Before TRON Ares and Beyond: A Complete Guide with 6 Must-Read Features

Step back into the neon world of TRON before TRON Ares arrives. From classic films to iconic games and key news, this guide covers everything fans need to know. Get ready to relive the Grid and all the highlights that made the franchise legendary.

Before TRON Ares, There Was TRONBefore TRON Ares arrives, it’s worth remembering how this franchise first lit up the silver screen in 1982. The neon-soaked world of the Grid has long been a playground for dreamers, gamers, and tech-heads. Whether you came for the lightcycle battles, the philosophical undertones, or the Daft Punk beats, TRON has left a lasting mark on pop culture.

Here at Otakunoculture, we’ve been chasing that beam of light for years—from deep dives into the films, to retro gaming retrospectives, to speculation on where the series is headed next. Think of this article as your personal I/O Tower for all things TRON.


The Films & Reviews

Tron Original Movie Poster

The Games

TRON 2.0 Videogame Xbox

News & Features


Keep Your Identity Disc Spinning Before TRON Ares

We’ll keep updating this hub as The Grid evolves — whether that means new games, park news, or the long-awaited arrival of TRON Ares. Before that next chapter begins, there’s plenty of history to revisit, from classic arcade battles to the philosophical sparks that made this franchise unique. If you’ve got your own theories or TRON trivia to share, drop them in the comments on any of these articles.

After all… the Game Grid is always more fun with players. In the future, we have more to discuss.

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Ideas on How to Change Netflix’s The Electric State for the Better

Despite all the star power used to get fans of post-apocalyptic tales excited for The Electric State, this film generally falls flat for its execution, but I got ideas on how to salvage it.

The Electric State Movie PosterNow Streaming on Netflix
Spoiler Alert

The Electric State is not an entirely terrible film. Had The Russo Brothers taken more creative liberty and came up with adding a horrific element, I’d love it! When the robots in this film made me think of those from the cinematic adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s, just what I imagined up would have been even more thrilling! But when this work is based on the work of another talent’s work, I have to wonder if Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag would approve.

While this work fails as being a road trip movie, where Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) leaves her foster home to search for Chris (Woody Norman), at least parts of the world building are done right. And when she knows her brother is a genius in science and robotics, this can lead to problems in the long run. Someone can take advantage of him. In what he knows about combining the two, nobody or no device can be safe.

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My Husband The Cyborg. What Can Go Wrong?

There’s more of a love story than discussion in what it means to be My Husband the Cyborg.

My Husband the Cyborg Promo PosterNow available on Digital

Unlike other documentaries which explore the trans-humanism experiment, My Husband the Cyborg is light on the reasons behind why anyone wants to get electronic implants. The changes it can cause to the psyche can not be reversed. Ultimately, this work is more about the love Susanna Cappellaro (who directed and produced) has for Scott Cohen. This filmmaker’s vow of devotion, to be true in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, is heartwarming.

In this film, few medical professionals will put machine parts inside a human body. The only exception is to replace worn out bones. Just because a person wants to be more machine than man, they’ll have to reach out to the shadier sides of the profession. And although the people there seem nice, I would not trust any place that isn’t certified!

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MediaOCD’s Bubblegum Crisis Perfect Edition is Ready to Burst!

No anime fan should be without Bubblegum Crisis Perfect Edition in their collection for the simple reason: their music defined the 90s and explains why the Knight Sabers are still beloved today!

Bubblegum Crisis Perfect CollectionRelease Date: February 11, 2025

Fans of Bubblegum Crisis may well wonder what the differences are between all the “collected” and remastered editions that’s still floating around on online shops. Aside from all the new content (see below) produced for Bubblegum Crisis Perfect Edition, being handled by MediaOCD, if you already have the crowdfunded release, this latest includes all three music video compilations and brand new packaging!

The good news for owners of previous editions is that there’s a coupon code to get an incredible discount for this new one! For more information, please visit the official website. And if that’s not enough, there’s even a brand new tee-shirt to show your love for this fond 90s classic that can be ordered through this distributor!

From the Press Release:

Originally released in Japan starting in 1987, and an OVA (Original Video Animation) mega-hit among the early American anime scene, Bubblegum Crisis is the show that put AnimEigo on the map. Over the years the series, and its unique noir blend of mecha, cute girls, 80s J-pop, and cyberpunk dystopia, has inspired countless imitators. It stands as a seminal work in the world of Japanese science fiction and is a landmark part of anime history.

The AnimEigo Perfect Collection Blu-ray edition features all 8 episodes of the original series presented in full 1080p HD and includes a new video interview with the renowned character designer, Kenichi Sonoda, and a 50-page book filled with additional interviews and insightful liner notes. Continue reading “MediaOCD’s Bubblegum Crisis Perfect Edition is Ready to Burst!”

When Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons Lands At Fantasia 2024…

After Fantasia Film Festival 2024, Google Search says Mantra Warrior is destined to Netflix next!

Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons
Played at Fantasia Film Festival on July 21, 2024 1:50 PM

Every country has a legend, and in Thailand, The Ramakien is one of several epic tales that paint a solid picture of good triumphing over evil. Here, King Rama and Tosakanth are opposites, and when the latter kidnaps the queen because he’s in love with her, this lord will fight back! What’s presented in Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons requires knowing the source material to truly appreciate it; otherwise, what’s presented like a Siamese version of Final Fantasy on steroids.

That’s because of the bold character designs and colour choices used to bring this mythic world to life. I want to compare this work to Gundam because of all the giant robots featured. Even though they look nothing like, the fact they carry oversized weapons with crazy nicknames is enough to make me think that director Veerapatra Jinanavin had this anime in mind!

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The Worlds Divide is Esluna’s Next Exciting Chapter Ready for the International Stage!

It’s rare to find a world that’s as rich as Esluna, and in The Worlds Divide, what viewers learn is how it all began. After it’s international debut at the most prestigious celebration of all things animation, it’ll be hitting film festivals worldwide.

The Worlds Divide Movie PosterInternational Premiere
Annecy Film Festival

June 10 & 13th, 2024

Dad has gone missing in The Worlds Divide. And if he’s not found in time, the world of Esluna may not continue existing. Anyone who’s followed this epic tale will be in for a treat. Here, it’s always about people wanting to discover the purpose of various technological relics that’s scattered around this realm, and it’s about time this entry is putting things together.

Following a preview at Spark! Film Festival, this latest work by Denver Jackson is making its proper world debut at the Annecy. I’ve interviewed him when he was still producing this film, and as a result, I firmly believe this filmmaker’s sense of how to present an epic is better thought out than all of Disney’s Star Wars cinematic releases put together. That is, unlike how various producers keep on changing what The Force represents; here, it concerns what secrets the Monolith contains!

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