Who is the Joker? Alice In Borderland season 3 team Arisu, team Usagi, and player entries explained

Netflix released all six episodes of Alice in Borderland season 3 on September 25, 2025, bringing back one of its most popular Japanese survival thrillers. The series is adapted from Haro Aso’s manga. It was first launched in 2020 and quickly gained global recognition.

Alice in Borderland is set in an abandoned version of Tokyo, and follows players who are forced into deadly card-based games where survival depends on wit, strength, and teamwork. Seasons 1 and 2 of the series covered the manga’s storyline. It ended with Arisu and Usagi clearing the final Queen of Hearts game and returning to the real world with their memories erased.

The new season of Alice in Borderland introduces the long-awaited Joker card that is teased at the end of season 2 and is central to the original manga’s conclusion.

Unlike the numbered or face card games, the Joker is not a host of a single challenge but rather the ultimate overseer of Borderland. It is a symbolic figure often compared to a ferryman guiding souls between life and death.

In Netflix’s version of Alice in Borderland, the Joker pulls Arisu back into Borderland after Usagi is abducted. It turns the card into both a literal plot device and a metaphor for limbo, choice, and the fragility of human control.

The show positions the Joker as the final test, bringing together old allies, new rivals, and the ultimate question of whether survival means resisting or surrendering to the Borderland.

The Joker’s presence elevates season 3 beyond just another deadly round of games. Thematically, it represents the fragility of choice, the illusion of control, and the thin line between life and death.

From there, Alice in Borderland season 3 builds on themes of survival and existential dread. Arisu and Usagi are now married in the real world, but are separated once more. Usagi is lured back by Ryuji, a researcher obsessed with the afterlife.

Meanwhile, Banda, the manipulative Citizen of Borderland from season 2, presents Arisu with the Joker card to drag him back. What follows is a desperate rescue mission where life and love collide with the Borderland’s cruel illusions.

Alice in Borderland season 3: Old and new players explained

Season 3 of Alice in Borderland keeps its six-episode format. Shinsuke Sato directs the show and mixes returning veterans with new cast members. This time, entries are selective and manipulative, unlike the mass entries of previous seasons.

Banda and Ryuji orchestrate these, and the Joker system pulls individuals back.

Team Arisu

Arisu (Kento Yamazaki): Married to Usagi, but pulled back into Borderland through the Joker card. Haunted by faint memories of past games.
Rei (Tina Tamashiro): A college student and anime enthusiast.
Tetsu (Koji Okura): Struggling with drug addiction.
Natsu (Sakura Kiryu): A dancer new to the games.
Shion (Hyunri): CEO of a start-up company.

Team Usagi

Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya): Taken back into Borderland by Ryuji’s manipulation. Faces challenges separately from Arisu.
Ryuji (Kento Kaku): A psychiatrist’s assistant professor, tied to afterlife research and driven by guilt from past experiments.
Itsuki (Joey Iwanaga): A firefighter caught in the deadly cycle.

Citizens of Borderland

Banda (Hayato Isomura): Now a permanent resident, orchestrating Arisu’s return with the Joker card.
Yaba (Katsuya Maiguma): Another Citizen figure.
Masato (Yugo Mikawa): A middle school teacher.
Kazuya (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi): A yakuza member.
Nobu (Kotaro Daigo): Unemployed.
Sachiko (Risa Sudo): A housewife.

Real World

Ann (Ayaka Miyoshi): Seen in a psychiatric hospital following the meteorite incident.

Siblings

Yuna (Akane Ikeda): University student.
Itsuki (Joey Iwanaga): Firefighter, also tied to Team Usagi.

All six episodes of Alice in Borderland season 3 are now streaming on Netflix.

About the author

Mantasha is a pop culture writer at Sportskeeda who covers K-pop and K-drama. She has recently completed her Masters in English and has a rich 3-year writing experience where she crafted engaging content for top companies such as Unacademy, Apollo Hospitals, Adani Airports, and the Economic Times. Her experience has helped her create a strong foundation that complements her passion for creating the best content related to K-pop, K-dramas and Korean movies.

Mantasha's interest in pop culture took root when her cousin introduced her to classic Hollywood and Bollywood tunes and the rest, as they say, is history. Mantasha’s connection with K-pop supergroup BTS is a special one as their song lyrics, hard work, and dedication resonate with her like no other group does.

Maintaining accuracy, relevance, and ethics in her reporting is extremely essential for Mantasha. She prioritizes thorough research, delving deep beyond just superficial sources, to ensure comprehensive and trustworthy information.

When not writing, Mantasha enjoys journaling and doodling, watching K-dramas and listening to songs.

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Edited by Riya Peter