The explosive finale of Alice in Borderland season 2 left audiences with as many questions as it did answers. While Arisu and his friends seemingly returned to the real world, subtle hints suggested that their time in Borderland was not entirely erased from their minds. The Joker card’s ominous reveal hinted at more games to come, but fans are still wondering how the story can continue while staying true to its original themes. With Netflix confirming a third season, fans are eager to see how it will tackle these lingering mysteries.

Luckily, Alice in Borderland: Retry, the manga sequel by Haro Aso, offers some ideas for season 3. The new series reintroduces Arisu to the deadly world of the Borderland, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of its meaning. If the live-action adaptation follows suit, the Retry manga could help fill in the gaps left by the show’s ambiguous finale. But it is possible that Retry will have to be combined with some original content to have enough plot for an entire season.

Usagi’s Fate and Arisu’s Mission to Save Her

The Best Alice in Borderland Season 3 Theory May Come True

One of the best and most interesting theories for Alice in Borderland season 3 revolves around Usagi’s fate. The final hospital scene in season 2, where she appears unconscious or possibly in a coma, suggests that she may still be trapped in the Borderland. If this is true, it could be the reason for Arisu’s return to the games, setting the stage for a desperate rescue mission. Because of this, Arisu could find himself crossing into the Borderland once again, this time to save Usagi.

The Retry manga has a similar premise, with Arisu finding himself back in the Borderland despite believing he had escaped. If season 3 follows this path, it could explore whether the Borderland is more than just a purgatory for the dying. Is it a realm that calls back those who still have unfinished business? The idea of Arisu willingly returning, not out of survival but out of love and duty, would be a powerful moment for his character and add a fresh emotional layer to the series.

Additionally, the possibility of fragmented memories returning could further complicate matters. Season 2 hinted that the characters had some lingering awareness of each other, even after returning to the real world. If Usagi subconsciously recalls the Borderland and experiences distress because of it, Arisu might see it as his responsibility to find out the truth. This would create a natural transition for season 3 to reintroduce the Borderland in a way that feels earned rather than forced.

The Mystery of the Joker Card and the Borderland’s True Nature

Will Fans Finally Learn More About Borderland In Season 3?

The final episode of Alice in Borderland season 2 left viewers with an eerie tease of the Joker card. In the original manga, the Joker is a mysterious entity rather than a traditional game master, embodying the unknown forces that govern the Borderland. However, the live-action series has yet to reveal what this means for Arisu and his friends. The Joker has the potential to be the key to explaining why they still have faint memories of their time in the Borderland and the Joker card may even signify a new game rather than an escape.

The Retry manga explores the idea that the Borderland is not just a temporary purgatory but a cyclical realm that some individuals are destined to revisit.

The Retry manga explores the idea that the Borderland is not just a temporary purgatory but a cyclical realm that some individuals are destined to revisit. This could mean that those who refused to stay in the Borderland during season 2’s finale might still have unresolved fates tied to it. Theories suggest that season 3 will introduce new mechanics, potentially involving portals or different dimensions, echoing Through the Looking-Glass, the sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which heavily inspired the original series. Arisu’s journey back could involve a quest to uncover the true origins of the Borderland, rather than just surviving its cruel games.

The presence of the Joker also raises another possibility that season 3 will focus on those who didn’t fully escape the Borderland. If Ann or other key characters wake up with full memories, it could push them to investigate deeper. This matches with several fan theories that Ann’s research in season 2 holds the key to understanding the Borderland’s structure. If she retained knowledge from her past experiences, she could become a major player in uncovering how to follow the Borderland’s rules, potentially even offering a way to return or manipulate them.

New Games, New Challenges, and Returning Characters

Alice in Borderland Season 3 Has a Lot of Exciting Content in Store for Fans

If season 3 follows Retry's lead, it will not simply retread old ground. Instead, it will introduce new variations of the Alice in Borderland deadly games, testing Arisu and his companions in ways they have not faced before. Rather than just escaping, they may need to win with a purpose, which could be to retrieve Usagi or uncover the truth behind the Borderland’s existence. This could allow for higher-stakes games, deeper psychological challenges, and even a more complex moral dilemma for Arisu.

The Retry manga also offers an opportunity to bring back characters that fans assumed were gone for good. Since the Borderland operates outside traditional reality, characters like Chishiya, Kuina, or even Niragi could return in unexpected ways. Their involvement could be tied to the Joker’s influence or to a new rule that alters how the Borderland functions. This would be a way to keep fan-favorite characters in the story while evolving the game’s narrative.

Additionally, season 3 could expand the Borderland beyond Tokyo. If the Joker card introduces interdimensional travel or multiple Borderlands, the scope of the games could become even more ambitious. This would align with the Retry manga’s premise, where Arisu must once again survivle new trials in a different version of the Borderland. Thematically, this could explore whether true survival means escaping or understanding the Borderland’s role in their lives.

Can the Manga Provide the Answers?

Alice in Borderland: Retry Has the Potential to Fill the Live-Action Series Gaps

With season 3 of Alice in Borderland on the horizon, fans are eager to see how the story unfolds. While the live-action series has diverged from the manga in some areas, Alice in Borderland: Retry could offer the perfect foundation for continuing the story. If the show embraces the themes of returning to the Borderland for a higher purpose, it could be an interesting new arc that is not just a rehash of previous seasons.

Whether season 3 follows the Retry manga closely or forges its own path, it has an opportunity to answer the biggest questions left hanging from season 2 while delivering a thrilling new chapter in Arisu’s journey.

The unresolved fates of Usagi, Arisu, and the other survivors suggest that their journey is not over yet. The Joker card, mysterious memory fragments, and the potential for new game mechanics all set the stage for a deeper dive into the Borderland’s mysteries. Whether season 3 follows the Retry manga closely or forges its own path, it has an opportunity to answer the biggest questions left hanging from season 2 while delivering a thrilling new chapter in Arisu’s journey.

Ultimately, the Retry manga is not just a continuation, it is a chance to redefine what the Borderland means. If the live-action adaptation takes inspiration from it, season 3 could be the most ambitious and emotional chapter yet. Fans can only hope that Netflix does justice to the world of Alice in Borderland and provides the answers everyone has been waiting for.