Liar Game Episode 3 Review: A Steady Paced Narrative With a Massive Climax

Credit:- Madhouse

With Liar Game Episode 3 released on April 20, 2026, we enter a completely new phase of narrative intensity. The episode was really well-rounded, covering emotional and strategic POVs on the game and its social impact. What makes it so special is the gradual buildup to an intense climax.

As always, Studio Madhouse did a great job with animating the recent episode and structuring the original narrative from Shinobu Kaitani’s manga. Nevertheless, let’s jump right into a quick review and recap of the latest Liar Game Episode 3.

Akiyama’s Game of Deceit Wins Nao the First Round of Liar Game

Akiyama from Liar Game Episode 3 | Credits: Madhouse

The latest episode picks up from the massive cliffhanger left in Episode 2 – Fujiwara winning Round 1 of the game and a ring of his doorbell. As Fujiwara opens the door, he finds a man claiming to be from the LGT office and has arrived to collect the 200 million yen. Fujiwara immediately invites him in and opens the safe for him. While the person is counting the money and Fujiwara is daydreaming about spending his winnings, the doorbell rings again.

Three masked personnel appear and claim to have come from the LGT office. As Fujiwara reveals about their colleague who arrived earlier, the three gentlemen reveal that they were the only ones. As they enter the house, it is revealed that Akiyama arrived earlier as a disguised LGT employee and stole the 200 million yen.

Akiyama further reveals that he switched the cards for the timing of the game’s ending. While the original time was 6:00 pm, Akiyama switched it to a fake card for a 5:00 pm end time, to create a false sense of security that Fujiwara had won; even Nao was unaware of this. The LGT employees declare Nao Kanzaki as the winner and hand her the 100 million yen cash prize. However, Nao gives her share of 50 million to Fujiwara, and Akiyama also does the same.

The Liar Game Continues as Nao Receives a Round 2 Invitation

Akiyama and Nao from Liar Game Episode 3 | Credits: Madhouse

To thank Akiyama for his help, Nao walks back to her apartment with him to give him the 50,000 yen she saved from working. However, she is left stunned to find the Round 2 invitation card at her door. As Akiyama reads the card thoroughly, he narrates that the second round takes place at a specific location on a specific date and time. However, players can opt to drop out of the game.

If a player chooses to drop out, they must pay 50 million yen, and if they fail to appear at the designated location, they will be fined 100 million yen. Before leaving, Akiyama asks Nao not to heed the invitation and gives her his number if she ever wants to chat.

Akiyama Joins Nao as an Unexpected Guest Lures Her Into a Trap

While Nao was deliberating whether or not to enter Round 2, the lawyer Tanimura visited her. After hearing everything and reading the invitation letter, Tanimura advised Nao to visit the location and threaten LGT with a lawsuit if they do not leave her alone. Agreeing with his plan, Nao goes to the location on the designated date and time, while Akiyama goes to her apartment and doesn’t find her there.

Meanwhile, at the venue, Nao confronts the official, who turns out to be none other than Tanimura himself. He was actually an LGT employee who was manipulating Nao from the very beginning. With no other choice, Nao enters the building and is introduced to twenty other participants already waiting there.

As Leronira, the conductor of Liar Game, was about to explain the rules for Round 2, Akiyama entered the building and joined Nao. The Episode then ends with Leronira announcing the Round 2 as “Minority Rule”.

Liar Game Episode 3 Final Verdict

Leronira from Liar Game Episode 3 | Credits: Madhouse

Episode 3 wasn’t that energetic or over-the-top with either the narrative or the animation. It was a subtle, almost an explainer-type episode, that gradually drove into an intense climax – the reveals and the beginning of Round 2. What makes the episode really likable for me is that it delivered a top-notch narrative with the perfect balance of psychological elements and emotional weight.

The animation was, as always, really polished with every episode; I mean, that is exactly what we can expect from a studio like Madhouse. What else can I say? It was really a good episode that works great as a pivot as we enter the most intriguing part of the series, the games themselves, for a final prize of 2.1 billion yen in cash.

Have you got a chance to watch the episode yet? If so, what are your thoughts on it, and what do you think will happen next? We’ll be happy to know your opinions in the comments below.

Episodes of the Liar Game anime are available to watch on Crunchyroll.