Alice in Borderland: Temporada 2 (2022)

Une fin qui me laisse un goût amer…

Me voici replongée dans l’univers de « Alice in Borderland » 2ans après le visionnage de la première saison. Je dois avouer avoir oublié pas mal d’éléments & de personnages… (En même temps, impossible de se souvenir de tout après si longtemps x’D)

Alors du nouveau dans cette saison ? Pas vraiment… On n’en apprend pas beaucoup plus durant les différentes parties. (On apprend tout durant les 5 à 10 dernières minutes du dernier épisodes x’D) Et cette fin… Rahaaaaaaaaa ! Je savais déjà qu’ils « rêvaient » (entre GROS GUILLEMETS ! Car pour moi, cela n’est pas un rêve mais un « entre-deux », c’est-à-dire, entre la vie & la mort… Comme s’ils devaient combattre pour que leurs corps sortent du coma.) mais comment dire… Ils ont vécu tellement de choses… et finalement… ils ne se souviennent de rien ! [Attention, pétage de plombs dans 3, 2… COMMENT les scénaristes peuvent faire ça ?! :o Donc, si je résume, Nigari peut tranquillement martyriser, violer, tuer… Et se réveiller comme si de rien n’était ? C’est quoi ce bordel ? (Oui, oui, cela me reste en travers de la gorge ><)]

Je crois que mon opinion sur la fin est assez limpide XD ! Je vais donc passer aux points clés de cette saison :
• Remise en question : Les différents personnages doivent faire des choix tout au long de leur « aventure », ces choix vont conditionner ce qui se passera ensuite. Il est évident, que durant ces épreuves, leur personnalité va s’affirmer mais également qu’ils vont devoir se remettre en question… Nous voyons donc nos personnages murirent… (Pour mieux oublier au réveil >< ! Moi avoir le seum ? Jamais :D !)
• Vision plus large de la série : Contrairement à la première saison, on suit beaucoup moins ARISU pour pouvoir suivre les autres personnages centraux de l’histoire. Ce qui amène un côté de fraicheur puisqu’on peut suivre leur raisonnement (qui diffère de celui d'Arisu ^^).
• Des morts, des morts & encore des morts : Ce point ne change pas de la première saison. Étant dans un « Death Game », il est inévitable de voir des gens mourir les uns après les autres…
• L’aboutissement de la relation entre Arisu & Usagi : Comme c’était prévisible dans la première saison… Ils finissent par avoir une relation amoureuse… (Pas très utile dans le développement de l’histoire mais bon… Il parait que l’amour adoucit les MŒURS xD)

En conclusion : J’ai aimé cette saison mais j’ai DÉTESTÉ cette fin… De ce fait, je ne pense pas le revoir un jour ^^.

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Good, but could have been better

It's been way more than a year since I last made a review but I feel the need to give my opinions on this series.

I'll be honest and say I would've given this a 9.5 if they managed to keep up the incredible directing and writing the first four and a half episodes had to offer. But it felt like things were starting to go a bit downhill since the Queen of Spades game started and the story became less interesting and all over the place at times.

I was gushing over this drama for the first episodes for various reasons. Season 2 provided excellent story-telling as they provided backstories for a lot of the characters and also gave more context about the games they were playing as if to state that the games weren't only an obstacle a player needs to get past, but also a lesson a player can learn from. The games were exciting and the stakes couldn't be any higher; it truly felt like the games were more difficult than the numbered cards back in season 1. The drama felt more interactive from the perspective of the viewers because I felt like I needed to be more attentive to the details of the story so I can make assumptions and hypotheses in correlation to how the story will unfold and how the players could possibly beat the games. The first half of season 2 felt like it was perfectly making use of the groundwork season 1 provided.

As I said, things were going a bit downhill from the half of episode 5 where they play the Queen of Spades game. From there on out, games started to become less interesting and difficult, we're introduced to a few less interesting characters, the actions and consequences of the players would feel nonsensical and weird at times, and overall I feel like they could've done a much better job with how things transpired. At this point, I was beginning to think everything was falling apart and the story totally progressed in the wrong direction, but things changed after the long-awaited conclusion.

From the things that happened between episodes 4 and 10, things would only make sense with the ending they provided us with; if it was a different ending, nothing would make sense at all.

Alice in Borderland explained:

So from my understanding, Borderland is the place between life and the afterlife. The players found in Borderland are the victims of the accident that happened in and around the ward of Shibuya. Players didn't all enter Borderland at the same time because not all of them entered a state of "death" at the same time as well. Time worked differently compared to how time worked in reality, so people who entered Borderland first would've made a lot of progress already before other players would join. And this is where one of my questions about survivability was answered thanks to the ending. Some players died early, some players would die easily, some players just have a knack for staying alive no matter what happens, and that is all decided by your fate or your will to live. If you died early or easily it just means that you were fated to die or that your will to live was not strong enough, but if you survive and beat all the games, you'll be given a choice to stay in Borderland or come back to life in reality. Beating games and being given the choice to continue living or dying gives the players realizations about their life and whether or not life is worth living; Borderland is a place where unless fate decides for you, you yourself have the power to make your own decisions stemmed from how you value life. In the end, those who truly longed for a second shot at life prevailed and got a chance to live the remainder of their life with a renewed perspective.

The ending was satisfactory, but there is a world where I'd prefer a different ending where Borderland was also part of reality just in a different world.

Things that I really liked about season 2:
- Arisu being the smart, caring, awkward virgin protagonist we all needed.
- Chisiya being the coolest character
- Usagi's cuteness
- The charismatic duo Ann and Kuina
- The immortal Aguni
- Overall the characters were a joy to watch, and their actors/actresses we amazing
- And the best thing I liked about season 2 is the storytelling

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It was definitely worth the wait!

There weren't that many new characters (honestly I can think only of one new) but I enjoyed seeing the ones from season 1 reutrning on screen. Some of the games seemed meh to me but others were really well-thought and I very much enjoyed the psychological aspects of some of these games. I especially loved how Chishyia was always thinking about that aspect, his character is one of my favourites. Ann and Kuina's friendship was amazing to watch. <3 Usagi was badass as always, I can't understand the people who say that her character is boring. It was nice to see how her and Arisu's relationship developed.

9/10 rating from me. The ending was phenomenal.

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Lived to expectations and made it easier to cope with life

I watched this show at a strange point in life. There's less than 20 minutes left until New years and I am over here writing this..

As i watched the fireworks on my screen, I also heard them outside. I completely related to the characters- might want to mention I've been having a sort of existential crisis lol.

This show is difficult to rate, but it is the first thing to make me happy in so long. I enjoyed the process of watching it- I loved the action and suspense that kept me on my toes.

Sure, you could critique the 'protagonist' bias or some plot holes. However, I believe the show was well made nonetheless. There was certainly effort put into the acting and film making.

I think I needed this philosophy right now. In a way, it was a bit cliché, but still so needed and truthful.

I waited sooo long for this. I dont think I am disappointed. So thank you, Alice in Borderland, for providing me with a great deal of comfort :) Just questioning if there will be a s3?

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The Borderland of Life and Death

From the director of Gantz, Bleach and I am a Hero, director and Screenwriter, Sato Shinsuke brings us back to the world of Alice in Borderland with gruesome survival games determining the life and death of those within it.

Story:

The first episode had a promising and engaging start picking up immediately from last season's continuation. The stakes are higher and the games are increasingly challenging. Each episode throughout eight episodes covers the different perspectives of recurring and newly introduced characters.

One of the interesting points of this season was how the story revisited past season characters and the reasons behind their motives and actions. This resulted in bringing character development to this season's characters and gives us a better understanding of the games and the borderland.

The cons of this season were the plot armour of supporting roles which took attention out of the scenes. However, the reason was later explained in the plot twist. Also, some screen time was cut for certain characters such as Miyoshi’s character (Rizuna Ann). It would have been interesting to see more of her take on a game as shown in the manga.

In terms of story pacing, the episodes did not rush to conclusion but linger subtle hints while scattering misdirections for each game that unravels a thrilling reveal.

Acting/Casting/Crew:

It is uncertain how faithful the series' characters are to their manga origins. However, the action sequence and the desperation for the character's survival were performed well, especially in the semi-final games.

The arc that seemed neutral was the romance arc in the series. It would have been more impactful if the characters started showing gradual signs in the first season. However, it was better shown in the climax scene which was moving.

Mad props to the cast and crew for the stunt coordination. As seen behind-the-scenes, many stunts were performed by the actors themselves, especially the brutal fight scene in the climax episodes. It was evident, especially with the visual effects, the series was given a higher budget to heighten the strange world of the borderland.

Music:
The same soundtrack produced by composer, Yamada Yutaka was played throughout the series. The music department, Daniel Kresco did not drown out the character dialogues and they were timed appropriately to the given performance and scenes.

Rewatch value:

In conclusion, Alice in Borderland (今際の国のアリス) conveys a strong outlook from the various characters to appreciate the mundane parts of life despite the downsides they have experienced. A rewatch is worth the missed easter eggs, heartfelt moments between characters and the well thought out connections throughout the series.

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Games became too weak

Gonna say the sequel isn’t impactful as I thought it would be. The main reason why the show is excellent is all because of their death or live survival games. However, this season lies low with their set of games and more on focuses more on the truth behind the brutal world, wherein doesn’t explain well in the end.

Chishiya, Ann, and Kukina own this season. They presented consistency in terms of individual capacity to survive and their characteristics are easy to love. It has come to the point that Arisu's presence became a nuisance for me. During the King of Spades game, his eyes only focus on Usagi and let the others slowly die in pain. But in the end, I understand that finishing the whole game is the top priority, and can’t blame the boy for choosing to continue.

The ending was too simple. I needed more explanations, interactions with those players who managed to survive the game, and another hint of a possible sequel aside from the joker card. But the thing that I was disappointed with the most is the final game which is the Queen of Hearts. I wasn’t too astonished or impressed with the rule and its hidden agenda of trying to win the game by attacking the players’ trauma, which only focuses on the main character.

This is somehow a rant but to be honest, I am entertained and feel good about this. The game Jack of Hearts is the highlight and my favorite game from this season. The presence of Arisu and the friendship concept is gone. I enjoyed pointing out who is the real jack of the hearts as each round continues to kill an innocent person. Chisiya, as always, executed how cleverness and sharp observation can help him win and survive. Another character that got my attention is Banda Sunato, the player who is a murderer in the real world. He has the visual and the angst that you can focus your attention on him. I like him as an artist. I hope there’s a third season in which we can see what kind of game are they playing as they choose to stay in the borderland.

The episode where Tatta forcefully remove the band from his wrist that led to his death was the only episode I cried with. It feels like he was making an exchange for the accident that he cause from his work in the real world.

I miss the intensity of games from the first season but overall, the sequel is good in letting us slowly learn the backstory of it. I can predict that another sequel is possible since they executed an open-ended finale.

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Season 3??!

I think this might be my first time watching something and not complaining how everything turned out, because they left me no room to complain, everything was just too perfect and precise, I'm also glad they showed us the ending, told us what really happened, the fact that they all died for 1 min is so... I don't have any word to express it.
They gave us answers yet at the same time didn't, but it still felt comfortable and ease.

I love the fact that there will be season 3 as well, and more answers to our questions and WHAT THAT JOKER CARD REPRESENTED?!.

I'm sure it's not about the ones who survived death aka(game world, meteor attack), it's not about Arisu or any of them individually, it's also not about the cast and directors, there is more to it! that Joker card that was left alone on the table while all the other card flew away cause of the wind, it means something, the music and the look on jokers face ? they all showed that there's more to it, and I really can't wait to see more!

also, the deja vu's are really amazing ? ai'm glad of how everything turned out (even tho some deaths were super sad, and Ann is in a critical condition but I know her surgery will go well).

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A second chance at life

Season 2 takes a psychological turn compared to the gritty, gut-wrenching violence we're introduced to in season 1. The violence is still very much there, but we get a focus on the more important things--the meaning of life vs. death.

Everything that takes place in the borderlands is an amazing analogy to your "fighting chance" when faced in a near-death experience. Arisu and his crew survive because they fought for it. Even when words like "My life was trash" or "I was a terrible person" almost made them give up, each game was a test of whether they were willing to take that chance. The seeming plot armor of being able to take all these bullets and knife stabs is analogous to their will to live.

In the final Queen of Hearts game, Arisu could've accepted his death. He was close to giving in to his weakness and losing that reason to live, not knowing what to believe in anymore. It's amazing how much we got to see his character grow, as well as everyone else. I love how Season 2 delved into our main characters' backstories (Usagi, Niragi, Chishiya, Ann, Kuina, Aguni, and even Tatta). We saw the raw intentions and their resolve, and the reason they kept pushing—that's why we see most of them survive the meteor at the end. I especially loved Chishiya’s backstory in the King of Diamonds game with Kuzuryu, who decided he did not want to live an unfair and unequal life. As Arisu said, it's not just about surviving anymore. It's about hope and believing that they could restart, even with the survivor's guilt.

The ending was a perfect masterpiece, but bittersweet because clearly none of them remember anything that happened in the "limbo" during their brief moment of cardiac arrest. But they seem to have a deja vu, and a lot of them carried the values they learned back into the real world. They strived to become a better person in this second chance of the aftermath. It's such a beautiful parallel to our own lives.

Binging this series was supposed to be our source of escapism from reality, but the ending hits us with reality instead. Value your existence, it says. Life is really what you make of it--you can choose to stay miserable, or take control and embrace the flaws of it too. We're just living, after all. We learn, we fail, we learn, we try again. All in all, season 2 was a great transition from season 1’s thrill and impending death to finally finding that systemic purpose. I think it even outperformed it as we explored the reason behind the games (and life).

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Whoa, juste un immense Whoa!

Je suis de loin une des pires chochottes de ce monde. Je fuis tout ce qui est trop : gore, violent, sanglant, les scènes un peu trop charnels (voui, je vous l'ai dit, la pire chochotte du monde) etc.... Fleur bleue dans l'âme, ce type de drama a tendance à me soulever le coeur. Je n'ai pas toujours été comme cela, je suis de la génération "l'exorciste", "Amityville" et tous les "Freddy Krugger" ou "Jason". Tous vu. Mais en vieillissant, je m'en suis détournée.
Alors lorsque j'ai entendu pour la première fois de ce drama, cela fut sur les avis de "Squeed Game" que je n'ai pas vu et qui ne fait définitivement pas partie de ma watch liste (surtout plus maintenant). Les critiques d'"Alice n Bordeland" m'ont intrigué. Ni une, ni deux, hop, puisque la saison 2 étant sorti, nous nous sommes lancés, sans avoir lu le manga, sans avoir quasiment rien lu dessus.

Et Ô quelle surprise!
Quelle claque magistrale!

On ne vas pas se mentir. C'est sanglant à souhait et certaines scènes sont insoutenables (La scène de l'acide par exemple dans la saison 2). La violence extrême des jeux et des morts sont parfois dérangeants notamment par le message véhiculé, la fragilité et l'inutilité d'une vie. Tout au long des épisodes, rien ou presque ne nous sera épargné : tuerie de masse, tentative de viol, humiliation.....Je ne vous cacherai pas avoir détourné plus d'une fois le regard (et pas que moi, hein, chéri?) et avoir senti un malaise. Ce sentiment de voyeurisme m'a parfois gênée, notamment lors des épisodes finaux de la saison 1. Les massacres que nous voyons à travers la caméra peuvent nous rappeler des souvenirs un peu douloureux, comme les attentats à Nice.... Il faut donc avoir le coeur bien accroché. Car, je vous le redis, rien ici ne vous sera épargné....
Mais alors, pourquoi lui donner une note si haute? pourquoi l'avoir regardé jusqu'au bout? pourquoi?
Par ce que c'est la première fois, oui oui la première fois qu'un drama aussi violent a su me faire rire. Me toucher. Et me faire pleurer.

La force réside dans l'écriture de l'intrigue et des personnages.
L'intrigue : Une intrigue incroyable qui commence sur les chapeaux de roues et qui a le mérite de nous tenir en haleine jusqu'à la toute dernière seconde. C'est une rareté à souligner. Je ne compte plus le nombre de fois où un drama a su nous captiver pour tourner en un désastre calamiteux ou à nous offrir une fin pourrie. "Alice in Borderland" est une perle rare, car elle a su maintenir un suspense parfois insoutenable jusqu'au final grandiose. J'ai tellement prié pour que la fin ne soit pas une de ces fins expéditives où on nous bricole une explication foireuse afin de nous satisfaire. Non seulement, la fin nous donne une explication plausible et logique mais surprenante. Dès que le mystère fut soulevée, nous nous sommes levés d'un bond, nous nous écriant à qui mieux mieux
" WTH!!!!!!, No freaking way!!!!" Ca pour une surprise, la fin a réussi à tous nous surprendre.
L'intrigue est donc ficelée comme un masterpiece, où l'incertitude croisera souvent les interrogations. Et lorsque vous saurez, vous verrez le pourquoi, le comment... J'en reste encore bouche bée.
Alors, oui l'intrigue est excellente, au-delà de mes mots. Mais la force de ce drama ne réside pas seulement sur un scénario diaboliquement construit. Les personnages ont cette aura INCROYABLE qui nous les ont fait aimer, adorer, priant tous les dieux du monde de ne pas les tuer. Bien que tous baignent dans cette violence intense et cette haine qui parfois nous coupe le souffle, nous les accompagnons dans leur combat, leur douleur et petit à petit, nous apprenons à les aimer, à les comprendre et à en pleurer lorsqu'ils finissent par vivre ou mourir. Afin de ne rien vous révéler, je ne dirai presque rien sur eux. Juste que les personnages sont extraordinaires, leurs forces et leurs faiblesses en ont fait de véritables héros à mes yeux. Leurs vécus m'ont viscéralement touchée, comme Kuina, et je me suis surprise à pleurer comme un bébé durant les dernières minutes de ce drama.

Des personnages émouvants, des personnages drôles, des personnages qui ont transcendés mon écran pendant 16 épisodes.
Les relations entre eux est d'une force qui a soulevé les montagnes. J'ai adoré la relation entre Arisu et Usagi, la pureté de leur amour, la force et la solidité de leur foi en eux. Mais il y a aussi Kuina qui m'a beaucoup touché, le cynique et si intelligent Chishiya (mon chouchou), l'impitoyable Niragi qui m'aura réussi à m'émouvoir, Aguni , Ahn et bien d'autres....Ansi les antagonistes, par leur cruauté indéniable, n'en étaient pas moins incroyable charismatique, humains et OUI émouvants! Je pense à Kyuuma Ginji (non, le fait qu'il soit nu n'a pas du tout fait pencher la balance en sa faveur....) par exemple, mais aussi la dame de coeur.

Ce drama regorge donc de personnages tous attachants et d'une écriture forte et soignée! C'est une pépite!
Au-delà de cette sanglante bataille, nous est contée une philosophie de la vie qui est juste époustouflante. Tout a un sens. Tout s'imbrique. Lorsque nous avons enfin compris, les paroles prononcées depuis le premier épisode prennent finalement tout leur sens.

La réalisation n'a pas à rougir des Kdrama, le visuel est magnifique et le travail des couleurs a donné une intensité tragique et sombre à la fois au drama. Certaines scènes apocalyptiques, je pense aux immeubles envahis de ronce, sont superbes et rappellent les illustrations d'un animé ou d'une peinture à l'aquarelle.

Une petite note pour l'OST superbe et qui a su mettre en valeur les scènes de ce drama. Parfois épique, parfois tragique.

Alors oui, c'est sanglant. Oui, cela peut paraitre immoral. Oui, le pire de l'être humain est mis à nu. Oui, oui.

Mais ce drama est avant tout une fable sur la raison de vivre. Une fable sur l'humanité. Une fable sur nous.

Ne le manquez pas. Une perle comme cela, il n'y en a pas souvent.
(Je vais de ce pas aller lire le manga....)

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A Sequel Which Doesn't Disappoints !

When a series starts with a great season and renewed for another, most of the time it won't live to the hype, but not this one !

Still remember that Alice in the borderland was one of the drama which I binged watched whole night because it was that good. Now comes second season which comes with equal or more binging pleasure.

The character development in this is what makes it worth every single minute and the games are more griping and interesting. I personaly enjoyed every characters arc but if I have to choose a favourite it has be chishiya, My boy was so cool he was breezing through the borderlands with zero fucks to give.

Conclusion : If you liked season one then without a doubt go for it. The ending has great things in store for you which will not left you disappointed.

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