Alice In Borderland 2 Review: Brutal Games Finally Explained With A Powerful Message

Lately, it seems that any violent show that does well in its first season must include even more violence in the second, as the creators probably believe that its what viewers expect. The same is true for Alice In Borderland (AIB) Season 2. However, despite the intense violence and bloodshed, I still liked the show because it delivered a powerful message by the end. At least it offered a decent, if not entirely perfect, ending, or what one might call a “happy ending.”

This Netflix series did what it was meant to do: grab my attention and keep me on the edge of my seat. The only issue is that I’m an anxious soul, and shows like this tend to accelerate my heartbeat. The first episode itself opens with a gunman going on a rampage, shooting people blindly, much like in a video game. So, you can imagine how crazy the show will be.

Alice In Borderland 2 (2022) (8 Episodes)

After collecting all the pip cards, Arisu sets his sights on the face cards, believing they hold the key to returning to the real world. Joined by Usagi, Kuina, Chishiya, Tatta, and Ann, he takes on one brutal game after another, each bringing him a step closer to his goal. But the path is far from easy. The journey challenges not just his physical strength but also his beliefs, forcing him to confront his inner struggles, doubts, and the cracks in his own character.

 

I enjoyed watching ‘Alice In Borderland Season 2’ because…

…of the characters. See, if the characters weren’t good, I wouldn’t care whether they survived or not. But in this show, every character has a unique personality that makes them intriguing, and I was completely invested in each of them.

First, let’s talk about the leads, Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) and Arisu (Kento Yamazaki). The second season opens with Usagi telling Arisu that her life in the real world is miserable and that she doesn’t want to go back there. However, throughout the show, we see how she fights to stay alive and refuses to give up even in the most difficult situations. I have to give credit to the writers for creating such a strong female character. She fights like a fierce warrior.

I loved seeing Usagi kick some serious butt. There are many moments throughout the show when others give up, but despite admitting that her real life was painful, Usagi fights like a true survivor. And this is what I LOVED about this show. Showing characters who refuse to give up on life despite harsh circumstances is what makes this drama worth watching.

Tao Tsuchiya is excellent as Yuzuha Usagi. She has such a strong screen presence that whenever Arisu was separated from her, I found myself eagerly waiting for her return, because as long as she was around, you know she would not let Arisu stray from the right path. That’s why, when they reunite after a brief separation, I couldn’t help but clap in delight as I thoroughly enjoyed their partnership.

Also, even though Arisu is a brilliant player, he has his vulnerabilities, and only Usagi can keep him grounded and help him push forward without giving up. This dynamic remains consistent until the very end.

Kento Yamazaki has consistently delivered strong performances throughout the series. This is a terrifying world where circumstances can change in an instant. The fear and uncertainty are reflected on Arisu’s face and in his body language. Arisu is a smart player, but even he has moments of weakness, and that makes him a relatable hero. There are several instances when Arisu has to make difficult choices, and he wavers several times, but eventually does the right thing.

After the leads, my two favorite characters were Shuntaro Chishiya (Nijiro Murakami) and Hikari Kuina (Aya Asahina). Chishiya is unlike any character I’ve ever seen. A bomb could explode right behind him, and he would simply walk away as if he were taking an evening stroll. His character intrigued me in the first season, and in this season, we learn more about his background, which sheds light on the reasons behind his calm demeanor. Viewers loved his character so much in the previous season that he got an entire episode to himself this time. And I couldn’t have been happier about it. 🙂 

Like Usagi, Kuina is also a tough woman who can make her rivals regret ever crossing paths with her. She is both pretty and strong, one of those characters you’re likely to remember long after the show has ended.

This season answered almost all the questions I had from season 1, giving me the closure I was looking for. The backstories of every character align perfectly with their personalities in this bizarre world, leaving no loose ends for the viewers to figure out on their own.

 

I did NOT LIKE ‘Alice In Borderland Season 2’ because…

…of the immense gore I was subjected to. There was far too much blood for my eyes to handle. Bodies were scattered around like garbage, and people were being shot as if they were animated video game characters. I still don’t understand the need to show such extreme ruthlessness in a series. But I don’t blame them entirely; the popularity of shows belonging to this genre is immense, which proves there are many people who like it.

As if the gore wasn’t enough, the creators added a nude game master (now that’s popular actor Yamashita Tomohisa as Kyuma, the King of Clubs), who remains naked for a ridiculously pointless reason. Trust me, I actually had to cover my screen with my hand just to avoid seeing a grown man’s backside. I mean, what kind of audience are they trying to appeal to with such unnecessary explicit content?

Then there’s poor Kuina, who spent two seasons wearing the same dull blue bikini top. At least this time, they gave her jeans instead of the bikini bottoms she wore in the first season. I felt so bad for her because while Usagi and Arisu were allowed to change their outfits, the other characters clearly didn’t have the same privilege.

And worst of all were the two sexual assault scenes, which made me sick to my stomach. The world is falling apart, everyone is practically on the verge of death, and in the midst of that, some people (one guy and one girl, in separate situations) decide to engage in erm…you guessed it right. No matter how I looked at it, it just didn’t make sense to me from any angle.

The good thing about Alice in Borderland Season 2 is that, despite all the gore, the series delivers a meaningful message about human resilience. Throughout its run, it’s clear that only those who are willing to fight for their lives survive, and when things finally end, their struggle to stay alive makes perfect sense. Almost every character is shown losing hope at some point, but eventually, they give it their all to live just another day. And I genuinely appreciate this fighting spirit.

 

In some shows (read Squid Game), suicide is almost glorified as a way to escape suffering or as a noble sacrifice, but AIB chooses to honour resilience. The refusal to give up, no matter how brutal or hopeless the situation seems, leaves the viewer with a positive message.

I give Alice in Borderland Season 2 a 3 out of 5 rating. I’ve added an extra 0.5 for the meaningful message at the heart of the show. So, should you watch Alice in Borderland Season 2? Watch it only if you can handle incessant shooting and bloodshed. If thrillers give you a pseudo panic attack, then please avoid it. All that stress is not worth it.

 

All Images Courtesy: Robot Communications Inc.

Screengrabs: Netflix

 

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