Alice in Borderland season 3 almost ends on an optimistic note for Arisu and Usagi before it hints at an ominous new twist in its final moments. However, before it reaches its ambiguous, conclusive arc, it walks through another gripping survival adventure that Arisu and Usagi brave against to return to the real world.

The Netflix Japanese live-action show begins with a time jump that reveals Arisu and Usagi are in a relationship after season 2’s final events. All seems to have ended well for the two characters before Usagi’s unresolved grief for her father’s death prompts her to fall for Ryuji’s trap, who takes her back to the Borderlands.

Ruiji makes a deal with Banda, who became a resident in Alice in Borderland season 2’s ending, and agrees to bring Arisu back to the Borderlands. Hoping to have Arisu as a fellow resident, Banda promises to give Ruiji a glimpse of the afterlife if he brings both Arisu and Usagi to the Borderlands and kills Usagi to make Arisu stay in the world between life and death.

Everything goes as planned for Banda, but Arisu eventually defies all odds to save Usagi and take her back to the real world. Before Alice in Borderland season 3’s end credits start rolling, Arisu looks forward to his life with Usagi. However, things take a dark turn when a world-ending disaster suddenly emerges on the horizon.

What is Happening To The World In Alice In Borderland Season 3’s Ending?

Arisu and Usagi safely return to the real world in Alice in Borderland season 3’s finale after Arisu makes the choice of living instead of dying, even though the former comes with pain and tragedy. However, before Arisu makes the choice, the Man in the Hat in the Borderlands hints that a disaster in the human world is imminent.

Without delving into the details, he claims that something massive is about to happen in the real world, which will eventually lead many souls to the Borderlands, the world between life and death. It seems like Arisu and Usagi will live happily ever after when they return to the real world and anticipate the birth of their child.

However, it soon becomes evident that the Man in the Hat’s prediction is coming true. Multiple earthquakes hit Japan before Arisu learns from the news that significant shifts in the tectonic plates have been noticed all over the world. With this, the show’s ending scene seemingly unfolds in California, hinting that the story ahead may have players from across the globe.

In the final scene, the camera also zooms in on the name badge of a waitress at an American diner, revealing her name to be “Alice.“ Since Arisu’s characterization represented “Alice“ from Alice in Wonderland in the show’s first three seasons, the final scene seems to reveal that the next “Alice“ will likely be an American woman.

What Does Alice In Borderland Season 3’s Ending Mean For Arisu & Usagi?

Alice in Borderland season 3’s ending suggests that Arisu and Usagi’s Borderlands adventures are far from over. Given how the ending hints at the introduction of a new protagonist, however, it is hard not to wonder if the two Japanese characters will return for a potential follow-up.

If they do, they will likely find themselves in the Borderlands again after the hinted world-ending event hits the planet and drives many souls to the Borderlands. More players from all over the world would mean more competition for Arisu and Usagi, which would significantly increase the stakes and reduce their chances of survival.

For now, though, since Arisu and Usagi have safely made it back to the real world, they can live peacefully and happily for a while. While Arisu has a strong reason to embrace his life, Usagi, too, has finally overcome her grief for her father’s untimely demise. Both Alice in Borderland characters have come a long way from where they started.

Who Is The Man In The Hat In The Borderlands?

When Arisu first meets the Man in the Hat, he wonders if he is the Joker. The man reveals that he is nothing but a guard or a gatekeeper of the world between life and death. He also tries to convince Arisu to accept death but agrees that he himself chooses to stay in the Borderlands because he fears death himself.

The original Alice in Borderland manga hints that the Joker is more of a ferryman who is responsible for carrying the dead to the Netherworld. Although the Man in the Hat seems to fulfill a similar role in the series, he confirms that the Joker is neither a god nor an actual human figure.

What Is The Meaning Of The Joker Card In Alice In Borderland Season 3?

The Man in the Hat invites Arisu for a game of cards soon after he appears in the Borderlands. He draws two random cards from the deck and asks Arisu to choose only one. He tells him that if the card he chooses turns out to be a Joker, he will not get to decide his fate.

Arisu ends up selecting a Joker card before realizing that both his choices were identical. When he confronts the Man in the Hat and accuses him of cheating, he explains that there are four suits with thirteen cards each in a deck of cards, making a total of three hundred forty-four cards.

Add one Joker card into this mix brings it up to three hundred sixty-five cards — representing each day of a year — while adding another Joker results in three hundred sixty-six cards — accounting for leap years. By drawing parallels between cards and human calendars, it implies that Joker cards symbolize contingency and control illusions.

Why Did Banda Want To Have Arisu In The Borderlands?

Towards end of season two of Alice In Borderland both Banda and Yaba chose to stay as citizens instead of returning home because it offered them endless opportunities. Although Banda seems content with his decision he wishes make things more interesting.

This leads him into creating an elaborate plan aimed at bringing back Arisu hoping he would become one of them making things even more fascinating. Knowing Ryuji has an unquenchable desire seeing afterlife Banda first targets him.

Banda promises Ryuji if he brings Usagi into borderlands he will allow him glimpse at Netherworld while also mentioning about her grief over father asking him use it as tool draw her into borderlands knowing once she enters so will follow suit.

Why Did Ryuji Change His Mind About Killing Usagi?

The backstory reveals one student had agreed experience near death during experiment learn more about afterlife however dismay student never woke up after procedure crushed guilt led Ryuji attempt take own life but survived games returning back real world.

This return convinced him about life beyond death yet struggled prove peers scientific community Banda’s offer gave chance finally see what lay beyond humanity perception life seemed willing do anything unlock those secrets.

Banda gets two opportunities kill Usagi borderlands achieve what wanted lets go both recalling unchecked ambition past led death student considers killing realizes knowledge worth sacrificing morality innocent lives.

Every Returning Character In Alice In Borderland Season Three Finale

Alice In Borderlands third season reveals dark ending twist shows Arisu works counselor featuring sequence patients answer intriguing question what gives them reason live makes fascinating sequence all patients supporting characters seasons one two.

The following characters featured sequence:

• Kuina (played by Aya Asahina)
• Aguni (played by Sho Aoyagi)
• Akane (played by Yuri Tsunematsu)
• Niragi (played by Dori Sakurada)
• Chishiya (played by Nijirō Murakami)

This closing scene adds layer nostalgia reminding viewers key players helped win first time Nijirō Murakami’s brief appearance Chishiya particularly makes season much better even though does not have major role installment hard appreciate how show accommodates loved characters.

Ayaka Miyoshi played Ann seasons one two also part roster compared other returning characters plays significant role helps return save even protects from Banda tries kill him.

How Does Ending Set Up Next Season?

Alice In Borderlands third season ending arc fully resolves stories giving both characters well-rounded closure however like Netflix’s Squid Game seems pave way follow-up seemingly feature more American characters.

While rumors about American Squid Game remake little known about Alice In Borderlands future however after Japanese show ambiguous season three ending hard believe Netflix plan continue series some capacity third installment performs well.

If potential follow-up marks return original characters depend many factors however now story seems reached satisfying conclusion every character including Arisu Usagi Chishiya others seem concluded nicely.