Alice in Borderland - allkpop forums

I. Introduction

Alice in Borderland is a 2020 Japanese science fiction suspense-thriller drama streaming television series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. Directed by Shinsuke Sato, the series stars Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya as allies trapped in an abandoned Tokyo where they are forced to compete in dangerous games, the type and difficulty of which are determined by playing cards. After surviving their first game, players receive visas, which are extended the more they compete; if the visas expire, the individuals are executed by red lasers being shot from the sky.

II. Developments & Productions

First announced in July 2019, each episode of the series was written by Sato, Yoshiki Watabe, and Yasuko Kuramitsu. Filming began in August and concluded that same year in December, with locations including various districts of Shibuya, and a green screen studio serving as a replica of the popular Shibuya Crossing, where a large portion of the series takes place. In an international collaboration, Japan's Digital Frontier worked with teams from Singapore, the United States, and India to add post-credit visual effects, with the music featured in the series being composed by Yutaka Yamada, a frequent collaborator with Sato.

III. Synopsis

Alice - a listless, jobless and video-game-obsessed young man - suddenly finds himself in a strange, emptied-out version of Tokyo in which he and his friends must compete in dangerous games in order to survive. In this strange world, Alice meets Usagi, a young woman who’s navigating the games alone. After a dangerous game which tests Alice’s limits, the two set out together to unravel one mystery after another as they risk their lives and confront what it means to live.

IV. Teasers & Trailers

Teasers & Trailers

V. All Episodes

All Episodes (Netflix)

VI. OSTs

VII. Disc 1

No. Title Length

1. "Alice in Borderland" 11:15

2. "Doldrums" 5:37

3. "Mirror Maze" 6:01

4. "Obstruction" 4:11

5. "Peripherals" 2:57

6. "Rainfall" 5:46

7. "Beyond The Mist" 5:19

8. "Soulbound" 4:46

9. "Gargoyles" 10:21

10. "Nerve" 7:18

11. "Retrospect" 4:40

12. "The Looking Glass" 5:56

13. "Ashes" 1:31

Total length: 75:38

VIII. Disc 2

No. Title Length

1. "Portal" 4:31

2. "Iron Fist" 4:07

3. "Paranoia" 4:16

4. "Unearthed" 6:44

5. "Sun Rays" 1:57

6. "Accidents of Chaos" 5:50

7. "The Abyss" 10:57

8. "Armour" 5:12

9. "Hidden Card" 3:29

10. "Eternity of Reality" 4:25

11. "Delirium" 3:43

12. "Ace of Spades" 2:50

13. "Lune" 2:58

14. "Film of Time (Alt. Ver.)" 5:29

15. "Gamemaster" 1:38

16. "Good Times [Jan Erik Nilsson (a.k.a Eartraxx)]" 5:03

Total length: 73:09

VIIII. Disc 3

No. Title Length

1. "Hype" 1:21

2. "Vantage Point" 3:03

3. "Trickster" 1:46

4. "Frenzy" 1:38

5. "Your Smile" 2:25

6. "Uncharted" 8:48

7. "No Exit" 6:33

8. "Moonbow" 4:03

9. "Film of Time" 2:51

Total length: 32:28

Official OSTs

VII. Reception

Alice in Borderland premiered on Netflix on December 10, 2020, where it was met with positive reviews from viewers and critics for its visuals, cinematography, editing, and use of graphic violence, with some comparing the series to the films Battle Royale (2000) and Cube (1997). Two weeks after the first season was released, Netflix renewed the series for a second season. It has currently gained the scores of 7.7 on IMDB, & 8.8 on Mydramalist.

Show Info

First Airing: Dec 10th 2020

Last Airing: Dec 10th 2020

Episodes: 8

Network: Netflix

Genre: Action, Thriller, Psychological, Supernatural, Mature

Starring Cast

Main

Kento Yamazaki as Ryōhei Arisu - A 24-year-old video-game obsessed man who "doesn't fit in with his family"
Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi - A mountain climber who was transported into the empty city of Tokyo shortly after the death of her father, whom she deeply respected. Usagi teams up with Arisu shortly after the deaths of his friends.

Recurring

Yūki Morinaga as Chōta Segawa - A highly-religious IT technician and friend of Arisu and Karube. Chōta severely burns his leg while participating in a game titled "Dead or Alive", and as a result, slows down his friends while recovering. At the start of the series, Chōta's mom, a cult member, can be seen asking him for money.
Keita Machida as Daikichi Karube - A bartender and friend of Arisu and Chōta. Before being transported into the empty city, Karube was preparing to propose to a woman he worked with at a bar, who happened to be the lover of his boss.
Nijirō Murakami as Shuntarō Chishiya - A mysterious, quiet, and sly player who teams up with Kuina to steal Hatter's deck of cards, the leader and founder of "the Beach", believing that a full deck would transport them out of the empty city. He later becomes interested in Arisu and Usagi after helping them escape a game of "Tag".
Sho Aoyagi as Aguni Morizono - A strong fighter and Hatter's best friend, Aguni is first introduced as an important member of "the Beach." Near the series finale, Aguni forcibly kills Hatter, having seen him develop into a narcissistic and murderous leader.
Ayaka Miyoshi as Ann Rizuna - A member of "the Beach" who attempts to win difficult games through rational thinking. Ann is one of the key players in the final game of the first season.
Dori Sakurada as Suguru Niragi - A young yet dangerous member of "the Beach". Described as being "aggressive due to his complicated past", Niragi goes on a killing spree near the end of the first season.
Aya Asahina as Hikari Kuina - A close friend of Chishiya, whom she helps steal Hatter's deck of cards. A former clothing shop clerk, Kuina is revealed to be transgender in a flashback in episode 7, in which she was disowned by her father.
Shuntarō Yanagi as Takatora Samura / The Last Boss - A strange man and dangerous member of "the Beach", the Last Boss has his face covered in tattoos and carries around a katana on a daily basis. During the final game, he is defeated in a fight by Kuina.
Nobuaki Kaneko as Takeru Danma / Hatter - The leader and founder of "the Beach", a hotel that inhabits dozens of players. His main goal is to collect all the playing cards given to players for winning games.
Riisa Naka as Mira Kano - A mysterious woman with an "elegant presence" who is later revealed to be a "gamemaster".
Ayame Misaki as Saori Shibuki - The first person Arisu and his friends encounter while in the deserted city. At first, Shibuki is presented as a smart and skilled player, who helps the group get past their first game. However, she is later revealed to be manipulative to get what she wants.
Yutaro Watanabe as Kōdai Tatta - A young man who is saved by Arisu during a game and later becomes a member of "the Beach".
Mizuki Yoshida as Asahi Kujō - A member of "the Beach" and Momoka's best friend, Asahi is killed by the "gamemasters" after she reveals herself to be a "dealer", a player who organizes games to extend their visas.
Kina Yazaki as Momoka Inoue - A member of "the Beach" and Asahi's best friend, Momoka kills herself at the end of the first season after no longer wanting to be a "dealer".
Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryū - An executive member of "the Beach".

I. Introduction

II. Developments & Productions

III. Synopsis

IV. Teasers & Trailers

V. All Episodes

VI. OSTs

VII. Disc 1

VIII. Disc 2

VIIII. Disc 3

VII. Reception

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