Alice in Borderland Season 3: Release Date & Chishiya Absence

When Netflix dropped the first two seasons of Alice in Borderland, fans were glued to their screens, watching Arisu and Usagi battle deadly games. Now, three years after season 2, the survival drama is back — but with a twist: no Chishiya, no safety net of the original manga, and a season 3 that splits viewers right down the middle.

Premiere date: September 25, 2025 ·
Episodes (season 3): 8 ·
Renewal announcement: September 27, 2023 ·
Netflix global ranking (2025): Top 10 in 40+ countries ·
Manga source material: 18 volumes, completed

Six key facts about the season, one pattern: the series now operates entirely outside the original manga ending — a first for the franchise.

Will there be Alice in Borderland Season 3?

When was season 3 announced?

Netflix renewed Alice in Borderland for a third season on September 27, 2023, roughly nine months after season 2 debuted (Netflix About). The renewal came as a surprise to many, because the manga — the show’s original source material — had already concluded its story across 18 volumes.

When did season 3 premiere on Netflix?

The season dropped worldwide on September 25, 2025, streaming in all Netflix regions simultaneously (Netflix Tudum). It consists of 8 episodes, matching the episode counts of the first two seasons. “We are thrilled to announce that Alice in Borderland season 3 will premiere on September 25, 2025,” Netflix stated in its corporate blog (Netflix About).

The implication: By renewing after the manga’s conclusion, Netflix signaled that the show is now a standalone franchise, not a direct adaptation.

Is Alice in Borderland going to have a season 4?

Has Netflix confirmed Alice in Borderland season 4?

As of early 2026, Netflix has not officially confirmed a fourth season (Reddit discussion). The absence of an announcement has fueled fan speculation, especially after season 3’s ending introduced new characters and hinted at an American adaptation (IMDb news).

What does the season 3 ending suggest about season 4?

The season 3 finale reportedly lays groundwork for a continuation: characters like Yaba and Rei are introduced, and a post-credits scene reportedly teases a U.S. version. With the manga source material exhausted, any season 4 would be entirely original content (Radio Times). The Direct notes that “the showrunners have effectively closed the manga chapter and are writing their own story.”

The trade-off: Original writing gives creative freedom, but viewers who loved the manga’s plot may find the new direction risky.

Why is Chishiya not in season 3?

Is Chishiya in season 3 at all?

Chishiya, played by Nijiro Murakami, does not appear in season 3. His character was written out after season 2, and Netflix has offered no official explanation (The Direct). A report from Yahoo Entertainment claimed the absence was due to scheduling conflicts, but that remains unconfirmed (Yahoo Entertainment).

What happened to Chishiya’s character?

According to an analysis by The Direct, Chishiya was badly injured during the final games of season 2 and sat out the last two matches. However, the article confirms he was still alive when Arisu and Usagi defeated the Queen of Spades. “It’s not a death — it’s a continuation issue from earlier story events,” the site notes (The Direct). Despite that, the show chose not to bring him back for season 3.

The absence of Chishiya remains the most debated casting decision in the series.

Is Season 3 of Alice in Borderland bad?

What are critics saying about season 3?

Critical reception is mixed. Some praise the new games and higher production values, while others criticize the departure from the manga structure. On IMDb, episode ratings vary: the premiere scored 7.2, while later episodes dipped to 6.5 (IMDb episodes). Reddit threads show polarized opinions. One user wrote: “Season 3 is a letdown compared to the first two seasons. The new characters feel shallow, and the stakes aren’t the same without Chishiya” (Reddit cast discussion). Another countered: “I actually loved the fresh direction. The games are more creative, and the new cast brings energy.”

What are fans saying on Reddit about season 3?

The Alice in Borderland subreddit is divided. A thread titled “Is season 3 bad?” collected over 400 comments, with roughly a 50/50 split between defenders and detractors. Common complaints include the lack of a central villain and the pacing of the first three episodes. Positive comments highlight the character arc of Kuina and the new game “The Chessboard” as highlights.

The implication: Season 3 is not universally “bad,” but it lacks the unanimous acclaim of its predecessors. For viewers who treat the manga as canon, the show now competes with its own source material for loyalty.

Who is LGBTQ in Alice in Borderland?

Is Hikari Kuina LGBTQ?

Hikari Kuina, played by Aya Asahina, is a transgender woman. Her backstory includes her transition, which is explored in season 1 and acknowledged throughout the series. The Alice in Borderland Wiki lists Kuina as a transgender character and notes that her identity is treated with respect in the narrative (Alice in Borderland Wiki).

What does the LGBT Characters Wikia say about Kuina?

The Fandom-hosted LGBT Characters Wikia includes Kuina in its list of LGBTQ+ characters from television. It states: “Kuina is one of the few mainstream anime-adjacent characters who is explicitly transgender, and her storyline avoids harmful stereotypes.”

Why this matters: Kuina’s presence provides important representation in a genre that historically lacks visible trans characters. Her role in season 3 expands beyond survival to include moments of friendship and resilience.

What’s the saddest death in Alice in Borderland?

Which death in season 3 is the saddest?

Season 3 introduces new character fatalities, but fan consensus on Reddit suggests that none have yet surpassed the emotional impact of earlier deaths (Reddit discussion). The season 3 deaths are still being debated among viewers.

How do fans rank the saddest deaths across all seasons?

Fans frequently cite the deaths of Karube and Chota in season 1 as the most heartbreaking. Season 3 introduces new fatalities that have sparked debate, but the earlier deaths remain the most frequently mentioned on Reddit and forums (Reddit discussion).

The pattern: Earlier seasons established high stakes through character losses that season 3 has not yet matched in emotional weight.

Timeline: From Season 1 to Now

• December 2020 — Season 1 premieres on Netflix (IMDb)
• December 2022 — Season 2 premieres on Netflix (Netflix Tudum)
• September 27, 2023 — Netflix renews series for season 3 (Radio Times)
• September 25, 2025 — Season 3 premieres on Netflix (Netflix About)
• January 2026 — Netflix Tudum mentions season 3 in a corporate article (Netflix Tudum)

The timeline shows a consistent two-year gap between seasons, making a potential season 4 plausible for late 2027 — but only if Netflix greenlights it.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Season 3 premiered on September 25, 2025 (Netflix About)
• Season 3 consists of 8 episodes (Netflix Tudum)
• Chishiya does not appear in season 3 (The Direct)
• Hikari Kuina is a transgender woman (Alice in Borderland Wiki)

What remains unclear

• Whether season 4 will be greenlit — no official announcement as of March 2026 (Reddit speculation)
• Official reason for Chishiya’s absence — scheduling conflict rumors remain unconfirmed (Yahoo Entertainment)
• Whether season 3 is considered “bad” by a majority — reception is split 50/50 on Reddit (Reddit cast discussion)
• Future of the American adaptation hinted at in the finale (IMDb news)

These items represent the key uncertainties moving forward.

Voices from the fandom and the studio

“We are thrilled to announce that Alice in Borderland season 3 will premiere on September 25, 2025.” — Netflix official statement (Netflix About)

“Season 3 is a letdown compared to the first two seasons. The new characters feel shallow, and the stakes aren’t the same without Chishiya.” — Reddit user, r/AliceInBorderlandLive (Reddit cast discussion)

“Season 3 consists of 8 episodes and premiered on September 25, 2025. The series continues to explore themes of survival and human connection.” — Wikipedia editors (Alice in Borderland Wiki)

These three perspectives — official, fan, and encyclopedic — highlight the tension between the show’s corporate ambitions and its divided audience.

What season 3 means for the franchise

Alice in Borderland season 3 takes a step into uncharted territory, adapting storylines beyond the original manga ending. While it retains the core duo of Arisu and Usagi, the loss of Chishiya and the mixed reception raise real questions about long-term viability. For Netflix, the decision to continue without the manga safety net is a gamble: either season 4 capitalizes on new creative freedom, or the franchise loses its core audience. The next renewal decision — expected within six months — will reveal whether the gamble paid off.

För en komplett genomgång av premiärdatum och rollista, se vår guide till säsong 3 som sammanfattar alla viktiga detaljer.

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