So, you’ve probably seen that creepy smirk. If you’ve finished the second season of Netflix’s survival hit, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Hayato Isomura in Alice in Borderland is basically the definition of "stealing the scene." He plays Sunato Banda, and honestly, he makes the other villains look like amateurs.
Most people recognize him from the brutal Jack of Hearts game. You remember—the one with the explosive collars and the endless gaslighting? Banda was the guy who stayed eerily calm while everyone else was losing their minds. He didn't just survive; he thrived.
But there’s a lot more to Hayato Isomura’s role than just being a scary dude in a prison jumpsuit.
The Mystery of Sunato Banda Explained (Simply)
In the show, Banda is introduced as a serial killer from the "real world." That's his backstory. He’s cold, analytical, and has zero empathy. When he teams up with the intellectual Oki Yaba (played by Katsuya Maiguma), they become an unstoppable duo.
While Arisu and Usagi are busy trying to find a way back home, Banda is doing something totally different. He’s observing. He's learning the "rules" of the Borderland not to beat them, but to master them.
The shocker? At the end of Season 2, when everyone is given the choice to return to the real world or stay as "citizens," Banda stays.
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Why? Because he likes it there. In the real world, he’s a criminal. In the Borderland, he’s a god. Or at least, he's a permanent resident who gets to run the games instead of just playing them.
Hayato Isomura: The Actor Behind the Smile
It’s wild to see how much Isomura has blown up lately. Before he was traumatizing us in Alice in Borderland, he was actually a Kamen Rider. Yeah, he played Alain/Kamen Rider Necrom. Talk about a range, right?
He’s since become a bit of a darling in the Japanese film industry. He’s won a Japan Academy Film Prize—which is basically the Japanese Oscar—for his work in The Moon. He has this weird ability to look totally innocent in one scene and like a complete sociopath in the next.
Check out his recent filmography:
- Plan 75: A haunting film about a government program for the elderly.
- Tokyo Revengers: He plays Akkun, a character with a lot of heart.
- Soul Mate (2025): A much softer, emotional Netflix series he starred in recently.
If you only know him as the guy with the collar in Alice in Borderland, you're missing out on one of the best actors of his generation.
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Is He Returning for Season 3?
This is what everyone is searching for. The short answer? Yes.
Netflix confirmed that Season 3 is happening, and Hayato Isomura is officially back as Sunato Banda. But there's a twist. Since he chose to stay in the Borderland, he isn't a "player" anymore. He’s now a Citizen.
In the manga, the Citizens are the ones who design and oversee the games. This means in Season 3, Banda might actually be the one putting Arisu through hell. Imagine a game designed by a serial killer who knows exactly how to manipulate human psychology.
Scary.
Why the Fans Are Obsessed
There’s a reason why Banda is a fan favorite despite being, well, a murderer. It's the chemistry. Specifically, the weird, cult-like partnership between him and Yaba.
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A lot of viewers felt the Season 2 ending was a bit too "neat." Arisu wakes up in a hospital, it was all a meteorite strike, etc. But the Joker card at the very end suggests it’s not over. And characters like Banda are the proof. He didn't wake up. He stayed behind.
Isomura plays this with a level of nuance that's rare for "battle royale" style shows. He doesn't chew the scenery. He just stands there, watching, and somehow that’s more terrifying than the King of Spades shooting up a city block.
What to Watch Next if You Like Him
If you’ve binged everything and are waiting for the Season 3 release (which dropped late 2025/early 2026 depending on where you are), here is what you should do:
- Watch "The Moon" (2023): It’s heavy, but it shows why he's winning all those awards.
- Read the Manga: The Jack of Hearts arc is even more detailed in the original Haro Aso manga. You get more insight into Banda's twisted logic.
- Keep an eye on "Soul Mate": If you want to see him play a completely different, romantic lead role, this Netflix original is the way to go.
Banda is the character that bridges the gap between the "survival" aspect of the show and the deeper, philosophical questions about why we even want to live. Hayato Isomura in Alice in Borderland isn't just a supporting role; he's the key to understanding the darker side of the Borderland itself.
Keep an eye out for his "Citizen" outfit in the new episodes—it’s a total vibe shift.