Alice in Borderland Season 3, which was released on September 25, 2025, is generally recognized as the “third and final season” of the original Japanese series.”
The central plot, which was based on the manga by Haro Aso, got its conceptual and literal closure. Season 2 cleared up the main mystery by explaining that the Borderland was a common state of limbo. Season 3 was about the final farewell of the main character, Arisu Ryohei (Kento Yamazaki), through the handling of the Joker, the last card.
If the main characters, Arisu and Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya), were to be put in danger again for a conventional Season 4, their completed character arcs would lose their significance. As a result, the storyline for this particular series is wrapped up.
Franchise is Too Successful to End
Even though the story is over, the Alice in Borderland brand remains a big commercial asset for Netflix. The continuation of the series is mainly due to this success.
Season 3 was a massive commercial success. It accumulated 46.3 million hours watched during its first week; thus, it was the most-watched on the global non-English TV list.
Most importantly, right after the release of the third season, the three seasons together were simultaneously ranked in the global Top 10 Non-English TV list. This accomplishment is a strong audience engagement indicator; therefore, it is evidence of the long-term value of the franchise.
A Traditional Season 4 is Unlikely
It is not very probable that there will be a traditional fourth season of Alice in Borderland with the original Japanese cast. A continuation of the already finished story is said to risk “milking” the series and result in creative dilution, which is a complaint that has already been acknowledged after the third season.
In order to handle this risk while still sticking to the proven formula, the decision of the management is moving towards a spin-off model.
The Future: A Global Spin-off Expansion
The very last scenes of Season 3 are more in line with a global franchise expansion than with a direct Season 4.
The conclusion left a major geopolitical cliffhanger, suggesting that Borderland has become a worldwide phenomenon. It was announced that a huge natural disaster was going to affect major cities such as Tokyo, London, Paris, and Los Angeles.
The last shot was, in fact, pointing towards a US extension by moving away from Los Angeles. The focus was on a waitress in Hollywood, and the name tag on her apron read “Alice.” This deliberate step is meant to start a US-based, parallel Borderland series, most probably as a spin-off, thus facilitating Netflix’s entry into the local market with an already familiar brand.
Netflix’s next move is most likely an American or global spin-off. With this strategy, the franchise is free to introduce new characters and games, thus revitalizing the formula for the North American audience while at the same time benefiting from the existing brand recognition.