I watched the second season of Alice in Borderland about almost two weeks ago before watching The Glory and under one of the recommended videos in YouTube this pops up.
Major spoiler warnings ahead so if you haven't watched the last season please scroll away and come back later.
So I definitely had an idea that Alice in Borderland had something in common with Alice in Wonderland. The signs were all there from Arisu game handle or Alice, to Usagi which means rabbit (I've been growing up watching anime and reading manga so you pick up a few words here and there) to of course the Hatter who is mad.
Chisiya who looks like a smirking cat who has always had a secret is clearly the Chesire cat.
Mira at the end of season 1 revealed herself as a Queen of Hearts and definitely had off with his head vibes.
It wasn't just the mannerism, personality, and even color but some had names that were a play on how the Japanese would pronounce it or the meeting in Japanese was a certain character in Alice in Wonderland.
It was wonderfully smart, and emotional and made you think if you are ever in that situation what would you have done?
It placed a looking glass back to you that when the cards are dealt what would do and who will you be.
Personally, I liked Chisiya's character the best and with the arc that he had in season 2, he stole the show.
I don't know if I would have been so calm and calculating as he is as I do tend to be more emotional and erratic at times.
This brings me to the Jack of Hearts game which was one of my favorites because it entails a level of trust and deception as well. It was so well thought out and had me at the edge of my seat. Although I knew Chisiya was not going to be killed off there but the journey was nail biting.
The King of Diamond game which no surprise Chisiya was in it again was so awesome although honestly I got lost in the math. Oooppps numbers brain freeze! The tension though between him and the game master was intense. Made me think of that reference in The Glory that playing Go in silence while a battle is taking place to destroy your opponent's house.
The King of Spades game was bittersweet for me. It was the first time that I wanted to root for a face card game master and it left an impact with Arisu and you as a viewer as well.
It made you think what are the things that matter.
So I started out with the names of the characters and somehow got into the different games that I liked but that is where my musing went as I got to remember this show.
Really underrated and it needs more love. Might rewatch it again over the weekend.