format(webp) "Why Netflix Just Axed Alice in Borderland Despite 25 Million Views")
Netflix has officially canceled Alice in Borderland after three seasons, bringing an end to one of its most successful Japanese originals. The announcement, confirmed quietly on January 21, 2026, marks the conclusion of a dystopian thriller that once dominated global streaming charts and introduced international audiences to high-stakes survival storytelling.
The Cancellation Announcement
Netflix described Season 3 as the “third and final season” in recent viewership reports, confirming that no additional episodes are in development. The sci-fi thriller, which premiered in December 2020, amassed 25.3 million views during the six-month period from July to December 2025, placing it as the 36th most-watched series on the platform during that timeframe.
While those numbers might seem impressive on the surface, they represent a significant decline from the show’s earlier performance, particularly when measured against Netflix’s internal benchmarks for renewal decisions.
How Season 3 Fell Short of Expectations
Alice in Borderland Season 3 premiered on September 25, 2025, and initially performed well, hitting number one during its release week. The season attracted strong viewership in its opening weeks, surpassing 20 million views within a month of release.
However, critical reception told a different story. Season 3 earned just 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest score in the series’ history. Fan reactions on social media and discussion forums reflected similar disappointment, with many viewers feeling the third season lacked the intensity and narrative focus that made the first two seasons compelling.
Key Criticisms from Fans:
- The season diverged significantly from the source manga by Haro Aso, creating storylines that felt disconnected from the established world
- Character development, particularly for fan-favorite Usagi, felt inconsistent with earlier seasons
- The decision to explain the Borderlands’ origins diminished the mystery that originally captivated audiences
The Early Success That Made Cancellation Surprising
When Alice in Borderland first dropped in December 2020, it became an instant global phenomenon. The show cracked the Top 10 in nearly 40 countries, praised for its stunning visuals, inventive premise, and high-stakes survival games.
Season 2, which premiered in December 2022, exceeded the first season’s success in nearly every metric. It generated more than 61 million viewing hours during its opening weekend alone and became the number one non-English series on Netflix in over 90 countries. At the time, it stood as the most-watched Japanese show in Netflix history.
Season 3’s performance, while still respectable by most standards, represented a steep drop from that peak. Its 25.3 million views over six months placed it just below The Witcher Season 4 (25.4 million) but ahead of titles like Black Rabbit (24.6 million) and House of Guinness (23.5 million).
For a show that once set records, however, simply performing “respectably” wasn’t enough to justify continuation.
Why Netflix Pulled the Plug
Netflix rarely provides detailed explanations for cancellations, but several factors likely influenced the decision:
- Declining Engagement
Viewership momentum matters more to Netflix than raw numbers. Season 3’s slower growth and lower sustained engagement compared to earlier seasons signaled declining audience interest. - Critical Reception
The 63% Rotten Tomatoes score and mixed fan reactions suggested the show was losing the quality that made it a breakout hit. - Completion of Source Material
Season 3 concluded Arisu and Usagi’s journey through the final Joker game, adapting the remaining material from Haro Aso’s manga. With the source material exhausted, continuing the series would have required entirely original storytelling—a risky proposition given Season 3’s reception. - Strategic Content Priorities
Netflix continues investing heavily in Japanese originals, but the streamer appears to be focusing resources on new projects rather than extending aging franchises.
What the Cast and Creators Said
Kento Yamazaki, who played protagonist Arisu, expressed openness to returning for a potential Season 4 in a September 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“Of course, if it’s going to continue in some way, I’ll be very much keen to be part of that,” Yamazaki said.
However, Netflix opted not to pursue that continuation. The final episode of Season 3 included a cryptic scene hinting at an American version of the Borderlands, leading some fans to speculate about a potential spinoff or adaptation. Those plans, if they ever existed, appear to have been shelved alongside the main series.
A Legacy Cut Short
Alice in Borderland leaves behind a complicated legacy. Its first two seasons demonstrated that international series could compete with English-language programming on Netflix’s global stage. It introduced millions of viewers to Japanese storytelling and proved that high-concept sci-fi thrillers could transcend language barriers.
Yet its cancellation also serves as a reminder of Netflix’s data-driven decision-making. Even shows that once broke records face the axe when engagement drops and critical reception falters. For fans who invested in Arisu’s journey across three seasons, the cancellation feels abrupt—even if Season 3 provided narrative closure.
The games may be over, but Alice in Borderland remains a landmark in Netflix’s international programming strategy, even as the streamer moves on to its next big bet.
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