The Japanese survival series written and illustrated by Haro Aso has shown a perfect balance between deadly games and human nature in a dystopian world. Each game comes with a card that symbolizes its type and difficulty level: spades tests strength, clubs tests teamwork, diamonds tests intellect, and hearts tests trust through betrayal.
Season two showed more how players ended up in Borderland, but in return it came with bloodier games than in season one.
1. 10 of hearts - The Witch
One of the series’ biggest twists. When the Beach turns into a game, players must hunt and burn the “witch” who killed Momoka. The truth, that Momoka herself was the witch, is revealed after countless of deaths, leaving survivors devastated by the guilt of killing their peers.
2. Jack of hearts - The Prison
Trust becomes a deadly gamble. Players wear collars displaying a card suit on the back, which only others can see. If they are given the wrong answer, the collar detonates. The catch is that the Jack of hearts is also playing, and he will do whatever to create distress. It is an important game as it introduces key characters who later shape the story.
One by one, they start to lose hope of winning and are forced to make gut-wrenching decisions just to stay alive.
3. King of Clubs - Osmosis
A point-tag game that asks for both teamwork and sacrifice. At first, Arisu’s team seems confident, but they soon realize that their opponents are willing to die for victory. One by one, they start to lose hope of winning and are forced to make gut-wrenching decisions just to stay alive.
4. King of Spades - Arena
This was the only game that lasted the whole season two. The King of Spades is an almost-invincible opponent that can counter any attacks. Indeed, it took the full team’s effort to defeat him, with brutal close-combat scenes that leave the viewer wondering who is still alive.
5. 7 of Hearts - Hide and Seek
Arisu, Chōta, Karube and Shibuki face their first Hearts game, unaware of its cruelty. From the start, they are put against each other since only the player with the "wolf" label can survive. The game’s premise flips its meaning from searching for the “wolf” to hiding from it. Arisu’s denial as his friends choose him to live is one of the series’ most heart-breaking, devastating moments.