Netflix is returning to the mysterious and lethal Borderland with the third season of its hit Japanese sci-fi sequence, Alice in Borderland, debuting on the platform on Sept. 25.
The sequence, a live-action adaptation of Haro Aso’s common manga of the identical title, is by a ways Netflix’s most-watched Japanese title of all time, scoring over 200 million viewing hours in 4 weeks following the debut of its second season in December 2022, in keeping with figures supplied by the streamer. Alice in Borderland additionally landed in Netflix’s coveted High 10 lists in over 90 nations, proving that the present has discovered an viewers past Japan, and has tapped into the seemingly insatiable international demand for content material tailored from manga in addition to exhibits constructed round so-called ‘demise video games.’
In a telling signal of the significance of the present for Netflix Japan, the streamer held launch occasions for Alice in Borderland‘s third season in Tokyo earlier this month, that included a pop-up store full of merch and interactive video games in addition to a lavish premiere-like occasion (though no footage was screened) the place attendees might hearken to a dwell Q&A with the solid of season three. Visitors included the same old mixture of followers and journalists, in addition to influencers such Kawaiii Coco and, randomly, AEW wrestling celebrity Kenny Omega. After a quick chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Omega, who has robust ties to Japan and speaks fluent Japanese, revealed that Alice in Borderland was his favourite present.
The Tokyo launch occasion for season three of ‘Alice in Borderland.’
Netflix
Followers can be happy to know that returning to helm and co-write season three of Alice in Borderland is Shinsuke Sato. Additionally returning are the 2 leads of the present, Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, who play Arisu and Usagi, respectively, however a number of new castmembers who had been launched on the Tokyo launch occasion. Filling out the solid are 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 and Kento Kaku.
Per the logline, season three of Alice in Borderland picks up the motion after Usagi and Arisu handle to “escape” parallel Tokyo to get up in a hospital after which slowly uncover that they had been survivors of a devastating meteor strike on Shibuya. Crucially, they haven’t any recollections of Borderland or the video games. The logline reads, “After Usagi is kidnapped and left unconscious by a mysterious scholar obsessive about the afterlife, Arisu returns to the perilous “Borderland” to avoid wasting her. Teaming up with new gamers, they have to face the yet-unseen “Joker” stage in a determined bid to discover a approach again to their authentic world.”
Forward of the Tokyo launch occasion, THR sat down with Yamazaki and Tsuchiya to debate the growing international reputation of the present, returning for a radically completely different season of Alice in Borderland and the way they handled the extreme trauma that’s such a theme of the sequence.
‘Alice in Borderland’
Netflix
Let’s start with a query concerning the international response to Alice in Borderland. It’s change into a little bit of a phenomenon, and outdoors of Japan are watching it. What are your ideas on the worldwide success of the present?
Kento Yamazaki: I used to be shocked originally, however, I’m after all elated that the worldwide followers have embraced this present. It additionally true that even from season one, we had this resolve to create one thing for the worldwide viewers. So I’m so blissful that [this passion] has continued as much as season three.
Tao Tsuchiya: I don’t have phrases on how transferring it’s [that the show is popular globally]. I feel in Borderland, you’ll be able to sort of see [the themes] in your individual society, or your college, and even our world of appearing. Survival is a part of our lives and I feel in that approach the present is common, and I feel that’s why the worldwide viewers responded.
The solid of season three of ‘Alice in Borderland.’
Netflix
The present itself is sort of traumatic, there’s a number of deep trauma for all of the characters, and numerous heavy themes reminiscent of suicide, demise, melancholy and many different points. Was it fairly draining for you as actors to be in that emotional house for a present like this?
Kento: Sure completely! [The material] takes a toll on you and there have been a lot of challenges, however we simply did our greatest to beat all of that, which led to us having, and me significantly, having a way of confidence with the work having the ability to transfer international audiences. And having the ability to proceed as much as season three makes me really feel vindicated. I’m so glad I used to be capable of pull by means of [the dark moments] once I was actually struggling.
Tao: There was the problem or issue of what you simply talked about. These heavier themes, [well], whenever you put your self in a really darkish place for a very long time, in a really Stoic approach, it could actually have an effect on your bodily well being as properly. So what we actively did on set was to simply snigger, there was a number of laughter on set. I used to be simply speaking to Kento, to the crew [the whole time], and I feel that made the work itself not simply one thing that was brutal however one thing that additionally makes you’re feeling a way of affection.
With regards to returning to Alice in Borderland. You’ve got each lived with this undertaking for over 5 years, how does that really feel to return again to it? And searching ahead, would you be eager to possibly do a fourth season or a spin-off maybe?
Kento: I’m a fan of the present myself, and to have the ability to make season three comes with a little bit of stress as properly as a result of it’s so beloved by the worldwide viewers. However we now have such an unbelievable workforce that I used to be simply full of pleasure on set. And naturally if it’s going to proceed not directly, I’ll be very a lot eager to be a part of that.
Tao: When season two wrapped up, I felt like that was an effective way to complete the story, so I used to be sort of shocked after they offered season three to me! Considering forward, clearly on this season, which you haven’t seen but, [Usagi is] pregnant, so there’s going to be a toddler sooner or later, and he or she would like to see that baby return [to the normal world], not simply the 2 lead characters. The story is ready to be familial, I feel that could possibly be actually attention-grabbing.
