Why the Cast of Alice in Borderland Season 3 Looks So Familiar: Major Movies & Shows They’ve Done Before

By Paul Hernandez 09/26/2025
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Alice in Borderland Season 3 has officially landed on Netflix, and the wait was so worth it. After leaving fans on the edge with Season 2’s mind-bending cliffhanger, the survival thriller is back with familiar faces like Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, plus a wave of new talent turning the game on its head.

The show wastes no time cranking up the tension, the Borderland feels darker, the games feel deadlier, and the cast is sharper than ever. If you’ve been wondering why so many of these stars look familiar, it’s because they’ve dominated the industry before entering the dangerous game. Let’s find out where you have seen them before.

1. Kento Yamazaki (Arisu)

As Arisu, Kento Yamazaki is the gamer-turned-survivor who’s somehow keeping his cool while the Borderland burns around him. And if you’re thinking, “Wait, I know that face,” you’re not wrong. Yamazaki has been everywhere in Japanese pop culture, from playing the genius detective L in the Death Note drama to breaking hearts in Your Lie in April and the time-travel romance Orange.

He’s also the action hero fronting the mega-hit Kingdom movies, proving he can flip from swoony lead to battle-hardened warrior without missing a beat. Basically, if there’s a beloved manga or anime getting a live-action remake, chances are Yamazaki’s already nailed it. No wonder he feels right at home leading Netflix’s most dangerous survival game.

2. Tao Tsuchiya (Usagi)

Tao Tsuchiya brings grit, heart, and street-smart charm as Usagi, Arisu’s ride-or-die partner in the Borderland. Fans might recognize her from Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, where she slayed as Kaoru. She also turned heads in the emotional hit The 8-Year Engagement. And in the teen drama Orange, she starred alongside Kento Yamazaki, showing off her range.

Tao’s career blends blockbuster action, heartfelt romance, and edgy teen drama, making her the perfect mix of relatable and badass. Basically, she’s the type of actor who makes you root for her no matter how twisted the game gets, and Usagi is living proof.

3. Hayato Isomura (Banda)

Hayato Isomura is pure intensity as Banda, the Borderland’s ultimate wildcard. Cool, calculated, and just a little unpredictable, Banda can flip any game on its head, and Isomura brings that energy in spades.

You might recognize him as Kamen Rider Necrom in Kamen Rider Ghost, a role that made him a fan-fave among tokusatsu fans. But he’s done way more, think dramas like Silent (2022) and films like We Made a Beautiful Bouquet (2021), showing he can nail action, drama, and morally gray characters with equal flair.

In Season 3, Banda isn’t just part of the chaos; he is the chaos. Every scene he’s in pops off, and Isomura’s magnetic screen presence makes him impossible to ignore. If you’re wondering why this guy feels so familiar, it’s because he’s been owning everything he touches, and now he’s owning the Borderland, too.

4. Ayaka Miyoshi (Ann)

Step aside, because Ayaka Miyoshi is back as Ann, bringing sass, strength, and style to the Borderland. Ann isn’t just another player; she’s smart, bold, and ready to shake up every game she enters. Miyoshi has been turning heads since Knuckle Girl (2023), where she brought fierce energy to a revenge-driven fighter, and showed her dramatic chops in Dance with Me (2019).

Fans of quirky blockbusters might also remember her in Gintama 2 (2018). Her mix of edge, charm, and intensity makes her a perfect fit for Alice in Borderland, where every decision can mean life or death.

Miyoshi’s Ann isn’t just a side character; she’s a force, and Miyoshi’s screen presence makes her impossible to ignore. If you thought the Borderland was dangerous before, wait until Ann makes her move.

5. Katsuya Maiguma (Yaba)

Meet Katsuya Maiguma as Yaba, one of the Borderland’s most unpredictable players. Yaba’s got edge, brains, and a streak of danger that keeps everyone guessing, and Maiguma nails it with a presence that’s equal parts magnetic and menacing.

Though newer to international audiences, he’s already made waves in Japanese dramas and films, including Tokyo Revengers (2021) and First Love (Netflix, 2022), where his intensity and layered performances stood out.

Whether it’s high-stakes action or tense emotional moments, Maiguma brings a natural flair that makes Yaba feel both human and formidable. In Season 3, he’s not just another player; he’s the one who can flip the script when no one’s watching, and Maiguma’s energy makes every scene pop.

Keep your eyes on Yaba, because Maiguma is the kind of actor who leaves a mark even in the chaos of the Borderland.

6. Kento Kaku (Ryuji Matsuyama)

Kento Kaku storms into Alice in Borderland Season 3 as Ryuji Matsuyama, a former psychiatry professor with a knack for strategy and a mysterious past. Ryuji isn’t just another player; he’s obsessed with the afterlife and the Borderland’s secrets, making every move unpredictable.

Kaku has the perfect energy for this role, having made waves in House of Ninjas (Netflix, 2024) and AI Amok (2020), proving he can handle action, suspense, and drama with flair.

In the show, he brings a fresh edge, keeping everyone guessing and every game electric. With a resume full of standout roles and now a character that adds depth and intrigue, Kaku proves he’s not just playing the game; he’s reshaping it.

7. Hyunri (Shion)

Hyunri slides into Borderland as Shion, the quiet genius who always seems two moves ahead. Cool under pressure and full of surprises, she instantly becomes someone you can’t stop watching.

If her face feels familiar, that’s because she’s been making waves in Wife of a Spy (2020) and Rose and Tulip (2019), where her performances turned heads. Fluent in Japanese, Korean, and English, Hyunri brings serious global energy to the Borderland.

Shion isn’t just tagging along; she’s rewriting the playbook, keeping the other players on edge and the audience hooked. Every scene with her clicks, and it’s easy to see why she’s one of the freshest, most talked-about faces joining Season 3.

8. Tina Tamashiro (Rei)

Tina Tamashiro steps into Alice in Borderland Season 3 as Rei, the edgy wildcard who flips the script on every game. With her cyan-tipped bob and punk-chic vibe, Rei stands out from the first moment, bringing a mix of mischief and strategy to Arisu’s team.

She’s not just playing to survive; she’s playing to win, and she’s not afraid to bend the rules to do it. Fans of her previous roles in Suits (2020), The Way of the Househusband (2020), and AI Amok (2020) know she’s got the range to handle anything from sharp drama to high-stakes action.

In Season 3, Rei’s unpredictable moves and sharp mind make her a standout addition, keeping everyone on edge and the games more thrilling than ever. If you thought the Borderland was chaotic before, wait until Rei brings her brand of chaos to the table.

9. Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (Kazuya)

Hiroyuki Ikeuchi brings serious gravitas to Alice in Borderland Season 3 as Kazuya, the former Yakuza whose calm, no-nonsense vibe instantly makes him stand out. With tattoos that tell a thousand stories and a presence that commands respect, Kazuya isn’t just muscle; he’s strategy, instinct, and loyalty rolled into one.

Ikeuchi is no stranger to intense roles, having turned heads in Golden Kamuy (2024) and 24 Japan (2024), where he showed he can handle action, tension, and complex characters with ease.

Kazuya brings a mix of quiet authority and protective streak in season 3, making him a key player in Arisu’s team, giving the series a grounding yet edgy energy. Every scene he’s in pops, and Ikeuchi proves why he’s one of Japan’s most magnetic veteran actors, bringing depth, danger, and a touch of unpredictability to the Borderland.

Season 3 of Alice in Borderland raises the stakes higher than ever, with new players, unexpected twists, and fan-favorite faces returning to the Borderland. As for Season 4, it’s still up in the air; whether the story continues is totally up to the studios, but the finale leaves plenty of room for more chaos.

Here are some key details on the show:

Did you watch the new season yet? Let us know in the comments below!

All seasons of Alice in Borderland are currently streaming on Netflix.