Summary
The Joker card in the ending of Alice in Borderland Season 2 was not just a metaphor, it was setting up Season 3 and hinting at the upcoming challenges for Arisu and the crew.
In the manga, the Joker acts as a Ferryman, but in the live-action version, it takes on the role of the main antagonist for Season 3, presenting a unique narrative for the series.
Season 3 of Alice in Borderland will present Arisu and Usagi with their most formidable obstacle to date as they must overcome the Joker in order to escape Borderland.
The Joker card from Alice in Borderland season 2 now finally makes sense with the recent announcements about the show's return. The closing arc of Alice in the Borderland seemed to resolve everything, with Arisu and Usagi defeating the Queen of Hearts and finding their way back home. However, upon their return, they couldn't recognize each other, but the show ended positively by resetting their relationship. Yet, a dark twist in the closing moments left viewers questioning whether Arisu truly escaped Borderland.
Just before the ending credits of Alice in Borderland season 2 roll, the camera focuses on a table and zooms in on the Joker card, suggesting that there is more to Arisu and Usagi's fate than initially thought. Regrettably, the significance of the card remained the biggest enigma in the series as season 2 concluded soon after that scene. Fortunately, the renewal of Alice in Borderland season 3 provides some concrete answers about what the Joker card could potentially signify.
Alice In Borderland Season 3’s Joker Tease Confirms What Season 2’s Ending Meant
Netflix's official Twitter account recently unveiled a captivating image featuring six cards, showcasing the Joker in the background. The post serves as a thrilling announcement for Alice in Borderland season 3, effectively dispelling any notion that the season 2 ending was merely a symbolic or narrative tool aimed at leaving its conclusion open to interpretation. Instead, the intensive focus on the Joker card within Alice in Borderland season 2's climactic moments sets the stage for an epic confrontation in the upcoming season 3. This tease hints at the formidable obstacles awaiting Arisu, Usagi, and their companions who bravely chose to depart from the game, as they must confront yet another skilled Game Master before they can break free from the enigmatic Borderland. Despite the mysterious nature of the Joker's identity, it is impossible not to speculate about the pivotal role this character is likely to play in the future episodes.
Throughout season 2, Arisu and his companions encountered various game masters, starting from the Queen of Hearts and culminating with the King of Diamonds, all in their desperate quest to escape Borderland. While traditionally not classified as a face card in conventional card games, the placement of the Joker in Alice in Borderland season 2's conclusion and the subsequent announcement of season 3 strongly imply that this elusive figure will serve as the ultimate boss that Arisu and his team must overcome in order to secure their freedom. Given the Joker's tendency to embody trickery in popular culture, coupled with the card's status as a wild card in poker, it is safe to anticipate that Arisu and Usagi will face their most daunting challenge yet when confronting the Joker in Alice in Borderland season 3.
How Alice In Borderland’s Joker Is Different From The Manga
In the original Alice in Borderland manga, the Joker simply acts as a Ferryman, transporting Arisu and other survivors from Borderland to the real world when they choose to go back home. However, in the live-action adaptation, the Joker appears to be the main antagonist for season 3. This suggests that the third season of the Japanese Netflix series will have its own unique storyline. While it's a risky move to deviate from the source material, the inclusion of the Joker character is intriguing and may entice viewers to return for the final game. Hopefully, season 3 will seize this opportunity to delve into the mystery of the central games in Alice in Borderland.