Netflix's Alice in Borderland has drawn in viewers with its intense survival games, mind-bending twists, and gripping character arcs. After the success of season two, which adapted the entirety of Haro Aso’s original manga, fans were left wondering how the show could continue. The final episodes introduced and teased the Joker card, hinting at more to come. With a third season officially announced, speculation is running wild about what Netflix plans to do next, especially since the source material has seemingly run dry.

Despite the main story being wrapped up, there are still possibilities for expansion. Haro Aso created two spin-off manga, Alice in Borderland Retry and Alice in Border Road. The former is a direct sequel, following protagonist Arisu after he is inexplicably pulled back into the deadly world of the Borderlands. However, it consists of only 13 chapters, far less than what is typically required for a full season. Meanwhile, Alice in Border Road has an entirely new cast and only loosely connects to the original series, making it a risky choice for adaptation. This begs the question of what will happen in Alice in Borderland season three.

The Joker Card and What It Means for Season 3

How the Joker Could Reshape Alice in Borderland

The Joker card's brief appearance at the end of season two was a major clue about where the story might go next. In the original manga, the Joker represents a mysterious figure who helps Arisu return to reality, rather than being another game master or antagonist. However, the live-action series could take a different approach by making Joker the central figure of a new game or by using him as a link between different versions of the Borderlands. Since Netflix has already taken creative liberties in previous seasons, it is entirely possible they will expand Joker’s role beyond what the manga depicted.

If season three decides to create an original story around the Joker, it could explore new ideas that manga readers are not familiar with while still keeping the essence of Alice in Borderland. The show might introduce new rules, deadlier games, and fresh characters to keep the tension high. Alternatively, it could dive deeper into the mythology of the Borderlands, revealing more about why this twisted world exists and how it operates. By doing so, Netflix could justify continuing the series without straying too far from its established foundation.

Can Alice in Borderland Retry Sustain a Full Season?

How Retry Could Shape the Future of the Series

While Alice in Borderland Retry is a direct sequel, its limited thirteen-chapter run poses a huge challenge for adaptation. The story follows Arisu as he unexpectedly returns to the Borderlands, forcing him to once again survive deadly games while questioning the nature of his reality. If Netflix chooses to adapt Retry, they will need to expand significantly on its events, possibly by introducing original storylines and additional characters to fill out a full season.

Another possibility is blending elements from Retry with completely new material. The show could use the Joker as a bridge, sending Arisu on a different kind of journey that loosely follows the sequel’s themes while also incorporating fresh twists. By mixing existing content with original ideas, Netflix could maintain the core appeal of the series while avoiding a rushed or underdeveloped storyline. Ultimately, whether season three adapts Retry, expands on the Joker, or takes an entirely new route, fans can only hope it stays true to what made Alice in Borderland so enjoyable in the first place.