Whether you're a Korean drama fan looking to explore the wide world of Asian entertainment or a Squid Game viewer ready to dive into another heart-pounding series, "Alice in Borderland" needs to be at the top of your watch list Netflix's Japanese Death Game drama returns this week for its second season, following a group of young people caught up in a life-or-death game of intense physical strength, wit, teamwork, and psychological challenge. The conditions are simple: win and you survive; lose or refuse to play and you die.

This thrilling series features some of Japan's biggest stars while also introducing up-and-coming stars. Let's get a closer look at the true faces of the players. Warning: There are spoilers for Alice in Borderland Season 1.

Arisu, the Alice of the story, is a brilliant analyst and gamer who lives with a disappointed family and misses job interviews because of gaming. In Season 1, she is sent to the Borderlands with her two best friends and later connects with a mountaineer rabbit. He plays the game by getting into the minds of the game master and other players, but his loyalty to his friends is both a strength and a weakness.

Yamazaki (open in new tab) (28) is one of Japan's most popular actors, known as the "Prince of Live Action" for his starring roles in many projects based on manga and anime. His best-known series and films include the 2014 film "LD-K", the 2015 film "orange" (with Tao Tsuchiya), the 2015 TV version of "Death Note", the 2016 drama "The Girl and Her Three Lovers", and the 2018 Japanese TV remake of "Good Doctor, Kingdom" film in 2019 (also directed by AiB director Shinsuke Sato).

A quiet and mysterious rabbit (translated as "hare" and also known as "white rabbit") was taught how to hunt and survive in the outdoors by her father, a famous rock climber. She was transported to the Borderlands and played as a loner until she struck up a friendship with Arisu.

Tsuchiya (open in new tab), 27, began her career as a model before moving into singing, dancing, and acting on stage and in films; outside of AiB, she has appeared in the 2013 manga adaptation of "Arcana," the 2015 film "orange," the 2015 drama series "Mare and the action film series Rurouni Kenshin, for which he is best known.

Senya is also a very observant character, and her quick-witted decisions make her a strong ally. He is also a very difficult character to read, and it is difficult to determine whether he wants to escape the borderlands or gain the most power within them. His facial expression remains mostly neutral, except when he smiles a mischievous smile reminiscent of the Chesire cat.

Murakami (open in new tab) (25) is a film, television, and voice actor who debuted in the lead role in the 2014 award-winning film Still the Water, which was adapted into the 2015 live-action anime Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (We Still Don't Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day) and the 2017 TV series "Deadstock" and the 2020 film "Soiree."

One of the former residents of the beach, Quina is a talented fighter who became a fan favorite and scene stealer in season one. Before coming to the Borderlands, she grew up learning martial arts from her father, but was disowned by him for being trans and left home. She is best friends with Senshiya and is quickly inspired by Arisu. (She also experiences transformation and holds a stick in her mouth to avoid smoking, which may symbolize Caterpillar.)

Asahina (open in new tab) (29) is a model and TV personality who made her acting debut in 2017 in the Amazon series Tokyo Alice. She has since appeared in Runway 24 and Girl Gun Lady in addition to AiB.

Kind Tatta first met her in the early rounds of season 1, where she was rescued by Alice and later reunited with her on the beach. Tatta's backstory is not yet known until the end of season one, but with each episode she becomes braver and more active in the Ten of Hearts game, whereas she used to freeze up.

Watanabe (open in new tab), 28, made his acting debut in 2014 and has appeared in mostly supporting roles, including the 2015 film Werewolf Game: Prison Break, the 2017 series The Female Factory Owner, and the 2020 film Gaze. He also starred in a Japanese show centered around a death game in the 2021 film "Aoi Sono: Confessions After School."

An was a former beach executive who helped residents with his critical thinking skills and level-headed game play. A former forensic scientist for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, she is also one of the show's many bad girls. Fans also believe she represents the White Queen.

Miyoshi (open in new tab), 26, actress, model, and former J-pop idol and member of the girl group Sakura Gakuin from 2010 to 2012. She began her career as a child actress and has appeared in numerous shows and films, most recently in the 2015 drama Angel Heart, the 2019 film Dance with Me, and the 2020 film Howl Village.

Nilagi is a former member of a beach extremist group. He is a psychotic bully who does not care about others and abuses his power through violence and intimidation. We also learn that he has deep insecurities due to the trauma of past bullying. Although he ended up severely burned and injured in the season 1 finale, Netflix has confirmed that he will return for season 2 (also, the closest he comes to Alice in Wonderland is the March Hare)

Sakurada (open in new tab), 31, is an actor, model, dancer and singer. He made his debut in 2005 as a child actor in the musical "Tenimu", a stage adaptation of the anime "The Prince of Tennis". He has recently appeared in shows and films, including the 2019 film La, the 2019 dramas Coffee & Vanilla and Perfect Crime, and the 2021 drama 3B Lover.

Mira is another beach executive we met in Season 1; she is less visible and spends most of her time with Anne. In the finale, she invites Arisu, Usagi, Chishya, and Kuina to further games, and we learn that she is actually the game master. We meet her again in Season 2.

Naka (open in new tab) (33) is a prolific actor who made her acting debut in the early 2000s and won the Yokohama Film Festival's Best Newcomer Award in 2009. Her recent credits include the 2018 drama "Holiday Love" and the 2020 drama "Mothers in Love."

Kuma is one of the first opponents Arisu and the players face in the new season, while the mystery man leads his own team as king of the club. Yamashita (open in new tab), 37 (also known as Yamapi or Tomo) is an actor, television host, active solo singer, and former member of the J-pop boy band NEWS from 2003 to 2011. In addition to his popular career in Japanese television and film, he has recently appeared in several international projects, including the HBO Max series Tokyo Vice and the 2022 film The Man From Toronto.

Another new player in Season 2, Heiya is a scrappy fighter and talented archer; 24-year-old Tsunematsu (open in new tab) started as a child actor and has appeared in numerous films and dramas. His recent credits include the 2019 film "He Don't Kill, She Don't Die," the 2020 film "The Spy's Wife," the 2022 drama "Travel Nurse," and the 2022 film "Kisaragi Station."

Also joining the cast as a new contender is Isomura (open in new tab) (30), who just won the 45th Japan Academy Prize for Best Newcomer for his roles in the 2021 films "Kazoku wa Tsuraiyo" and "Yesterday's What I Ate". His recent credits include the 2020 drama "Mothers In Love" and the 2022 films "Plan 75" and "Fish Tale."

The new addition, Matsushita, is played by Inowaki (opens in new tab), 27, who made his acting debut as the lead in the acclaimed 2009 film "Tokyo Sonata." His recent credits include the 2019 drama "Magi: Tensho Shonenshi", the 2021 film "Onoda: Ten Thousand Night in a Secret Room", the 2021 drama "Promise Cinderella", and the 2022 drama "Kurosagi".

The intimidating Yaba is played by Maimuma (opens in new tab), 35, an award-winning actor who made his debut as a stage actor in 2010. His recent drama series and films include the 2020 dramas "Incurable Disease of Love" and "Youkai Iyoku" and the 2021 drama "Radius of 5 meters."

Yaba's teammate Kotoko is played by Sato (opens in new tab), 33, also known as Hona Ikoka, drummer for the J-rock band Gesu no Kyokumiotome. (If that name sounds familiar, her bandmate Masao Wada was on the reality show Terrace House: Open New Door.) Sato made her acting debut in 2017 and has since appeared in several films and shows, including the 2021 films "Ride or Die" and "Sexual Drive," the 2022 film "Still, I Love You," and the 2022 drama "Born to 30."