Why is Chishiya not in Alice in Borderland Season 3?
Because Nijirō Murakami, the actor behind Chishiya, stepped away from acting to look after his mental health, he couldn’t take part in the third season’s main shoot. That’s the big, unglamorous reason. Sometimes real life doesn’t bend to fan wishes, and no amount of hashtag campaigns or Reddit theorizing can change that. For anyone who’s ever had burnout or just needed to switch off for a while: it’s painfully relatable.
If you’re anything like me, Chishiya was one of those characters who stuck with you—the sly grin, the unpredictable vibe, plus that wild hospital scene in Season 2. Seriously, when news started leaking that Murakami wasn’t on set, fans went into full conspiracy mode. I remember scrolling through endless Twitter threads, hoping for a miracle announcement. But as the airing date drew near and Chishiya was nowhere in the trailers, dread set in. Maybe a tiny cameo? Maybe a flashback? The hope didn’t die until credits rolled.
What Happened Behind the Scenes?
Production on Season 3 ran headfirst into Murakami’s hiatus—a break triggered by mounting stress and some overwhelmingly intense work offers, if you believe the tabloid rumblings. Apparently, he couldn’t even leave the house during this rough patch, and according to a few insiders, the producers scrambled to adjust scripts on the fly. Imagine being a writer with a hefty role planned for a fan favorite, only to get a sudden call: "He’s not available." That must’ve sent the whole team’s stress levels through the roof.
There’s zero official confirmation from Netflix, Murakami, or the showrunners about these changes—just a wave of unofficial reports, Reddit threads, and comments from agency reps. But the fact remains: Chishiya’s actor was out of commission during critical production windows. It’s the sort of human backstory that gets glossed over when folks binge-watch, but it shapes everything that ends up on screen.
Did Chishiya Appear at All?
Technically speaking, Chishiya pops up for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo at the end of Season 3. If you stuck around for the final scenes, you saw Arisu, now working as a therapist, chat briefly with Chishiya. Their conversation hovers around finding a reason to live—a moment that’s almost philosophical in its brevity. It felt kind of dreamlike, like bumping into an old friend in passing at a busy train station. So while he’s not part of the main plot, there’s a tiny nod to wrap up his story.
But if you were hoping for Chishiya’s signature mind games or a front-row seat in one of the Joker card showdowns, well… it’s not happening this season. It’s bittersweet, maybe a touch infuriating if you bought merch or wrote fanfic post-Season 2.
Where Does the Story Go Without Chishiya?
Season 3 leans into the “Joker Card” arc, focusing mostly on Arisu and Usagi—with new faces and new games. It takes a different direction, moving past the manga (yes, manga purists, this season’s mostly original). Some would say the tone is more existential, less mind-gamey. Chishiya fans probably felt this gap more acutely.
- If you loved his manipulation and charm, you might feel the edge taken off this season.
- For those hungry for fresh plot twists, the new cast and their roles fill some of the void—but it’s not quite the same.
That scene at the very end, with Arisu and Chishiya talking about "reasons to live," almost feels meta—perhaps a comment on moving forward, letting go of old favorites, and finding new meaning in change.
