5 Japanese Death Game Thrillers That Prove Japan Was The Original 'Squid Game' Master

The global phenomenon of Squid Game, with its chilling critique of capitalism wrapped in deadly children's games, sparked an immediate search for similar content, particularly the so-called "Squid Game versi Jepang" or Japanese version. This search quickly led millions of viewers to discover that Japan has been the undisputed master of the high-stakes, deadly "survival game" genre for decades, long before the Korean drama’s debut. As of December 17, 2025, the definitive answer to the question of a Japanese counterpart is not a direct remake, but a rich catalog of intense, psychological, and often more complex live-action series and films.

The most prominent and current title filling this void is the Netflix hit *Alice in Borderland*, a series that is not only similar but is often considered superior by fans of the genre due to its intricate puzzles and philosophical depth. Moreover, the genre's history stretches back to influential masterpieces like *Battle Royale* and *Kaiji*. If you are looking for the next adrenaline rush after *Squid Game*, these Japanese survival thrillers are essential viewing.

The Definitive 'Squid Game Versi Jepang': Alice in Borderland

The closest and most direct modern comparison to *Squid Game* is the Netflix original series, *Alice in Borderland* (Japanese title: *Imawa no Kuni no Arisu*). This Japanese drama, based on the manga by Haro Aso, follows Ryōhei Arisu, a young, unemployed video game enthusiast, and his friends who are suddenly transported to a desolate, parallel version of Tokyo known as the "Borderland."

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Unlike *Squid Game*, where the games are based on simple children's activities, the challenges in *Alice in Borderland* are intricate, often highly intellectual, and categorized by playing cards. The suit of the card determines the game's nature, while the number indicates its difficulty:

• Spades (♠): Games of physical strength and endurance.
• Clubs (♣): Team-based, balance-focused games.
• Diamonds (♦): Intellectual and psychological challenges.
• Hearts (♥): Games of betrayal and trust, the most emotionally devastating.

The series has gained massive international popularity, and its success is often compared directly to that of its Korean counterpart. While *Squid Game* excels as a social commentary on class struggle and debt, *Alice in Borderland* leans more into existential philosophy, exploring the value of life, the nature of humanity, and the meaning of survival itself.

Alice in Borderland: Main Cast and Character Profile

The series boasts a talented ensemble cast that brings the manga's complex characters to life:

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• Ryōhei Arisu (Kento Yamazaki): The main protagonist. A brilliant but listless gamer whose analytical skills become his greatest asset in the intellectual Diamond games.
• Yuzuha Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya): A skilled mountain climber who becomes Arisu's main partner. Her physical prowess and emotional resilience are key to surviving the Borderland.
• Shuntarō Chishiya (Nijirō Murakami): A highly intelligent, enigmatic medical student known for his calm demeanor and mastery of the psychological Diamond games.
• Daikichi Karube (Keita Machida): Arisu's close friend and a bartender. His loyalty and physical strength are crucial in the early stages.
• Chōta Segawa (Yūki Morinaga): Arisu's other friend, a timid and religious office worker whose emotional struggles highlight the psychological toll of the games.
• Takeru Danma / Hatter (Nobuaki Kaneko): The charismatic, cult-like leader of "The Beach," a settlement of players seeking to live comfortably within the Borderland.

The return of many of these core actors has been confirmed for the upcoming season, maintaining continuity and fan excitement.

Latest Update: Alice in Borderland Season 3 Release Date

Fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of Arisu and Usagi's journey have a definitive date to look forward to. The highly anticipated third season, *Alice in Borderland Season 3*, is officially set to premiere on Netflix on September 25, 2025. This update confirms that the Japanese 'death game' genre is not slowing down and continues to be a major player in the global streaming wars. The new season is expected to explore the aftermath of the Borderland and potentially introduce a new level of deadly challenges, possibly involving the mysterious "Jokers" hinted at in the Season 2 finale.

The Historical Roots of Japan's Survival Game Genre

To fully appreciate the "Squid Game versi Jepang," one must look at the foundational works that established the genre in Japan, long influencing not only *Squid Game* but also Western media like *The Hunger Games* and the entire "Battle Royale" video game genre.

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1. Battle Royale (2000)

The 2000 film *Battle Royale*, directed by Kinji Fukasaku and based on the novel by Koushun Takami, is arguably the most influential Japanese death game narrative. The plot centers on a class of junior high school students who are taken to a remote island by a totalitarian government and forced to fight to the death until only one survivor remains. Each student is given a weapon—ranging from a pot lid to a submachine gun—and a neck collar that will explode if they enter a forbidden zone or violate the rules. The film’s brutal, high-concept premise was controversial upon release but redefined the entire survival genre and is a direct ancestor of the modern Battle Royale video game format.

2. Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009)

The *Kaiji* live-action film trilogy, based on the *Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji* manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, takes a different approach by focusing on psychological and high-stakes gambling. The story follows Kaiji Itō (played by Tatsuya Fujiwara), a down-on-his-luck young man who is tricked into guaranteeing a friend's massive debt. To clear his debt, Kaiji is forced to participate in a series of deadly, elaborate gambling games on a cruise ship, where the stakes are not just money but life itself. The games, such as "Restricted Rock-Paper-Scissors" and the terrifying "Human Derby," require immense strategic thinking, manipulation, and nerve, making it a pure psychological thriller with deadly consequences.

Psychological Thrillers: The Liar Game and As the Gods Will

Beyond the physical and gambling-focused games, Japan also pioneered the pure psychological thriller sub-genre, which heavily influenced the mind games seen in *Squid Game*.

3. Liar Game (2007 J-Drama)

The *Liar Game* series, adapted from the manga by Shinobu Kaitani, focuses almost entirely on intellectual and psychological warfare. The plot revolves around Nao Kanzaki, an honest but naive college student, who is forced to participate in the "Liar Game Tournament," a series of games where participants must trick and betray one another to win a massive cash prize while avoiding crippling debt. The games are less about physical survival and more about decoding complex mathematical and psychological strategies. Notably, the director of *Squid Game*, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has credited the *Liar Game* manga as one of the inspirations for his hit series, highlighting its foundational role in the genre.

4. As the Gods Will (2014)

Directed by Takashi Miike, *As the Gods Will* (*Kami-sama no Iu Tōri*) is another notable entry that features deadly versions of children's games, much like *Squid Game*. The film begins when ordinary high school student Shun Takahata and his classmates are forced to play a deadly game of "Daruma-san ga Koronda" (Japan's equivalent of Red Light, Green Light), where failure results in instant, gruesome death. The film is known for its fast-paced, high-concept violence and its surreal, inexplicable premise, making it a visually shocking and intense survival film that shares a thematic core with *Squid Game*.

Why Japan is the True Home of the Death Game Genre

The enduring legacy of the "Squid Game versi Jepang" is a testament to Japan’s willingness to explore dark, high-concept themes in popular media. The genre’s popularity stems from its ability to use extreme scenarios—the "death game" setup—as a crucible for examining human nature.

In these narratives, the focus is less on the violence itself and more on the psychological and moral choices of the characters. Titles like *Alice in Borderland*, *Kaiji*, and *Liar Game* force protagonists to confront greed, desperation, betrayal, and the limits of their own intellect and ethics. This depth and variety—from the physical terror of *Battle Royale* to the cerebral puzzles of *Liar Game*—solidifies Japan's position as the true pioneer and master of the survival game thriller genre, offering a wealth of content for anyone who loved the intensity of *Squid Game*.