Why was Alice in Borderland stopped at Season 3? What we know as Netflix says it's the ‘last season’

Netflix's Japanese sci-fi thriller Alice in Borderland concludes with Season 3, following its global popularity.

Published on: Jan 25, 2026, 13:08:17 IST

By Prakriti Deb

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Netflix has brought its Japanese sci-fi thriller Alice in Borderland to an end with Season 3, more than a year after its debut on the platform. While the show enjoyed global popularity and was frequently compared to Squid Game, the streamer has not offered a detailed explanation for why the series will not continue beyond its third instalment.

The series, adapted from Haro Aso’s Japanese manga, first premiered on Netflix in December 2020. (Netflix Official Site)

Confirmation by Netflix

Netflix confirmed that Alice in Borderland concluded with Season 3 referring to it as the “third and last season” in a report. The streamer did not issue a formal cancellation announcement or provide a specific reason for ending the show.

Also Read: Netflix amends Warner Bros deal to all-cash offer to keep Paramount at bay

The series, adapted from Haro Aso’s Japanese manga, first premiered on Netflix in December 2020. It follows a group of young people forced to compete in deadly games in a deserted version of Tokyo. Over time, the show built a sizable international audience.

Netflix data showed that the third season recorded around 25 million views.

Was Season 3 always meant to be the end?

While Netflix has not publicly explained its decision, fans have suggested that the show reached a natural conclusion.

As reported by The Independent, several viewers pointed out on social media that the live-action series had largely covered the complete arc of the original manga, which ran from 2010 to 2016.

Some fans argued that the main storyline effectively concluded earlier, with Season 3 drawing on limited additional material rather than setting up a longer continuation.

Netflix itself has not confirmed whether the show was always planned as a three-season series.

Also Read: 'Netflix wants to push action set pieces early in films': Matt Damon on how streamer is catering to ‘people on phones’

Did reviews play a role?

The third season received a more mixed response. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 3 held a 63% critics’ score and a 57% audience rating, lower than earlier seasons.

However, neither Netflix nor the show’s creators have linked the series’ conclusion to its critical reception.

Netflix’s only official position so far is that Season 3 marks the end of the series, without clarifying why.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prakriti Deb
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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