When Netflix dropped Squid Game in 2021, it instantly became a global sensation. The South Korean thriller drew in record-breaking viewership with its shocking survival games and social commentary. But another series—Japan’s Alice in Borderland—has steadily built a loyal fanbase of its own. Now, with Season 3 of Alice in Borderland on the horizon, many fans and critics argue that it may have already surpassed Squid Game in one key way: its storytelling depth.
Alice in Borderland vs. Squid Game: A Quick Recap
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Squid Game follows debt-ridden contestants competing in deadly versions of childhood games for a massive cash prize. Its themes of class inequality and human desperation struck a powerful chord worldwide.
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Alice in Borderland, adapted from Haro Aso’s manga, throws a group of players into an abandoned Tokyo where survival hinges on completing dangerous, mind-bending games tied to playing cards. It’s not just about money—it’s about life, death, and unraveling the mystery of the Borderland itself.
The One Simple Reason Alice in Borderland Wins
While both shows offer high-stakes survival drama, Alice in Borderland has an edge in its long-term storytelling and character development.
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Complex Characters: Arisu, Usagi, Chishiya, and others are given time to grow and transform over multiple seasons, unlike Squid Game, which largely ended many character arcs in Season 1.
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Layered Mystery: The Borderland isn’t just a game—it’s a puzzle. Each card game reveals a bigger piece of the world-building, leaving fans speculating and theorizing.
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Source Material: With a completed manga series as its backbone, Alice in Borderland has a clear narrative roadmap. This gives it structure, pacing, and emotional depth that some critics felt Squid Game lacked after its explosive debut.
What to Expect in Alice in Borderland Season 3
Netflix confirmed Alice in Borderland Season 3, and anticipation is sky-high. Here’s what fans are buzzing about:
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New Games, Higher Stakes: Expect bigger, more dangerous, and psychologically challenging survival games.
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Exploring the Borderland: Season 3 will likely dive deeper into the mysteries of how the Borderland exists and why people are trapped there.
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Character Evolution: Arisu and Usagi’s relationship is set to be tested further, while fan-favorite Chishiya may reveal new sides to his calculating personality.
Why Squid Game Might Struggle in Comparison
After the massive success of Season 1, Squid Game Season 2 faces the challenge of meeting sky-high expectations. Without a finished source material like Alice in Borderland’s manga, the creators are writing the story from scratch—which could make it harder to maintain narrative consistency.
Meanwhile, Alice in Borderland benefits from:
✔️ A pre-written, well-loved manga storyline
✔️ A loyal fanbase that values character depth
✔️ A universe that feels larger and more mysterious with every season
Final Thoughts
Both Squid Game and Alice in Borderland have cemented themselves as Netflix survival-game giants. But as we head into Alice in Borderland Season 3, it’s becoming clear why many fans think it outshines Squid Game: its rich storytelling, character arcs, and deeper world-building.
In the end, Squid Game may have captured the world’s attention first, but Alice in Borderland might just hold it longer.
