is a Japanese science fiction thriller drama television series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. The series is directed by Shinsuke Sato. It stars Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya as allies trapped in an empty, parallel version of Tokyo, forced to compete as players in dangerous, fatal games. The type and difficulty of each game is represented by playing cards based on French suits and the games are used to extend their "visas" that, if expired, result in the player's execution by lasers shot from the sky.
The series' first season was announced in July 2019 and filmed from August to December 2019. Set locations included Shibuya districts and a green screen studio replica of Shibuya Crossing. The show's visual effects were produced in an international collaboration between Japan's Digital Frontier and teams from Singapore, the United States, and India. The musical score was composed by Yutaka Yamada, who had collaborated with Sato.
The first season premiered on the Netflix streaming service on December 10, 2020, and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the action sequences, direction, and acting. They compared the show to many entries in the survival genre, including the films Battle Royale (2000) and Cube (1997). The first season's strong performance and high viewership in many countries resulted in Netflix renewing the series two weeks after its premiere; the second season was released on December 22, 2022. On September 27, 2023, it was renewed for a third season, which premiered on September 25, 2025. In a January 2026 article, Netflix stated that the third season was the show's final.
Premise In the first season, Ryōhei Arisu and his two friends are suddenly transported to an alternate, desolate Tokyo, where they must play life-or-death games to survive.
In the second season, Arisu and the rest of the players must fight against the face cards, citizens of Borderland, while they seek to find out if they will return to their world if they win.
In the third and final season, Arisu is forced to return to the Borderland when Yuzuha Usagi enters again, convinced by Dr. Ryuji Matsuyama, a doctor obsessed with death, who is part of Sunato Banda's plan for Arisu. While trying to save Usagi by playing the life-and-death games again, Arisu seeks to defeat the Joker.
Cast and characters
Main
Kento Yamazaki as Ryōhei Arisu:A video game-obsessed man who "doesn't fit in with his family". He teams up with Usagi while in the Borderland and later develops romantic feelings for her. In season 3, he returns to the Borderland to search for Usagi and forms his own group of survivors. He survives the Joker Games and becomes a therapist upon returning to the real world. Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi:A mountain climber who was transported into the empty city of Tokyo shortly after the death of her father, whom she deeply respected. She teams up with Arisu while in the Borderland and later develops romantic feelings for him. In season 3, she returns to the Borderland under Ryuji's coaxing and forms her own group of survivors. She survives the Joker Games. Nijirō Murakami as Shuntarō Chishiya (seasons 1–2; guest season 3):A mysterious, quiet, and sly player who teams up with Kuina to steal Hatter's deck of cards, believing that a full deck would transport them out of the empty city. He later becomes interested in Arisu and Usagi after helping them escape a game of "tag". Before arriving in the Borderland, he was a medical student. He makes a cameo in season 3, discussing with Arisu what makes life worth living. Aya Asahina as Hikari Kuina (seasons 1–2; guest season 3):A close friend of Chishiya, whom she helps steal Hatter's deck of cards. She becomes a close ally and friend to Arisu. A former clothing shop clerk skilled in karate, Kuina is revealed to be transgender in a flashback in episode 7, in which she was disowned by her father. She makes a cameo in season 3, having made amends with her father and now helping at his karate school. Dori Sakurada as Suguru Niragi (seasons 1–2; guest season 3):A young yet dangerous member of "the Beach". He is described as being "aggressive due to his complicated past" and is part of "the Militants". Before arriving in the Borderland, he was often bullied by other students at his high school. He makes a cameo in season 3, having become a better person after returning from the Borderland and revealing he now works hard for the sake of his child. Ayaka Miyoshi as Rizuna Ann (seasons 1–2; recurring season 3):An executive member of "the Beach" who wins difficult games through rational thinking, later becoming an important ally and friend to Arisu and his group. Before arriving in the Borderland, she was a forensic scientist for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. In season 2, she was injured by the King of Spades but managed to survive thanks to her will. In Season 3, being one of the last few people who remember the Borderland, she helps Arisu re-enter the Borderland. Sho Aoyagi as Morizono Aguni (seasons 1–2; guest season 3):A strong fighter and Hatter's best friend, Aguni is first introduced as an important member of "the Beach". He is in charge of a violent group named "the Militants". After leaving the Beach, he becomes an important ally to Arisu towards the end of the face-card games. He makes a cameo in season 3, working to keep Hatter's shop open. Riisa Naka as Mira Kanō (seasons 1–2):A mysterious woman with an "elegant presence", and an executive member of "the Beach". She is revealed to be the Queen of Hearts in the second season and the last enemy of Arisu and Usagi in the Borderland. Yuri Tsunematsu as Akane Heiya (season 2; guest season 3):A high school girl skilled in archery who works with Aguni after losing her foot in the Seven of Spades game. She makes a cameo in season 3, having become an influencer who inspires people. Kento Kaku as Ryuji Matsuyama (season 3):A university professor who is obsessed with the afterlife and wishes to see the Borderland. He enters with Usagi under Banda's deal to learn the truth about the world between life and death, joining her team in the process. After seeing the strong relationship and will between Arisu and Usagi, he sacrifices himself to save them. Tina Tamashiro as Rei Morikage (season 3):A cunning and quiet university student and former Borderland survivor; she allies with Arisu's team in the Joker games after the Zombie Hunt game. Thanks to her trust in Arisu, she survives the Joker Games. Risa Sudou as Sachiko Makino (season 3):A caring and resilient housewife and former Borderland survivor who allies with Arisu's team in the Joker games. She survives the Joker Games. Koji Ohkura as Tetsu Shimazaki (season 3):A kind-hearted drug addict and former Borderland survivor who allies with Arisu's team in the Joker games. He dies in the final Joker Game. Kotaro Daigo as Nobuaki Hida (season 3):A high-schooler with a tragic past of bullying and peer pressure and former Borderland survivor who allies with Arisu's team in the Joker Games, which he survives.
Recurring Yūki Morinaga as Chōta Segawa (seasons 1–2):A highly religious IT technician and friend of Arisu and Karube. Chōta severely burns his leg while participating in a game titled "Dead or Alive", and as a result, slows down his friends while recovering. Keita Machida as Daikichi Karube (seasons 1–2):A bartender and close friend to Arisu and Chōta. Before being transported into the empty city, Karube was preparing to propose to a woman he worked with at a bar, who happened to be his boss's lover. Hayato Isomura as Sunato Banda (seasons 2–3):A serial killer who participates in the Jack of Hearts game with Chishiya and decides to stay in the Borderland as a citizen at the end of season 2. In season 3, he becomes the Gamemaster of the Joker games, with a scheme to lure Arisu back to the Borderland. He is killed at the end by the Watchman. Katsuya Maiguma as Oki Yaba (seasons 2–3):A con man who participates in the Jack of Hearts game with Chishiya and decides to stay in the Borderland at the end of season 2. Yūtarō Watanabe as Kōdai Tatta (seasons 1–2):A former car mechanic who is saved by Arisu during a game and later becomes a member of the Beach; in season 2, he joins Arisu's group. Before arriving in the Borderland, his mistake caused his co-worker to lose a hand. Nobuaki Kaneko as Takeru Danma / Hatter (seasons 1–2):The leader and founder of "the Beach", a hotel inhabited by dozens of players. His main goal is to collect all the playing cards given to players for winning games. After his death in season 1, he often appears as a ghost to Aguni during the events of season 2. Tsuyoshi Abe as Keiichi Kuzuryū (seasons 1–2):An executive member of "the Beach". In the second season, he is revealed to be the King of Diamonds, and Chishiya participates in his game. Before arriving in the Borderland, he was a lawyer who was dissatisfied with the outlook of human life and the morality of others, particularly those in positions of power. Taisuke Matsushita as Shota (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. He drives a car with the others to get away from the King of Spades but is ultimately killed. Minehiro Kinomoto as Hiro (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. He becomes the first casualty of the King of Spades. Takehiro Otsuki as Tamotsu (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. He is in the car with the others to get away from the King of Spades but is ultimately killed. Mizuki Komatsu as Yui (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. She is in the car with the others to get away from the King of Spades but is ultimately killed. Rina Koyama as Konomi (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. She is killed by the King of Spades. Mizuki Sashide as Mizuki (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. She becomes the second casualty of the King of Spades. Aya Kitai as Lily (seasons 1–2):A Beach resident who survives the Witch Hunt. She is in the car with the others to get away from the King of Spades but is ultimately killed. Shigemitsu Ogi as Kenji Arisu (seasons 1–2):Ryohei Arisu's father. Kyotaro Tamura as Hajime Arisu (seasons 1–2):Ryohei Arisu's brother. Yūhei Ōuchida as Takuma (seasons 1–2):An injured player in the Four of Clubs game "Distance". In a flashback, he is revealed to have helped Kuzuryū in a game.
Season 1 Shuntarō Yanagi as Takatora Samura / the Last Boss:A strange man and dangerous member of "the Beach", the Last Boss has his face covered in tattoos and carries around a katana to intimidate members. He is also part of "the Militants" Ayame Misaki as Saori Shibuki:The first person Arisu and his friends encounter while in the deserted city. At first, Shibuki is presented as an experienced player who helps the group get past their first game. However, she is later revealed to be manipulative in order to get what she wants. Kina Yazaki as Momoka Inoue:A member of "the Beach", a 'game dealer', and Asahi's best friend. Mizuki Yoshida as Asahi Kujō:A member of "the Beach", a 'game dealer', and Momoka's best friend. Kosuke Kubota as Joe:A member of the Beach and part of the car maintenance team, alongside Tatta Ayaka Minami as Saiko:She is one of the Beach militants. Kento Shibuya as Jun:He is one of the Beach militants. Ken Aoki as Makoto:He is one of the Beach militants. Ippei Osako as Sugi:He is one of the Beach militants. Takashi Kitadai as Ken:He is one of the Beach militants. Shohei Abe as Yu:He is one of the Beach militants. Kazuma Sano as Yamane:A participant in the Four of Clubs game, "Distance" Kazuma Yamane as Seizan:A participant in the Four of Clubs game "Distance" Yûya Matsuura as Nitobe Ode Nanako as Minami Reiko Kataoka as Sayuri Segawa
Season 2