3 Facts about Alice in Borderland: Japanese Thriller Version of Carrol’s Classic Alice
Do you ever see Alice in Wonderland in a bloody version?
ALICE IN BORDERLAND FROM MANGA TO SCREEN
The first fact is Alice in Borderland is originally from the manga. We know that Japan has made many movie adaptations, either from books, manga, or even anime. This culture seems to be trending and challenging as well, especially for the director. One of the most well-known movie adaptations is Rurouni Kenshin Saga which is adapted from the manga of the same name by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The story about wandering samurai who seek a peaceful life during the Meiji Restoration supported by many sword fights in medieval Japan is impressive. And now, Alice in Borderland joins in the category.
The director, Shinsuke Sato has adapted the book into a series well. By adding a detailed city set and matching theme song, he can transfer Aso’s imagination vividly, from sketches in manga onto the screen. One of the difficulties in adapting books to films is about the concept of rationality which makes sometimes there are some inaccurate Alice in Borderland’s scenes with the book due to being more accepted by the audience. For example, in the first scene when Arisu and his friends are suddenly transported into the game.
In the manga, the chosen participants of the game should watch fireworks at dusk and have a depressing life. In the movie, they have gotten some flash blackout while hiding in the toilet cubicle after being chased by police. This difference between movie and manga is needed to create a logical and natural storyline rather than just a mythical one. But be at ease, this won’t make substantial changes from the manga so sit tight and grab your popcorn.
ALICE IN BORDERLAND INSPIRED BY ALICE IN WONDERLAND
If you notice, the title of this series and manga has an intentional resemblance to the story of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Alice in Borderland’s author, Haro Aso, takes the idea from Carroll’s works and twists the genre from children into a thriller one for adults. As an example, the main protagonists’ names are Ryohei Arisu and Yuzuha Usagi. Arisu is the Japanese translation for Alice and Usagi is ‘rabbit’ in Japanese.
We also know in Carroll’s world, Alice is traveling in the wonderland accompanied by a magical White Rabbit, meanwhile, in Aso’s world, Arisu teams up with Usagi to finish the game. The reference to the classic story of Alice in Wonderland blends beautifully. The idea of classic Alice looking for a way out from Wonderland is adapted by Aso into a survival theme as Arisu and some other players are looking for a way out from the deathly game. Even though it is about survival, it also presents Arisu’s journey to discover his innermost strength and self-worth.
THE EMPTY TOKYO IN ALICE IN BORDERLAND
Tokyo is the capital of Japan with its busy hi-tech city, hectic workaholic life and hardly ever sleeps. It makes Tokyo become one of the busiest cities in the world. The interesting point is Director Sato magically turns Tokyo into an empty city in Alice in Borderland. Literally, the empty city is a manifestation of a pause in time according to Japanese mythology which then gives Arisu and other characters in the movie a second chance to restart their life.
That is why Arisu and some other players are transported to the game because they are chosen and have a second chance to restart what they have failed previously in their life. By this series, audiences are invited as if they are risking their lives to get that opportunity. It is also a human’s wish to have a second chance to redeem what we have failed previously, right? So, if you want to see a movie with the morals of sacrificing and second chances in life, Alice in Borderland is the best choice.
Apparently, the empty Tokyo set in Alice in Borderland is all fake. Thanks to CGI which makes it all the way and amuses people. The director says that they build a massive set in the studio and outdoors, including from all details of the tallest building to the smallest details like ticket gate entrances. They make it so because it is impossible to stop the traffic even for five minutes in real Tokyo.
ALICE IN BORDERLAND IT’S WORTH A WATCH!
That’s all of the three facts you should know. Despite the suspenseful theme, this series also offers the audience about good and evil conflicts among the characters through many ups and downs twisted plots. Moreover, Netflix has announced they will get the second season for Alice in Borderland in late 2021 but they keep a secret about the plot. Let’s wait up for the updated news on it.
This article is a collaboration project with Wolfram Sensei. View the complete article here.
