‘Squid Game’ Meets ‘Alice in Borderland’ in Prime Video’s New Psychological Thriller

In the world of thrillers, even the simplest games can become dangerous when the stakes are high enough. Prime Video is now bringing a new Japanese psychological thriller, Rock Paper Landmine, that turns familiar school games into intense battles of strategy and mind games.

Based on Yugo Aosaki’s award-winning novel Jirai Glico, the series follows two high school girls who enter underground games where losing does not mean death. Instead, they risk their money, friendships, school lives, and the best years of their youth.

Prime Video’s Rock Paper Landmine Has Squid Game Vibes

Rock Paper Landmine is the live-action adaptation of Yugo Aosaki’s Jirai Glico, which was published by Kadokawa. The novel quickly became a major success, winning multiple awards to its name.

Now, the story is coming to Prime Video worldwide on November 13, 2026 (via the official production website). Nana Mori will play Mato Imoriya, while Aju Makita will play her best friend, Kazahi Koda.

The premise may remind fans of Squid Game and Alice in Borderland because ordinary games are turned into high-stakes contests where players must stay calm, understand the rules, and outsmart their opponents. Like Squid Game, the series takes familiar games and gives them much bigger consequences.

At the same time, its focus on clever strategies, hidden tricks, and psychological battles gives it the same appeal as Alice in Borderland. The biggest difference is that the players are not fighting for their lives. They are putting their money, friendships, school lives, and youth on the line.

The games themselves are also surprisingly simple. Rock-paper-scissors and memory games are turned into complicated contests by adding new rules. Players have to think ahead, read their opponents, and find clever ways to escape difficult situations. Kazuaki Seki is directing the series, with Tatsuhiro Mishima, Shiori Ueno, and Daiki Kobayashi writing the scripts. Yuma Yamaguchi is composing the music, while The Seven is producing the series and Akira Morii is serving as producer.

Rock Paper Landmine Is More Than Just a Survival Game

According to the early story preview, the story follows Mato Imoriya, a seemingly carefree high school girl who has an unusual talent for winning games. However, her ability is put to the test when she enters underground school game battles to help her best friend, Kazahi Koda.

A cover image from the Jirai Glico manga. | Credit: Hakusensha

These games can involve anything from getting the best spot for a school festival booth to competing for chips worth as much as 90 million yen. As the challenges become harder, Mato has to use more than just luck to survive each game.

The real excitement comes from the mind games between the players. A single mistake can completely change the result, while a clever move can turn a losing position into a winning one. Players must also look beyond the rules of the game and figure out what their opponents are planning.

The story has already expanded beyond the original novel. Akira Akatsuki, best known as the artist of Medaka Box, launched a manga adaptation of Jirai Glico (via @MangaMoguraRE on Twitter/X), which was serialized in Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine. His experience with mystery stories makes Rock Paper Landmine another interesting addition to his growing body of work.

With simple games, huge stakes, and plenty of psychological twists, Rock Paper Landmine could be a fresh take on the survival-game genre. Now the big question: Will you be watching Rock Paper Landmine when it arrives on Prime Video? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Rock Paper Landmine is set to premiere on Prime Video.