Is Thanos dead in Squid Game Season 2? Speculation explored

Netflix's most successful non-English TV series, Squid Game Season 2, introduced fans to a whole new set of characters while also featuring the key figures from Season 1. Among the most intriguing and active players in the survival thriller is undeniably Thanos (Player 230), played by Choi Seung-hyun, aka T.O.P.

Despite controversies surrounding the actor, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk believed in the actor's potential and cast him as the most reckless player in the deadly game. However, Thanos' sudden and unexpected death in Squid Game Season 2 shocked many.

It occurred in Episode 7, "Friend or Foe," when Thanos was forcing players to vote for "O" instead of "X," and this led to a chaotic situation in the washroom. During his confrontation with Myung-gi (Player 333), Thanos gets stabbed with a fork in his throat.

The scene is incredibly violent as Thanos' blood splashes onto Myung-gi's face, and this marks the end of the drug-addicted player's journey in Squid Game Season 2. But what if we tell you that fans won't feel his absence in the upcoming season on Netflix?

Continue reading to learn more about Thanos' death and the creator's reflection on his tragic fate.

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What happened to Thanos, aka Player 230, in Squid Game Season 2?

Squid Game Season 2 debuted in December 2024 and emerged as a record-breaking survival thriller on Netflix. The story begins after Gi-hun won the games in the first chapter and is determined to dismantle the deadly games.

While it extensively focuses on Gi-hun's mission, Squid Game Season 2 is incomplete without new players, especially Thanos, an incredibly loud and aggressive character. Since the first episode, Thanos has been thinking about winning the game, but his survival wouldn't have been possible without the pills he consumes.

The character became quite popular among fans, as the actor who plays Thanos has also battled drug addiction. However, no one expected Thanos wouldn't appear in Squid Game Season 3 as he gets killed at the hands of his top enemy, Myung-gi.

As seen in Squid Game Season 2 Episode 7, Thanos steps in to force the players to vote for "O" so that the game continues and he gets one step closer to the prize money. Little did he know that his actions would ultimately cause his death from a simple utensil.

Thanos' death in Squid Game serves as a turning point in the series, as it not only explains the unpredictability but also highlights the growing bloodlust of the participants. Season 2 concluded with Gi-hun's failed rebellion and several deaths, leaving fans curious about what's next for the remaining survivors.

Also Read: Squid Game fans are furious at South Korea for censoring Thanos in Season 2

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Is Thanos really dead in Squid Game Season 2? Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explains

Thanos has indeed met his end in Squid Game Season 2, but according to creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, fans won't feel his absence too much. Dong-hyuk mentioned Thanos being one of his favorites and explained that it felt right to kill him off before Season 3 arrived.

Dong-hyuk sat in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and said:

"As for Thanos… he’s one of my favorite characters, too! I believe that was the right time to see him off... The way he leaves the story, if you watch until the third season, it will almost feel as if he’s still there in some ways in terms of how he affects the plot."

Now that Thanos has died and Nam-gyu is only left with his cross-chain, the character might try to seek revenge on Myung-gi. The cycle of aggression that Thanos initiated likely won't stop, as Season 3 is going to be even more brutal.

This way, fans would remember Thanos as the character who laid the foundation of ruthless havoc. So does that mean there's no chance of seeing Thanos in the final season? Well, we'll have to wait for Squid Game Season 3 to come out, as we didn't see what happened to Thanos' dead body. But for now, he's assumed to be dead.

Also Read: Squid Game Season 2 Voting System: The actual motive of the Front Man, explored

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What did Choi Seung-hyun, aka T.O.P., say about his casting in Squid Game Season 2?

Since Choi Seung-hyun, aka T.O.P., has a history of consuming drugs and spending some time in prison, the singer has received immense backlash before Squid Game Season 2 arrived. But now that Seung-hyun is out of the scandal and doing his best, fans have praised him for playing Thanos.

However, joining a huge project like Squid Game wasn't smooth sailing. While talking about his casting, T.O.P. explained the offer was a "daunting proposition," and

"The character mirrored my past, reflecting aspects I'd rather keep hidden. The fear of being pigeonholed into one role made me hesitate. But destiny seemed to be pulling me in this direction."

The actor continued:

"For almost 10 years, I felt no one looked at me, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk reached out to me first."

T.O.P. further explained that he researched the drugs Thanos uses in the show to make his portrayal authentic. He learned about the side effects of the drug to highlight the difference between when Thanos was on drugs and when he was sober. Not only this, but he also added elements of "mumble rap," a hip-hop style linked to drug use, which can be seen through his portrayal as the player.

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Also Read: Did Squid Game Season 2 have Fly Me to the Moon? Details revealed

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