The Blade Runner franchise has truly flourished in the realm of print, with Titan Comics expanding its cyberpunk universe through a range of spinoffs and prequels. The latest addition to this expansive narrative is Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus, marking the first time a Blade Runner story is set in Japan. During IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the pleasure of speaking with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown to delve into the intricacies of this new series and understand how they've adapted the iconic Blade Runner aesthetic to a new cultural landscape. Explore the exclusive artwork in the slideshow gallery below to see the transformation from script to stunning visuals, and continue reading for more insights:
Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Behind-the-Scenes Art Gallery
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Tokyo, a city renowned for its role in seminal cyberpunk narratives like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, serves as the backdrop for this alternate universe set in 2015. We were eager to discover how the writers envisioned this version of Tokyo and how it stands in contrast to the well-known, rain-drenched, neon-lit Los Angeles of the Blade Runner world.
"Brainstorming Tokyo in the Blade Runner universe was incredibly exciting!" Shore shared with IGN. "Having lived in Japan in 2015 and recently visiting exhibits in Tokyo on envisioning the future, I aimed to differentiate Tokyo from Los Angeles, given their distinct histories, experiences, and socioeconomics. My vision was to create a hopepunk Tokyo."
Brown adds, "Los Angeles in Blade Runner is portrayed as a decaying, fractured place, where the neon masks its true state. Our Tokyo, in contrast, is a seemingly beautiful utopia, yet one where the inhabitants feel constrained. Disobey the laws of this 'paradise,' and it turns deadly. It's just as terrifying, but in a different manner."
Rather than drawing directly from Akira and Ghost in the Shell, both writers sought inspiration from other media and contemporary Japanese life to craft their version of Tokyo. Shore explains, "While I drew inspiration from the classics, understanding how Japanese media portrays the future post-3.11 Tohoku Disaster was crucial. Anime like Your Name, Japan Sinks 2020, and Bubble were key references."
Brown shares a similar approach, "I aimed not to iterate on anime already influenced by Blade Runner, such as Bubblegum Crisis or Psycho-Pass. When writing cyberpunk, you often reflect on how you envision your own environment evolving. So, I focused on the fears and hopes of modern Japanese society, and what could go wrong or right if certain individuals had their way."
Set in 2015, a few years before the events of the original Blade Runner film, Tokyo Nexus adds a unique chapter to the franchise's timeline. We were curious about its connections to the broader Blade Runner universe and whether it offers familiar elements for fans or presents an entirely new experience due to its Japanese setting.
"Tokyo Nexus stands alone in its setting, time, and story," Shore explains. "However, it wouldn't be a Blade Runner story without the influence of the Tyrell Corporation and a mystery at its core. There are nods and easter eggs to the films, but even those new to Blade Runner can enjoy the comic."
Brown elaborates, "We're building on the narrative that started with Blade Runner: Origins and leads up to Blade Runner: 2019. We're exploring complex questions like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell's monopoly on Replicant production. All of this leads to a looming civil war among Blade Runner organizations, and Tokyo Nexus sets the stage for one of these groups to rise as a global superpower."
A distinctive feature of Tokyo Nexus is the central partnership between human Mead and Replicant Stix. Their close-knit dynamic forms the heart of the series, portraying them as battle-weary veterans dependent on each other in this harsh world.
"Mead and Stix are best friends and platonic life partners," Shore says. "They've endured unimaginable hardships together, and their primary goal is survival, which requires them to trust each other again."
"Their relationship is beautifully unhealthy," Brown adds humorously. "We wanted to explore the 'More Human Than Human' theme. Stix, with her thirst for life, contrasts with Mead, who's become mechanical due to systemic wear. They need each other to navigate life, and their codependency could be their undoing."
As the narrative progresses, Stix and Mead become entangled in a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and a new Japanese entity called Cheshire, which is attempting to break into the Replicant market dominated by Tyrell.
"Cheshire is challenging Tyrell's dominance in Replicant manufacturing," Shore teases. "Their latest model is a military Replicant, designed for war and supposedly superior to Tyrell's creations."
Brown adds, "Cheshire is more than just a crime organization. With access to refugee Tyrell scientists in Tokyo, they've realized their potential to achieve far more in this universe."
Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Vol. 1 - Die in Peace is now available in comic shops and bookstores. You can also order the book on Amazon.
As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we also got an early look at IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
