When Netflix dropped Alice in Borderland, it felt like someone had flipped the switch on survival dramas. Suddenly, we were pulled into a deserted Tokyo where brutal games decided life or death, and every card on the table had a deeper meaning. What makes this Japanese series stand out isn’t just its adrenaline-fueled plot twists, but the surprising stories behind its making, hidden references, and record-breaking impact worldwide. Here are some shocking and lesser-known facts that prove Alice in Borderland is more than just a thriller—it’s a phenomenon.
1. It’s Netflix Japan’s first big J-drama original that conquered the globe.
While some fans mention it was Netflix Japan’s first J-series , it rapidly exploded beyond Japan—proof that boredom-fueled games in a deserted Tokyo truly hit the sweet spot.
2. Season 2 shattered records—surpassing even Squid Game.
Within four days of its December 22, 2022 release, it amassed a staggering 61.2 million viewing hours, topping Squid Game’s 63 million in the first week.
3. Filming began as a smooth, four-minute continuous take.
The eerie opening—where Arisu exits the bathroom only to discover an empty Tokyo—was captured in one uninterrupted shot, lending a haunting, immersive kick to episode one.
4. Location hunting took the crew all over Japan.
Beyond Shibuya, scenes were shot across Yokohama, Kansai (Hyogo, Osaka), Shiga’s Otsu, and even Fukuoka and Toyama—spanning real-world landmarks and studio sets.
5. Arisu isn’t just a name—it’s Alice, Japanese-style.
Fans have pointed out that Arisu is how “Alice” sounds in Japanese pronunciation—and the series is packed with other Wonderland references—Chishiya = Cheshire Cat, Usagi = Rabbit, Hatter = Mad Hatter, and so on.
6. The live-action plot almost fully covers the original manga.
Season 1 adapted 31 chapters, leaving 33 untouched—but season 2 and the upcoming episodes stretch beyond the manga—or spin off into new territory.
7. Season 3 goes beyond the manga, with a brand-new storyline.
Unlike earlier seasons that followed Haro Aso’s manga, Season 3 will explore original plotlines, with new characters and mysteries like the Joker card’s deeper meaning.
8. The Joker card was not just a cliffhanger—it’s a supernatural gatekeeper.
In the manga, the Joker isn’t just a card—it materializes, interrogates Arisu about being god or devil, and embodies the passage between life and death .
9. Fans are still piecing together what parts of the manga remain unexplored.
Reddit sleuths note that all core arcs are complete in the main manga, so Netflix may now dip into spinoffs like Alice in Borderland Retry or Border Road, which have much shorter or tangential stories .
10. Season 3 premieres on September 25, 2025—almost three years after season 2.
The long wait is nearly over. The new season reunites Arisu and Usagi, ushers in new characters, and centers on that Joker card mystery .
Conclusion
Whether you watched it for the survival games, the intense characters, or just the haunting emptiness of Shibuya Crossing, Alice in Borderland has left a mark that few shows ever do. These facts remind us that behind every shocking scene and every nail-biting twist, there’s a world of creativity, symbolism, and effort that makes the series unforgettable. With Season 3 on the horizon, the game isn’t over—it’s only getting bigger.