Warning: This article includes MAJOR SPOILERS for Squid Game season 3!
Netflix’sSquid Gameseason 3 brings back a past character in a shocking way, confirming that they were the show’s best new character from season 2. Since the first season debuted in September 2021, fans have invested in the horrifying and twisted world of Squid Game. The dystopian children’s games premise was grounded in realisticSquid Game characterswhom the audience could connect with.
The deadlyend of Squid Game season 2wiped out many of the newer characters, leaving season 3 with a relatively small cast. However, that doesn’t mean that the old characters are completely forgotten. One character who died in Squid Game season 2 makes a shocking appearance that confirms his status as the best new character in the show.
Thanos Returned In Squid Game Season 3 During Min-su’s Hallucinations
Min-su Hallucinates Thanos During The Final Game Of Squid Game Season 3
While I personally think Hyun-ju is thebest new character inSquid Gameseason 2, Thanos is frequently listed as one of the best new characters in the show after the first season. He even won 50% of the vote in a Netflix survey of 700,000 individuals about the favorite new character in Squid Game, with Hyun-ju taking second place and Jun-hee in third (viaChosun). Thanos’ chaotic and over-the-top energy added some levity to a really dark show, and his style was more reflective of the younger generation of players.
This made it all the more shocking when he died during the bathroom fight in the second season. AfterThanos’ death inSquid Gameseason 2, many fans correctly predicted that he would be back in the final season. One of the most popular theories was that he would secretly be a VIP, since Squid Game announced their return in season 3. It turns out people were half correct.
Even though Thanos died in Squid Game season 2, he appears in the final game of season 3, but they didn’t bring him back to life. Min-su takes Thanos’ final pill from the cross necklace, leading him to have paranoia and drug-induced hallucinations. When they’re playing Sky Squid Game,Min-su sees the dead player hanging off the edge of the pillar, begging him to help. However, the begging soon turns into mocking.
Thanos' Presence Was Felt Throughout Squid Game Season 3
Thanos Impacted Nam-gyu & Min-su In Squid Game Season 3
Even before he appeared at theend of Squid Game season 3, Thanos still had an impact on Nam-gyu’s and Min-su’s character arcs throughout the season. The former is taking on Thanos’ chaotic and over-the-top energy, filling in the gaps after his former ally’s death. He even wears Thanos’ necklace and takes his drugs. Plus, he also takes on the role of taunting Min-su, just like Thanos did before. Consequently, Min-su takes Thanos’ necklace when Nam-gyu is going through withdrawal and uses it to get revenge on his tormentor. In this way, both major character arcs hinge on Thanos' presence.
Thanos Made His Mark On Squid Game Despite Dying Before Season 3
Thanos Will Be Remembered As One Of The Best Squid Game Characters
Even though he didn’t make it to the final season of Squid Game season 3, Thanos will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most entertaining and enjoyable characters in the show. It’s impressive that he made such a significant mark on the audience because he wasn’t one of the original characters. It’s hard to beat the first games’ players.
What’s more, Thanos will be remembered as one of the most deadly players in the games, directly taking out eight different individuals and indirectly contributing to the deaths of five others. That puts him up there with Nam-gyu, Jang Deok-su, and Hwang In-ho as the deadliestSquid Gamecharacters. (Oh Il-nam isn’t included in the list simply because he wasn’t an actual player but the VIP in disguise.) If he had stuck around inSquid Gameseason 3, I’m confident Thanos easily could have made it to the end because of his trickster, chaotic persona.
