Squid Game 3 vs Alice in Borderland 3: Which Netflix Finale Won?

The world of streaming was recently abuzz with the final curtains falling on two of Netflix’s most celebrated non-English survival thrillers: the Korean phenomenon Squid Game (in its third season) and the Japanese live-action manga adaptation Alice in Borderland. Both series, despite their different origins, shared a comparable premise—desperate individuals trapped in deadly games of life and death—and both concluded their main narratives recently. However, the reactions to their respective finales could not be more polarized, leading to a definitive winner in the eyes of the global audience. This video dives deep into why the conclusion of Alice in Borderland not only succeeded in satisfying its fanbase but also exposed the narrative shortcomings of the much-hyped Squid Game finale.

At their core, both shows center around a male protagonist who, despite being lost or adrift in the real world, finds purpose and a will to survive through the brutal challenges of the games. Squid Game’s Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is a debt-ridden gambler, while Alice in Borderland’s Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) is an unemployed gaming enthusiast. Yet, the Japanese series, adapted from Haro Aso’s acclaimed manga, held a distinct advantage in its final season. Because the story was already established and well-regarded in its source material, the show’s creators were able to deliver a highly structured, character-driven conclusion. The final season of Alice in Borderland ventured into new, yet faithful, territory, providing fans with a beautifully resolved story. Protagonists Arisu and Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) successfully navigate their way out of the alternate reality of Tokyo, returning to the real world where they find happiness, stability, and a future together—a genuinely optimistic conclusion that celebrated their growth and resilience. The final scenes were embraced by viewers as a meaningful and well-earned end for characters they had rooted for over three seasons.

In stark contrast, the third season of Squid Game concluded quietly and, for a significant portion of the audience, disappointingly. The show’s original story wrapped up with a grim finale that left many feeling hollow and frustrated. Gi-hun, the hesitant victor of the original games, returned to the real world with billions in prize money but was completely consumed by guilt over the friends he lost and a burning obsession to expose and end the games forever. This emotional state leads him to make a sacrificial choice that, while heroic, prevents him from achieving a happy ending with his own daughter. Online forums and social media exploded with negative commentary, with one sentiment prevailing: Squid Game had seemingly abandoned its powerful anti-capitalism message from Season 1, evolving into a commercial “cash cow for Netflix” that culminated in a finale designed to set up spin-offs, including a US version, rather than delivering a satisfying resolution for its main character. Fans felt the sacrifice was pointless and the lack of a happy reunion for Gi-hun was an unnecessarily grim choice.

Ultimately, the audience’s response clearly dictates the winner of this final season showdown. Viewers praised Alice in Borderland for its successful development of both the plot and its characters, proclaiming it delivered a “meaningful conclusion.” Conversely, Squid Game’s ending was criticized for failing to meet fan expectations, leaving a sour taste and suggesting a compromise of narrative integrity for the sake of franchise extension. While both series cleverly hinted at continuations—Alice in Borderland with the lingering question of the Joker card and potential spin-offs, and Squid Game with the Front Man traveling to Los Angeles and the introduction of a US version of The Salesman—the positive momentum and emotional connection remain firmly with the Japanese manga adaptation. This compelling comparison highlights the critical importance of a satisfying character arc and a meaningful conclusion, a victory that Alice in Borderland secured with ease over its Korean counterpart.

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