With the first teasers of Alice in Borderland Season 3 now out, the internet has been filled with speculation. Fans are breaking down each frame, trying to piece things together on what’s coming for Arisu and Usagi. The teasers have given us more questions than answers, and while some theories are crazier than others, some big ideas are getting some traction. Let’s dive into some of the most compelling fan theories on what’s happening in the next season.
The “First Game” Theory: Decoding the Joker’s Arrival
The ad clip starts with the one shot that has stumped the rest of us: a figure in a shadow in an alley. Maybe the most current theory is that this is not a random shot but something else—a first game Arisu must play. Why? It all comes down to the details—Arisu’s outfit and surroundings.
Timeline through Threads: Close examination of Arisu’s clothing in the sneak peek provides a likely timeline. We initially see him in the tan jacket over the white collared shirt. Then in another, he is wearing the bloody blue shirt without the jacket. Then in the third shot, he is wearing both the blue shirt and tan jacket. This layering and peeling off of clothing may suggest the sequence of the games, with each outfit symbolizing a different phase. The tan jacket and white shirt may be from the early games, while the single, bloody blue shirt symbolizes the final, most brutal challenges.
Matching the Scenery: The scenery in these scenes also appears to be communicating something. The opening shot with the mysterious character has pillars and what appear to be floral motifs in the background. Interestingly enough, the same colors and architectural details appear again in a later shot when Arisu reaches out toward someone. This visual consistency implies that these two scenes might be connected, and that this enigmatic “first game” is actually the Joker’s game, who is apparently a new and significant character this season. The fact that he is revealed so early in the teaser suggests that he will be introduced shortly, instead of done in a slow reveal.
The 8 of Hearts: S3’s New “Seven of Hearts”
Remember that tragic “Seven of Hearts” game from Season 1? The one when Arisu was made to make friends choose between one another? A new theory proposes that Season 3 will see its own iteration of the same harsh, heart-wrenching game—the 8 of Hearts.
This is from a promotional trailer that Netflix released earlier this year to advertise their new series. Here, there is a girl who looks like Usagi avoiding laser beams. The camera pans out further to reveal the card 8 of Hearts. This was not the first time that Netflix used a card as a teaser. Before Season 1, posters used mostly the 7 of Hearts, hinting at its place in the series.
If this is a conscious parallel, then the 8 of Hearts game becomes a turning and tragic point for the characters. Arisu and Usagi are most likely to survive, but according to the theory, other characters presented to us in this season are less fortunate. The game could be so cruel that Arisu finds out the flaw only at the very end, leading him to have to make an incredibly difficult decision where the tragic fate relies on others. The emotional intensity of this game, when it does come later in the season, could make it an even more intense and heartbreaking view.
A New Ally or Foe? The Mystery of the Hugging Figure
Finally, there is a very small but intriguing theory about a new character. In the last frame of one of the teasers, Usagi is being hugged by someone. The premise is that the person is doing so wearing something dark brown, that doesn’t appear to be any of the tops Arisu is wearing in the other teasers. So who is this fella? A rewind to an earlier shot showed a figure in the background wearing a similar brown shirt. Might this be the same individual? The expression on the face of Usagi is one of shock or alarm, and the hug one of solace. The fan theory is that the individual is a new, significant character who is going to become a friend. They might even be the figure on Season 3’s poster, a new Joker or another game master. It is a small detail, but in a show as detail-oriented as Alice in Borderland, small details are important.
What do you think of these theories? Are there any other hints you’ve picked up that might crack the Season 3 code?
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