<em>Alice in Borderland </em>characters have direct or indirect counterparts of the classic Alice in Wonderland story by Lewis Carroll, shared by either their personalities, the clothes they wear, or both.
From the lead character Arisu being the counterpart for Alice to Chishiya as the counterpart for the Cheshire Cat, characters in Borderland share similarities to their Wonderland counterparts. In the original story, Alice ends up in Wonderland after falling down a rabbit hole and meets a wide variety of characters on her quest to get home.
This is similar to what happens in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the Alice in Borderland manga by Haro Aso. Alice in Borderland follows the story of a Japanese man named Arisu as he goes through Borderland, a virtual reality of Tokyo. Unlike the original fairy tale, Alice in Borderland‘s characters face more violence and death in their version of Wonderland but keep to the same principles as the original story.
Out of the many characters featured in Alice in Borderland, some have counterparts that are from the original story that inspired the manga.
Arisu Ryohei Is Alice
Portrayed By Kento Yamazaki
Arisu is the main character in Alice in Borderland. In Japanese, Arisu’s name is the phonetic version of Alice. Like the main protagonist in the original Alice in Wonderland fairy tale, Arisu walks into an alternate version of Tokyo known as Borderland or, in Alice’s case, falling down the rabbit hole.
Like Alice, Arisu goes through multiple games to survive Borderland just like Alice goes through challenges in Wonderland to get back home. While Arisu’s version of Borderland involves fights to the death, Alice’s version is more psychological than deadly.
Arisu’s version of Borderland is based on an alternate plane of existence, similar to Alice’s Wonderland. Arisu also wakes up from Borderland wiser and more aware of his surroundings.
While he is not a child going through Borderland, his curiosity and determination to finish the games mirror Alice’s curiosity to find out what the white rabbit is up to as well as to find her way home.
Usagi Is The Rabbit
Portrayed By Tao Tsuchiya
While the Rabbit never falls in love with Alice in Wonderland, it is because of him that Alice ends up in Wonderland in the first place. In Alice in Borderland, Usagi is a skilled player and is often involved in a lot of the action in the show.
It also helps that the word "<em>usagi</em>" is Japanese for rabbit, describing Usagi’s personality well. The rabbit in Alice in Wonderland is constantly on the move, determined not to be late for anything and always being chased by a curious Alice.
Arisu is always chasing after Usagi and, since she is a trained runner, it is not easy for him to keep up with her. This was actually more pronounced in the book. In the second chapter, Arisu is in a deep depression.
When Alice asks for help, the rabbit runs away and hides from her. This lines up with Alice in Borderland, where Usagi sees Arisu and also leaves and hides away. However, the two give each other the strength to play the games again and accept their reality, which is the role the rabbit plays in the story.
Takeru Danma “The Hatter” is the Mad Hatter
Portrayed by Nobuaki Kaneko
Just as the name suggests, Takeru Danma, or “The Hatter,” is the counterpart of the Mad Hatter. He constantly throws parties to help distract from the downbeat drudgery of the games and builds his escape, known as The Beach.
Like the Mad Hatter’s constant tea parties and “unbirthdays,” The Beach is an escape for those who do not want to deal with the reality of death and violence in Borderland.
Borderland’s Hatter is willing to do anything to keep The Beach going, even if it means killing people to keep up the facade of parties. In Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter asks riddles but does not know the answers.
This is also similar to The Hatter in Alice in Borderland, who also doesn’t have the answers and does not know how to escape the game’s world. However, in both cases, the Hatters pretend to know the answers, and this leads people to follow them in both instances.
Chishiya Is The Cheshire Cat
Portrayed By Nijirō Murakami
Chishiya is the counterpart of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. Mysterious, quiet, and full of riddles, Alice in Borderland‘s Chishiya teams up with Kuina to steal the Hatter’s deck of cards in season 1.
Like the Alice in Wonderland character, Chishiya gives out riddles and is very mysterious, sometimes being a troublemaker for Arisu as he makes his way through the games. Just as the Cheshire Cat’s true motives are unknown and often leave people baffled, Chishiya’s true allegiances are not revealed at first.
However, in Japanese, his name means “fatal.” The atmosphere that Chishiya causes is also a strong similarity to the Cheshire Cat, as he often shows up when no one expects it and strongly influences the mood of the scene and people around him. He can blend into his surroundings easily without standing out too much.
Mira Kanō Is The Queen Of Hearts
Portrayed By Riisa Naka
Introduced in Alice in Borderland season 2, this icy woman is revealed to be one of those behind-the-scenes orchestrators behind games occurring within Borderland. Mira embodies her role effortlessly.Mira means "queen", which aligns perfectly with her character traits.
Mira’s game parallels that of her counterpart from Wonderland—she chooses croquet as her game for competition against Arisu. This psychological game challenges him significantly throughout their encounters.
Mira’s manipulative nature comes into play as she seeks to convince Arisu to withdraw from competition while employing hallucinations as part of her strategy. As Game Master revealed later on, she embodies a calmer yet more cunning version compared to her counterpart from Wonderland.
Militants Are The Card Soldiers
The Beach’s Militants Are Initially Loyal To The Directors
The militants serve under Mira’s command much like card soldiers do under their queen’s orders. They initially show loyalty towards directors within their ranks while wearing card suits representing their status within various games they participate.
The card soldiers from Wonderland are obedient yet cunning figures who follow orders primarily out of fear rather than loyalty—this dynamic mirrors how militants operate within The Beach environment where survival instincts drive their actions more than genuine allegiance.
Kuina Is The Caterpillar
Portrayed By Aya Asahina
Kuinia resembles Absolum—the Caterpillar—who provides cryptic clues while smoking throughout their interactions within games occurring inside this alternate reality setting.
While shrinking isn’t present here like it was back then during earlier tales told about these characters’ adventures together—Kuina still aids allies by guiding them safely out situations when needed through clever tactics employed during gameplay scenarios!
Niragi Is The March Hare
Portrayed By Dori Sakurada
Niragi embodies traits associated with March Hare—a character known for impulsive behavior driving others mad during encounters throughout original stories told about these characters’ adventures together! Despite facing near-death experiences himself early on—he returns only further complicating matters ahead making him one dangerous element present throughout this alternate reality setting!
Ann Is The White Queen
Portrayed By Ayaka Miyoshi
Dressed distinctly while embodying qualities reminiscent of White Queen—Ann serves purposefully within this narrative framework acting rationally throughout various challenges faced alongside fellow players navigating through treacherous landscapes encountered along journey towards survival!
Chota & Karube Are Tweedledee & Tweedledum
Portrayed By Yuki Morinaga & Keita Machida
The duo represents friendship akin those found within stories told about Tweedledee/Tweedledum—always working together despite occasional playful arguments! Their dynamic mirrors original tales where humor alleviates tension amidst dire circumstances faced during gameplay scenarios!
Alice In Borderlands Season Three Introduces A New Alice!
She Could Be Arisu’s Replacement In A Potential Reboot!
The conclusion hints at new narratives waiting ahead while leaving room open-ended possibilities regarding future adaptations! A waitress named ‘Alice’ appears suggesting potential reboot direction could take moving forward into unexplored territory!
The series has made waves across platforms recently holding spots among Netflix’s Top Ten lists showcasing its popularity amongst viewers worldwide!
