Netflix has dropped a heart-racing trailer for the third season of its gripping Japanese thriller series Alice in Borderland, announcing a global premiere on September 25, 2025. Adapted from Haro Aso’s celebrated manga, the trailer teases a thrilling return to the deadly games for Ryohei Arisu, now facing the mysterious Joker card’s cryptic challenge.
The trailer showcases Arisu’s reluctant plunge back into the perilous Borderland, alongside new players, as the Joker’s enigmatic presence threatens to unravel reality itself. The trailer has ignited anticipation for the next chapter of this adrenaline-charged saga, promising a blend of intense action, psychological depth, and existential intrigue.
Since its debut in December 2020, Alice in Borderland has cemented its status as one of Netflix’s premier international originals. The second season, released in December 2022, became Netflix Japan’s most-watched title, outranking popular anime, and landed in the Top 10 in over 90 countries. The Season 3 trailer’s release has amplified excitement, highlighting Arisu’s return to the life-or-death games and the Joker’s pivotal role in shaping the story’s darkest chapter yet.
Directed by Shinsuke Sato and written by Yasuko Kuramitsu and Sato, Alice in Borderland follows individuals trapped in a parallel universe where they must compete in lethal games to survive. Renowned for its cinematic visuals, complex characters, and philosophical undertones, the series has set a high standard. The Season 3 trailer suggests an escalation of these elements, with Arisu’s battle against the Joker driving the narrative into uncharted, mind-bending territory.
The trailer sets an eerie tone, revealing that Ryohei Arisu, portrayed by Kento Yamazaki, is once again ensnared in Borderland’s deadly games. After seemingly escaping the nightmarish realm in Season 2, the trailer depicts Arisu pulled back into the chaos by a new crisis, with the Joker card—introduced in the Season 2 finale—emerging as a central enigma. The Joker, a symbol of chaos and deception in the manga, appears to orchestrate a new stage of games that are more intricate and psychologically harrowing than ever before. The trailer’s fleeting glimpses of distorted landscapes, cryptic symbols, and the Joker card itself hint at a surreal, reality-warping challenge. Netflix calls the season an “adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster ride,” with the trailer’s haunting score and intense visuals underscoring Arisu’s emotional turmoil and the Joker’s ominous influence.
Alice in Borderland is developed and produced by Robot, with production cooperation from The Seven. Akira Morii and Tomoki Takase serve as producers, with Kaata Sakamoto as executive producer, ensuring the series retains its cinematic quality and narrative intensity.
Returning and New Cast Members of Alice in Borderland Season 3
The third season welcomes back core cast members, with Kento Yamazaki reprising his role as the cunning and resilient Ryohei Arisu, and Tao Tsuchiya returning as the determined Yuzuha Usagi. Their performances have anchored the series’ emotional core, and the trailer hints at even greater trials awaiting their characters.
Joining them is a talented ensemble of returning and new actors, including:
Hayato Isomura
Ayaka Miyoshi
Katsuya Maiguma
Koji Ohkura
Risa Sudou
Hiroyuki Ikeuchi
Tina Tamashiro
Kotaro Daigo
Hyunri
Sakura Kiryu
Yugo Mikawa
Joey Iwanaga
Akana Ikeda
Kento Kaku
This diverse cast is expected to bring fresh dynamics to the perilous world of Alice in Borderland, with new characters potentially sparking unexpected alliances and conflicts.
What to Expect from Alice in Borderland Season 3
Season 3 of Alice in Borderland will build on the dramatic conclusion of Season 2, where Arisu and Usagi appeared to clear all the games and return to the real world, only to encounter the enigmatic Joker card. According to Netflix, the new season will center on Usagi’s abduction by a mysterious scholar obsessed with the afterlife, forcing Arisu to re-enter the treacherous Borderland to rescue her. Teaming up with new players, they will confront the previously unseen “Joker” stage, a game that promises to test their wits and resolve like never before. The trailer’s imagery suggests a deeper exploration of metaphysical themes, questioning the boundaries between reality, illusion, and the afterlife.
The Joker card, highlighted in the trailer, is a pivotal element, with the manga hinting at its role as a bridge between reality and illusion. Season 3 is poised to delve into these concepts, challenging Arisu and his companions to navigate a world where survival hinges on unraveling the truth. The season will continue to explore profound questions about humanity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of meaning.
Alice in Borderland has earned comparisons to survival thrillers like Squid Game for its intense games and emotional resonance. Its global appeal lies in its ability to blend visceral action with thought-provoking themes, creating a narrative that is both exhilarating and introspective. The Season 3 trailer has only heightened anticipation, offering a glimpse into a world where every choice could be a matter of life and death.
Fans can stream Seasons 1 and 2 of Alice in Borderland on Netflix now to prepare for the new season’s premiere on September 25, 2025. The trailer serves as a compelling invitation to dive back into the heart-pounding world of Borderland, exclusively on Netflix.
Source: Netflix
