The Blade Runner franchise has truly found a second life on the printed page, with Titan Comics significantly expanding the scope of this iconic cyberpunk universe through various spinoffs and prequels. Currently, Titan is in the midst of publishing *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus*, a series that holds the unique distinction of being the first Blade Runner story set in Japan.

As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the privilege of engaging with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown to delve deeper into this new series and uncover how they adapted the quintessential Blade Runner aesthetic to a new corner of the globe. Explore the slideshow gallery below for exclusive artwork that traces the journey of the series from script to its visually stunning realization, and continue reading to learn more:

Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Behind-the-Scenes Art Gallery

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Despite Tokyo serving as the backdrop for seminal cyberpunk stories like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus* marks the first time the Blade Runner narrative has ventured into Japan. We were eager to understand how the writers envisioned the Tokyo of this alternate universe set in 2015 and how it compares to the familiar, rain-soaked, neon-lit Los Angeles of the original Blade Runner.

“Brainstorming Tokyo in the Blade Runner universe was such a fun process!” Shore shared with IGN. “Having lived in Japan in 2015 and recently visited some interesting exhibits on envisioning the future, I wanted Tokyo to feel distinct from Los Angeles. Their histories, experiences, and socioeconomics are entirely different. My goal was to create a hopepunk Tokyo.”

“In Blade Runner, Los Angeles is a broken, decrepit city on its last legs, with neon lights masking its true state. If you turn them off, you see a hellscape,” Brown explained. “Our Tokyo, in contrast, is a beautiful utopia where people feel constrained. If you break the rules of this 'paradise,' it will consume you. It's equally terrifying, but in a different way.”

Both writers emphasized avoiding direct homages to Akira and Ghost in the Shell, instead drawing inspiration from other media and contemporary Japanese life to craft their vision of Tokyo.

Shore noted, “While I drew inspiration from classics, it was crucial to understand how Japanese media depicts the future post the 3.11 Tohoku Disaster. I watched anime like Your Name, Japan Sinks 2020, and Bubble for insights.”

Brown added, “My goal was to avoid rehashing anime already inspired by Blade Runner, such as Bubblegum Crisis or Psycho-Pass. When writing cyberpunk, you reflect on your own environment's future. The original series reflected fears of Japan's rise in the '80s. Here, I wanted to reflect Japan's current societal hopes and fears, and what could go wrong or right if dangerous elements had their way.”

The Blade Runner timeline spans the 21st Century, with *Tokyo Nexus* set in 2015, just before the events of the original film. We were curious about how *Tokyo Nexus* connects to the broader franchise and whether fans would find familiar elements or if it's entirely new territory given its Japanese setting.

“*Tokyo Nexus* is a standalone in setting, time, and story,” Shore said. “However, it wouldn't be Blade Runner without the omnipresent Tyrell Corporation and a mystery to unravel. There are nods and Easter eggs to the films, but it's accessible to new readers too.”

Mellow added, “We continue the narrative thread from *Blade Runner: Origins* and *Blade Runner: 2019*. We're exploring complex questions in the universe, like the Kalanthia War and why Tyrell is the sole Replicant manufacturer. All these elements build toward a civil war among Blade Runner organizations, and *Tokyo Nexus* lays the groundwork for one of these groups to rise as a global superpower.”

*Tokyo Nexus* revolves around the partnership between a human, Mead, and a Replicant, Stix. Their close-knit dynamic is central to the series, portraying them as battle-scarred veterans who rely solely on each other in this harsh world.

“Mead and Stix are best friends and platonic life-partners,” Shore said. “They've been through hell and back, bleeding and weeping together. Their goal is survival, but they must trust each other to achieve it.”

“It's beautifully unhealthy,” Brown remarked. “We're exploring the 'More Human Than Human' theme. Stix, with his thirst for life, and Mead, ground down by systems, need each other to survive. Their partnership is a codependency that could break them.”

As the series progresses, Stix and Mead become entangled in a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and a Japanese group called Cheshire. The writers hinted that Cheshire plays a fascinating role in the Blade Runner universe, attempting to challenge Tyrell's monopoly on Replicant manufacturing.

“Cheshire is vying to enter the Replicant market,” Shore teased. “Their latest model is a military-grade Replicant, supposedly stronger and faster, built on Tyrell's foundation.”

Mellow added, “Cheshire is a crime organization with grand ambitions. When they capture refugee Tyrell scientists in Tokyo, their potential in this universe expands dramatically.”

*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.