Alice in Borderland (TV Series) Episode 8 (2022) User Reviews

Explanation for those confused

[bakerstreetdozen · 9/10 · 10 January 2023]

I see lots of people a bit, or very, confused about the ending, so major spoilers ahead as I make sense of it for you.

· · · · Borderland is a purgatory between life and death. When the "fireworks" hit in the real world before being sent to Borderland, those were actually meteorites. Everyone in the surrounding area of Shibuya then entered the purgatory state of Borderland where they played a series of games to fight to live -- just as their bodies in the real world were fighting to survive.

If people died in the Borderland games, that means their body didn't survive the meteorite crash, and they died in the wreckage. Those who made it through the games were presented with the choice to stay or go back. Those who stayed, died, and those who went back, woke up. This is why Arisu's friends didn't make it, but why people like Usagi, Aguni, Kuina etc. All survived and woke up.

In the manga, the Joker is a ferryman. He ushers people through life and death. In a game of cards, a Joker is also a wild card. This was likely a little nod from the ferryman to say that they survived Borderland, but now their last game to survive is life itself. Life is a wild card. The rules, like the games in Borderland, are simple, but the game is no less daunting. Things can happen you may not expect.

That's all. Hope it helps.

Wow! What a great ending! Worth your time!

[Anziboy · 9/10 · 23 December 2022]

I had been waiting so long for season 2 after the first season which I loved so much! All these mysteries! The games and characters! Really did not expect them all to have had a cardiac arrest after a meteorite impact in Tokyo hence making them all reach borderland where the lucky ones could go back to the real world.

This explanation was probably one of the best, which i never predicted! However so many mysteries left! The Joker we saw at the end is a wildcard that can change the rules. That means two things: 1. They are still in an illusion 2. They will be brought back to the borderland.

Both means that there is someone else in the real world that knows about borderland, or created it.

And still so many unanswered questions: 1. Who was the lady who remembered it all in borderland and got killed right before she was about to mention the meteor?

2. What happens to those who die in Borderland?

3. The residents live in borderland and create games for other players. If they choose to live there, what happens to their real body in the real world? Do they die or go into coma?

4. Who is the mastermind behind the Borderland.

So many questions that there needs to be a season 3 😍 hope Netflix create one because it is not over yet! Really enjoyed the series!

Worth a watch.

3 or 4 more episodes would have been better

[loloimdb · 7/10 · 23 December 2022]

Honestly, when I heard that there would be a second season for alice in borderland, I had mixed feelings. I hate Netflix for giving up on so many series after one season, so I was quite surprised and glad that they would keep going for a second season. But at the same time, having read the manga, I knew that just one season to pack everything that happens in the manga wouldn't be enough.

So, years later (they really took their time....), here we are with the finale season.... It is not bad, especially for people who haven't read the manga.

BUT, if you've read and liked the manga, you'll be disappointed with such a short season. It'd been so much better with twice the episodes.

There's plenty of new characters introduced in the manga, and their arc are quite interesting. Here in the TV series, some are introduced but they don't play the same parts at all and that's quite disappointing... Also, they have drastically changed some parts to fit all in 8 episodes, but in doing so, they've changed the tone and the atmosphere of the manga. The end felt really rushed.

Please, read the manga, it's way, way, way better.

Also, if you like this genre, you can try Gantz and As the Gods will.

Was it so hard to understand?

[FlorianLaur · 10/10 · 11 February 2023]

I just finished the last two episodes and I must say, I thought season 2 was even better than season 1.

I had watched season 1 last December while a friend of mine hadn't seen the show yet and binged both seasons in 3-4 days. He thought it started well, then dipped in quality (the beach), but was also disappointed by season 2.

As for me, I agree about the beach, but I also thought the show picked up again towards the end of season 1 and I can't really find any fault with season 2, except that it might feel a little rushed in times (mainly because we don't get to see ALL games), but I totally understand why and it's ok with me.

I am confused by all the bad reviews of episode 7 and also those for this one.

It seems to be a similar issue that I noticed with the people who watched Squid Game, but mostly enjoyed it as some kind of gore fest or torture porn.

And although season 2 might have had one of the cruelest ways to die (acid), I think it was actually far more humane. My friend complained that the games didn't feel dangerous, but I think season 2 was almost only about psychology. Except for the King of Spades and I think he needs to be seen as something "special" and maybe not quite literally.

So the show is called "Alice in BORDERland", right?

Alice is Arisu (Japanese pronounciation of Alice). Usagi is Japanese for bunny (one can argue that she made him go deeper into the rabbit hole). Mira of course is the "evil" queen (although I honestly liked her, not only because she's super pretty. But she seemed happy and touched when she actually lost her game and seemed to be sincerely happy that she could play croquet with someone).

The whole borderland of course is the border between death and life. It's not just an imaginary place either, it does exist as some kind of limbo. And if you die there, you usually die in the real world too (except for Ann, but maybe that's because Kuina got to choose for her?).

So we can then glean from context that all the Kings and Queens might be dead or at least in permanent limbo (more likely). This might explain why all but one of them seem rather happy to die and why all of them seem quite lonely and bored.

So all the "unrealistic" things in episode 7 make a lot more sense under that context, because we're not in a real world. Some characters that would be certainly dead like the girl with the bow or Aguni seem to survive because of their will power (in real life). I mean, didn't the King of Spades super human reflexes seem odd as well?

I am sure even the plant life has some deeper meaning when we can see how quickly Shibuya is covered in plants and how there are skeletons with no meat or skin (it would take weeks or months usually to be so clean) on them.

Mira actually mentions this in a way. She said the truth really doesn't matter and if they never ever felt that this world is a bit...off? It is! Because it's not our "normal" world.

In a way, her trick (that's what makes her game one of the deadliest, although one has to wonder if it would work with 50+ participants?) that Arisu was in an accident isn't that far from the truth. He and Usagi were in an accident and so was everybody else (except for the Kings and Queens).

The message of Alice in Borderland is clear: The purpose of life is relative and what You make of it. Just as long as you live your life to the fullest and work together and treat others kindly.

I don't know if the Joker means that there will be another season, but I actually can't imagine it. Although I would have loved to see and know more about this world, I can't imagine a better ending for the show. A perfect 10 from me :).

One of the best shows of the year.

[asheohara · 10/10 · 23 December 2022]

An incredible concoction of action-packed thriller, introspective drama & ultra-violent horror, this show has it all.

Hailing back to references from classics such as Battle Royale, The Hunger Games, Saw, Future Diary, Alice in Borderland embraces its Japanese roots with a forward-thinking look on a modern day Tokyo as the battleground for its maniacal intent.

Protagonist, Arisu navigates the alternate-universe version of Tokyo, competing in harrowing games of survival against his fellow 'citizens', has to make his way to the completion of all games, each of which corresponding to a playing card between Ace & 10. These, of course each correspond in accordance to their difficulty. Once all of these cards are completed, the participants assume this will lead to the face cards, and in extension, will lead to their departure.

I did not expect the emotional toll the second season would have on me, and I am overwhelmed by the show's impact. I implore that everyone watch this show, it's concise - 16 episodes - it's exciting, it's dramatic, it's shocking to the core at times. Very impressed.

Absolutely amazing! Sad for the people who didn't understand it.

[valkal-11355 · 10/10 · 28 December 2022]

Really amazing season finale! Overall the second season was slightly better than the first one for me. I liked the complexity and the effort to dig deeper in psychological things.

Its really saddening to see people that many people didn't understand what happened. Maybe they should rewatch the final episode more carefully. The meteor hit Tokyo in the very beginning of the first episode of first season and all the games for these 2 seasons where people's fight for their lives. In hospital. This ONE MINUTE that lasted 2 seasons.

Perfect, just perfect! I don't see how they would make a third season and honestly after this finale, i don't want one.

WOW!

[laurendeanna-40741 · 10/10 · 25 December 2022]

Not me sitting here crying at a tv series🙊 Hardly ever get emotional watch stuff but holy shot this was absolutely awesome. So well done. I can't believe it hasn't blown up like squid game did?! I'm sorry but it's a million times better.

SPOILER ALERT: Absolutely called it with the joker card and I cannot bloody wait for them to confirm a third season, surely?!

I don't think I can wait another 2 years this time I need it now already😂 I'd go as far as saying it's the best series I've ever watched and the last two episodes, in particular the last one - sobbed. Queen of hearts is a master manipulator alright! WHO'S READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?!!!!

Queen played with our hearts too

[grondonamanu · 9/10 · 28 February 2023]

Wow! I wasn't expecting this finale. It was mind-blowing. I would like to stand out the actors and actresses' performances, all of them are great in this final episode. But what was more impressive to me was the emotional rollercoaster this episode gave me. It's hard to see television like that nowadays (especially on Netflix).

That 30 minutes where Arisu can't stop imagining about that fantasy the Queen wants him to believe... Wow! There is no question why the Queen of Hearts was the ultimate villain. How difficult it was to get out of that 'trance' for Arisu. And how difficult was -for me at least- not to believe in anything she's saying! Shout out to the actress who plays her, excellent!

I know this is based on a manga (ofc I haven't read it), but the creators actually outdid themselves with the ending. Especially considering what a 'marvel-esc' episode 2x07 was. It all made a bit more sense now.

Surprising... ending?

[gerardchalaux · 8/10 · 28 December 2022]

Not gonna lie, they got me at first. I was so mad the whole thing would really just be in Arisu's head; but I'm glad it wasn't like that at all in the end, a nice plot twist. Anyway, what happened during the last game was confusing, nonsensical, slow and painful to watch, and the whole thing could've been saved by making them drink the tea Mira offered, implying there was some kind of hallucinogen in it; it really was that simple.

Despite that, I liked the idea the borderland was some kind of purgatory, even though it's something we've already seen before (remember Lost?). Maybe, considering the very last scene, we can assume a third season is on the works, there's still so many questions to answer: What happens to those that decide to "stay"? Is the "purgatory" an infinite cycle? Who will be the next players? If the ones affected by the meteorite were the players, who were the citizens? Has the meteorite itself something to do with the fact? Does Ann still remember everything upon waking up? After all, she didn't either accept or decline the offer. Is the world they wake up on even real? Or is it the Joker's world?

So many questions! Even if there isn't a third season I think the ending is satisfying enough, as it leaves us with the mystery intact, which I love, despite the frustration.

Absolutely mindless but entertaining.

[benjaminpetermoore · 6/10 · 28 December 2022]

There are scenes in this show that are genuinely impressive. You'll see amazing choreography and pretty incredible CGI. The very next scene will have the most embarrassing dialogue that sounds like it was written by a 14 year old who just wrote it listening to Radiohead.

Alice is Borderland absolutely loves itself and takes everything it does very seriously.

It therefore has a very anime problem where taking a bullet directly to the heart doesn't immediately kill someone- usually you can just sit down and wait it out.

It's still fun and I don't regret my time with it but I feel like this should be the end.

I hope they make season 3 (4 would be great)

[DemonSlayerSG · 10/10 · 2 January 2023]

I don't understand why some people rate this ep too low, it's not a great show but it's amazing show

I saw a review said he/she don't want season 3, I was like wth? Season 3 would be awesome and I would pay for it to see (actually I already paid to see on Netflix)

For me, one of the best games was J of Hearts, Chishiya kills it, I love those eps, it was brilliant

Many characters I love to see if they're join season 3, Arisu, Usagi, Aguni, Ann, Chishiya, Kuina.

I admit there were some scenes kinda slow, needless, not good dialogue but overall it's still amazing to me, not many TV shows or movies leaves me with a lot of emotions, and this one does, 10/10 is well deserved.

Sadly, no aces.

[Wortgefechte · 7/10 · 2 February 2023]

I liked the series, even if it has its lengths (endless dialogues and dialogues). After the S2 ending I don't really need a third season, because I am a bit disappointed. In my opinion, the makers missed a fantastic chance. I was hoping for a 3rd season - the ace games! In fact the ace is the highest card in almost every card game. Why didn't they use this fact? After the picture cards in stage 2 they could have moved on to stage 3 with the ace games. Unfortunately they won't. As I noticed later the aces were already crossed out on the beach card board. So definitely no ace games in the future. Maybe joker games? Perhaps. Time will tell.

Sadly it was like watching Lost all over again

[snwlonelysoldierboy · 5/10 · 29 December 2022]

Boring ending, i can't understand why some people call the ending... innovative, we've seen it with Lost 12 years ago, it seems people forget a lot of movies and tv shows or the audience is too young.

I was hoping for a creative mindblowing explanation after stretching out the whole episode but i ended up disappointed...They should have retained their memories at least.

They almost got me with the psychiatric part though and was ready to throw a brick to the tv and trash it.

The trials were good and well designed, the characters were well done but the show invested too much into it and the pacing was very very slow for an ending already done by another show (Lost) though entertaining nonetheless.

Wouldn't watch it again.

Amazing series with shortcomings

[andartarius · 10/10 · 28 December 2022]

The first season started off great! It was intriguing, an amazing start, it got a bit boring once they got to the beach at mid season, but the final episode was not too bad, i thought the series had great potential, so i told myself why not watch the second one.

The first 2 episode were a slow burn, the first game being not my cup of tea... but boy oh boy after that it started picking back up right where the first half of the first season made me feel, it was tense, there were beautiful moments, and the musical score was extremely well done, the visuals, the tension, the last 2 episodes were my favorite, the final was really confusing but in a great way that makes you really think, whats the truth, is it all an illusion, it pretty much resumes everything thats happening in the world right now with covid and stuff... i often feel like its all an illusion that doesnt make sense. This series was amazing, and one of the rare one ive liked recently.

stellar ending

[Mesina02 · 9/10 · 1 March 2023]

This was quite a shock to me. None of the episodes before this could prepare you for what happened here. There was a lot hanging in the balance and I could tell that if they didn't do this right, then this entire show would have went down the drain. Thankfully, I was proved wrong.

A phenomenal episode that really brings the best out of this series. A big part as to why most of these episodes were good was because of how they were able to establish the foundations for this last episode to succeed. Every obstacle these characters were challenged with were meant with a moral dilemma and it caused them to question not just their beliefs but their purpose in life.

This was an ending that really left me satisfied and I think that if this was the last episode in the show, it surely made it's mark.

Nice

[mikeyboy26 · 9/10 · 2 January 2023]

Well if you were patient enough to endure countless , how to they describe it several times in the last episode? -"ludicrous games". ( i would add a few more adjectives...excessive , violent, suspenseful, ....but yeah ludicrous sums it up well) . So if you were able to sustain that you would find ( well i did) that this last episode ( and ending?) was quite satisfying mostly 'cos it was as I said above ...it was a "nice" ending. And there's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I would like to know of those who chose not to leave "the game" what happened to them? Not sure if i missed something there but nevertheless some feelgood themes at the end to buttress the hyper and surreal violent games. Good job Arisu!

okay. WHAT?

[burtniekzanderts · 10/10 · 23 December 2022]

This season was amazing, yes i didn't sleep, BUT WHO CARES I FINISHED THE SEASON! Of course I hated the show in episode 7 and 8, where they just killed all my favorite characters, but in the end it did make sense. I now love the show again with all my heart. Glad Usagi and Arisu got a happy ending, I LITEARLLY CRIED MY HEART OUT WITH THE SPEECH. Although I don't know what the joker card means, maybe season 3? WHO KNOWS? But I would say this was worth the wait. I liked the games aswell, this time they were more harder id say. But I don't know, my favorite game was episode 4, really got me on the edge of my seat. Loved this season :)

Mindblowing ending!

[lunaaurelia · 10/10 · 29 December 2022]

My mind is blown, there was SO many plot twists in this episode, and it was so exciting to find out what was real and what was not. I loved it and hungry for more! But happy to see it ends with happy ending for most of them. Very entertaining show. Its worth your time, the drawn out parts makes up for the action and interesting backstories of each of the characters. I didnt feel bored during any of the episodes, and I like the new characters aswell. A little bit sad that they dont remember their time together in the Borderlands though, they kind of get a fresh start, but I still hope they rekindle their feelings and bond.

Amazing

[ankbarroso · 10/10 · 30 December 2022]

Ehm..., love the end of the show alot, the last episode is a bit slow at first but then it all makes sense, i saw Mira as the angel of the death and the person who say who is gonna live or die. Fantastic, as much as i like the show and want to see more of it, i would not do another season, in my opinion this close is perfect.

The whole season got me in the edge. Season 1 was pretty good but this season 2 is in another level, i agree with the people who thinks this is better than squid games so i just want to congratulate the whole team, amazing work 👏👏. In my opinion the best show of the year!!

Fun series even for those who haven't seen the manga origin story

[duzt-52804 · 7/10 · 6 January 2023]

I have not read the manga of Alice in Borderland, so I don't know half of the detail involved - in my mind, having forgotten much of S1 in the years since it was released, this came off to me as maybe an early version of Squid Games, combined with some other movies and elements. I read a few more articles and watched a few spoiler videos after finishing S2 and more fully understand how this was essentially a purgatory/simulation that took place within a mere timespan of a minute after the meteor destruction - then throwing players into a chaotic game world with some Alice in Wonderland death matches that determines whether they die or are able to return to the real world. Such a unique idea in a lot of ways, it's very clever. I do think there are some points to detract from the series, as being ignorant of the source material it felt to me like they glossed over so much detail that maybe it could be assumed the viewer already knew. I didn't know, combined with feeling like maybe the dubbing took away further detail, but a lot of times being left primarily with just watching glorified violence. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty glorious violence and fun to watch. But some of the dialogue was left feeling incomplete or dull, maybe due to translation. Still, overall a pretty awesome series.

Definitely, one of the most mind-blowing episodes I have ever seen

[funnycommentor · 8/10 · 12 February 2023]

The plot of the last episode was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. The storyline was kinda well-written, because we finally had the chance to know what really happened. Of course, the plot twists were definitely unexpected and really shocking. However, they were kinda difficult to understand, because they were MIND-BLOWING. Gladly, the last episode was epic and I really enjoyed it. The characters were very well-developed on the last episode and I think everyone's fate was well-deserved. It was a really emotional episode, even though I didn't cried. Overall, the ending scene was definitely unexpected. In my opinion, season 1 was kinda better than season 2, because it had better games. However, I really enjoyed season 2, too!

Oh it's baaaad

[dzfg-32720 · 2/10 · 31 December 2022]

Until the last episode I really enjoyed this show. I loooved the games and in my opinion they should've focused more on that. But the last episode was just beyond baaaaad. All of these characters who were wounded deadly in the episode before surviving another whole day??? (Or even longer) And also what is it about these game masters just giving up their own life to let random other people survive? I just don't get it. Dialogue was also bad but that might be because I didn't watch it in original language. And lastly: the explaination???? HELL NAH - didn't watch 2 seasons for this crappy explanation!!!

Breathtaking and Redeeming

[janretzlaff · 10/10 · 13 January 2023]

I loved everything about this show. It kept me on the edge of my seat for 16 episodes, but what was always in the back of my mind was the purpose of this land and these games.

I honestly don't get how people underrate this show and this ending so much. I've thought of countless scenarios and can't come up with a better ending.

People who compare it to Lost are also "lost" because our main characters who survive in the games also make it in the real world.

The "Borderland" was not pointless, as you can clearly see in Arisu's and Usagi's interaction in the hospital.

The characters with the most willpower survived and can finally make something of their lives.

10/10 show for entertainment, and I give this ending a 10/10 for ingenuity and redemption.

Truly perfect series...

Season Two Review

[southdavid · 8/10 · 28 May 2023]

I largely enjoyed the first season of "Alice In Borderland" though perhaps more in the earlier "games" section that the later beach aspects. I enjoyed this season also, if perhaps a little underwhelmed by the reveals in the conclusion. I'm going to review this as a season conclusion, rather than a series one as, even though it reaches a perfectly decent resolution, I know from supplementary reading that the show might continue.

Having gathered all the number cards from the games, the picture cards make their presence felt with giant airships identifying the locations of their games. That is except for the King of Spades, who patrols the whole city mercilessly slaughtering anyone he comes across. Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) and their group flee from the King of Spades, before regrouping and deciding on the King of Clubs (Tomohisa Yamashita) as their next target. During this game though, Arisu makes a realisation about the top players that concerns him greatly.

Lots of interesting decisions made in this season. Rather than seeing every game that the main characters play, we're instead focusing on a few key ones, and they can and do span over several episodes. Arisu and Usagi actually only play three games, with Chishiya, played by Nijiro Murakami, participating in another two. The games were again, probably the highlight of the series for me with the forest diversions less interesting. Performances and visual effects remain strong, with perhaps the visuals even improving on the first run.

I try not to write reviews with spoilers, so I'll keep this vague. Having not been familiar with where the series was going, I was maybe a bit disappointed with the resolution that was forthcoming. To be fair to them, I'm not sure than any explanation was going to make me entirely happy, but of the ones proposed this was my least favourite.

I'd like to see more, but they don't decide to, despite some occasional pacing issues, I've enjoyed "Alice In Borderlands".

In the end it doesn't even matter - Linkin Park

[synysteraryan · 2/10 · 28 December 2022]

So i watched 40+ minutes of monologue of all this incident was happening in Arisu head for 40 minutes. They tried to make it emotional as it happens Chota and Karube was killed when they were running away in the traffic on episode 1 of season 1. So all this was in Arisu's "le head" as pyrocinical would say.

Hmm interesting kinda made sense that he was deeply traumatized and now he is in some psych ward making it all up being inside a game right? No?

Well that's what happened i was pissed when it wasn't the case they were still in a game playing for their freedom and a chance to get back to the real world.

Now they are back in the real world and everything is back being normal does that mean everything till now never happened? Was it all a dream? How in the world did those take place? I am so confused.

Then all of a sudden a meteorite falls in the city and kills everyone except the people who survived the game. So how did they end up being in the game in the first place is still not cleared.... This ending is confusing as hell.