©Courtesy of Netflix

“Alice in Borderland” : Two reluctant allies must compete in brutal games in a parallel version of Tokyo, which is the main focus of the popular Japanese series. Each game is represented by the suits of playing cards to indicate its difficulty and how much time players can stay in Borderlands.

The third season of “Alice in Borderland” will dramatically shake up the main cast, with several new stars joining in confirmed and undisclosed roles. However, lead Kento Yamazaki will be back as gamer Ryohei Arisu as well as Tao Tsuchiya as his love interest and ally in the Borderlands, mountain climber Yuzuha Usagi. Also returning will be Hayato Isomura as Banda, Katsuya Maiguma as Yaba and Ayaka Miyoshi as Ann.

Netflix’s official synopsis for the new season reads: “After Usagi is abducted and left unconscious by a mysterious scholar obsessed with the afterlife, Arisu returns to the perilous Borderland to save her. “Teaming up with new players, they must face the yet-unseen Joker stage in a desperate bid to find a way back to their original world.”

©Courtesy of Netflix

Interview with Actor Kento Yamazaki and Actress Tao Tsuchiya 

Q : It is for both of you. “Alice in Borderland” explores the meaning of why people live. In season 3, the leads continue to survive for their ideals. So as actors, you must also have many moments where you give everything with no regrets. So how do you like your characters maintain that drive and passion to keep moving.

Kento Yamazaki : For from the beginning, from season 1, this was going to be a Japanese piece of work that was going to be seen by a global audience. And that was a challenge. And I feel like to continue to take on challenges is is motivating me. Also, of course, I got to work with the lovely Tao Tsuchiya, not just on ”Alice in Borderland”, but other works as well. And you know, to be able to create something together with the people that we’ve met on the on the road. I think also it’s part of my motivation to continue.

Kento Yamazaki : Are you going to say, “me too”?

Tao Tsuchiya : I think so too..when I hear people’s reaction and feedback for my work, even if it was something that I really struggle through, it makes me feel so validated that I’m so happy to have taken on that work. And like Kento said, you get to work with people you met on the way through past and to be able to deliver a different work as I think that certainly is part of my drive.

Kento Yamazaki : (Response to Tao’s answer) Me too, me too.

Tao Tsuchiya : You’re cheating..(lol)

Q : So, Usagi often represents inner strength. What have you learned from this character that has shaped you personally outside the screen?

Tao Tsuchiya : Well, I would say her perseverance that she never gives up and she always acts for somebody else to protect someone and that inspires me greatly.

Q : It’s for both of you. Ryuji is a new phase in Arise and Usagi’s story. How do you think he shakes things up for them, both as people and as a couple?

Tao Tsuchiya : So, this may be part one of our answer. So I had more scenes with Ryuji. And so from Usagi’s point of view, I think they do feel like they understand each other’s way of thinking or their wishes, but there’s still things that they don’t. And through communication that we build bonds. And I think because of that encounter with Ryuji, Usagi is feelings for Arise is made even more clearer. I also think any human relationships are not easy, but you have to confront your vulnerability as well. And I think my character was able to do that with Ryuji.

©Courtesy of Netflix

Q : So, this question is for both of you. So, play the same role for the third time must be challenging, especially balancing the character that audiences love with the character’s personal growth. Is there anything about the character that you always keep in mind to maintain the essence throughout your performance?

Kento Yamazaki : In season 1 and season 2, as the actor in real life, I was able to overcome all the challenges. So that led to me having confidence. And so going into the season 3, that confidence, if you will, or the character itself never wavered. And with just like “Alice in Borderland” had grown, I also took on the challenges and grew as well and had gained that strength. And this time around his objective is very clear to take home Usagi. So I think yeah, I was over clear.

Tao Tsuchiya : For me to season 1 and season 2 with the character and with Arisu as well, I was also able to overcome all the challenges. So again, there was nothing that wavered going into season 3. And but what’s different is that Alice and Usagi are married since this time around and they are facing the challenges of Borderlands together as a married couple. And so in the in the last game is called “Future Sugoroku”, and obviously in terms of filming we had to film those scenes as well, and we were saying that, how can we film such happy scenes? This is for “Alice in Borderland.” But anyway, I think that strengthened their bond as or the characters.

Q : I’m curious about Arisu’s inner thoughts in the scene between Arisu and the elderly gentleman. Does Arisu have any doubt during this conversation, or is he always sure that the joys of life are worth all the struggle?

Kento Yamazaki : I think the he didn’t have any doubts at all because he was very clear about living. And of course, when we come back to the real world, the characters forget what had happened in Borderland. But of course in Borderland we had experienced losing loved ones, all these heartbreaking things. And also in the real life, he’s lost Karube and Chota, his friends as well. But in real life,  the character Arisu also met Usagi. And through their relationship is how he found the meaning of life. And he comes to the conclusion that even if there are hard times, it’s worth living.And I think that was so clear to him that even with the scene with elderly gentlemen, it never wavered.

Q : And that is for the both of you, the games in this season 3 are even tougher. By season 3, do you feel you’ve improved in any aspects compared to before? For example, your physical performance or solving puzzles faster.

Tao Tsuchiya ：I think Arise has a lot…

Kento Yamazaki : It must have been a lot of moments, with the games in season 3, Omikuji fortune and the runaway train. These are from these materials. So we were really excited as that, but I don’t think we improve in any way because we just take on the challenges that it that are the games and each time you have to try to think of a way to solve it and it’s just you know, be repeating that. But I would say the last moment of the Zombie game was really cool because it actually was, and I’m not going to give you anything else other than that.

Tao Tsuchiya : With me the same, I don’t think I’ve improved in any way, but I feel like rather than what pertains to me, I would like to mention how the crew was amazing because we did laser dodge and location was an incredible underground facility and it they only had stairs to bring in all the equipment. So I think they’re the strongest.

©Courtesy of Netflix

Q : In Season 3, Usagi reveals more of her inner emotions. What do you feel is the biggest difference compared to the previous two seasons?

Tao Tsuchiya : You may think at the glance that season 3 Usagi, it feels a little vulnerable compared to their previous seasons, but that’s not my interpretation. Because she has the resolve to want to become and build a family with Arise and she feels in order to do that, that she has to face her weakness, her trauma. And she feels like after only confronting, and overcoming that she will be able to protect this family. So that is my interpretation.

Q : This is for both of you. Unlike previous seasons, in season 3 you don’t share as many scenes together but interact more with new characters. How did you build chemistry with these new characters?

Kento Yamazaki : Well, speaking of team Arise, I think all the actors brought themselves to the characters and they’re all very fascinating. And we had even between takes, we would often talk about daily life. And I think that dynamic is something that carried on to the characters relationship, which was really fun.

Tao Tsuchiya : Well, in terms of Usagi’s team, in season 1 and season 2, most of her teammates came from her own sort of age group. And this time around there are people from different generations ages. So we were talking about future anxiety about life and I think that was one way to deepen our dynamic.

Q : So, the ending scene in the water felt so realistic. Could you share how it was shot and how it felt during the filming?

Kento Yamazaki : I tried my best not to drown.

Tao Tsuchiya : Yeah, absolutely. But yeah, it was the biggest set we had. From the outside, you would think it’s a gymnasium, but there was a pool inside and there were different teams, teams that were in charge of waves, teams that were in charge of splashes, and also teams that would be in charge of the water flowing. And so they, the action team, made sure that it was very safe for us to go in before we shot, but we try not to drown.

Yamazaki Kento: That shoot was truly incredible, wasn’t it?

Tsuchiya Tao: That’s why the stunt team did multiple tests and made sure the environment was as safe as possible before we tackled it.

Yamazaki Kento: Should I really talk about the actual production process…?

Tsuchiya Tao: Yeah, what kind of answer would be best…?

Yamazaki Kento: Should I go into detail about the (filming) techniques…?

Tsuchiya Tao: Or should I just talk about the mindset? Which would be better, I wonder.

Yamazaki Kento & Tsuchiya Tao: Both, maybe…?

Q : This is for kento-san. So, Arisu has been through the ringer in “Alice in Borderland.” By the end of Season 2, things seem peaceful for the character as he’s united with Usagi in the real world. But that life will not last. What can you tell fans about Arisu’s journey in the show’s third season?

Kento Yamazaki : Of course, he’s gone through and cleared many games and that has led to him gaining this fortitude, this strength, if you will. And he’s also experienced so many tragedies and that’s probably why he is currently working as a psychological counsellor. That’s his way of saving people. And to be able to do that of course means that he has grown throughout the season. So I think you will see the those qualities and how she’s able to embrace others.

Tao Tsuchiya: With a nurturing spirit…

Kento Yamazaki: …With a nurturing spirit…

Moderator : That was the last question.

Kento Yamazaki : Thank you, bye, bye.

Tao Tsuchiya : Thank you.

©Courtesy of Netflix

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Here’s the trailer of the series.