The Mind-Bending Finale of Alice In Borderland Season 2 Unraveled

The conclusion of Alice in Borderland season 2 provided an explanation for the concept of Borderland and the reasons behind everyone's presence there. The final episode unveiled a surprising twist that addressed numerous questions, while also introducing new mysteries that leave the future of the Netflix series uncertain. Taking place two years after the events of season 1, season 2 of this action-packed battle royale show featured even more intense and dangerous games controlled by the Face Cards. As anticipated by protagonist Arisu, conquering these games would lead to the sought-after answers. Netflix's Alice in Borderland is an adaptation of the manga series of the same name, originally published from 2010 to 2016. Although season 2 closely followed the manga's storyline, there were a few discrepancies, particularly in relation to the Joker card and the fate of Arisu and Usagi upon their return. Consequently, fans must delve deeper to fully comprehend the events that transpired.

Was Arisu Dead The Whole Time? Alice In Borderland’s Ending Twist Explained

Arisu faced imminent death throughout the events of Alice in Borderland, yet only a single minute passed in reality. At the onset of the show, Arisu suffered a heart attack when the explosive impact of a meteorite striking Tokyo took place. Those mesmerizing "fireworks" witnessed in the first episode of Alice in Borderland were actually fragments from the meteorite, resulting in numerous casualties and hospitalizations. The conclusion of Alice in Borderland season 2 reveals that the characters were in fact hospitalized throughout the entire ordeal.

In this context, "Borderland" represents the transitional realm between life and death. Arisu and the courageous characters of Alice in Borderland found themselves in critical condition at the hospital, teetering on the precipice of existence. Essentially, their cardiac arrests manifested in a reality where survival required constant battle. Consequently, none of the games depicted in Alice in Borderland truly occurred, or at least not within the realm of the physical world. The "Borderland" portrayed in the Netflix series was, thus, an intermediary state linking life and death.

Alice in Borderland season 2's finale, just like the manga's ending, leaves the truth behind the Borderland games undisclosed. Contrary to the Queen of Hearts' playful speculation about aliens, it becomes apparent that the origins of Alice in Borderland's purgatory are rooted in a more metaphysical or spiritual realm. The essences or consciousness of those caught between life and death were "uploaded" into Borderland, a realm where they were compelled to fight for survival while their physical selves were engaged in the same struggle. The conclusion of Alice in Borderland season 2 reveals that Arisu, Usagi, and the others were confined to hospital beds, and their interactions within Borderland were mere illusions.

What Alice In Borderland’s Joker Card Means

The conclusion of Alice in Borderland season 2 can be seen as a joyous one since many characters were able to awaken in the real world after discovering their desire to keep on living. However, the fate of the Joker card remains unclear. Throughout the games in Alice in Borderland, the characters faced various challenges related to each playing card, including the face cards, except for the Joker. In the original Alice in Borderland manga, the Joker was not a game master like the Queen of Hearts or the King of Diamonds. Instead, the Joker appeared as a mysterious figure to Arisu after the final game of the story. Arisu came to realize that the Joker was the Ferryman of the Borderland.

Therefore, Alice in Borderland's Joker serves a different purpose in the manga compared to Netflix's Alice in Borderland season 2. In the manga, the Joker is responsible for taking those who have chosen to leave Borderland back to the real world. However, in the second season of the Netflix show, the Joker is not portrayed as the Ferryman. Instead, the finale of Alice in Borderland season 2 concludes with a suspenseful close-up shot of the Joker card, hinting that there may be more to come. This deviation suggests that the Netflix series could be preparing to introduce the Joker as the next antagonist, which would be an original storyline not found in the manga. Therefore, the presence of the Joker card in the finale of Alice in Borderland season 2 implies that there is still another game left to be played, adding an element of unpredictability that diverges from the source material.

What Happens To Those Who Stayed In Borderland?

Those who opted to remain in Borderland during the Alice in Borderland season 2 finale will have the opportunity to become citizens of that realm. Consequently, those who made the choice to stay in Borderland will assume the roles of recurring players and Game Masters within the Borderland universe. To illustrate, individuals such as the King of Clubs or the Queen of Diamonds from Alice in Borderland had once chosen to remain in Borderland. Nevertheless, if all the residents of Borderland were victims of the meteorite that struck Tokyo, why did certain characters, like the Game Masters, arrive earlier? The perplexing explanation lies in the fact that time did not progress uniformly in Borderland for all its victims.

Do Arisu And Usagi Remember Each Other?

Arisu and Usagi do not recognize each other at the conclusion of Season 2 of Alice in Borderland. Surprisingly, none of the characters retain any recollection of what had transpired during that pivotal "one minute." The harrowing events that unfolded within the world of Alice in Borderland left all the characters, including Arisu and Usagi, on the brink of death. Interestingly, Arisu and Usagi had been in close proximity to one another when the mysterious "fireworks" were initially observed in Tokyo during the first episode of Alice in Borderland. Despite the amnesia, both Arisu and Usagi feel a sense of familiarity towards each other. However, it is their love for each other that ultimately reunites them in the real world, despite the loss of their memories.

Do Arisu And Usagi Get Together In Alice In Borderland?

In the finale of Alice in Borderland season 2, Arisu and Usagi take a stroll in the real world, just as they had done multiple times in Borderland. With that, the Netflix series catches up to the original Alice in Borderland manga, which also concluded with Arisu and Usagi embarking on a leisurely walk. However, in Alice in Borderland Retry, a sequel set a few years after the original tale, Arisu & Usagi are happily married and anticipating the arrival of their baby. Despite their lack of recollection regarding their experiences in Borderland, they manage to forge an entirely new connection. Arisu assumes the profession of a psychologist, whereas Usagi continues her father's legacy as an alpinist.

What Alice In Borderland Season 2’s Ending Really Means

In the finale of Alice in Borderland season 2, it is revealed that the show has always centered around the fight for survival. The characters, including Arisu, existed in a simulated world where their hearts had stopped, pushing them to the brink of death. However, many of these characters were lacking something in the real world, such as empathy, love, or purpose. For example, Arisu struggled with depression, Usagi with grief, and Chishiya had lost care for others' lives. The Borderland games served as a reminder that life is worth fighting for.

In the conclusion of season 2, the characters are faced with a choice: to stay in Borderland or return to the real world. In essence, they are deciding whether they want to continue living. The near-death experience provides Arisu, Usagi, and the others with a second chance, even though they do not remember what transpired in Borderland. Similar to the ending of Inception, Chishiya wakes up with a newfound perspective on the world, despite being unaware of the exact cause. Alice in Borderland conveys a message of moving forward despite the circumstances, inspiring Arisu and his friends to survive in the real world.

Will Alice In Borderland Season 3 Happen?

As of now,

How The Season 2 Ending Could Play Into An Alice In Borderland Season 3

, there has been no announcement from Netflix regarding the renewal of Alice in Borderland for a third season. However, this does not indicate that the show has been cancelled. It simply means that Netflix has not made any official statements about its future. It is worth noting that the Alice in Borderland series has already covered the entire storyline of the original manga. This implies that there are no further arcs or storylines left to be adapted, except for the sequel called Alice in Borderland Retry. If Alice in Borderland season 3 were to happen, it would either need to create an original story based on the Joker card or adapt the Retry manga.

The explanation of the ending of Alice in Borderland season 2 revealed that the survivors of the game were able to survive in the real world. The presence of the Joker card indicated their return to their physical bodies and their triumph over the challenges they faced. However, an intriguing aspect emerged in relation to the manga. This ending introduced a surprising twist, which opened up the possibility for the show to continue with a new narrative. Could the Joker card signify the beginning of a new game in the Netflix series? Are the intense and thrilling games truly over? The manga did not follow this particular storyline, but it is an idea that could potentially be explored in the Netflix adaptation, offering the audience even more perilous and adrenaline-inducing games. It is also conceivable that the gamemasters might orchestrate a fresh crisis, involving a new ensemble of characters.

If Alice in Borderland returns for a third season and sticks to the manga, viewers should be prepared for something unexpected. An intriguing possibility for this season is the storyline involving Arisu and Usagi. Both characters have no recollection of Borderland, but feel a sense of familiarity towards each other. In the manga sequel, Retry, they eventually get married. However, Arisu is tragically thrown back into Borderland after an accident, leaving Usagi pregnant with their child. While season 2 concluded with a happy ending for the couple, the knowledge of what truly lies within Alice in Borderland may alter the tension and dynamics for viewers.