This review may contain spoilers
Charm of Season 1 with Added Complexity
TL;DR: Riveting plot with a satisfying conclusion and an overall good message? Damn, what a great show.The games were just as interesting as the previous season but this time with even more complexity since we got to learn more about the psychology of the game makers.
Every character has fairly fleshed out motives or views. These played directly into their actions during the games. Even antagonists are multi-layered.
The treatment of women in this show is once again questionable. The male gaze is definitely present and there is more than one panty shot lol. I guess you just have to roll your eyes and ignore it. Also, a seriously questionable relationship between a high schooler and a much older man. A little less ignorable…
Regardless, the characters were interesting.
That ending was crazy and I’m about to get into major spoilers, so be warned.
They fake you out like 5 times with what the true essence of what the games are. For a minute they really did nearly trick me with the psych ward thing and I was so annoyed because it was so cliched lol. Clearly, they knew that and the aha moment when you recall that this was the Queen of Hearts game was pretty solid.
The true reason behind the games has been done before, but honestly it was probably the most satisfying conclusion they could make with the circumstances. Any other ending would have made the decisions throughout the entirety of the show feel pointless. This made sense, while also proving that their choices had consequences.
Anyway, would I recommend? Yes, it was super entertaining and somehow also managed to be a little thoughtful along the way
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Life is a game. You lose if you give up.
Simply amazing.I must say I had low expectations given I was not impressed by the first season. The whole thing did not make sense, the majority of characters with the most screen time felt 2 dimensional and shared the same two personality traits: unlikeable and boring.
Season 2 was MUCH MUCH improved in terms of acting, character development, plot development, the storeytelling was solid with much better pacing. LOVED the games this season. Although the queen of spades was a bit weaker than the other compared to king of clubs or king of diamonds, it still was quite thrilling.
Didn't like the lengthy monologues however or the very obvious god like protagonist halo and plot armor many of the characters were sporting but that's to be expected. Also the part of Ann just wandering around but not getting any real answers was also disappointing. Niragi should have been shot dead. I know they wanted to be realistic but he didn't deserve a second chance but then again the borderlands are not about good or bad, right or wrong but who has the most urge to live. The ending was unpredictable and one of the best parts of the show. All it mattered was not the games or the truth about the borderlands but what message you are taking from the experience.
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Unforgettable masterpiece!
I loved loved loved the first season and was so excited for the second. It did not disappoint! The games were as fun as the ones in the first season. They are one of the best games I have seen in a survival show.Things I love:
-face cards characters. They all were interesting.
-Chishiya and Ann. They were my favorite characters last season and tis season too Chishiya stole the show.
-All the girls' fight scene in the 7th episode. Hands down my favorite fight scene ever. I can watch it non stop many times.
-Last episode. The number of times they fooled us! Each time I was like so yeah this is it. Text my friend who already watched it only to delete if after a minute when it was revealed to be a bluff haha.
-Ending! First I was like really? this is pretty meh but as they kept showing us the hospital scenes and Arisu's brother dropping the word "borderland". It was pretty smart how they all were fighting the for life because at the end of the day life's a game. That ending left an even bolder imprint on me.
-The whole talk about whats the meaning of my life? I ask this question to myself a lot and whenever I see a show or movie discussing about it, I find it interesting as how they answer these questions.
-The games.
Things I wish were better:
- Niragi. After finding out he was alive, I was wishing for his redemption arc but he became even worse.
-Arisu's flashbacks with his friends. They were just too many. I started finding them boring after an extent and skipped them.
Overall, I love this show. It took some time to get used to watching Japanese acting. I watch anime a lot and it's reare for them to have good live actions but this one was certainly amazing.
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(review of both seasons) A testament to what brings us to live
Prior to binging this in two days, had already heard the main theme by Yutaka Yamada via YouTube uploader Em-Ost II, over a year ago - thought it was nice, but didn't think much of this "Alice in Borderland." Looked like a zombie show, and am not the biggest fan of the genre. Most of two seasons in, I realize that with the zombie genre, the death game genre has a pitfall - that the core human elements become restricted by nature, and certain types of questions, certain monologues, become expected. I even got spoiled on what this all really was by the current top comment to the manga on mangasee123 very early on, and followed along in the manga for the last few chapters/episodes. As I re-listen to my favorite track, "THE LOOKING GLASS" (which is even more fitting, being the name of Lewis Carroll's sequel), which only plays during the interrogation of life, and why we live it, I think of what a journey this was. For the majority of these sixteen episodes, which I saw on Netflix through my brother's account over two days, I ranted inside my head how I'd start this review: that this is probably one of the worst TV series I've ever seen. A lot of it was deathly boring, I'm not used to the way Japanese people talk in live action, it's very different from anime - there's this lilt to it - a lot of the characters seem one-note, although Chishiya my absolute favorite was always a delight - having seen Squid Game and Deadman Wonderland, Mirai Nikki and read I Am a Hero, and the epic Gantz twice, to name some others - this seemed to pall in comparison. Given its title and clear rewrite, this work becomes less another installment in this grisly subgenre which leaves little to the imagination, and more a work of... the human act, and I highly recommend reading along in the manga for the last few chapters, or at minimum reading Ch. 65 after episode 16, for while you don't have to have read the original (Alice in Wonderland), I'd only seen the Disney and that one Jack Sparrow adaptation, the "ending" to this series might be apparent from the beginning - but you keep watching, and while I was so bored and dismayed at times, the second season ramped it up, and some of the games were actually exciting. It's strange listening to Yutaka Yamada after experiencing his work in Tokyo Ghoul, Great Pretender, Babylon, and Vinland Saga (for a live action), but he delivers when needed as always and at times, I thought too good for the show; I also thought the acting by some of the cast was extremely forced, but all in all there are moments that are truly beautiful, which is why I'm looping the abovementioned track to get in the review vibes. This is my first Japanese live action series, and I would not necessarily recommend the manga, as while it has some additional details, for experiencing the death matches and characters' emotions, still black and white can't do it justice. I seriously considered dropping this series after season 1, and almost wrote a review then; but, depressed as I was anyway, I continued. I read on MAL from a review of the manga that this is best for either fans of the genre or those who are struggling to get through life; and of the examples stated above, this honestly might do it the best, not in terms of the game mechanics or the excitement but in terms of what Arisu goes through to learn the meaning of these games. Ultimately you're just watching this for entertainment, maybe some of you like me to derive some meaning from it, attempt to wrest it into your personal life and how you act the next morning as it's past 4am. My eyes hurt and I'm tired... but I'll keep on going. Life the way I live it, by constantly thinking of what to do next, may come down to more than two choices but I must always keep in mind who I am. Because I am alive.If Everything Everywhere All at Once shows the power of fictional metaphor through audiovisual storytelling, then Alice in Borderland shows the power of storytelling itself. That we will continue to tell ourselves stories to make sense of the world we live in.
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One of the things I really loved about is the way it tackles complex themes and ideas without feeling preachy or heavy-handed. It's a show that's genuinely fun to watch, but it also has a lot to say about the human condition and the choices we make. The characters are all well-developed and interesting, and the show does a great job of exploring their motivations and desires.
Another thing I really appreciated is the way the show plays with the concept of reality and illusion. It's a show that's constantly questioning what's real and what's not, and it's up to the viewer to decide for themselves. It's a mind-bending experience that I think a lot of people will enjoy.
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The series is excellent; it is exciting and never drags
Don't be stupid. Live your life to the fullest until the very end. - Daikichi KarubeOh, Alice in Borderland, I'm super pleased. The pace of the series is excellent; it is exciting and never drags. Although I've never stood on the precipice or borderland of life and death, I can imagine that it will be a very challenging intellectual and spiritual journey given its proximity to the edge of life and death. This is what Alice in Borderland informs us of.
The Alice in Borderland the series is excellent. I am very happy with everything they presented after two seasons. I don't need a third. But as long as the execution is excellent or would outperform the first two seasons, I'll keep watching. The narrative was very entertaining.
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Exceeded My Expectations!
15/01/2023
Loved season one, but season two for me was full on go go go except maybe for the very last episode!!!
Although the character of Arisu is that beacon of hope for all - it is Chesiya that brings such life to this series because of his cold character, intelligence and rather impactful words that make us think.
My top two favourite characters are Arisu and Chesiya, but Chesiya is the one I enjoy the most for some reason despite the fact he does what it takes to survive which means he has no problems betraying and double crossing.
If he had been taken out in season one or any of the earlier episodes of season two I would have stopped watching.
And I almost did around episode 7 I think - almost!
The games in this season are totally awesome and quite Psychological - they outdo the ones in season one.
In this series we get to see Chesiya in two top tier games without the others in which he has to use his intellect to see if he can outsmart the hosts. One is the "Jack of Hearts" game inside a prison and the other is with the "King of Diamonds" in a numbers game.
It is a joy watching Chesiya in action with his poker face, unemotional responses and highly intelligent mind. In addition, we finally get a glimpse of him and what he did in "real life" which is really cool - his backstory.
One of the most significant moments I reckon is when Chesiya more or less says to the King of Diamond's host that he suspects the "real winner is the host and that he himself, Chesiya, is the actual loser."
It is at this pivotal point that I feel he is starting to see the bigger picture and transitioning towards a different selfless perspective.
Arisu is still a great character to watch as well so I did enjoy the "King of Clubs" game he participated in as part of a team and what he learned in that time. It is probably one game we see from start to finish in full that plays out over two episodes.
My least favourite character this season was Usagi as she went from an independent woman that could hold her own to a damsel in distress. If she had been written out at any point I would not have shed a single tear!
But despite that - still binge worthy!
In this season we also learn why they are all there and ultimately what happens once the very last card is won. The last game is the "cherry on the top" of games as it goes into one's Psyche on a very deep level to the extent it brings a person down to their lowest point.
So, from season one where it is all about survival and trying to not die in all these games whilst working out the why and how the players are in a parallel world we are then taken into season two where the meaning of life and purpose is profoundly questioned and challenged that it no longer just about surviving anymore, but about whether or not some can live with their ideals based on everything they have done and chosen in life with their careers, friends, situations and families - even in the parallel world.
From episode one, two minutes in, it is all action and go for the next 5-6 episodes really.
Full on action all the way and so good that it is hard to stop watching episode after episode.
I would highly recommend watching ALICE IN BORDERLAND seasons one and two as it is an excellent series as well as rewatchable!
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Perfect second season !!!
I am sooo relieved the second season lived up the hype it created. Sometimes a second season ruins a show because of some unnecessary plot line or a character starts lacking. This is not the case with this one. The plot line was constant and the pacing was good too. So many new games and interesting new characters. I really liked the glimpses of the backstorys from the characters we were waiting for in season 1. My favorite game this season is Jack of the hearts. I had so many guesses and it was so unpredictable. Chishiya was by far playing the hardest games this season. I was so stressed out for him because you never know who dies in this show. But after he completed all of his games i was not worried for him anymore, until...niragi fk shoot him, like ??? Probs to Dori Sakurada for playing this unlikable character so well. He made me mad everytime he showed up on screen. One thing that made me uncomfortable was Akanes behaviour towards Arisu and Aguni. Dont get me wrong i like her but it was weird to see a schoolgirl with those grown men. Especially after they woke up in the real world it was weird for her to pay so much attention to some random grown man she does not know. Maybe i misunderstood their relationship dynamic, i really hope so. Other than that i was constantly on edge and stressed for all of them. I am really sad Tatta never made it out, he was such a good character and deserves better. Episode 7 crushed me, all of my favorites "died" and i thought "This is the end". I was so happy to see them alive in Episode 10. Although how did An make it out alive ? Maybe i missed something but i remeber her being passed out, so how could she wish not to have a permanet visa and go back ? Help a girl out on that detail. Some action scenes were kinda unrealistic and some characters lived wayy too long after being hit or shot like 10 times but this show is about playing games to stay alive in an unknown world, so i am not coming for their logic. All in all i really recommend to watch it ( ofc dont forget to watch season1 if you havent ). I love this show sooooooooo much.Dont mind my grammar i binge watched the show and now my brain is mush
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A great season( fight me!)
I seem to be in the minority here, but i fervently believe that this was an improvement compared to the last season.Season one was entertaining enough and the concept was really good but I felt as though it didn't quite tap into its potential (The games were not that interesting and not that many and there was a pacing issue imo).
Season two was packed with very dynamic action and fight scenes and a plethora of very fun games that had me at the edge of my seat. Its been a while since I had so much fun watching a show/drama!
I also liked the characters much more this time around, they had more time to develop and they all grew on me ( with certain exceptions).
I wish some scenes were handled a bit differently but overall it was such a great watch, I'm already considering re-watching
SPOILERS!
The ending was a bit unsatisfying, in that they didn't remember anything but the last shot of the card makes me hope for a 3rd season! Go watch ittt
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whoever says its corny your mom is a
This season is so much deeper than the last. The plot is just a decoy; behind it is a deep reflection on life, strength, perseverance, our existence and free will. I had to stop a few times to reflect on life and my existence as a player. I feel so bad for anti intellectual surface level watchers who can't see past the story and dialogues. Some will even say the dialogues are superficial, but I think they're only superficial if you want them to be. This is the kind of drama that I would encourage watchers to consume with introspection.Why are you here? What is real? What keeps you alive? curiosity? spite? hope? do you even neec a reason? Why are you still playing? Where do you get your strength? What does it mean to be real, to be a human? is your existence fair? Why do you hate life/yourself? What's the value of a life? How valuable is yours? This dramas raises alot of questions that will never get old, and for once instead of making you depressed afterwards it revives your will to exist, to fight and persevere.
Also the hidden symbolism is beautifully done, I just noticed how the people who stayed behind in borderland where people who aimed for control and domination meanwhile the ones that went back were willing to face the uncertainty of their life. So no matter how many times some characters where deathly injured they still wouldn’t die, because their will to live was too strong. And when the face cards leaders died they all said that they were glad to be finally free. I believe that when they accepted their citizenship to borderland they all had plans of grandeur and domination but deep down after a while they realized they weren’t as free as they thought.
There was no badly written character because every character embodied a thought provoking existential question. This is really about letting go of control and fear to face the hardest game of all, that is life.
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Solid series
First of all, I don't rewatch things outside of research purposes, hence my rewatch value score. Now that it's out of the way, I love this series. Having read the manga too, I love it even more. It's engaging, keeps you on the edge of your seat all the time. Character development was done nicely, and the relationship development also built up nicely. It doesn't follow the manga in everything, but it stays very close to it. Overall, this is a very solid series. I'm not sure if Netflix is going to pick this up for season 3 (since the manga has a sequel and spinoff), I don't think it's needed at all (for both the series and the manga), as this concluded nicely.Was this review helpful to you?
Breathtaking
I wonder why I never wrote a review for this 2nd season. I was hooked from the beginning to the end and enjoyed it more than the 1st season. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Some characters were just incredible, the acting was overall pretty good, I even started to like the main guy. The plot was as intriguing as in the 1st season, but this time they tackled some moral questions that really got me thinking. It's a while that I watched a series, and I had to pause it just to take it all in and get my thoughts straight. This series really deserves the hype.Was this review helpful to you?
