The Ring Movies: Spiral Timeline

This alternate Japanese timeline of the Ring franchise follows the sequel Rasen (aka The Spiral), which was released the same day as the original Ring in 1998 but was quickly dismissed due to poor reception. Based on Koji Suzuki's second novel, Rasen took the story in a more science-fiction direction, exploring the curse as a virus and featuring pathologist Mitsuo Ando investigating mysterious deaths.

Despite its initial failure, this timeline was revived years later with Sadako 3D (2012) and its sequel, which modernize the plot by bringing it into the digital age. In these films, the videotape curse spreads through the internet, forcing victims to commit suicide rather than simply dying. This timeline represents a more experimental, technologically-focused take on the Ring mythology.