You’ve probably seen the screenshots. A guy with bright purple hair, a chaotic energy that screams "main character," and a set of nails so colorful they look like a bag of Skittles spilled on his fingertips. If you’re confused about why everyone is obsessing over thanos squid game nails, you aren't alone. It’s a weirdly specific crossover.
Actually, it’s not even a crossover in the way you’d think. We aren’t talking about the Marvel villain entering the arena—though that would be a short show. We’re talking about Choi Su-bong, the eccentric Player 230 in Squid Game Season 2, played by the legendary T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun).
Who Is This Thanos Guy Anyway?
Let’s get the facts straight. In the show, the character isn't actually named Thanos by the creators; it’s a nickname given to him because of his striking resemblance to the MCU titan's aesthetic. He has the purple hair. He has the "larger than life" attitude. But the real kicker? The nails.
T.O.P actually came up with the idea for the thanos squid game nails himself. In a recent interview with Netflix K-Content, he mentioned that he asked the director, "How about I paint my nails?" He thought it would add a "cringy" and bizarre element to an already eccentric character. He chose colors that mirrored the Infinity Stones:
- Space Stone (Blue)
- Reality Stone (Red)
- Power Stone (Purple)
- Mind Stone (Yellow)
- Time Stone (Green)
- Soul Stone (Orange)
The director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, apparently loved them because they reminded him of Skittles. Since the show dropped, fans have been flooding TikTok and Instagram trying to recreate the look. It’s a mix of dystopian grit and high-fashion weirdness.
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Why the Trend Is Exploding Right Now
Nail art is usually about perfection. This isn't. The beauty of the thanos squid game nails trend is that it’s supposed to look a little bit "off." In the context of the show, these are nails painted by a man trapped in a death game. They aren't salon-perfect. They’re chipped. They’re loud. They represent a weird form of rebellion in a place where everyone is just a number.
Honestly, it’s the contrast that sells it. You have these grim, green tracksuits and then—bam—a neon hand inspired by a cosmic warlord.
How to Get the Look (The Right Way)
If you want to pull off thanos squid game nails without looking like you just dipped your hands in finger paint, you have to lean into the "Infinity Stone" palette. People get this wrong by trying to make them too "themed." You don't need little drawings of Thanos's face.
Basically, you want a different color on every finger. Use a high-shine top coat to get that "gemstone" vibe, but if you want to be authentic to the show, maybe skip the professional filing. T.O.P's character is chaotic. Your nails should be too.
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The Color Guide for Authenticity:
- Thumb: Deep Gold or Orange (Soul)
- Index: Bright Red (Reality)
- Middle: Electric Blue (Space)
- Ring: Vibrant Purple (Power)
- Pinky: Neon Green (Time)
Mix in some yellow on the other hand for the Mind Stone. Some fans are even adding a "dusting" effect to the edges, a subtle nod to the "snap." It’s clever. It’s nerdy. It’s exactly what the internet loves in 2026.
The Cultural Impact of Player 230
It’s easy to dismiss this as just another viral manicure. But look closer. T.O.P’s involvement in Squid Game was a massive deal in Korea. He’s a former Big Bang member—basically K-pop royalty. Him playing a "loser" or a "weirdo" like Choi Su-bong, complete with thanos squid game nails, is a huge subversion of his "cool" idol image.
Critics were divided at first. Some thought the character was too "cartoonish" for the dark tone of the series. But the fans? They ate it up. The "Thanos" nickname stuck immediately. It transformed a supporting character into a visual icon of the season.
The nails are a conversation starter. They represent the "bizarre" nature of survival. When everything is being taken away from you, you can still choose to paint your nails like a supervillain. There’s something strangely human about that.
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Common Mistakes When Recreating the Design
Don't go too matte. Thanos’s stones are glowing, powerful objects. If your thanos squid game nails look flat, they just look like a toddler’s craft project. You need depth. Use jelly polishes or "glass" finishes to give that translucent, stone-like appearance.
Also, don't worry about the hair. Unless you're ready to commit to a full-head bleach and purple dye job like Choi Su-bong, the nails are enough to carry the reference.
Practical Steps to Master the Aesthetic
If you're ready to try this at home, start with a solid white base coat. It makes the "Infinity" colors pop much harder.
- Grab five distinct primary colors. Don't worry about matching brands.
- Apply thin layers. Thick polish chips in a way that looks messy, not "cool-messy."
- Use a "Skittles" layout. Don't repeat colors on the same hand.
- Finish with a gel-effect top coat. This protects the "stones" while you're out living your non-death-game life.
The thanos squid game nails trend isn't going anywhere as long as Season 2 is dominating the charts. It’s a rare moment where a character’s small, improvised detail becomes the biggest fashion takeaway of the year. Whether you're a Marvel fan, a Squid Game addict, or just someone who likes colorful hands, it’s a fun, low-stakes way to join the cultural zeitgeist.
Keep the colors bright, keep the attitude chaotic, and remember: it’s all just a game.
Actionable Next Steps:
To get started, audit your current polish collection for the six "Infinity" colors (Purple, Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Orange). If you're missing the specific "Power Stone" purple that T.O.P used, look for a "Grape" or "Electric Violet" shade with a crème finish. Apply the colors in a mismatched "Skittles" pattern across both hands and seal with a high-gloss top coat to mimic the character's signature look.