The *Blade Runner* franchise has experienced a remarkable revival on the printed page, with Titan Comics significantly expanding its cyberpunk universe through various spinoffs and prequels. Currently, they are publishing *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus*, a series that marks the first *Blade Runner* story set in Japan. As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the privilege of discussing with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown to delve into the new series and explore how they've adapted the iconic *Blade Runner* aesthetic to a new setting. Below, you'll find an exclusive slideshow gallery showcasing the journey from script to stunning artwork. Continue reading to uncover more insights:

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

6 ImagesTokyo, a city well-known as the backdrop for seminal cyberpunk narratives like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, provides a fresh canvas for the Blade Runner universe. We were eager to understand how the writers envisioned this alternate universe's Tokyo in 2015 and how it differs from the familiar, neon-drenched, rainy Los Angeles of the Blade Runner films.

"Brainstorming Tokyo within the *Blade Runner* universe was an exhilarating process!" Kianna Shore shared with IGN. "Having lived in Japan in 2015 and recently visiting exhibits in Tokyo about envisioning the future, I wanted to craft a Tokyo that felt distinctly different from Los Angeles, reflecting their unique histories and socioeconomics. My aim was to create a hopepunk version of Tokyo."

Mellow Brown added, "Los Angeles in *Blade Runner* is depicted as a decaying, fractured city, with neon lights masking its true state. If the lights were to go out, the hellscape would be undeniable. In contrast, our Tokyo is a utopian facade where people feel restrained. Disobey its laws, and this 'paradise' can become just as terrifying, albeit in a different way."

Interestingly, both writers consciously avoided drawing direct inspiration from *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, instead focusing on other media and contemporary Japanese life to shape their vision of Tokyo.

Shore explained, "While I drew inspiration from classics, it was crucial for me to understand how Japanese media portrays the future post the 3.11 Tohoku Disaster. I watched anime like *Your Name*, *Japan Sinks 2020*, and *Bubble* to get a better sense."

Brown elaborated, "I aimed not to iterate on anime already influenced by *Blade Runner*, such as *Bubblegum Crisis* or *Psycho-Pass*. Writing cyberpunk often reflects one's vision of their environment's future. The original *Blade Runner* reflected '80s fears of Japan as a superpower. I wanted to explore Japan's current societal hopes and fears, envisioning what could go wrong or right if dangerous forces were at play."

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 fans would find familiar elements or if this was a completely new experience due to the Japanese setting.

"While *Tokyo Nexus* is a standalone in setting, time, and story, it retains the essence of *Blade Runner* with the influence of the Tyrell Corporation and a central mystery," Shore noted. "There are fun nods and Easter eggs for fans, but the story is accessible to newcomers as well."

Brown added, "Our narrative builds on the foundation laid by *Blade Runner: Origins* and leads up to *Blade Runner: 2019*. We're exploring significant questions in the universe, like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell's monopoly on Replicant manufacturing. These elements are setting the stage for a larger, secret civil war among different Blade Runner organizations, and *Tokyo Nexus* lays the groundwork for one of these groups to rise as a global superpower."

*Tokyo Nexus* centers around the partnership between a human, Mead, and a Replicant, Stix, whose close relationship forms the heart of the series. They are portrayed 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 endured unimaginable hardships together, and their primary goal is survival, which necessitates trust."

Brown added, "Their relationship is a beautiful, yet unhealthy, dynamic. We explore the franchise's theme of 'More Human Than Human' through Stix's thirst for life and Mead's mechanical approach to survival. Their codependency could be their undoing."

As the story progresses, Stix and Mead find themselves entangled in a conflict involving the Tyrell Corporation, the Yakuza, and a Japanese organization called Cheshire. The writers hinted at Cheshire's pivotal role in the *Blade Runner* universe as they attempt to break Tyrell's monopoly on Replicant production.

"Cheshire is entering the Replicant manufacturing market," Shore teased. "Their new model is designed for military use, supposedly superior in strength and speed, built on Tyrell's foundational technology."

Brown elaborated, "Cheshire is more than just a crime organization; they have grand ambitions. When they gain access to refugee Tyrell scientists in Tokyo, their potential in this universe becomes limitless."

*Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Vol. 1 - Die in Peace* is now available in comic shops and bookstores, with the option to 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.