The Blade Runner franchise has truly flourished through its expansion into the world of comics, with Titan Comics pushing the boundaries of this iconic cyberpunk universe through various spinoffs and prequels. Currently, they are delving deeper into the lore with Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus, the first-ever Blade Runner story set in Japan. This exciting new series brings the franchise's unique aesthetic to a new corner of the globe, offering fans a fresh perspective on this beloved universe.
During IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the privilege of speaking with the talented writers behind Tokyo Nexus, Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown. They provided us with a fascinating look into how they crafted this new series, bringing the Blade Runner world to Japan. Below is an exclusive slideshow gallery that showcases the journey from script to stunning artwork, followed by more insights into the creative process:
Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Behind-the-Scenes Art Gallery
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Tokyo, a city synonymous with cyberpunk classics like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, serves as the backdrop for this new narrative. We were eager to learn how Shore and Brown envisioned this alternate universe version of Tokyo in 2015, and how it contrasts with the iconic, rain-drenched, neon-lit Los Angeles that Blade Runner fans know and love.
“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 exhibits on envisioning the future, I wanted Tokyo to feel distinct from Los Angeles, reflecting their unique histories and socioeconomics. My aim was to create a hopepunk version of Tokyo.”
“In Blade Runner, Los Angeles is portrayed as a broken, crumbling city barely holding on, with neon lights masking the decay,” Brown explained. “Our Tokyo, in contrast, is a beautiful utopia where people feel constrained. Disobey the rules, and this ‘paradise’ will devour you. It's just as terrifying, but in a different way.”
Both writers drew inspiration from sources beyond the typical cyberpunk anime, focusing instead on contemporary Japanese life and other media to craft their vision of Tokyo.
“While I drew inspiration from classics, it was crucial to understand how Japanese media depicts the future post-3.11 Tohoku Disaster,” Shore said. “I watched anime like Your Name, Japan Sinks 2020, and Bubble to get a sense of this.”
“I made it a personal goal not to reiterate on anime already influenced by Blade Runner, such as Bubblegum Crisis or Psycho-Pass,” Brown added. “When writing cyberpunk, you're reflecting your vision of the future based on your current environment. So, I wanted to capture Japan's contemporary hopes and fears, and explore what could go wrong or right if certain elements were to take control.”
Set in 2015, a few years before the events of the original film, Tokyo Nexus stands as a unique entry in the Blade Runner timeline. We asked how it connects to the broader franchise and whether fans would find familiar elements or experience something entirely new due to the Japanese setting.
“Tokyo Nexus is a standalone in setting, time, and story,” Shore explained. “While it wouldn't be Blade Runner without the influence of Tyrell Corporation and a mystery to solve, there are nods and easter eggs to the films. Yet, it remains accessible to newcomers as well.”
“We're expanding on the story that began with Blade Runner: Origins and just before Blade Runner: 2019,” Brown added. “We're tackling questions like the Kalanthia War and why Tyrell is the sole Replicant manufacturer. These elements are building towards a significant 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 revolves around the partnership between human Mead and Replicant Stix, two battle-scarred veterans who rely solely on each other in this harsh world.
“Mead and Stix are best friends and platonic life-partners,” Shore noted. “They’ve endured unimaginable hardships together, their primary goal being survival, which requires them to trust again.”
“Their relationship is beautiful in its unhealthy dynamics,” Brown added with a chuckle. “We explore the ‘More Human Than Human’ theme. Stix craves life, while Mead, worn down by systems, operates mechanically. They need each other to survive, and their bond is a codependency that could break them both.”
As the narrative progresses, Stix and Mead become entangled in a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and a Japanese group called Cheshire, which aims to challenge Tyrell's Replicant monopoly.
“Cheshire is entering the Replicant manufacturing market,” Shore teased. “Their latest model is a military-grade Replicant, supposedly superior to Tyrell's creations.”
“Cheshire is a crime organization with grand ambitions,” Brown elaborated. “When they gain access to refugee Tyrell scientists in Tokyo, their potential becomes limitless 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 provided an early look at IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
