Hello
안녕하세요
(Annyeonghaseyo)
こんにちは
(Konnichiwa)
你好
(Ni Hao)
Google Images
Alice in Borderland is a Japanese science fiction suspense thriller drama series based on the anga of the same name by Haro Aso.
The series is written by Yasuko Kuramitsu and Shinsuke Sato, with Shinsuke Sato also directing.
Season 2 was released on Netflix on the 22nd of December 2022 and like season 1 has 8 episodes.
Main Cast:
Kento Yamazaki as Ryohei Arisu
Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi
Nijiro Murakami as Shuntaro Chishiya
Aya Asahina as Hikari Kuina
Ayaka Miyoshi as An Rizuna
Dori Sakurada as Suguru Niragi
Recurring Cast:
Yuki Morinaga as Chota Segawa
Google Images
Keita Machida as Daikichi Karube
Sho Aoyagi as Morizono Aguni
Google Images
Nobuaki Kaneko as Takeru Danma aka Hatter
Riisa Naka as Mira Kano
Yutaro Watanabe as Kodai Tatta
Google Images
Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryu
Tomohisa Yamashita as Ginji Kyuma
Google Images
Ryohei Shima as Sogo Shitara
Google Images
Alisa Urahama as Uta Kisaragi
Google Images
Eishin as Takumi Maki
Google Images
Eita Okuno as Goken Kanzaki
Google Images
Yuri Tsunematsu as Akane Heiya
Hayato Isomura as Sunato Banda
Maiguma Katsuya as Oki Yaba
Kai Inowaki as Enji Matsushita
Yusaku Mori as Ippei Oki
Google Images
Honami Sato as Kotoko Shiga
Google Images
Ayumi Tonida as Isao Shirabi
Chihiro Yamamoto as Risa
Aina Yamada as Urumi Akamaki
Jun Hashimoto as Benzo Yashige
Google Images
Aimi Satsukawa as Hinako Daimon
Google Images
Filming for season 2 wrapped up in March 2022.
Stage 2 of the games begin, this time for the face cards.
Will Arisu find the answers to his questions or will it be game over for the players.
It's safe to say as soon as season 2 was released, both myself and Skye binge watched it and since completing it we've watched season 2 a few times as well as both seasons.
Like season 1 from the very first episode, we were both hooked. Never did I ever think I would be sad and feel for characters I should have disliked, something I think the series plays on, is the will of the players wanting to survive.
In season 2 we get to see how the characters grow even more as they come to terms with the next stage of the game, as well as meeting some new players and also getting to meet the face cards. We get to see how Arisu has an impact on others, and helps to change their mindsets, and even the way they play the games.
Yet again Kento Yamazaki does an amazing job as Arisu, I don't think anyone else could have played the role as good as him. He really takes you on Arisu's journey along with him. I love that his friends Karube and Chota still hold a place in his heart and he seems to think of them when he's struggling. They are his home, they really ground him when he struggles to fight.
Tao Tsuchiya again does an amazing job as Usagi, we get to see more into Usagi's past and how she really feels about playing in Borderland. We get to delve into her more emotionally and see a more defeated Usagi in that she doesn't see what there is for her if she wins and returns to their world. We also get to see Arisu and Usagi become closer, their feelings growing more for one another.
Nijiro Murakami knocked it out of the park this season as Chishiya, we finally get to see Chishiya's past and one of the turning points that made him the cold and calculating person we met in season 1. He sees that money beats out anything, that he gives up and seemingly closes his heart off. Which in turn we see because of that he doesn't like who has become and doesn't seemingly care whether his lives or dies.
Aya Asahina again was amazing as Kuina, we got her back story in season 1, so seeing her go out on her own to play games, shows how strong of a character she has become, as well as how she's confident in who she is. I definitely think she's badass this season.
Ayaka Miyoshi shows us more as Ann as she goes out on her own to find the truth to what and where Borderland is, which plays into her past even more, that we find out briefly in season 1.
I don't think I'll ever get over Dori Sakurada as Niragi, for me this role is the icing on the cake for his career, while he's creeped me out many times as Niragi, he still blows me away how he brings the role to life to effortlessly. We get to finally see a somewhat softer side as he teams up with Arisu, feeling accepted into a team, which quickly changes. We get to see him feeling defeated as it seems that he's ready to take everyone out with him that he feels thinks they're better than him, and how no matter what he does he won't be accepted.
We get to see Sho Aoyagi return as Aguni. In season 1 he's seen as a strong and scary character, but in season 2 we get to see the fallout of killing his best friend, with whom he created The Beach. He's still as strong as ever and forms a close bond with the characters old and new.
This season Riisa Naka as Mira was definitely a favourite, even though we don't see her till towards the end, she was amazing, she blew me away. Even I fell for her manipulations in the final episodes.
We get to see more of Yutaro Watanabe as Kodai Tatta, who we meet briefly in season 1, he was definitely one of my favourites, to which when we watched season 2, I had to ask why it was always episode 3. We get more of his background and see how he's never felt accepted or helpful. We see him grow and become more adamant to make sure the friends his gained in Borderland survive and beat the game.
Tomohisa Yamashita as Ginji Kyuma is definitely one of my favourite characters in season 2, I laughed way too much during his episodes, especially when the camera panned out to show that he's nude. Reading more into the character I now know he's a nudist, so I'm glad they kept true to the manga for his character. For me he's like Arisu, he'd do anything for his friends and he survives for his friends. This one of the times I wished there was a different outcome, it also shows that not everyone in these games are bad guys.
We see the return of Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryu and without giving too much away, he's one of the reasons why Chishiya starts wanting to fight and live differently. When I look and think about it Chishiya and Kuzuryu are very similar in that they have jobs where money takes priority, making them both become cold and calculated. Both Kuzuryu and Chishiya have a profound affect on one another which creates the outcome to both of their stories.
We me Yuri Tsunematsu as Akane Heiya, a new character and player, in which we see how her character changes before and during the games. She also has a fondness for Aguni who she's been travelling with, since he found her.
I feel that I need to mention Yusaku Mori as Ippei Oki because I really rooted for his character, especially when he teamed up with Chishiya. But he's too pure hearted and it shows he's never had to play a heart game.
A role and game was created for season 2 and it went to Chihiro Yamamoto as Risa, she was definitely worthy of the title Queen. She was badass and I loved seeing her go up against Usagi.
Out of all the face cards Ayumi Tonida as Isao Shirabi was the only one that creeped me out and was the only one I was happy to see the outcome of. He was really eerie when we first met him and for me the most terrifying as he seemed unstoppable. But his fight scenes were some of my favourite, even when they literally pulled the rug from under your feet.
I loved how season 2 ended, for me it was enough closure to not warrant a 3rd season, but I am lowkey happy that Netflix have confirmed the 3rd season and that both Kento and Tao will be returning and reprising their roles as Arisu and Usagi, all that remains is if Netflix are going to move away from the manga and create a whole new story, or follow the manga when it comes to the joker card. I'm curious to see how season 3 will go but whether I'll love it as much as season 1 and 2 is something I'll have to wait and find out.
Alice in Borderland is such an amazing show that when we completed season 2, I started buying the manga to see how the characters and plot differs between the two. It's definitely one of my favourite Japanese dramas. And if you haven't delved into that world yet, I highly recommend it. Just be prepared for the rollercoaster of a journey you'll be taken on.
Have you watched Alice in Borderland 2?
Were you a fan of the cast?
Were you a fan of the plot and script?
Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon!
안녕
(Annyeong)
さようなら
(Sayonara)
再见
(ZaiJian)
Bye
No comments:
Post a Comment