Summary
Alice in Borderland features a range of interesting heroes and villains, ranking the characters from worst to best reveals their complexity and development.
Ann and Heiya lacked the same level of intrigue and depth as the other characters in the story, making their roles seem unnecessary or unfulfilling. On the other hand, Usagi, Kuina, Kyuma, and Chishiya emerge as outstanding and captivating characters, each possessing distinct personalities and leaving a lasting impression with their notable moments.
Ranking the main characters of Alice in Borderland from worst to best highlights the captivating mix of heroes and villains in the show. Netflix's Alice in Borderland, adapted from Haro Aso's manga of the same name, offers a delightful surprise. Despite the apparent return of Arisu and his friends to the real world in season 2's finale, the story of Alice in Borderland is far from over. This implies the potential return of all the beloved characters from the show.
The details of Alice in Borderland season 3 remain largely undisclosed, but the Joker Card, a significant element from the season 2 finale, has taken a prominent role in the marketing efforts. While Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) are the only confirmed characters to reappear so far, the possibilities are endless considering how season 2 concluded. Here, we present a ranking of the 12 key characters from Alice in Borderland.
12 Niragi
Niragi, a villain who miraculously survived multiple deaths, overstayed his welcome in Alice in Borderland. While the clever use of a repulsive villain resurrecting adds intrigue to the narrative, Niragi's presence became monotonous. Despite attempts to depict his redemption in season 2, he persisted as a villain, repeating his actions from season 1. Additionally, Niragi was never meant to be the ultimate antagonist, rendering his role in season 2 redundant, despite Dori Sakurada's commendable performance.
11 Ann
Ann had the potential to be one of the best Alice in Borderland characters. Unfortunately, Ayaka Miyoshi’s character,
10 Heiya
, was not given enough screen time to truly shine. Introduced in the middle of Alice in Borderland season 1, Ann was portrayed as a significant figure on the Beach, but little was revealed about her background, other than her previous occupation as a forensic scientist. In season 2, Ann reemerged with her own separate storyline, focused on uncovering the truth of their whereabouts. However, her investigation ultimately proved fruitless, thereby once again squandering the potential of her character in season 2.
Yuri Tsunematsu, known as Heiya, joined the cast of Alice in Borderland season 2 as a new addition. Although the show attempted to portray Heiya's backstory through flashbacks before she met Aguni and Arisu, little was revealed about her character other than her dislike for her mother. Heiya's impressive archery skills in the season 2 finale were a standout, but compared to other characters who received more screen time and deeper development, Heiya was not as compelling.
9 Mira (Queen Of Hearts)
Alice in Borderland's Face Card players were the main antagonists of season 2. While some of them merely served as temporary obstacles for the main characters, like the King of Diamonds and the Queen of Spades, the Queen of Hearts (Riisa Naka) possessed an unexpectedly strong presence. Despite Mira lacking a backstory, the Queen of Hearts still managed to make a significant impact on the series, particularly in the season 2 finale. Unlike the other Face Card individuals who relied on gimmicks or physical strength in the games, the Queen of Hearts nearly defeated Arisu using nothing but her persuasive words.
8 Aguni
Aguni (Sho Aoyagi) underwent a remarkable transformation from a villain to an anti-hero, showcasing one of the most compelling character arcs in the entire show. It is crucial to acknowledge, though, that Aguni's actions while at the Beach, particularly when he allowed Usagi to be captured, present a strong argument for his irredeemable nature. Thankfully, Alice in Borderland never attempts to portray Aguni as a hero, despite him emerging as one of the central figures in season 2. However, the pinnacle of Aguni's storyline undoubtedly lies in season 1. After the puzzling demise of the Hatter, Aguni embarks on a journey to confront his inner demons, all while amidst the chaos of the Ten of Hearts game.
7 Chota
While it may seem unconventional to consider a character who met their demise in episode 3 of season 1 as one of the show's finest, Arisu's closest companions left a lasting impact on Alice in Borderland. Chota (Yuki Morinaga), who viewed himself as a coward, played a central role in one of the most poignant and tragic moments throughout the entire series. Chota valiantly battled Shibuki to safeguard Arisu and, together with Karube, willingly sacrificed his life to save his dearest friend. On various occasions, Chota appeared as a spectral presence, providing guidance to Arisu during crucial moments throughout the show.
6 Karube
Karube (Keita Machida) shares many similarities with Chota, who also perished in season 1, episode 3 of Alice in Borderland. While Chota was timid, Karube was confident and had numerous ambitions in the real world. Nevertheless, he made the selfless choice not to engage in combat with Arisu during the Seven of Hearts game, allowing his friend to survive. This particular scene, wherein Karube accepts his inevitable fate and warmly smiles while Arisu sheds tears, is arguably the pinnacle moment of the series. Even after two seasons, both Chota and Karube continue to remain beloved characters in Alice in Borderland.
5 Arisu
Arisu, the protagonist mentioned in the title, serves as the driving force in Alice in Borderland. While the abundance of captivating characters, ranging from villains to heroes, could potentially overshadow Arisu, he manages to avoid typical "main character problems." Throughout the show, Arisu consistently finds himself at the heart of the most gripping moments, through his connections with friends and his relationship with Usagi. Despite enduring unimaginable hardships, Arisu remains true to himself and never succumbs to becoming a lesser version of who he truly is.
4 Usagi
As a prominent character in Alice in Borderland, Usagi, alongside Arisu, faced her fair share of challenges. However, it often became apparent that she would survive the games, as her and Arisu’s story was yet to reach its conclusion. Despite this predictability, Usagi remains an intriguing character, captivating audiences from her enigmatic and skilled introduction to her deep connection with Arisu. Furthermore, Usagi was the central figure in some of the most exhilarating action sequences throughout Alice in Borderland, notably her standout performance in the King of Clubs game. Undoubtedly, Usagi will continue to play a significant role in the upcoming Joker game in Alice in Borderland season 3.
3 Kuina
With a formidable personality and extraordinary martial arts skills, Kuina (Asahina Aya) emerges as one of the standout characters in Alice in Borderland, despite not holding a leading role. Introduced early on in season 1 as a resident of the Beach, it remains uncertain whether Kuina and Chishiya would align themselves with the heroes. While Chishiya's choices during the Beach segment raise some doubts, Kuina proves herself to be steadfastly loyal to her companions throughout the entire series. Delving into Kuina's backstory and witnessing the significance of fighting for her adds another layer of complexity to her character, who thankfully remains part of the story until the climactic conclusion of season 2.
2 Kyuma (King Of Clubs)
In Alice in Borderland season 2, Kyuma (Tomohisa Yamashita) appeared briefly, only for three episodes. Nevertheless, he stands out as one of the finest characters in the entire show. While some characters require several episodes to leave a lasting impression, Kyuma managed to capture our attention with just a few lines. Among the Face Card citizens, who all believed in the message conveyed through their respective games, Kyuma possessed a profound understanding of the world they inhabited. It seemed that he found contentment in both the real world and the games, making him a truly exceptional character.
1 Chishiya
Across all the Alice in Borderland characters, Chishiya (Nijiro Murakami) undoubtedly stands out with numerous memorable moments. From the second game of season 2 to his role as the King of Diamonds, Chishiya consistently captivated viewers whenever he appeared on screen. The fact that both the standout Alice in Borderland games – Solitary Confinement and Beauty Contest – revolved around Chishiya further emphasizes his exceptional character. Moreover, Chishiya's intriguing backstory added even more depth to his persona. Notably, his unfazed demeanor in the face of adversity resulted in compelling scenes. Without a doubt, Chishiya emerges as the pinnacle character in Alice in Borderland, particularly in the aftermath of season 2.