Alice in Borderland: Season 1 - EP 5, 6, 7 & 8 Recap

Episode 5

Episode 5 of Alice In Borderland begins with Arisu doing his best to try and work
out where The Beach is. Usagi and Arisu are going in circles and realize their
visas will run out soon (in three days to be precise) unless they get a move on.

“Alice In Borderland” Episode 5 opens with Arisu trying to find the beach. Usagi
and Arisu are in panic because their survival passes will expire in three days
unless they do something.

The next day, Usagi teaches Arisu some important survival techniques. As night
rolls in, Usagi and Arisu realize that some of the boys wearing a locker key are
from the same team. Watching from afar, they watch as three boys get into a car
and drive off. They decide to chase on foot, which leads them to a hotel with
“Beach” written on the side; their destination.

The following day, Usagi trains Arisu in some useful survival methods. As
evening approaches, Usagi and Arisu notice some boys who have a locker key
are on the same team. From a distance, they see the three of them hop in a car
and speed off. They run after them, which leads them to a hotel with a sign that
reads “Beach”; the arrival point.

Unfortunately the duo are blindsided and knocked out, brought before an
eccentric man called Hatter who seems to have the answers they seek. After a
flamboyant greeting, dressed in a large robe and clearly not of sane mind, Hatter
opens a sliding door in front of them.

Suddenly, the two of them are struck and lose consciousness, then find
themselves in front of a strange man named Hatter, who has answers for the
pair. Following his elaborate and somewhat insane introduction, and donning a
huge robe, Hatter slides open a door for them.

A large wall holds a series of playing cards with each one marked off with a large
cross. It turns out the only way to clear the game and return to the real world is
by gathering all the playing cards. Given it’s impossible for one person to do it
alone, Hatter encourages them to collect the cards with him.
A giant wall is covered in an array of playing cards with every one checked off
with a big “X.” It is revealed the only way to complete the game and go back to
reality is by acquiring all the cards. Since it's highly unlikely to finish this alone,
Hatter suggest they get the cards together.

This self-proclaimed ruler believes they’re in some sort of country (especially

given the visas) and theorizes that if they continue to collect al the cards then
one by one they’ll all manage to get out – with Hatter going first of course.

The self- appointed leader suspects they are in a kind of foreign lang since they
have “visas” and surmises that if they keep getting all the cards then they will
manage to escape, the first being Hatter himself.

This hotel complex is a very different atmosphere to the one Usagi and Arisu are
used to, as a large swarm of people party through to the night. As the sun sets,
Hatter briefs the kids below who follow his every word, acting as an army for this
guy.

The hotel compound is so unlike the ones Usagi and Arisu are familiar with, since
big crowds of people rage all night. When sunset comes, Hatter tells them to
heed every instruction he gives and they be like his soldiers.

Games are completed simultaneously by this self-made army, who work together
to complete different tests and gain playing cards quickly. Arisu is taken aside
with Kuina and An for a new test to see who’s good enough to become an
executive at the Beach.

The games will begin concurrently with each one’s own assembled army, who
will unite to finish various tasks and obtain playing cards as fast as they can.
Arisu is briefed with Kuina and An for a new mission to decide who is skilled
enough to be appointed the executive at the Beach.

The game is deadly, featuring rising water and electrical currents. Thanks to
Arisu’s quick thinking and scientific knowledge, he manages to survive his game.
Usagi survives hers too, heading back with the others to the party.

The game could prove fatal given it combines high waters and electric shocks.
Luckily, due to Arisu’s fast impulses and science skills he is able to complete his
game. Usagi also finishes and heads back to the group.
As Kuina talks to the pair about dating, they’re both interrupted by the militants of
the Beach arriving. Kept in check by leader Aguni, these men immediately throw
their weight around, demanding Usagi go with him. However, Hatter shows up
and manages to convince Aguni to lay off them for now.

Kuina is chatting with the two about love life when they are disturbed by a military
force storming the Beach. Controlled by their leader Aguni, they act aggressively
and try to force Usagi to surrender. Fortunately, Hatter arrives and is able to
persuade Aguni to acquiesce for the moment.

There’s clearly trouble brewing in paradise though, as Arisu is brought before the
higher-ups in an executive meeting. This, of course, coming off the back of his
impressive win in the games.

However, there is certainly unrest developing, because Arisu is taken to the

leaders in an executive briefing. They have clearly noticed his substantial
completion in the previous games.

He listens as they discuss the various playing cards and aside from the face
cards, the only one left is the 10 of hearts. Hatter’s visa is going to expire soon
too and as everyone in the room learns this, each of the different members of
Agui’s militant force exchange knowing glances to one another.

Arisu over hears them talking about different playing cards and that besides the
face cards, the last one is the 10 of Hearts. Hatter’s pass is approaching
expiration and once they all are aware of this, Agui’s army look to one another
decisively.

Hatter is clearly unstable and as he talks to Arisu, he discusses the new Beach
and how his old comrades “abandoned” him. He sees himself as the one and
only hero and tells Arisu that heroes need tragedies to move forward.

Hatter is obviously uneasy as he converses with Arisu about the new Beach and
how his old friends “deserted” him. He views himself as a sole hero and
expresses to Arisu that heroes endure misfortunes to keep persevering.

Episode 6

Hatter begins episode 6 of Alice In Borderland by vowing to create a utopia at the

beach while talking to Aguni. This is, of course, a flashback as we jump back to
the present and see Hatter sitting at his table stashing a group of playing cards in
his box.

In Episode 6 of “Alice In Borderland”, Hatter declares to Aguni that he will form a

utopia at the beach. Apparently, a flashback, as we return to real time, where
Hatter is at his table stuffing playing cards in a box.

After a hard night of partying, a hungover Arisu is awoken by Usagi who

comments that Hatter has taken a fancy to him. Because of this, he should use
this newfound power to his advantage and gather as much information as
possible from those inside the Beach resort.

Following a long evening of parties, Arisu is hungover and Usagi wakes him to let
him know Hatter is infatuated by him. He suggest Arisu use this information for
his own gain and to obtain more inside knowledge internally at the Beach resort.

Along the way he hears numerous different theories, each as depressing as the
next about who the game master is and what they’re all doing there.

As he continues, he learns many unique hypotheses about who’s the master

behind it all, every prediction more dismal than other.

Arisu and Usagi refuse to be seduced by this place though, seeing through the
façade of it being a utopia and discovering the ugly truth of what lies hidden from
everyone. And that truth comes in the form of a dumpster full of dead bodies. Or
“traitors” as Kuina and Chishiya call them when they show up moments later

However, Arisu and Usagi are not being fooled by this place and can recognize
the illusion of a utopia with a dark truth that lies beneath. And this revelation is
confirmed with a dumpster filled with corpses. Or “ betrayers” as Kuina and
Chishiya have coined them as they appear shortly.

Taking Arisu to the rooftop, the pair both comment on how much information he’s
gathered and want to know what he’s planning. For Arisu it’s simple – he wants
to survive and learn exactly who or what is behind the games. Right now, he’s
only staying alive for Usagi and gaining vengeance for his friends.

They bring Arisu to the roof and they commend him on how much knowledge
he’s obtained and want to learn what his next steps are. For him, it’s clear he just
wants to live and know who is the master behind all of this. Presently, he’s only
surviving for the sake of Usagi and to avenge his friends.

It turns out Kuina and Chishiya are planning a coup of their own and ask Arisu
whether he wants to join them in changing the status quo. Both of them are smart
enough to realize the militants will take over soon – it’s only a matter of when not
if. When they do overthrow the Hatter, Chishiya is going to steal the cards and
make a break for it.

Surprisingly, Kuina and Chishiya are devising their own takeover and approach
Arisu about joining and disrupting the current state. Each of them is wise enough
to know the military force will soon invade since it’s only a matter of time. When
they overtake the Hatter, Chishiya will run off with the cards and escape.

Before then though, Arisu and Chishiya are brought before the Hatter who
happens to be passed out in his room with a gunshot wound in the chest. Hatter
didn’t manage to clear his game and all clues point to Aguni and his goons being
responsible. By force, all the different players are eventually forced to vote for
Aguni as the new leader.

Prior to this, Arisu and Chishiya are taken to the Hatter who has collapsed in his
room having been shot in the chest. Hatter was unable to pass his challenge and
they suspect Aguni and his cronies are to blame. With no choice, all the other
players are coerced into choosing Aguni as the new leader.

With Aguni taking his place at the head of the table, Chishiya rallies the troops
ready to put their plan into action. While Aguni delivers a speech to the others in
the main atrium, Chishiya stays on lookout duty while Arisu tries to break the safe
open.

With Aguni now as the assigned leader, Chishiya assembles the soldiers to enact
their strategy. During Aguni’s address to those in the main forum, Chishiya
remains on watch whilst Arisu attempts to pry open the safe.

Unfortunately the combination fails and as he turns around, Arisu stares in the
face of Aguni’s goons and Chishiya who seems to have betrayed them all.

Sadly, the combination does not work and as he turns, Arisu looks straight into
the eyes of Chishiya and Aguni’s cronies, who have deceived everyone.
With both Usagi and Arisu captured, Arisu is forced into a dark, dingy room and
tied to a chair. Usagi meanwhile, finds herself in a desperate situation with Niragi
looking to force himself on her.

Usagi and Arisu are both taken prisoner and Arisu is placed in a near pitch black,
dirty room and bound to a chair. Usagi is in an even worse predicament: confined
with Niragi who is attempting to violate her.

With both of our protagonists out the picture, Kuina and Chishiya put their plan
into action, finding the safe hidden behind a picture of a stag on the wall. It turns
out the safe Arisu found was just a decoy and they used him as bait.

With both of them now out of their way, Kuina and Chishiya begin to enact their
scheme, having located the safe tucked away behind a hanging photo of a deer.
The safe that Arisu had discovered was just a trap to lure him.

Kuina stands outside the door on lookout duty while Chishiya manages to find
the cards and prepares to take off. On the way out the door though, Kuina has
second thoughts and feels bad for Arisu.

Kuina waits outside the entrance on watch, while Chishiya is able to locate her
cards and gets ready to make his run. While exiting however, Kuina hesitates
and feels guilty about Arisu.

Unfortunately that’s the least of their worries as a strange field of lasers appears
around the Paradise Hotel. A new game is about to begin and this one happens
to be for the 10 of hearts card.

However, that’s the least of their concerns since an ominous mass of lasers
surround the Paradise Hotel. A new challenge for the 10 of Hearts is about to
commence.

As all players assemble in the lobby, a girl called Momoka happens to be lying on
her back with a knife through her heart. The game they’re about to play is “Witch
Hunt” and all the men and women inside must find and burn the one responsible
for Momoka’s death.

While the players gather in the hall, a girl named Momoka lies outstretched
having been stabbed in the chest. This challenge is called “Witch Hunt” and
everyone in the hotel must hunt down the one who killed Momoka.
Episode 7

With 2 hours to find the culprit, episode 7 of Alice In Borderland begins with all
the players quickly turning on each other as the kids are forced to reveal what
they’ve been up to. An tells the others that Hatter was murdered and brandishes
the bullet she found inside him as proof.

In Episode 7 of “Alice In Borderland”, only 2 hours remain to locate the murderer

and they begin going against one another once they confess what they’ve all
done. An reveals that Hatter was killed and shows the bullet as her evidence.

When Aguni shows however, the militant forces rally together and exert their
authority. They decide to take out the “useless people” and burn them on the fire
outside.

Upon Aguni’s arrival, the military force assembles and begins to take charge.
They agree to kill off the “weak ones” and set them ablaze outside.

As bullets pierce the once-tranquil hallways, the militant soldiers exert their will
and start systematically killing people and throwing them on the fire outside. It’s a
shocking display of power and one that shows just how far people can be
corrupted for a singular cause.

Bullets rain down on the once peaceful corridors as the troops enact there plans
and begin their murder spree, tossing bodies into the fire below. It’s a terrifying
use of power and confirms how far deception can take people.

With everyone distracted and fighting for their lives, in the basement a fire breaks
out and threatens to engulf the entire hotel. This happens to be a ploy to bring
everyone outside where Niragi is up on the rooftop ready to snipe all the innocent
bystanders.

With all the people engaged in warfare and struggling to survive, a fire goes off in
the basement, which is starting to spread through the whole building. However,
this is just a distraction to move the crowds out of the hotel, while Nigari waits on
the roof prepared to shoot them off one by one.

He certainly doesn’t feel great about doing this and as we see from flashbacks,
he was bullied badly as a student. Chishiya eventually shows and brags about
how clear he is, eventually burning him with a makeshift flamethrower. As
screams pierce the air, Niragi falls to his doom.
Through flashbacks, we see that he is sensing guilt about his actions, since he
was once tormented as a student. Chishiya, on the other hand, boasts how
serious he is and sets him ablaze with a man-made flame thrower. His cries echo
through the sky and he descends to his death.

Usagi finds out where Arisu is being held, courtesy of a soldier unable to follow
through with these barbaric orders any longer.

Usagi is able to locate where Arisu is being kept captive, through a soldier who
refuses to listen to the devious demands anymore.

Kuina finds An searching around for clues, which comes in the form of super glue
to show the finger prints on the knife. This should, in theory, reveal who the real
killer is. Only, when they get there the sword-wielding goon called Last Boss
stands ready for them.

Kuina discovers An hunting for evidence, who finds prints on the knife left by
super glue. They hope this will expose who the committed the murder. But when
they arrive, an insane man named “Last Boss” await them brandishing his sword.

Kuina does her best to evade his blows, as we cut back in time and see what
happened to her. Interestingly, she was a boy before this called Hikari and since
then, has become this beautiful and incredibly skilled girl. After her operation, she
head back to see her Mother in hospital, who comments how beautiful she is.

In a flashback we see how Kuina tried hard to avoid his attacks. We learn she
used to be a man and is now a stunning and highly skilled woman. After her
transition, she returns to visit her Mom in the hospital, who tells her how pretty
she has become.

By comparison, it’s clear Last Boss has no future and fully embraced this world
when he was whisked across into the game. It’ an interesting juxtaposition of
fate, one that sees both of them haunted by the ghosts of the past.

However, it’s obvious Last Boss has no ambitions and has succumbed to this
land as soon as he was transported into the game. It’s a ironic comparison of
fates, in which both are tormented by the horror of their histories.
Last Boss shatters glass across the floor as a deterrent but it doesn’t work with
Kuina. Eventually she bests the man, leaving him a crumpled, bloody heap on
the floor.

Last Boss breaks glass on the floor to prevent her but it fails. Ultimately, she
defeats him, leaving his bloody body sprawled on the ground.

Usagi continues up to the fourth floor and finds Arisu locked in a room. Handing
the phone over to him, Arisu talks about the purpose of this game and how it’s
being used to toy with people’s emotions.

Usagi makes his way to the fourth level and locates Arisu stuck in a room. He
gives him the phone and Arisu tells the reason for the game and how it mission is
to mess with their minds.

Trying to work out who’s pulling the strings, Arisu turns his attention to the game
master rather than the witch. It certainly seems like quite the opportunistic time to
start this game and theorizes that it could be a deliberate ploy to pick off their
number.

Arisu looks to the master of the game as opposed to the witch, in hopes he can
figure out who’s behind it all. It’s evidently a calculated move and he perceives it
could be a purposeful attempt to take out their number.

An seemingly figures out who’s responsible for killing Momoka but she’s knocked
out on the way out the door by one of the soldiers. Arisu suddenly stands and
realizes just who the witch is.

An eventually finds out who killed Momoka, but gets knocked unconscious by a
militant while trying to escape. Arisu immediately rises and knows exactly who’s
the witch.

Episode 8

We begin the season 1 finale of Alice In Borderland with Momoka and Asahi
walking through Tokyo with a phone that seems to be working. It’s been five days
since everyone disappeared and they’ve decided to leave a message for
whoever finds it.

Episode 8
At the start of the season 1 finale of “Alice in Borderland”, Momoka and Asahi
venture through Tokyo with a working cell phone. Five days have passed since
everybody vanished and they attempt to leave a message for anyone who might
hear it.

As they descend into the subway, numerous questions remain over this scene.
How did their phone work when all other electronics are switched off? Are they
part of this game? And who is the witch?

On the way down into the subway, many questions are still unanswered about
this situation. Why do their cell phones work if other electronics are disabled? Are
they part of the game ? And who is the witch ?

Well, Aguni gathers the troops in the main atrium as a final stand-off sees him
ready to kill everyone. Arisu and Usagi appear though and plead with Aguni to
see reason and work to find the witch. It turns out that witch happens to be
Aguni, which he’s quick to admit to.

Aguni assembles soldiers in the main hall as a final battle approaches to

annihilate the rest. Arisu and Usagi beg him to change his course and instead
hunt for the witch. Ironically, Aguni himself is the witch, which is willingly
confesses.

Arisu is not so sure that’s the real truth though. He sees through Aguni’s façade
and reveals that he and Hatter were best friends and faked a conflict to keep the
dangerous militants in check. What began as a simple task was only made more
complicated by Hatter deciding to add another rule to kill any traitors – turning
this democracy into a dictatorship.

Arisu doubts this though. He recognizes Aguni’s lies and realizes Hatter and him
were close pals who staged a rivalry to make sure the militants were loyal. What
started out as an easy plan, was made more difficult when Hatter sought to
murder any rebels, resulting in a dictatorship.

Hatter turned on Aguni during his final game and Aguni was forced to fire back in
retaliation. However, that doesn’t excuse him from taking this opportunity to kill
everyone in sight of course. Anyway, back in the present Arisu deduces that they
could find a way to solve the game without killing anyone else. As he points at
Momoka, he tells them that she could be the witch herself.
Hatter went against Aguni in the last game and Aguni had to attack in response.
Of course ,this is no reason to decide to kill off anyone and everyone. Back in
present time, Arisu thinks they could figure out a way to complete the game
without any more deaths. As he looks at Momoka, he confirms that she might in
fact be the witch.

Aguni refuses to listen any longer and as fighting erupts, Asahi suddenly dies
from a laser to the head after calling herself the dealer. When An shows, she
reveals there was a reverse grip on the knife, backing up Arisu’s original theory
that Momoka is the actual witch.

Aguni will not hear anymore and a conflict ensues. Asahi is shot to death by a
laser in her head after saying she was the dealer. When An arrives, she tells
them there was another print on the knife, supporting Arisu’s suspicion that
Momoka is the witch.

Together with Arisu’s impassioned plea, the pair ready themselves to burn
Momoka’s body until Niragi suddenly shows up and starts shooting everyone.
Even worse, he spreads the fire and laughs maniacally.

Arisu makes a passionate speech as the two prepare to burn Momoka’s body.
But Niragi appears and begins firing at all of them. He causes the fire to spread
and insanely cackles during his attack.

Aguni sacrifices himself though and throws Niragi back in the fire; a final selfless
act to save them all. As Arisu heads outside with the others to burn Momoka’s
body, he notices that the phone on the ground is still recording.

Aguni is able to put Niragi back into the flames and gives up his own life to do so.
A righteous deed to spare the rest of them. Arisu goes back outside to burn
Momoka’s body and sees the phone recording everything.

Under the dancing flames of the fire, Arisu tells Usagi and the others that they
need to stop this; no more killing. Chishiya takes full advantage of this and grabs
the 10 of hearts card on the table.

Amongst the rapid blaze of fire, Arisu pleads to Usagi and the others to cease
everything. No more death and destruction. Chishiya uses this opportunity to
steal the 10 of Hearts card on the table.
In the morning, Usagi and Arisu check the footage from Momoka’s phone. It turns
out Momoka and Asahi were responsible for setting up some of the games. They
worked together to join different games, sometimes as taggers or to intentionally
disrupt the flow of the game.

At sunrise, Usagi and Arisu look at the recording on Momoka’s phone. It is

revealed Momoka and Asahi were used to plan a few of the games. They
conspired with one another to intercept various games, occasionally as taggers
or to purposely interrupt the game itself.

As the footage continues, these two descend down the subway and deep into the
Dealer’s lair which seems to be a massive series of structures backed up by
electronics and numerous suit-wearing people. They’re watching all these games
take place and seem to be finding enjoyment in all this bloodshed. Are these
people the game-masters?

The recording also shows the pair go into the subway and into the Dealer’s Den,
which is a conglomerate of systems run by electronics and a lot of people in
suits. They are viewing all the games and are visibly entertained by all the death
and destruction. Could these be the masters pulling the strings ?

Usagi and Arisu take this information and head down to the subway themselves
to take a closer look. The various different workers happen to be lying face-down
on the tables with bullet holes in them.

Usagi and Arisu decide to confirm the footage by going into the subway to see for
themselves. The numerous worked are head down with bullets shot through
them.

With all the lights shut off, Chishiya and Kuina suddenly appear out the shadows
and reveal that they found this same hideout courtesy of the drawing inside the
tagger’s pocket. This, of course, is a direct nod toward that earlier episode with
the game of tag. The drawing happens to be a map.

In the darkness, Chishiya and Kuina show up and confirm they located this exact
secret lair using the picture in the tagger’s pocket. This is in reference to the
previous episode with the game of tag. The picture is actually a map.

Chishiya jokes that the real leader could be aliens or even God but suddenly the
lights turn on as Mira appears on the screen along with various snippets of all
those who have died so far. She wants to give them a “present” which happens
to be a series of new gams for them to take part in.

Chishiya jests that the true Master could be extraterrestrial or even God but at
that moment the lights return and Mira is on the screen with a video collage of all
the ones killed in the games. She would like to bestow them with a “gift”; a new
set of games to join.

The next stage will appear at noon the following day, meaning they need to fight
again. This time though, they know who their target is. As fireworks explode over
Tokyo, the stage is set to begin as giant blimps show up carrying the face cards
they need.

The next level will commence at 12pm the next day, which means they must
battle again. However, this round they know who their target will be. While
fireworks rain down over Tokyo, the games are set to start as huge blimps
appear in the sky showing the cards they must get.

Episode Review

With another trademark Netflix cliffhanger, Alice In Borderland ends with a couple
of questions answered but mostly just more questions going forward. It seems
likely that the EMP blast is what wiped out the electronics, with Momoka’s phone
the only working mobile. How does the game recruit these men and women?
How do the lasers work? Is the game some giant VR simulation? Or is there
something more sinister going on here?

With the typical Netflix teaser, Alice in Borderland concludes with a few questions
solved but more more to be continued. It seems probable that the EMP explosion
is what killed all the electronics except for Momoka’s cell phone. How do people
get chosen for these games ? What sets off the lasers? Is the whole thing a
massive virtual simulator? Or is there something darker beneath ?

What is clear, however, is just how much Chishiya is hiding from the others. His
telling conversation at the end about aliens and God is a direct reference to the
conversation Arisu had in Shibuya during episode 1. Was he eavesdropping at
the time? Or is he working with the game master?

What is evident is that Chishiya is concealing a lot from everyone. His revealing
remark at the end about extraterrestrials and God was a link to the conversation
Arisu had with Shibuya in episode 1. Was he spying on them ? Or is he in
cahoots with the Master ?

Given he didn’t really move all that much during the game of tag, it’s not outside
the realm of possibility that he’s a spy. After all, we’ve seen him quickly switching
sides to suit his own desires.

Since he did not do much during the game of tag, it’s possible he could be a spy.
Also because he’s chosen different sides to benefit himself.

It’s still not clear how this feeds back into the game world itself but despite the
cliffhanger, Alice In Borderland has been a pleasant surprise this week. The
ending certainly leaves the door wide open for where this one may go next… if
it’s renewed for season 2 that is.

It’s still unclear how this relates back to the whole game world but even with the
teasers, Alice in Borderland has been a refreshing treat this week. The
conclusion leaves the possibilities open for where the next one leads… if it’s a go
for a second season of course.

Whether it is or not, the medley of different influences make this one of the better
series released this year and a highly enjoyable watch from start to finish.

Whatever the outcome, the array of colorful influences make this one of the
stronger series that have come out this year and it’s been very entertaining to
engage from beginning to end.