Usagi Goes Back to Borderland In ‘Alice In Borderland’ Season 3 for a Sad Reason: ‘Even If It Hurts’

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As a huge fan of Alice in Borderland, I was really intrigued by Season 3, especially when it finally explained why Yuzuha Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) went *back* to the Borderland, even though she’d already built a good life with Arisu in the real world. It turns out it all comes down to her still dealing with the pain of losing her father. The show, which is based on Haro Aso’s manga, continues Arisu and Usagi’s story after they get pulled back into that terrifying world – that place between life and death. Like Arisu, Usagi is a really capable player in the Borderlands, partly because she’s an amazing mountain climber, but there was always something from the first two seasons that they hadn’t fully gotten into yet.

Season 3 opened with the news that Arisu and Usagi had gotten married and were happily living their lives. Although Arisu didn’t fully recall the events of the Borderland, his deep bond with Usagi continued in the real world. But a meeting with the enigmatic Ryuji Matsumaya – a man fixated on what happens after death – drastically altered things, ultimately sending the couple back to the Borderland.

Why Did Usagi Go Back to Borderland In Season 3?

Ryuji Matsumaya’s preoccupation with death and what happens after, along with the Banda’s influence, led him to convince Usagi to go back to the Borderland in Alice in Borderland Season 3. However, that wasn’t the sole reason the main character returned to that terrifying place. Season 3 revealed that Usagi still hadn’t fully processed her father’s death, as she continued to have recurring nightmares about the moment he fell off the cliff, sealing his fate.

In addition to still dealing with her sadness, Usagi began having brief, hazy memories of the events in the Borderland. This happened when she found herself at the same resort hotel as the Ten of Hearts game from Season 1. Ryuji saw this as a chance to comfort Usagi when she was feeling upset, and it helped her to finally talk about the pain and grief she felt after her father’s death. 

Following Usagi’s apology call to Arisu, she dedicated all her efforts to locating her. The police assisted by showing her security camera footage of Usagi talking with Ryuji at a hotel. It became clear that Usagi had proceeded with an interview with Ryuji, during which she shared her lingering sadness and disturbing dreams about her father’s passing.

Alice in Borderland Season 3 revealed that Usagi actively “even if it hurts” wanted to return to the Borderland. She believed going back would bring her closer to him, despite the extreme danger. Usagi also expressed her willingness to suffer through the pain if it meant she could see her father one final time:

“When I dream, I can almost feel him with me. It’s like my father is still here, alive and breathing. And even if he passes away within my dream, even if it’s painful… Even if I’m forced to watch him die again and again… If I get to see my dad in my dreams…Then, even if those dreams are scary… that’s where I want to be.”

However, Usagi choosing to go meant leaving Arisu and their everyday life. In the end, Usagi agreed to go back to the Borderland after Ryuji gave her a drug that would make her fall into a coma. This was all part of Banda’s complex scheme: to bring Usagi to the Borderland, knowing that Arisu would follow and be compelled to stay there as well.

Arisu finally located Usagi and Ryuji, but unfortunately, they were both unconscious, indicating they had entered the games. The situation became even more difficult when it was revealed that Usagi was pregnant, which deeply affected Arisu and fueled his determination to find a way to return his wife to the real world.

He went back to the Borderland with assistance from his previous partner, Ann, but things had changed. Arisu had found himself trapped in the bizarre and dangerous Joker tournament.

Did Usagi Ever Resolve Her Grief in Season 3?

Following a series of shocking deaths in Alice in Borderland Season 3, Arisu and Usagi finally found each other again in Episode 5. However, Usagi continued to grieve the loss of her father. She was only able to begin healing after a deeply moving final conversation with him in the season finale.

In Episode 6, Usagi nearly fell into a deadly vortex, but Ryuji saved her by making the ultimate sacrifice. Following this, Usagi experienced a vision of her father, which led to a final, meaningful conversation between them.

Usagi’s father told her he was glad they had so much time together while he was alive, and then expressed his wish for his daughter to live a full and happy life:

“I want you to live, Usagi. I want you to be happy too.”

Hearing her father’s last words gave Usagi the strength she needed to move forward, finally letting go of her sadness and embracing life again.

Alice in Borderland Season 3 concluded with Usagi and Arisu finding each other again in the real world. They began a family and a fresh start, finally escaping the terrifying challenges of Borderland.

Read more on why Chishiya had a greatly reduced role in Alice in Borderland Season 3. 

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2025-09-30 00:06