Alice in Borderland – Picture: Netflix
Netflix gave a swift renewal to the Japanese series Alice in Borderland (今際の国のアリス as it’s known in Japan) back at the end of 2020 and will be returning with season 2 expected to arrive in December 2022. Here’s an updated guide to everything we know so far about Alice in Borderland season 2.
Alice in Borderland is a Netflix Original live-action adaptation of the manga of the same name by author Hara Aso. The series is directed by Shinsuke Sato and written by Yasuko Kuramitsu.
Alice in Borderland Season 2 Netflix Renewal Status
Official Netflix Renewal Status: Renewed (Last Updated 12/24/2020)
Just two weeks after Alice in Borderland dropped around the world, Netflix has given a swift renewal to the series (on Christmas Eve no less) as an early Christmas present. The announcement came from numerous social accounts for Netflix around the world.
The series seems to be one of the rare shows that have been able to transcend borders and break through to other countries.
Kento Yamazaki as Arisu in Alice in Borderland Season 2
How well did Alice in Borderland perform on Netflix?
According to Netflix, 18 million households checked out the first season within the first 28 days.
In addition, top 10 tracking data as provided by FlixPatrol says that the series performed well in countries like Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong. The series spent several days in most regions outside of Asia including Canada for 4 days.
The US didn’t see Alice in Borderland feature, however.
(L to R) Tao Tsuchiya as Usagi, Kento Yamazaki as Arisu in Alice in Borderland Season 2
What to expect from Alice in Borderland season 2?
The first season has covered roughly 31 chapters of the manga, leaving another 33 chapters left to be covered.
The hero of the series, Arisu had been dealt a heavy hand throughout the first season. Initially arriving with two of his friends, Korube and Chota, they ultimately sacrificed themselves to ensure Arisu had the best chance to progress.
Korube (left) and Chota (right) sacrificed themselves for their friend Arisu – Copyright. Netflix
The season’s climax came during the ten of hearts game, where the residents of the beach had to correctly guess who the “Witch” was. After plenty of infighting, many competitors were killed in the confusion of the game, but Arisu was able to correctly predict the identity of the Witch, revealing it to be Momoka.
In the wake of Niragi burning the beach mansion to the ground, the competitors placed the witch’s body on a bonfire and thus completed the game.
Arisu and Usagi then discovered that Momoka and Asahi were not competitors, and were in fact dealers. The role of the dealers was to sabotage games in exchange for visas. Thanks to the evidence on Momoka’s phone, Arisu and Usagi were able to locate the underground control room, but who they perceived to be as the gamemasters had been killed.
Arisu (left) and Usagi (right) continue to survive – copyright. Netflix
In the final moments, a woman, Mira appears on the screens and reveals that the games have just begun, and invites them all to compete in the next stage of the game. Upon returning to the surface competitors bore witness to blimps flying across the city of Tokyo with cards hanging from beneath them.
With many games yet to be challenged, Arisu and Usagi have a long way to go before they can escape. The pair will have to continue to play the games if they have a hope of solving the mystery surrounding the world, and who the gamemasters are that run it.
There are still plenty of cards to be collected – Copyright. Netflix
The director of the series has teased (translated from Japanese): “I will draw a mysterious world that no one has ever seen and an unexpected development with uncompromising images.”
New cast members announced for Alice in Borderland season 2
It was recently announced that 6 new cast members will be joining the second season of Alice in Borderland.
Tomohisa ‘Yamapi’ Yamashita has been cast in the role of Kyuuma Ginji, the King of Clubs. A former member of the Japanese boyband NEWS, Yamapi is also an active solo artist and idol. Yamapi has been acting in dramas since 1998 but is most well known for his recurring role as Aizawa Kosaku in the medical drama Code Blue.
Tomohisa ‘Yamapi’ Yamashita (lefT) and Kyuuma Ginji, the King of Clubs (right)
Yuri Tsunematsu has been cast in the role of Akane Heiya. The actress was recently seen in the second season of the Japanese comedy The Naked Director, where she played the role of Nogi Mariko.
Yuri Tsunematsu (left) and Akane Heiya (right)
Isomura Hayato has been cast in the role of Sunato Banda. Since making his acting debut in 2013, Isomura has featured in many popular movies and dramas in Japan. One of the most popular franchises Isomura has starred in is Kamen Rider, where he had a recurring role as Prince Alain, the Kamen Rider Necrom.
Isomura Hayato (left) and Sunato Banda (right)
Inowaki Kai has been cast in the role of Enji Matsushita, the Jack of Hearts. Kai may be recognizable to some Netflix subscribers as the actor previously starred in the horror series Ju-On: Noroi no Ie in the role of Fukazawa Tetsuya.
Maiguma Katsuya has been cast in the role of Ōki Yaba.
Sato Honami has been cast in the role of Kotoko Shiga.
When is Alice in Borderland season 2 coming to Netflix?
Fans of the series did originally speculate on a 2021 release date thanks to potential easter eggs seen in the final moments of season 1. As the blimps flew overhead, there were multiple buildings with advertising for 2021 although it was always highly improbable (if not impossible) for the show to return in 2021.
Tao Tsuchiya as Usagi in Alice in Borderland Season 2
Filming did begin in the middle of July according to the production company website which put out a casting call for extras. According to their website, the series won’t wrap filming for season 2 until late December 2021.
They state they’ll be shooting season 2 in the following locations:
“Kanto area, Toyama, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Aichi, Osaka, Wakayama, etc.”
In November 2021 at the Netflix Festival Japan, it was revealed that season 2 would be coming in December 2022.
With the release of the trailer, we can confirm that Alice in Borderland season 2 is coming to Netflix on December 22nd, 2022.
Are you looking forward to seeing the second season of Alice in Borderland on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
Netflix Synopsis: "An aimless gamer and his two friends find themselves in a parallel Tokyo, where they're forced to compete in a series of sadistic games to survive."
