Alice In Borderland: Unveiling the Chilling Transformation of Arisu and the Ultimate Sacrifices Made by His Friends

Summary

Alice in Borderland's Seven of Hearts game flips the rules of hide-and-seek, with the wolf hiding from the sheep instead of vice versa.

Arisu faces a moral quandary when he transforms into the wolf, forcing him to make a difficult decision between his own survival and the wellbeing of his closest companions. The deaths of Chota and Karube deeply affect Arisu, propelling him to fight for his own existence and discover meaning within the games in the Borderland.

Alice in Borderland's 7 of Hearts is one of the most intricate games in the show's two-season runtime, with complex rules and moral implications. The game takes a dramatic turn when Arisu becomes the wolf, adding to the show's intensity. In the first season, Alice in Borderland introduces a simple escape room-style game, but quickly ramps up the tension by showcasing the unsettling events of the Seven of Hearts showdown in its third episode.

The rules of the Seven of Hearts game are explained to Arisu, Karube, Chota, and Shibuki through a television screen, leaving all four players and the viewers initially confused. However, as soon as the game starts and they realize there is a ticking timer on their heads, the horrifying rules become clearer. Chaos follows, and Arisu experiences his worst fears becoming a reality as he assumes the role of the wolf in the game.

Alice in Borderland’s Seven Of Hearts Flips The Game Of Hide-And-Seek

In the traditional game of hide-and-seek, one participant is chosen as the seeker and waits while the others hide. They then search for and find each hidden player. However, Alice in Borderland's Seven of Hearts turns this concept around. Instead of a seeker, the game designates a wolf who must conceal themselves from three sheep. If a sheep locks eyes with the wolf, they become the new wolf and have three seconds to hide before another sheep attempts to take back the role. Unlike regular hide-and-seek, the Seven of Hearts game has a set time limit of 10 minutes.

In this game, the player who has the wolf role at the end of the 10 minutes is the winner and survives, which contradicts the usual victory condition of hide-and-seek. In hide-and-seek, the seeker loses if they are unable to find the hiders. Conversely, in Seven of Hearts, the wolf must actively prevent the sheep from discovering their whereabouts throughout the duration of the game. Despite its apparent simplicity, Alice in Borderland's Seven of Hearts becomes a morally intricate situation when the players are familiar with each other. This complexity is exemplified in the first season of the show as Arisu is faced with a significant moral dilemma when he finds himself playing the game alongside his closest friends, Karube and Chota.

Arisu Becoming The Wolf Is When The True Hide-And-Seek Begins

In Episode 3 of Alice in Borderland, the game begins with the wolf role being passed between Arisu, Chota, and Karube. However, when Shibuki becomes the wolf, she decides to separate from the group in order to ensure her survival. This leads to a reverse hide-and-seek scenario, where Arisu, Chota, and Karube attempt to locate Shibuki. However, the situation takes a dark turn when Arisu takes the wolf role from Shibuki, transforming the game into a typical game of hide-and-seek.

Initially, Arisu hides alone in order to secure his own survival and victory in the game. However, he soon realizes that this would result in the deaths of his closest friends. Determined to free himself from the burden of being the sole survivor, Arisu embarks on a search to find Karube and Chota. Meanwhile, Karube and Chota opt for loyalty and friendship over self-preservation, choosing to remain hidden and avoid becoming the wolf. Tragically, when the timer reaches 10 minutes, the devices around Chota, Karube, and Shibuki's necks explode, instantly killing them. Arisu emerges as the winner of the game, but at a devastating cost.

What Chota & Karube’s Deaths In Alice In Borderland Mean To Arisu

In Alice in Borderland, the conclusion of Seven of Hearts is a devastating moment that deeply affects Arisu. It leaves him questioning his right to live, burdened by the guilt of Karube and Chota's deaths. However, as he reflects on their sacrifice, it becomes a powerful motivation for him to survive and succeed in the games. Arisu realizes that he cannot let their deaths be in vain and channels their sacrifice to perform exceptionally in the remaining challenges. This newfound purpose highlights the significant impact of Chota and Karube's deaths on Arisu's journey in Alice in Borderland.

The true purpose of the Borderland remains unknown in season 2 of Alice in Borderland. Nevertheless, for Arisu, it becomes a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. Previously, Arisu was wasting his potential and living a stagnant life. The sacrifices of Karube and Chota provide him with a profound sense of purpose, pushing him to strive for his full potential and ultimately escape the Borderland. Without the tragic deaths of Karube and Chota, it is unlikely that Arisu would have successfully navigated his way out of the Borderland by the end of season 2.