Alice in Borderland Season 3: Why fans demand Nijiro Murakami’s return – and what makes him a fan-favorite

Nijiro Murakami’s absence from the initial Alice in Borderland season 3 cast announcement hit fans like a well-placed game twist. Unexpected, frustrating, and full of unanswered questions, it left many wondering if the show would be the same without one of its most magnetic characters.

While Netflix confirmed Kento Yamazaki (Arisu, ありす, meaning "Alice" in katakana) and Tao Tsuchiya (Usagi, 兎, meaning "rabbit") would return, Nijiro Murakami’s name was nowhere to be found. And for a character who elevated every scene he was in, that is a hard pill to swallow.

Translation-

[I CAN'T PUT INTO WORDS WHAT I'M FEELING SEEING THEM AGAIN, I LOVE YOU ARISU, I LOVE YOU USAGI!

THE ARROW GAME FROM THE MANGA!

Check out the first teaser for Alice in Borderland season 3!

Premieres in September 2025.]

The significance of the names of these characters goes beyond mere references to Alice in Wonderland. Arisu represents curiosity and the struggle to understand the bizarre world he's been thrown into. Usagi embodies agility and perseverance, much like the rabbit in Lewis Carroll’s novel, always moving forward and guiding Alice toward the truth.

Then there is Chishiya (苣屋), a name that subtly nods to his feline nature, playing on "neko" (猫, meaning "cat"). He moves in the shadows, watches from a distance, and strikes when it benefits him the most. Just like a cat, he is unpredictable, self-sufficient, and impossible to tame.

In many ways, Chishiya mirrors the Cheshire Cat, one of the most enigmatic figures in Alice in Wonderland. Much like Lewis Carroll’s mischievous feline, Chishiya never offers direct answers, preferring to observe from the sidelines, leaving cryptic clues and smirking as others struggle to make sense of their surroundings.

While Arisu follows Usagi, chasing survival and meaning, Chishiya exists outside the struggle. He is never truly aligned with anyone, yet he always seems to know more than he lets on. His role is not to lead or protect, but to force others to think beyond the surface.

Why does Chishiya have such a chokehold on the fandom? He is the guy who plays 4D chess while everyone else is stuck on checkers. Cold, calculating, and always ten steps ahead, he does not just survive Alice in Borderland, he bends it to his will. Fans are not just hoping for his return. They are demanding it.

Who is Nijiro Murakami?

For those who only know him as Chishiya, Nijiro Murakami is far more than Alice in Borderland’s fan-favorite genius. Born in Tokyo in 1997, he grew up in a household of artists. His father, Jun Murakami, is a respected actor, while his mother, UA, is a singer known for her avant-garde approach to music. But rather than coast on family connections, he took the hard road, choosing projects that let him explore complex, often morally ambiguous characters.

Nijiro Murakami’s career kicked off in a big way with Still the Water (2014), a Cannes-nominated arthouse film that positioned him as one of Japan’s most intriguing young actors. From there, he dove into Destruction Babies (2016), a brutal and unrelenting film about unchecked violence, before landing a role in Last of the Wolves (2021), a neo-noir crime saga that earned him a Japan Academy Film Prize nomination for best-supporting actor.

He is an actor who thrives in roles that challenge conventional storytelling. His performances never feel exaggerated or predictable. Instead, he specializes in characters who demand attention through sheer presence, making audiences hang onto every word, every glance, every movement.

From anime to samurai live-action epics

[In Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, Nijiro Murakami plays a swordsman.

The 2021 production was highly anticipated by fans of the genre and widely promoted by the actor on his social media.

Available on Netflix.]

Nijiro Murakami has spent years weaving between experimental cinema and some of Japan’s biggest franchises. His role in Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021) as Sōji Okita, a legendary swordsman of the Shinsengumi, might have been brief, but he carried it with a quiet intensity that left an impact.

The film, which explores Kenshin’s origins before he became the feared Battousai, needed actors who could convey an entire history in just a few moments. Murakami delivered exactly that.

The same could be said for Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween (2023), where he brought Kazutora Hanemiya to life, a character defined by emotional volatility and deeply ingrained trauma. Instead of leaning into melodrama, Nijiro Murakami gave Kazutora a sense of fragility beneath the chaos, making him one of the most compelling parts of the film. He transformed Kazutora from a reckless delinquent into a tragic figure, someone shaped by fate and circumstance rather than just impulsive rage.

Beyond live-action, he also made his mark in animation, lending his voice to the Japanese dub of Isle of Dogs (2018), directed by Wes Anderson. Nijiro Murakami's ability to shift between mediums is a testament to his adaptability as an actor. He was even set to appear in the stage adaptation Evangelion Beyond but stepped away due to health concerns in 2023.

Nijiro Murakami’s choices prove he is not just an actor looking for mainstream success. He gravitates toward roles that push boundaries, that explore the darker, more intricate layers of human nature. That is exactly what made his portrayal of Chishiya so unforgettable.

Why Nijiro Murakami’s Chishiya stole the spotlight

When Chishiya first appeared in season 1 of Alice in Borderland, he seemed like a standard "smug villain" type. The kind of character designed to be either hated or reluctantly admired. But as Alice in Borderland unfolded, it became clear that Chishiya was not just another arrogant genius. He was the ultimate puppet master. His ability to read people, manipulate outcomes, and stay three steps ahead made him impossible to ignore.

Reddit discussions call him "the most magnetic character in the series," crediting his quiet confidence, sharp wit, and subtle condescension. Even in the most chaotic moments, he never panics. That level of control makes every scene he is in feel like a puzzle waiting to be solved. And when he finally makes his move, it is always worth the wait.

More than just a strategist, Nijiro Murakami's Chishiya represents the cold logic of Alice in Borderland’s deadly games. Where Arisu searches for meaning and Usagi fights for survival, Chishiya plays the game purely to win. He is the show’s reminder that intelligence, not just physical strength or morality, can be the key to staying alive.

Fan reactions: Why Chishiya remains unforgettable

"He literally carried the show and overshadowed the other characters. The scenes he's in make me want to know what he's gonna do and what will happen next."

Emphasizes how Chishiya became the center of attention whenever he was on screen, keeping the suspense and intrigue alive.

"What I love about Chishiya is that he's cunning, quiet and a genius. I love how he's strategic, observant and calculating."

Highlights his sharp intelligence and meticulous approach to the games.

"Agreed! In season one when we first see him during the game of tag, I felt as though he was just another overly confident character. Though, the more we see him in season 1-2, the more I fell in love with his character and he quickly became my favorite (by far haha)."

Shows how fans’ perception of Chishiya evolved throughout the series, turning him from a side character into one of the most beloved ones.

"He has this charm where he is always calm and never panics no matter what situation he’s in. This makes me want to know what he got planned and how he planned to execute it."

Highlights his composure under pressure and how that makes his presence magnetic.

"Somehow glad that they didn’t fight."

Refers to the dynamic between Chishiya and Arisu, suggesting that their relationship worked better without direct conflict.

"I am unsure if he will be in season 3 due to Nijiro having mental health issues (from what I’ve seen. Not to put words into the actor’s mouth), but I truly do hope we get to see more Chishiya and Nijiro’s great acting!!"

Expresses fans’ uncertainty about Nijiro Murakami’s return and how much they appreciate his performance.

These quotes, taken from Reddit, perfectly capture Chishiya’s impact on the show and fans' concerns about his return. His intelligence, composure, and ability to manipulate situations with ease make him a standout in Alice in Borderland, and his absence in season 3 would leave a void that many feel cannot be filled. Whether Netflix plans to surprise fans with his return or truly move forward without him remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Chishiya's presence shaped the series in a way few characters could.

The biggest mystery: will Chishiya return?

Chishiya survived the brutal conclusion of Alice in Borderland season 2, which should mean a guaranteed return. But with Nijiro Murakami missing from the cast announcement, speculation is running wild. The actor took a step back from public appearances in 2023, citing mental health concerns, and has not been attached to any new major projects since.

Some fans suspect Netflix is playing coy, keeping Nijiro Murakami's involvement under wraps for a big reveal. Others fear Alice in Borderland might be moving forward without him. Either way, one thing is clear. The fandom is not ready to let go.