Instead of marking the return of the main characters from seasons 1 and 2, Alice in Borderland season 3 introduces a new roster that includes some incredibly likable players along with a few not-so-admirable ones.

Since many viewers grew to love the main characters from Alice in Borderland‘s seasons 1 and 2, they hoped all of them would return in season 3. Unfortunately, season 3 only features Arisu and Usagi as its leads while bringing together a whole new set of main players. Several main players from previous seasons, like Nijiro Murakami’s Chishiya, only briefly show up towards the end of the installment.

Surprisingly, in just six episodes of Alice in Borderland season 3, even the new players gradually grow on the viewer and become more and more memorable. While some become recognizable for their toxic traits and malicious plans, others become worthy counterparts for previous cast members because of their loyalty and courage during the games.

Ryuji

Played by Kento Kaku

Ryuji is introduced as one of the main leads in Alice in Borderland season 3. However, as the season progresses, his actions make him less likable with each episode. Initially, he only seems like a harmless scientist who is obsessed with near-death experiences after completing one run of the games in the Borderlands.

However, when he manipulates Usagi to accompany him to the games and uses her grief for her father to convince her to visit Borderlands, it becomes hard not to dislike him. He gets a semblance of redemption when he finally helps Usagi escape death in Alice in Borderland season 3’s ending arc.

Unfortunately, his final act of heroism is not enough to fully erase his previous morally questionable decisions. Owing to this, he arguably comes off as the worst new character in Alice in Borderland season 3.

Itsuki

Played by Joey Iwanaga

Itsuki first appears with his sister in the Runway Train game in Alice in Borderland season 3. He proves to be a strong contender, especially because of his experience as a firefighter in the real world. However, even though he seems intriguing in the beginning, his story arc never gets enough depth.

He and his sister also make the mistake of not prioritizing their survival in the Possible Future game. Instead, they get too fixated on the future the choices in the game will lead them. This mistake costs Itsuki, and he ends up dead in the final game. Since his arc remains unexplored even towards the end, even his death is not too tragic in season 3.

Yuna

Played by Akana Ikeda

Yuna is initially likable because of her willingness to be a team player and follow Usagi’s leadership during the games. However, she, too, obsesses a little too much over her choices in the Possible Futures game. Owing to this obsession, she and her brother, Itsuki, forget that their survival in the present is more important than what the future holds for them.

Her inability to detach herself from the outcome is what eventually leads to her brother’s death. Since her arc also lacks enough depth in Alice in Borderland season 3, it becomes hard to truly empathize with her loss towards the end.

Sachiko

Played by Risa Sudou

What makes Sanchiko one of the better players in Alice in Borderland season 3 is her non-confrontational and friendly demeanor. However, this also becomes her biggest shortcoming when she refuses to take a stand for her friends and stays timid even in the face of danger. The show reveals some dark things about her life from the real world, which makes it hard not to empathize with her.

However, since Sanchiko never takes center stage and always allows her others to lead her to victory in the games, she never becomes a fan-favorite in season 3. Because of her lack of proactiveness, she never grows to become one of the better players in the Netflix Japanese live-action show.

Tetsu

Played by Koji Ohkura

Koji Ohkura’s Alice in Borderland season 3 character, Tetsu, struggles with his drug addiction during the games. Despite his struggles with his addiction and growing need to use it, he continually tries to prove his worth to the team by staying loyal to them and establishing his moral code.

Unfortunately, Tetsu seems doomed by his fate. The more he progresses in the Possible Futures game, the more he realizes that he is destined to live in a future where he will end up succumbing to his drug addiction. Every choice he makes in the game tricks him into stepping closer to the same tragic future.

Ultimately, Tetsu accepts his death, realizing that it would at least free him from the burden of living his destiny. The lack of a positive resolution in his arc seems unfair, given how he comes off as a good man.

Nobu

Played by Kotaro Daigo

In Alice in Borderland season 3’s opening arc, Nobu only remains an observer as he watches others solve the central games. He allows his fate to be dictated by the decisions of other players. Even in the second game, Zombie Hunt, he allows other players to tell him what to do and even kills a player only because he is asked to.

However, being friends with Arisu helps him grow a spine and take a stand for himself. Owing to this, before the Zombie Hunt game ends, he even dares to confront the former Yakuza member, Kazuya, and turn him on his side. He even gets a satisfying closure where he makes it out alive, which makes him even more memorable in the series.

Kazuya

Played by Hiroyuki Ikeuchi

Kazuya starts out as one of the villains in Alice in Borderland season 3. He brutally kills players in the Zombie Hunt game and shows no qualms about defying moral boundaries just to ensure his own survival. The show also hints that even in the real world, he was not a saint and committed many gruesome acts as a Yakuza member.

However, Kazuya eventually goes on to have one of the most cathartic story arcs. After Nobu saves him in the Zombie Hunt game, he remains grateful. He even helps Arisu clear the Kick the Can game when Arisu becomes incapable of competing by himself. With his head held high, Kazuya even fights till the end in the Kick the Can game before sacrificing his life for the team.

His transformation and willingness to play with his heart on his sleeve make him one of the best characters in Alice in Borderland season 3.

Rei

Played by Tina Tamashiro

Rei is arguably the best new character in Alice in Borderland season 3 because she comes off as Chishiya’s perfect replacement. Like Chishiya, she carries herself with a nonchalant demeanor and cleverly navigates every game. Even in the Possible Futures game, she ensures that her decision benefits the entire team and avoids taking the projections on the walls too seriously.

It is hard not to feel Chichiya’s absence almost throughout Alice in Borderland season 3. However, in more ways than one, Rei manages to fill the void with her charm and intelligence.