakami)
- Heiya (Yuri Tsunematsu)
- Aguni (Sho Aoyagi)
- Niragi (Dori Sakurada)
Any continuation would likely feature Yamazaki and Tsuchiya reprising their central roles, with supporting characters potentially getting more screen time.
American Spinoff Possibilities
That Los Angeles finale scene has fans buzzing about an English-language spinoff. The introduction of a new “Alice” character in an American setting suggests the franchise could expand beyond Tokyo.
An American version would need to maintain the Japanese series’ intense survival game mechanics and philosophical exploration of life, death, and purgatory while adapting to Western storytelling conventions. Whether Netflix pursues this direction remains uncertain.
What’s Next for the Franchise
The Alice in Borderland universe has proven itself as a global phenomenon, with strong viewership across multiple continents. Netflix’s decision about season 4 or a spinoff will likely depend on:
- Season 3 viewership numbers and completion rates
- Social media engagement and fan demand
- Production costs versus potential returns
- Cast and crew availability
For now, fans will need to wait for official word from Netflix about whether Arisu and Usagi’s story continues, or if the franchise takes a new direction with different characters in a different location.
The ambiguous ending certainly left the door open for continuation – whether that means season 4, a spinoff, or something else entirely remains to be seen.