Squid Game vs. Alice in Borderland: Differences and similarities, explored

Netflix's trending survival thriller series Squid Game and Alice in Borderland are both gearing up for their third season in 2025, which has doubled fans' excitement. Each show focuses on characters facing life-or-death challenges to survive deadly games.

While Squid Game Season 1 debuted in 2021 and emerged as a globally acclaimed series, the Japanese sci-fi thriller debuted in 2020 and wasn't as massive as Squid Game. However, Alice in Borderland gradually gained attention and has now become a must-watch for survival series lovers.

Squid Game, the South Korean series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, follows financially struggling individuals who participate in a competition to win prize money. However, when they arrive at the playground, they discover that the games are deadly and losing will result in death.

Similarly, the characters in Alice in Borderland participate in a series of games to qualify for the next round and return to the original timeline. While there are similarities between the two shows, they aren't entirely similar.

Continue reading to explore how the two series differ and the common themes.

Similarities between Squid Game and Alice in Borderland

As mentioned above, both Squid Game and Alice in Borderland follow a series of deadly games that decide the fates of its characters. Here are the major similarities between the two shows:

Games with deadly consequences: The first similarity is undeniably the consequence of losing a game. As seen in season 1 of the Korean series, players who lost in Red Light, Green Light, and all other games were immediately shot. Similarly, in Alice in Borderland, a laser light hits the players who lost the game, resulting in their immediate death.

Desperate people: In both series, the players are desperate to win as it will ensure their survival. The winner in Squid Game wins a whopping prize money, whereas players in Alice in Borderland reach the original world.

Twists and unpredictability: Another similarity is the unpredictability of events during games. As seen in Hwang Dong-hyuk's series, players are in constant fear of getting attacked, not just during the game but also in the main room. Whereas in the Japanese series, the characters often find themselves in twisted situations.

Also Read: Alice in Borderland Season 3: Release details, plot, cast and more about sci-fi thriller drama

Differences between Squid Game and Alice in Borderland

While the core theme of survival remains the same in the two shows, here's what makes them different:

Setting: As seen in Alice in Borderland, the deadly games take place in an alternate version of Tokyo. Whereas in the South Korean series, the competition takes place in a real-world setting and highlights the harsh reality of life.

Source material: While Alice in Borderland is inspired by Haro Aso's manga, Squid Game is an original narrative crafted by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The creator and director is behind all the three seasons.

Game design: The South Korean series follows deadly children's games like Gonggi; Red Light, Green Light, and more. But in Alice in Borderland, the games are represented by a deck of playing cards.

Supernatural element: The Japanese survival thriller series incorporates supernatural elements like transporting characters from the real world to the alternate Tokyo that are absent in Dong-hyuk's show.

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Also Read: What is the Gonggi in Squid Game Season 2? Details about the traditional Korean game, explored

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