Does Arisu die in Alice in Borderland Season 3? Cliffhanger ending explained

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In Season 3 of Alice in Borderland, Arisu and Usagi face a new set of dangerous games. The season is full of unexpected turns and ends with a major cliffhanger, leaving viewers wondering about Arisu’s fate. Here’s a breakdown of what happens if Arisu doesn’t survive.

In the third chapter of the Netflix series, the story goes beyond the original manga, introducing fresh challenges and characters. This includes Ryuji Matsuyama (played by Kento Kaku), a mysterious figure who compels Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) to return to the dangerous world of Borderland.

Unfortunately, popular characters Chishiya (Nijirō Murakami) and Kuina (Aya Asahina) won’t be appearing in the new season. However, the show does have a surprising twist for viewers at the very end.

It’s no surprise that Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) returns to the dangerous game world to rescue his wife. He’s willing to risk everything for Usagi, but the question is: does he actually make the ultimate sacrifice? Be warned: the following contains spoilers!

Does Arisu die in Alice in Borderland Season 3?

Good news! Both Arisu and Usagi make it through the Joker games, and their baby survives too. In the final scene, they’re even talking about what to name their child.

Their peaceful time doesn’t last long, as a major surprise is coming up, but currently, they are safe and healthy.

The ending of Alice in Borderland Season 3 is incredibly tense. The team faces a game called ‘Possible Futures’ where they roll a dice to navigate a maze of rooms, trying to find their way out.

The game is full of challenges and risks. Dice rolls determine how many players advance, forcing them to make difficult choices about their path. If a player’s health-represented by 15 points-drops to zero, they’re out of the game.

In the final challenge, Arisu faces a life-or-death decision: he chooses to risk his own life to ensure the safety of his team, including Usagi and her future baby.

But there’s a surprise: his sacrifice actually wins the game. While stuck in the room, he witnesses Usagi, Ryuji, and the other players in a false Tokyo that’s falling apart and beginning to flood.

Despite a difficult situation, Arisu successfully rescues most of his team, though sadly, Usagi and Ryuji don’t make it. When he returns to find his wife, he encounters Banda, a player who chose to remain in the Borderland after the Queen of Hearts was beaten in the previous season.

Banda is responsible for bringing Arisu back into the game. He thinks Arisu is an exceptional player and lured him back using Usagi, mostly to amuse himself.

During their last encounter, Arisu refuses Banda’s invitation to remain, prompting Banda to attempt to kill him, which would result in Arisu’s death in the real world. However, before Banda can fire the shot, he is instantly eliminated by the game’s signature beam of light.

A new, enigmatic figure, the Watchman, portrayed by Ken Watanabe, appears and brings time to a halt. He challenges Arisu to one last game.

The game starts with two cards placed face down. If Arisu selects the Joker, the Watchman then decides what happens next.

When Arisu realizes both cards are Jokers, the Watchman offers him a difficult choice: he can jump into the vortex, accepting death and the promise of an end to all suffering, or he can choose to live and continue facing life’s challenges.

Arisu decides to go back to the real world with Usagi, and time resumes. He quickly hears Usagi cry out and rushes to her rescue, successfully saving her. However, Ryuji sacrifices himself, allowing the vortex to pull him in as his body in the real world stops functioning.

Usagi and Arisu make it out alive and start getting ready for their baby back in the real world. However, this is Alice in Borderland, so naturally, there’s a catch.

Season 3 cliffhanger ending explained

The final scene of Alice in Borderland Season 3 hints at a coming catastrophe. The camera focuses on a waitress in Los Angeles whose name tag reads “Alice”, suggesting the cycle may begin again.

Okay, so during his talk with Arisu, the Watchman dropped this huge hint – he said a ton of people are about to end up in the Between, because something *really* bad is going down in the real world. And it’s not just another disaster like the meteor, apparently it’s way, way bigger. It’s seriously unsettling to think about what that could mean!

It’s unclear whether this is another trick by the Watchman – he’s pulled things like this before in the Borderlands – but Arisu doesn’t worry about it when he and Usagi return home.

After talking to past players like Chishiya and Kuina, Arisu returned to his office, but was interrupted by a sudden earthquake.

They turned on the news and learned about unusual and powerful earthquakes happening all over the world, including in Japan, Europe, and the United States.

Similar to the show *Alice in Borderland*, the story shifts to America, opening with two men at a bar ordering drinks. The camera focuses on the waitress’s name badge as she turns back from taking their order, but her face remains unseen.

Okay, so here’s the deal. It’s looking super likely we’re getting a Season 4, which is awesome! But… the Watchman was right. Something *really* bad, like a planet-level disaster, is heading our way. I’m a little freaked out, honestly.

This significantly expands the possibilities for the Netflix series, potentially introducing a vast number of new characters into the story’s unique realm between life and death.

But one big question you’ll no doubt have is: who the hell is Alice?

The name “Alice” in the title refers to the character Arisu. His family name is the Japanese version of “Alice,” and the title is a nod to the classic story, *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland*.

Since the show focuses on a character named Alice and a major disaster is about to hit her location, it seems like it’s building towards an American spin-off series.

Similar to the ending of Squid Game, it’s hard to say if this was the creators’ original plan or just a surprising way to conclude the story. Regardless, the people involved are open to continuing the series, but there are currently no firm plans to do so.

When Radio Times asked director Shinsuke Sato if he’d consider making more seasons, he said he would definitely be open to it.

You can now watch Season 3 of Alice in Borderland on Netflix. If you’re looking for other great shows, check out our picks for the best of 2025, the most addictive series to binge-watch, and our complete TV release calendar for the year.

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2025-09-26 02:21