Alice in Borderland Season 3: What Netflix Didn’t Tell You About the Characters’ Names

Cancel your plans and grab some snacks because Alice in Borderland Season 3 drops tomorrow. The new season teases the much-awaited Joker card, which makes today the perfect chance to binge the first two seasons and catch up on the games, the shocking deaths, and the characters we have been following from the start.

And speaking of characters, here’s something you might not know: the Japanese names in Alice in Borderland aren’t random. In fact, they actually reveal hidden layers about each character’s personality and role in the story. In this post, we’ll break down the key players, the meaning behind their names, and how those meanings can even help level up your Japanese.

What to Expect in Alice in Borderland Season 3

Alice in Borderland Season 3 promises to be the ultimate sendoff, taking Arisu and Usagi back into the nightmare they thought they escaped. The season begins with the pair living in peace, but it doesn’t take long before visions, nightmares, and a shocking abduction pull them into the Borderland once again.

Separated and forced into new alliances, both characters face brutal games that are more unpredictable than ever. Unlike seasons 1 and 2, which closely followed Haro Aso’s manga, this chapter takes the story in a new direction. Season 3 draws inspiration from Alice in Borderland: Retry but builds its own original arc, pushing Arisu, Usagi, and the rest of the cast into uncharted territory.

Alice In Borderland Characters You Should Know

One of the most fascinating details in Alice in Borderland is how the characters’ names are carefully tied to their roles, traits, and even the story’s Wonderland-inspired themes. Many names use kanji with symbolic meanings, while others are clever wordplays that connect directly to Lewis Carroll’s classic.

By understanding the kanji and sound of each name, fans can gain deeper insight into what each character represents in the Borderland and why they act the way they do.

Ryohei Arisu (有栖 良平): Alice

Arisu is the Japanese rendering of “Alice,” making him the direct parallel to Lewis Carroll’s protagonist. His surname 有栖 means “existence” (有) and “nest” (栖), which suggests a home or place of belonging, something Arisu is always searching for in the Borderland.

His first name 良平 also combines “good” (良) and “peace” (平), reflecting his core humanity and the compassion that grounds him. Together, his name marks him as both the story’s guide and its moral center.

Takeru Danma (弾間 剛): Hatter

Danma’s surname 弾間 includes “bullet” (弾) and “interval/space” (間), underscoring violence and conflict. His given name 剛 means “strong” or “sturdy.” Spoken quickly, Danma sounds like “Mad Hatter,” and his role as the Beach leader mirrors Wonderland's chaotic tea party gatherings. His name cements him as both a figure of strength and a symbol of unhinged authority.

Yuzuha Usagi (宇佐木 柚葉): Rabbit

Usagi (宇佐木) contains “universe” (宇), “assistant” (佐), and “tree” (木), but its pronunciation links directly to 兎 (rabbit). Her given name 柚葉 combines “citron” (柚) and “leaf” (葉), evoking nature, renewal, and resilience. The rabbit reference ties her to the White Rabbit, always leading Arisu deeper into the unknown, while the gentle citrus imagery mirrors her role as a source of hope and emotional strength.

Suguru Niragi (韮木 傑): March Hare

Niragi’s surname 韮木 uses “chive/garlic” (韮) and “tree” (木), a humble origin compared to others, but his name’s sound connects him to the March Hare. His given name 傑 means “outstanding” or “remarkable,” though in a bitterly ironic way, since Niragi channels his brilliance into cruelty and chaos. Like the March Hare, he is erratic, violent, and perpetually teetering on madness.

Shuntarō Chishiya (苣屋 駿太郎): Cheshire Cat

Chishiya’s surname 苣屋 uses “chicory/lettuce” (苣) and “house” (屋). While odd at face value, the soundplay connects him to the Cheshire Cat. His given name 駿太郎 combines “swift horse” (駿), “great” (太), and “son/man” (郎), hinting at brilliance and agility.

Like the Cheshire Cat, Chishiya thrives on cunning, sly grins, and intellectual superiority, always watching from the sidelines until the perfect moment to act.

Chota & Karube (張太 & 苅部): Tweedledum & Tweedledee

Karube’s surname 苅部 combines “cut/mow” (苅) and “section” (部), while his given name 大吉 means “great luck” or “great fortune.” Chōta’s surname 勢川 uses “force” (勢) and “river” (川), while 張太 combines “stretch” (張) and “big” (太). Their pairing mirrors Tweedledum and Tweedledee—inseparable, loyal, and bound together by friendship. Their ordinary, almost playful names emphasize how much they ground Arisu in reality, making their loss all the more devastating.

Morizono Aguni (粟国 杜園): Agony

Aguni’s surname 粟国 uses “millet” (粟) and “nation” (国), while his given name 杜園 combines “shrine woods” (杜) and “garden” (園). Yet his nickname, Aguni, is a wordplay on “Agony,” perfectly matching his inner torment as a scarred soldier carrying unbearable grief. His every decision is weighed down by loss, making his name a reflection of pain and the burden of survival.

Hikari Kuina (水鶏 光): Caterpillar

Kuina’s surname 水鶏 means “water rail,” a bird that blends into marshes, symbolizing adaptability and hidden strength. Her given name 光 means “light,” which ties to her journey of embracing her identity and illuminating her truth. Kuina reflects the Caterpillar of Wonderland, a figure of wisdom and transformation, embodying the theme of self-discovery while guiding others with her resilience.

How Character Names Can Help You Learn Japanese

Character names in Alice in Borderland are a perfect entry point for learning Japanese because they combine both meaning and sound. Each name is written in kanji, and every kanji carries a specific definition that often mirrors the character’s role in the story.

For example:

• 光 (hikari) means “light,” matching Kuina’s name and her journey of self-discovery
• 有 (aru) in Arisu’s surname means “existence,” tying to his role as the one searching for meaning in the Borderland.

By studying the kanji used in these names, you expand your vocabulary and see how Japanese uses symbols to create layers of meaning.

The names also help you practice pronunciation and recognize how wordplay works in Japanese. Arisu, for instance, is the katakana rendering of “Alice,” showing how foreign words adapt into Japanese sounds. Watching the series with this knowledge gives you context that sticks, turning every character introduction into a mini language lesson you’ll actually remember.

Learn Japanese With Lingopie

There’s no better way to dive into Japanese than by rewatching Alice in Borderland with a learning tool by your side. With Lingopie’s features, you can study every line of dialogue, break down the kanji in character names, and actually connect language with story.

Revisit the first two seasons, follow Arisu and Usagi’s journey again, and this time turn each episode into a chance to boost your Japanese skills while enjoying the show you love.

Want to see how Lingopie works for Alice In Borderland? Sign up for a free trial below and test it out for yourself.