The story follows Ryohei Arisu, a directionless gamer who, along with his two best friends, suddenly finds Tokyo deserted. They are forced into a series of life-or-death games to earn "visas"—temporary permits that keep them alive.

The first season of is a high-stakes psychological thriller that adapts Haro Aso's manga into a visceral, live-action survival drama. Often compared to Squid Game for its "play or die" premise, it distinguishes itself with a deep focus on world-building mystery and the specific card-suit mechanics that define its deadly games. Core Premise & World Mechanics

: Fans on Readers Enjoy Authors' Dreams note it is one of the better live-action manga adaptations, successfully grounding its surreal elements through relatable character struggles.