Article contributed by Alexandra Vargova
Alice In Borderland is the Japanese hit show based on a manga of the same name and follows Arisu, a deadbeat young man who pretty much gave up on life and is wasting away playing video games and being an overall disappointment for his father. Then, unexpectedly, he sees a strange firework and gets transformed into another version of Tokyo, one that is mostly deserted and seems to have no rules. The utopia, however, proves to be much more deadly and Arisu, together with his friends, are forced to compete in twisted games, which will test his resolve and strength just as much as his morality and values. If not, it’s game over and unlike in the games he enjoyed so much, there won’t another chance to get them right.
Intrigued? Well read on to discover eight reasons why this highly addicting show is worth your time!
1. It Keeps You On The Edge of Your Seat
Arisu has no idea what this new world has to offer or what rules there are, so the audience navigates this uncertain reality together with the lead characters. Every new episode introduces another game and the stakes get higher and higher with each episode. What kind of game is ahead—one that tests the stamina or will require logic? Will it be a game allowing you to work in a team or perhaps a viscous one, where only one can survive? Or it will be the worst kind—the heartless one that puts into question your very humanity? Nothing in this world is guaranteed, and thus the thrill of the games raises your adrenaline as if you were a participant as well. It’s almost like a futuristic Game of Thrones where even the survival of your favourite leads is not a given.
2. It’s A Retelling of An Old and Beloved Classic
As the name already suggests, the show is a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, yet, it’s pretty obvious that Lewis Carroll’s heroine wouldn’t have an enjoyable time in this world. There is an inspiration from the classics in certain characters—Arisu is clearly our titular Alice; Usagi (meaning “rabbit” in Japanese) is the White Rabbit, leading and supporting Arius on his journey; and the fan-favourite Chishiya is the infamously mischievous Cheshire Cat. Retellings are quite popular these days, though Alice in Wonderland keeps being overlooked, so fans of this old fairytale can enjoy their favourite in a completely new fashion. However, you’ve been warned—if you follow Arisu down this particular rabbit hole, you might just emerge mad as The Hatter.
3. It Makes You Reflect On Life and Death
With all the crazy action and mind games, it’s rather easy to overlook that there is more to Alice in Borderland than just the fight for survival. The show carries a deep message and raises poignant questions we usually don’t ask ourselves. We don’t have to because we are not confronted with our mortality too often in our everyday lives. The show does a remarkable job of putting you into Arisu’s shoes, and forcing you to reflect what you would do if you stared death in the face. Whose life would you prioritise—your own? That of your friends? Or a random stranger? What are you willing to do to survive? Borderland isn’t just a suspenseful wrangler of emotions; it’s also enlightening and thought-provoking, forcing you to grow and reform alongside its protagonists. You might finish watching it feeling like a new person, from the comfort of your own couch or bed.
4. It’s A Great Introduction To Japanese Cinematography
Many of the Western viewers might not be very familiar with Japanese cinema. Apart from anime, Japan doesn’t stream many of its live-action films or dramas, which are still not as popular as their Korean counterpart. So, Alice in Borderland is a great way how to ease into this type of a show. Besides, Netflix was in charge of production, so there are certain elements similar to American shows that are sure to appeal to the Western audience. Arisu’s rise from a complete loser to a determined man, who becomes confident in himself and his abilities, is blended with the philosophical journey towards enlightening. In other words, the show is a great mixture of the Western from-zero-to-hero narrative style and the Eastern tendency to tell stories about internal growth. This could also be a great opportunity to learn more about Japan as a country, or even to find an appeal to the melodic Japanese language.
5. Girl Power!
While Arius might be the titular character and most of the story is from his perspective, the show does a great job of introducing and developing all the secondary characters. This is particularly evident in season 2 where the female characters are given more screen time and participate in action-packed scenes that show how badass and strong they are. In many ways, whilst the male characters are seen carrying guns and trying to look all tough, the ladies completely steal the show. In some scenes they even seem much more capable. Alice in Borderland celebrates the female empowerment and I’m sure not just one female viewer would feel proud and powerful after watching this.
6. There’s No Clear Distinction Between the Good Guys and Villains
Sure, it could be said that the people behind the games are definitely villains with sick sense of humour and if there’s something Borderland does well, it’s showing the ugliness and selfishness in humans. Yet, the more the story progresses, the more narrow the line between Arisu and his friends, and the game masters, becomes. Without spoiling anything, even with people you think are twisted and horrible, nothing is as it seems and meeting judgement becomes increasingly harder. The show questions whether taking a life can be justified when it means saving yourself. It’s a very human urge, to try to survive, so can others be condemned for doing the same as you? It’s all about perspective, and this series truly makes your mind spinning as it gradually changes your view of the world and humanity.
7. No Secondary Character Is Left Behind
As mentioned before, all the characters are given a certain role and the story follows them almost as closely as it does Arisu. While it’s true that he and Usagi are clearly the main protagonists, others are never left behind, even when they are not necessarily present with the main duo. Their respective backstories are woven into the narrative, so they all get their chance to tell their part of the story, which again, makes it difficult to judge them and their choices. There are even full episodes where you don’t get to see Arisu or Usagi, though you can be sure you’ll not miss them much. Same as within the world of the Borderlands, these characters are equal.
8. The Ending
I think many people would agree if I say that it’s incredibly rare to find a show nowadays that doesn’t end on a mind-blowing, yet cruel and irritating cliffhanger. Even though this strategy is understandable from the perspective of the network, it makes the fans lose their minds while they have to wait in torment for another season to learn what happened next. Here, you can rest easy. The show messes with you throughout the season, but the endings are relatively calm. Season 1 ends with tons of new questions, undoubtedly, though there are worse conclusions than this one and then season 2 wraps up so satisfyingly that even if there never was a third part, you won’t grieve much. It gives its viewers a sense of closure, which also means that you can binge-watch both of the seasons in one sitting and not regret it!
In many ways, Alice in Borderland is a breath of fresh air and it’s definitely worth watching. The story is clever and original, it keeps the audience guessing and glued to their screens because they’d crave to get more answers; to see if their favourites are safe; what other horrors does the Borderland hide…? All the same, the show has something for everyone—it blends action and thriller with psychological games that work out your brain muscles. It tests your emotions as well as your opinions about good and evil, morality, and your own human self. It introduces new, powerful role models and expands on the magic and uniqueness of Japanese cinematography and language. Whether you are a fan of Asian dramas, fairytale retellings, or not, give this show a try, I’m positive you won’t be disappointed!
