The opening scene of Alice in Borderland Season 2, Episode 1, propels us into a harrowing chase as Arisu dashes for his life across the bustling Shibuya Crossing. Bullets rain down mercilessly, claiming lives left and right, painting a grim tableau of chaos. Yet, our narrative takes a strategic leap backward, 13 tense minutes prior, to a Shibuya Crossing bathed in an unsettling hush. Usagi, Kuina, and Chishiya have been in limbo for over an hour, anticipating the commencement of games that never seem to arrive. Just as the anticipation reaches a crescendo, a foreboding rumble echoes from afar, heralding the unfolding drama.
Enter a procession of vehicles crammed with survivors from the beach, drawn by the sight of floating blimps and driven to uncover their secrets. However, this curiosity quickly turns to horror as an anti-tank rifle shatters the peace, reducing innocent bystanders to collateral damage without rhyme or reason. Amidst the slaughter, Arisu emerges as their de facto leader, orchestrating their desperate dash across the square in search of sanctuary. Usagi and Arisu take cover behind automobiles while the ominous blimp, emblazoned with the King of Spades banner, looms menacingly overhead. A hooded figure materializes on the horizon, their presumed adversary, the King of Spades, sparking a frantic bid for escape.
Fortunately, Ann and Tatta arrive with their car, providing a brief respite. The survivors scramble aboard, but fate deals a cruel hand to Chishiya, halted by a grenade's explosion and forced into retreat. As they speed away from the inferno, Arisu's sharp mind pieces together the puzzle. He posits that this carnage is a boss battle, requiring the defeat of all four suit masters—symbolized by their blimps—to unlock the next phase. The enigmatic Mira, encountered in the game room's finale, could very well be one such master. To return home, they must assemble a full deck of cards, aligning with Hatter's intriguing theory.
Suddenly, the King of Spades descends upon them like a vengeful wraith, gun blazing, targeting their fleeing vehicle. Ann wrestles with the wheel, piloting their escape with reckless abandon. Their vehicle collides with another, somersaulting into the air before crashing upside down. Miraculously, all survive, but scarcely do they extricate themselves when gunfire erupts anew. The King of Spades unleashes a torrent of bullets across the road, each one a death sentence in waiting. In a stroke of luck, our protagonists stumble upon refuge within an abandoned convenience store, the brief respite a precious lifeline amidst the relentless storm.
While there, we catch glimpses of a bygone era, witnessing Arisu bond with his cronies and Usagi confront the heart-wrenching departure of her father. She had bid him farewell with accusatory words, branding him a liar, just moments before embarking on a fateful mountain climb. His absence since then has left a void that echoes through her life. Arisu, with a compassionate heart and a sturdy shoulder for her tears, assures her that he knows her pain. His own disdain for the world before these games had transformed him, pushing him towards virtue. His resolve to do right stems partly from shielding Usagi, come rain or shine.
As the night succumbs to dawn, the shadow of the King of Spades looms larger. Arisu proposes a strategy to evade his notice by diving into another game, buying precious time before their visas expire. Reluctant as they are to indulge in more games, it seems their best bet to gain some breathing room. Their target: the King of Clubs, conveniently located nearby, where teamwork reigns supreme, ensuring they won't be pitted against each other.
At the harbor, the quartet—Tatta, Kuina, Usagi, and Arisu—assembles, but a wrinkle appears in their plan. They require a fifth member for their team game, and lo and behold, Niragi materializes out of the blue. Though alive, his unexpected presence casts doubts over his intentions, sparking fears of a potential sabotage. However, they're prepared to take that leap of faith. Each member slips on their bracelet, steeling themselves for the challenges ahead.
Venturing into the expansive game field, the King of Clubs, shockingly nude, emerges alongside his entourage. Their jaws drop in collective astonishment, especially when he reveals that they're residents of this enigmatic city, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding saga.
