Episode 4 of *Alice in Borderland* Season 3 kicks off with a jarring dose of reality for the group—they're trapped on a train where death could strike at any moment. The tight-knit alliance they've forged begins to fray under the weight of impending doom. Time is a luxury they don't have, and their only glimmer of hope lies in the adjacent train glimpsed earlier. When the two trains run parallel, the plan is to leap across to the other one when it draws near.
One by one, the passengers make the perilous jump, but not everyone is so fortunate. Ryuji, using the handrails for leverage, swings across with a daring leap and just barely clears the gap between carriages. As they regroup, Arisu unexpectedly appears in another train on the opposite side of the tracks.
However, their fleeting moment of connection is cut short as both trains plunge into a tunnel, veering off in divergent directions. With the end of the line looming, the groups must act swiftly to halt the trains before it's too late.
Arisu's group manages to reach the front and slam on the brakes, but not before a violent crash ensues. While not everyone on board perishes, many passengers are left in dire condition. Arisu is among the wounded, bleeding profusely. But thanks to Tetsu's medical expertise (and a dash of liquid courage to steady his trembling hands), he uses Rei's sewing kit to patch Arisu up.
Meanwhile, Usagi and Ryuji's group also survive the ordeal. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn how Ryuji became ensnared in this deadly study. He worked closely with a student named Yano, who volunteered for experiments meant to simulate near-death experiences. Tragically, the experiment ended in the girl's death, but Ryuji was never held accountable. In fact, the university brushed it off as a drug overdose. Undeterred, Ryuji redoubled his efforts, driven by an unwavering determination to uncover the truth.
The semi-finals have arrived with a blazing intensity in this high-stakes tournament, and only those who can weather the storm will earn an invitation to the ultimate showdown—the final. The matches are being held across two distinct venues, each with its own heart-pounding challenge.
The first takes place at the iconic Tokyo Tower, where contestants engage in a frenzied game of bingo that spans the entire structure. They must ascend the towering heights, navigating around the metal framework, and hit strategically placed buzzers. Successfully completing a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line by tapping the corresponding numbers will declare their team the victor. Usagi’s group faces a unique hurdle; the final, unclaimed buzzer—the one located in the center of the bingo card—sits atop the tower, at its loftiest peak. To secure victory, they must work in seamless harmony, pushing their limits both physically and mentally.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final features a harrowing game of Kick the Can. Arisu, still nursing his wounds and moving with cautious steps, joins the fray. The rules are merciless: after launching the can into the air, teams must race to return it to its original spot and insert it into its base. There are ten cans in total, but each one is a ticking time bomb. The moment a player picks up a can, a countdown begins. Failing to return it in time means certain death. Letting go of the can spells instant doom. However, the timer can be reset by passing the can to another teammate—a high-stakes game of hot potato where hesitation could mean explosion. To make matters worse, any intense impact causes the can to detonate. Adding to the chaos, an opposing team is lurking, ready to pounce at any opportunity. Success comes to those who can place the can into the container, exiting the game and advancing to the next round. It’s a desperate race against time and each other, requiring unwavering teamwork to return as many cans as possible.
In the end, Rei, Nobu, and Tetsu manage to push through to the next round. Arisu, with sheer determination, slots the penultimate can just in time to survive. But his triumph comes at a devastating cost: Kazuya sacrifices himself for the greater good. In a dramatic display reminiscent of Ichiban from the Yakuza: Like A Dragon games, Kazuya tears off his shirt, revealing the tattoos that span his back, and makes the ultimate sacrifice. He ensures the can explodes, taking out the remaining threats but sealing his own fate in the process.
