Saturday, July 5, 2025

Cast of Alice in Borderland (Season 1–3) | From Arisu to Chishiya

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Directed by Shinsuke Sato

The first season of Alice in Borderland premiered on Netflix on December 10, 2020.

Distributed exclusively by Netflix.

Series Review

Alice in Borderland is a gripping Japanese sci-fi thriller that throws its characters into deadly games in a mysteriously abandoned Tokyo.

Season 1 quickly hooks viewers with high-stakes challenges and strong performances by Kento Yamazaki (Arisu) and Tao Tsuchiya (Usagi), offering a sharp mix of action, suspense, and emotion.

Season 2 raises the intensity, expanding the game world and deepening character arcs, especially for fan favorites like Chishiya and Kuina.

While some viewers found the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally confusing, the emotional payoff and stunning visuals make it worthwhile.

It is a must-watch for fans of Squid Game, with more heart and character depth.

Whether you’re here for psychological twists or brutal survival drama, Alice in Borderland delivers a thrilling, binge-worthy experience.

Ratings:

• Rotten Tomatoes (Season 2): 91%

• Metacritic: 83/100

• IMDb: 7.7/10

Alice in Borderland Actors

Kento Yamazaki as Ryōhei Arisu

DOB: September 7, 1994  

Bio: Discovered at just 14 on Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, Kento Yamazaki began his career as a model before emerging as one of Japan’s most recognizable actors.

Known for seamlessly translating manga characters to screen, his breakout roles in Orange and Death Note set the stage for his emotionally layered performance in Alice in Borderland.

A graduate of Tokyo’s Horikoshi High School (a renowned arts academy), he also trained in Taekwondo, giving him a distinct edge in action sequences.

Role: A directionless gamer forced to use his intellect and compassion to guide friends through Borderland’s deadly puzzles.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; S2 E1–8; confirmed for S3

What to Expect: Growth from bewildered outsider into a haunted strategist, every choice scars and shapes him.

Favorite Things: Discovering hidden ramen stalls, late-night gaming marathons, weekend soccer clinics.

Notable Works: Orange, Death Note, Kingdom, Atom’s Last Shot.

Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi

DOB: February 3, 1995  

Bio: Born in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, Tao Tsuchiya began training in nihon buyō (classical Japanese dance) at age three.

She broke into screen acting with a standout turn as Misao in Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014) and won widespread praise for her lead role in NHK’s drama Mare (2015).

Tsuchiya also studies Aikido, which she’s credited with helping choreograph her own fight scenes.

Role: A former mountain climber whose fearless agility and unwavering loyalty make her Arisu’s ideal partner, both on perilous ledges and in their deepest fears.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; S2 E1–8; confirmed for S3

What to Expect: Heart-stopping ascents, emotional reveals about her past, and steadfast support in every game.

Favorite Things: Watercolor landscapes, midnight shrine visits, shamisen practice.

Notable Works: Rurouni Kenshin, Mare, Orange.

Nijirō Murakami as Shuntarō Chishiya

DOB: March 17, 1997

Bio: Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Nijirō Murakami is the son of actor Jun Murakami and singer-songwriter UA.

He made his feature‐film debut in Naomi Kawase’s Still the Water (2014), which screened in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and earned him critical notice.

He won Best Newcomer at the 29th Takasaki Film Festival for his early work.

Role: A calculating loner whose razor-sharp mind and moral ambiguity keep allies, and viewers guessing his next move.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; S2 E1–8; expected in S3

What to Expect: Cold logic under pressure, rare glimpses of empathy, and alliances that shift with each twist.

Favorite Things: Chess tournaments, midnight café reading sessions, collecting vintage vinyl.

Notable Works: Still the Water, Last of the Wolves.

Aya Asahina as Hikari Kuina

DOB: October 6, 1993

Bio: Aya Asahina is a Japanese actress who trained in judo from a young age, bringing authentic martial-arts skill to her portrayal of Kuina.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Meiji University and works with youth self-defense programs in Tokyo.

Known for her athletic grace and emotional depth, she made her screen debut in Alice in Borderland and has since been praised for her dynamic physical performances.

Role: Kuina fights beside Chishiya to claim her freedom, wrestling with questions of legacy and self-worth.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; flashback cameo in S2

What to Expect: Dynamic grappling matches, moments of vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty.

Favorite Things: Judo dojos, vegan sushi experiments, ink-brush calligraphy.

Notable Works: Grand Blue, Red Shoes.

Dori Sakurada as Suguru Niragi

DOB: December 7, 1991  

Bio: A Japanese actor and singer, Dori Sakurada was discovered at age 11 by Johnny & Associates and spent his formative years as a Johnny’s Jr. performer.

He transitioned to on-screen roles with a breakthrough in the live-action film Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (2020) and earned wider recognition in the Netflix series Alice in Borderland.

Role: The Beach gang’s volatile enforcer, his rage and charisma stem from a deeply traumatic past.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; recurring in S2

What to Expect: Explosive confrontations, haunting introspection, and revelations of what fuels his fury.

Favorite Things: Piano improvisations, underground DJ sets, vintage camera collecting.

Notable Works: Gravitation: Lyrics of a Lover, Orange.

Ayaka Miyoshi as Rizuna “Ann” Ann

DOB: June 18, 1996

Bio: Ayaka Miyoshi is a Japanese actress and former gravure model who transitioned to dramatic roles in film and television.

For Alice in Borderland, she underwent extensive parkour training and worked with movement coaches to master Ann’s precise, athletic style.

Role: A Beach executive whose tactical brilliance turns deadly puzzles into calculated triumphs, until conscience and survival collide.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; S2 E1–8

What to Expect: Brilliant puzzle-solving, fierce moral crossroads, and the human cost of cold logic.

Favorite Things: Dawn parkour runs, true-crime deep dives, chessboxing.

Notable Works: Knuckles Girl, Daughters.

Riisa Naka as Mira Kanō

DOB: October 18, 1989

Bio: A versatile Japanese actress known for her bold roles across live-action and voice acting.

Trained in classical ballet and dramatic arts, she gained early acclaim with Time Traveller: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and expanded into genre-defying roles in anime and thrillers.

Role: The chilling Queen of Hearts, her psychological games redefine trust and sanity in Borderland’s finale.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E5; S2 E6–8

What to Expect: Slow-burn tension, mind-bending riddles, and a masterclass in villainy.

Favorite Things: Baroque piano recitals, moonlit garden walks, intricate origami.

Notable Works: Time Traveller: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Shikabane Hime.

Sho Aoyagi as Morizono Aguni

DOB: March 12, 1985

Bio: Originally rising to fame as a singer and actor with Gekidan EXILE, Sho Aoyagi later carved out a niche in action-heavy and emotionally complex roles.

A former national karate champion, he brings real-life martial arts mastery and meditative philosophy to the screen.

Role: The “strongest” survivor, his brutal fights and inner conflict make him one of Borderland’s most honorable warriors.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; flashback cameo in S2

What to Expect: Spectacular fight choreography, mercy-versus-duty dilemmas, and a warrior’s code of ethics.

Favorite Things: Dojo pilgrimages, Haiku composition, mentoring young fighters.

Notable Works: Kamen Rider Ghost, High & Low: The Worst.

Yūtarō Watanabe as Kōdai Tatta

DOB: April 14, 1994

Bio: Before stepping into acting, Yūtarō Watanabe trained as a mechanic’s apprentice, bringing real-world grit and empathy to his on-screen roles.

His breakout as Tatta in Alice in Borderland resonated with viewers due to his unpolished authenticity and quiet strength.

Role: Tatta grows from terrified bystander into courageous leader, his ingenuity under fire exemplifies second chances.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; S2 E1–8

What to Expect: Moments of self-doubt transforming into acts of bravery, his journey underscores youthful resilience.

Favorite Things: Vintage car restoration, night-time track racing, sushi-making workshops.

Notable Works:  Kamen Rider Amazons.

Yūki Morinaga as Chōta Segawa

DOB: March 11, 1996

Bio: A self-taught coder turned actor, Morinaga launched an app to connect global escape-room enthusiasts

Yūki Morinaga began acting as a child and rose to prominence with his supporting role in Solomon’s Perjury (2015).

A passionate self-taught coder and escape-room enthusiast, he created an app that allows users to track and share real-time escape-room rankings and strategies. 

Role: Segawa provides levity that gives way to heartbreaking survivor guilt, his arc is both comic and poignant.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–8; flashback cameo in S2

What to Expect: Tear-jerking loyalty tests, clever tech-savvy solutions, and the raw impact of trauma.

Favorite Things: VR escape rooms, hackathon marathons, collecting retro gaming consoles.

Notable Works: Solomon’s Perjury, Lesson of the Evil.

Keita Machida as Daikichi Karube

DOB: July 4, 1990

Bio: A Tokyo native and trained dancer, Keita Machida rose through the ranks of EXILE TRIBE’s Gekidan EXILE acting troupe.

Before pursuing acting full-time, he worked briefly as a bartender, an experience he channeled into Karube’s grounded, blue-collar charm. 

Role: His early sacrifice cements the group’s bond and underscores Borderland’s ruthless stakes.

Seasons & Episodes: S1 E1–4; flashback cameo in S2

What to Expect: A heartrending moment of loyalty that resonates throughout the series.

Favorite Things: Craft-cocktail innovation, spoken-word poetry, vinyl jazz nights.

Notable Works: Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

Tomohisa Yamashita as Ginji Kyūma

DOB: April 9, 1985  

Bio:  A multitalented performer, Tomohisa Yamashita fondly known as “Yamapi”, first gained fame as a member of Johnny’s idol group NEWS before launching a highly successful solo career in both music and acting.

A Keio University graduate fluent in English, Yamashita holds a private pilot’s license, is a certified scuba diver, and actively advocates for marine conservation as an ambassador with the Japan Ministry of the Environment. 

Role: As King of Clubs, Kyūma’s Osmosis game challenges Arisu with moral riddles and psychological mazes.

Seasons & Episodes: S2 E1–3; confirmed for S3

What to Expect: Mind-twisting puzzles, ethical quandaries, and a magnetic lead performance.

Favorite Things: Aerial photography, analog film collecting, composing ambient soundtracks.

Notable Works: Code Blue, The Head, Gravity’s Clown.

More Actors

Season 1

• Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryū

• Ayame Misaki as Saori Shibuki

Season 2 (2022) New additions:

• Yuri Tsunematsu as Akane Heiya

• Hayato Isomura as Sunato Banda

• Katsuya Maiguma as Oki Yaba (Jack of Hearts)

• Kai Inowaki as Enji Matsushita (Jack of Hearts)

• Honami Satō as Kotoko Shiga

• Chihiro Yamamoto as Risa (Queen of Spades)

• Aina Yamada as Urumi Akamaki.

FAQ – Alice in Borderland

Do players die in the real world if they die in a game?

Yes. deaths in the Borderlands result in real-world fatalities, since wounds manifest on the players’ actual bodies.

What’s the significance of the Joker card at the end of Season 2?

The Joker appears to be the gatekeeper between life and death, suggesting that Arisu and his friends may not have truly escaped the Borderlands.

Why did only Arisu enter the final Hearts game alone?

In the manga, players understood that only one could survive, so Arisu volunteered to face it solo, Usagi insisted on joining him. This minimizes risk to his friends.

Where did the players come from?

Mostly, they are victims of a meteor strike or other near-death events. The Borderlands serves as a liminal space for surviving consciousnesses, not just meteor survivors

Who is the mastermind of Borderland?

The true mastermind revealed in Alice in Borderland is Mira Kanō, also known as the Queen of Hearts.

Conclusion

Alice in Borderland stands out as one of the most intense and emotionally layered survival series in recent years.

With its blend of gripping storytelling, high-stakes psychological games, and deeply human character arcs, it offers more than just action. It explores themes of purpose, trust, and sacrifice.

Season 1 sets a solid foundation with fast-paced tension, while Season 2 elevates the narrative with deeper emotional stakes and bold visual design.

Though not without a few pacing hiccups, the show delivers a powerful mix of suspense and heart.

Whether you’re drawn to the thrilling game concepts or the emotional evolution of characters like Arisu and Usagi, Alice in Borderland proves to be an unforgettable journey through desperation and hope.

If you enjoy dystopian thrillers that challenge both the mind and the heart, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.

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