Welcome to the Borderland#
Imagine being transported from the bustling streets of Tokyo to a desolate version of the city where the only way to survive is to play sadistic, high-stakes games. This is the nightmare facing Ryōhei Arisu, a high school student dissatisfied with his mundane life, and his friends Karube and Chōbe. After a sudden event involving giant fireworks, they find themselves in a parallel world where losing a game means immediate death.
If you are considering diving into this intense world, you might be wondering if the anime provides a complete experience. You can watch the anime on Prime Video to see the survival games in action.
Is the Alice in Borderland Anime Finished?#
Whether the anime is “finished” depends on how much of the story you want to experience. The anime adaptation was released in 2014, while the original manga concluded its run in 2015.
While the anime offers a glimpse into Arisu’s struggle, those seeking the definitive conclusion and the full breadth of the narrative will need to turn to the source material. Furthermore, the story extends beyond the original plot; there is a sequel manga titled Alice in Borderland Retry (which has seen recent releases via Viz), meaning the anime only covers a portion of the overall franchise timeline. To get the full story, we highly recommend you buy the Alice in Borderland manga.
Who Should Watch This?#
Alice in Borderland is a perfect match for viewers who enjoy the Fantasy and Thriller genres. Its primary appeal lies in its high-tension survival game premise and the psychological toll it takes on the characters. If you enjoy stories about desperate characters fighting for their lives while trying to uncover the mystery of a strange new world, this is for you.
If you enjoy the thrill of the series, you might also want to pick up some official merchandise to remember the intensity of the games.
The Ultimate Order of Consumption#
Navigating the different versions of this story can be tricky. Depending on your preference, here are the best ways to experience the series. For a detailed visual breakdown, please refer to the relationship tree below the article.
The Release Order#
If you prefer to experience the franchise as it was introduced to the public, start with the 2014 anime adaptation, followed by the original manga, and eventually the sequels and spinoffs.
The Completionist Order#
For those who want every single detail, including side stories, we recommend the following path:
- Original Manga (The foundation of the story).
- Anime Adaptation (To see the events animated).
- Spinoff Manga: Alice on Border Road and Alice in Borderland: Chi no Kyokuchi - Daiya no King-hen.
- Sequel Manga: Alice in Borderland Retry.
The “Source Material” Path#
If you don’t mind reading to get the most complete version of the plot, start with the original manga and proceed directly to the sequel manga, Alice in Borderland Retry. This ensures you get the full narrative arc without the omissions often found in adaptations.
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Extra Tidbits for Fans#
Beyond the anime and manga, the franchise has expanded into other media. Notably, Netflix has produced a live-action series, which has been renewed for a 3rd season. This makes Alice in Borderland a versatile series that you can enjoy across multiple formats depending on your mood!
Alice in Borderland • manga • 2010-11-25 to 2015-03-25 (Shonen Sunday S, Dec 2010 - Apr 2015)
└─(adaptation)→ Alice in Borderland • anime • 2014-10-17
└─(spinoff)→ Alice on Border Road • manga • 2015-08-19 to 2018-02-19 (serialized in Monthly Sunday GX)
└─(spinoff)→ Alice in Borderland: Chi no Kyokuchi - Daiya no King-hen • manga • 2014-10-15 to 2015-02-04 (serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday)
└─(sequel)→ Alice in Borderland Retry • manga • 2020-10-14 to 2021-01-20 (Shonen Sunday, 2020 #46 - 2021 #8)
