‘If only we could reset reality!’

In these uncertain times, it’s tempting to think the above. But as shows like The Stand, and now Alice in Borderland, prove time and time again, things could always be a whole lot worse. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Haro Aso, this new Netflix show is an ambitious production which uses the basic premise of gaming to explore some quite complex issues indeed.

Three young loser friends, Arisu (Kento Yamazaki from Death Note), Chōta (Two Weeks’ Yûki Morinaga) and Karube (Keita Machida from Last Chance), are all struggling with their own problems in life. Arisu is a disappointment to his family and spends all his time online gaming; Karube has managed to get himself fired from his job as a barman over a love affair with a girl; and Chōta is now skint after helping his mum out with money. They meet up to commiserate, but their larking about in downtown Tokyo draws the attention of the police, forcing them to hide. When they emerge, however, they find that everyone else has disappeared. So far, so I Am Legend…

The more they think about it, the more they reckon this could be a blessing in disguise, a fresh start. But that soon changes when they find themselves in a deadly Escape Room-type scenario, where if they try to leave without finishing up the game they’re in they get lasered through the head. It’ll take some quick thinking, plus help from savvy newcomer Saori (Ayame Misaki) to get them out of it alive…

That’s just the start of their problems, mind. They only have a certain amount of time off – a visa – between the games, which all revolve around playing cards (Hearts have an element of emotion, Clubs tend to have a physical aspect and so on, with numbers being the difficulty factor). If they don’t play, they die, so at least there’s a chance when they co-operate. What happens when the games pit them against each other, though? And who is really running the show?

It’s rare in a series that lasts eight episodes for the tension to not only be sustained, but to keep being ratcheted up until the final moments. How Alice in Borderland does that is not only by changing the nature of the games – so you feel like you’re watching a more bloodthirsty weekly edition of The Crystal Maze or Krypton Factor, ranging from fun with fire-jets and deadly tag, to a horrific marathon through an underground tunnel and a witch hunt – but also by introducing layer upon layer of secrets. Just when you think you might have something worked out, or the characters do, the rug gets pulled out from underneath you.

Yes, the show does adhere to well-worn tropes like the old post-apocalyptic chestnut of people gathering and trying to start a community, the more violent and intelligent ones vying for leadership (drawing comparisons with The Prisoner as well: who will be Number Two, who is Number One?). Yes, as you’d expect, it has elements of Alice in Wonderland, except there’s more than one Alice here (transported, not to a Wonderland but a Nightmare one), including a ‘Hatter’, the playing card references and even a hint at a dark queen. And yes, there’s the usual speculation about what’s going on: is it a dream, aliens, chips in the brain?

But it’s also a commentary on growing up, facing your fears and responsibilities, the dangers of losing yourself in an online world, friendships and relationships. There’s also plenty of action and general nastiness to balance out the more ‘preachy’ bits. A series 2 is on the way, and the first one definitely ends by setting that up (‘There will be new games!’).

Verdict: So what are you waiting for? You’re already late for a very important date! ‘Never hesitate to deal the final blow!’ 9/10                                                    

Paul Kane