Titan Comics has breathed new life into the *Blade Runner* universe, expanding its cyberpunk world through captivating spin-offs and prequels. Their latest offering, *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus*, marks a significant milestone—the first *Blade Runner* story set in Japan.
IGN Fan Fest 2025 provided a unique opportunity to delve into the series with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown, uncovering their creative process in bringing the iconic *Blade Runner* aesthetic to a new global setting. Explore the slideshow below for exclusive artwork showcasing the series' journey from script to stunning visuals, then read on to learn more:
Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Behind-the-Scenes Art Gallery
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The choice of Tokyo as a setting is intriguing, given the city's prominent role in seminal cyberpunk works like *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*. We were eager to learn how the writers envisioned this alternate-universe 2015 Tokyo, and how it differs from the rain-slicked, neon-drenched Los Angeles familiar to *Blade Runner* fans.
“Brainstorming Tokyo within the *Blade Runner* universe was incredibly fun!” Shore shared with IGN. “Having lived in Japan (coincidentally in 2015) and recently visited relevant Tokyo exhibits on ‘envisioning the future,’ I aimed for a distinct feel from Los Angeles, reflecting the unique history, experiences, and socioeconomics. My goal was to create a hopepunk Tokyo.”
“I’ve always appreciated how Los Angeles in *Blade Runner* is broken, decrepit, and fracturing—the neon masking its decay. Switch off the neon, and the hellscape is revealed,” Brown explained. “Our Tokyo mirrors this; a beautiful utopia where people feel constrained. Disobey, and the paradise devours you. It’s equally terrifying, just differently so.”
Interestingly, both writers consciously avoided direct homage to *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, instead drawing inspiration from other media and contemporary Japanese life.
Shore noted, “While I drew inspiration from classics, understanding how Japanese media depicted the future post-3.11 Tohoku Disaster was crucial. I watched anime like *Your Name*, *Japan Sinks 2020*, and *Bubble*.”
Brown added, “I personally aimed to avoid iterating on anime already inspired by *Blade Runner*, like *Bubblegum Crisis* or *Psycho-Pass*. Cyberpunk often reflects one's vision of the future. The original series' 80s theme and fear of Japan’s rise to superpower status illustrate this. I wanted to reflect contemporary Japanese societal hopes and fears, exploring potential positive and negative outcomes.”
The *Blade Runner* timeline spans the 21st century, but *Tokyo Nexus* is set in 2015, years before the original film. We explored the series' connection to the broader franchise. Would fans find familiar elements, or is it a completely new narrative given the Japanese setting?
“*Tokyo Nexus* is standalone in setting, time, and story,” Shore clarified. “Of course, it wouldn’t be *Blade Runner* without the Tyrell Corporation’s influence and a mystery to solve. There are fun nods and easter eggs referencing the films, but it's also enjoyable for those unfamiliar with the franchise.”
Brown added, “We’re building upon the story advanced since *Blade Runner: Origins* and shortly before *Blade Runner: 2019*. We’re excited to address complex questions like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell’s Replicant monopoly. This all builds towards a massive, secret civil war among Blade Runners from different organizations vying for dominance. *Tokyo Nexus* reveals the origins of one such organization that will become a global superpower in that war.”
*Tokyo Nexus* centers on the partnership between human Mead and Replicant Stix. Their close bond is central to the series, portraying them as battle-hardened veterans relying solely on each other in this harsh environment.
“Mead and Stix are best friends and platonic life partners,” Shore explained. “They’ve been through hell, bled and wept together. They only want to protect each other, sometimes from themselves. Survival is their goal, requiring them to trust again.”
“It’s beautiful in its unhealthy nature,” Brown chuckled. “We played with the franchise’s ‘We’re More Human Than Human’ quote. Stix, a Replicant with a thirst for life, and Mead, a human ground down by systems, are mechanically and economically reasoned. They need each other to survive, their shared trauma forging a codependency that could shatter them both.”
The series sees Stix and Mead caught in a conflict between Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and a Japanese group called Cheshire. The writers hint that Cheshire plays a fascinating role in the *Blade Runner* universe, challenging Tyrell’s Replicant market monopoly.
“Cheshire competes in Replicant manufacturing,” Shore teased. “Their newest model is military-grade, stronger and faster, built upon Tyrell’s foundation.”
Brown added, “Cheshire is a crime organization with ambitions beyond petty crime. Acquiring refugee Tyrell scientists who escaped to Tokyo unlocks limitless potential within this universe…”
*Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Vol. 1 - Die in Peace* is available in comic shops and bookstores. You can also order the book on Amazon.
As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we also previewed IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
