The Mind-Bending Enigma: Unraveling the Mystery of Alice In Borderland

Summary

Alice in Borderland season 2's ending answers major mysteries but doesn't explain why no one remembers the games in the Borderland.

The purpose of the games and the reasons for players having no memories in the real world remain unknown but can be theorized. The Borderland is depicted as an intermediary realm, existing between life and death, where players must demonstrate their value in order to reenter the real world. The origins of the Borderland and the significance of the Joker character remain enigmatic.

The ending of Alice in Borderland season 2 reveals the answers to various overarching mysteries but leaves the reason behind the lack of memories of the Borderland unexplained. The show is set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo and is based on Haro Aso's manga of the same name. While the Netflix adaptation takes some creative liberties, it stays faithful to the main narrative and characters from the original manga. The two-season runtime covers all the major story arcs and, like the manga, leaves certain elements open to interpretation.

Neither the manga nor the live-action adaptation explicitly states the true purpose of the Alice in Borderland games. Whether they are for entertainment or have deeper spiritual meaning remains unknown. The mystery of why the surviving players have no memories of the games in the real world is also unanswered, but clues in seasons 1 and 2 allow for theories to be formed.

None Of The Events Of Alice In Borderland Happened In The Real World

Alice In Borderland Happened In A World Between Life And Death

In Alice in Borderland, the portrayal of Borderland presents it as an alternate reality situated in a parallel version of Tokyo's 23 special wards. Within Borderland, various laws of nature and time differ significantly, and rather than physically teleporting the players, it appears that Borderland accommodates their consciousness while they remain in the real world physically. Interestingly, despite establishing that Borderland is distinct from the real world, Alice in Borderland reveals that the players' real-world injuries resulting from the meteor attack somehow translate into the game as well.

Although the exact purpose of the games remains a mystery, the conclusion of Alice in Borderland season 2 revealed that its world existed in a realm between life and death. These games served as a challenge to the players, pushing them out of their comfort zones and encouraging them to appreciate the preciousness of life. For example, despite his intelligence and potential for greatness, Arisu was wasting his life prior to entering the Borderland. The Borderland revitalized him, testing his determination to survive and stay alive.

The Borderland, residing between the realms of life and death, can be seen as a form of purgatory. Each player, as an immigrant, must prove their worthiness of returning to the real world through game victories. Those who perish in these games do not receive second chances and likely proceed to the Netherworld. Although the Netflix live-action series does not explicitly mention it, the original Alice in Borderland manga suggests that the Borderland draws inspiration from the Japanese Sanzu River. According to Japanese folklore, the deceased must navigate the river's three paths - a ford, a bridge, or snake-infested waters - based on the weight of their transgressions in life. Numerous narrative elements in Alice in Borderland also hint at predetermined game outcomes. For example, during the Seven of Hearts Hide-and-seek game, players were given nothing more than an illusion of choice. As the game neared its conclusion, Chōta and Karube found themselves without options, sacrificing their lives to aid Arisu's survival. It can also be argued that a player's fate in the Borderland hinges on their destiny in the real world, instead of the other way around. If this holds true, those who died were fated to meet their demise, while others were meant to survive and return to reality.

What Is The Borderland In Alice In Borderland Is Still A Mystery

Given the philosophical implications surrounding the existence of the Borderland and its selective attraction of certain individuals, one cannot help but ponder whether it was created by a higher power, such as God, or a superior being to awaken lost souls. However, this remains purely speculative as neither the show nor the original manga provide any confirmation regarding its origin. The intricate hierarchy within the Borderland, comprising of players, dealers, and citizens, further adds to the perplexing question of its inception. If the citizens were the first to arrive, who orchestrated their games? Conversely, if the players were the initial arrivals, who were their opponents in the face card games?

Moreover, both the Netflix series and the original manga fail to disclose whether the Borderland exists in a tangible dimension, accessible through the real world. One of the most pressing unresolved inquiries stemming from Alice in Borderland concerns the enigmatic role of the Joker. Despite the confirmation of Alice in Borderland season 3, assuring us that Arisu and the crew's adventures in the Borderland are far from over, the significance of the Joker remains shrouded in mystery.