The Blade Runner franchise has truly flourished through Titan Comics, expanding the cyberpunk universe with numerous spinoffs and prequels. Their latest venture, *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus*, is a groundbreaking addition, being the first story set in Japan. As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the privilege of speaking with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown about how they brought the iconic Blade Runner aesthetic to a new corner of the world. Dive into our exclusive slideshow gallery to see the transformation from script to stunning artwork, and continue reading for deeper insights:

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

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Tokyo has been the backdrop for iconic cyberpunk narratives like *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, but *Tokyo Nexus* marks its debut in the Blade Runner universe. We were eager to learn how the writers envisioned Tokyo in this alternate 2015 setting, and how it contrasts with the familiar, neon-drenched Los Angeles.

“Brainstorming Tokyo in the Blade Runner universe was an exhilarating journey!” says Shore. “Having lived in Japan in 2015 and recently visited exhibits on envisioning the future, I aimed to differentiate Tokyo from Los Angeles due to their distinct histories and socioeconomics. My vision was to create a 'hopepunk' version of Tokyo.”

Brown adds, “Los Angeles in *Blade Runner* feels broken and on the brink, masked by neon. Our Tokyo, however, presents a utopian facade where people are tightly controlled. Disobey the laws of this 'paradise,' and it becomes a terrifying place, just differently scary than Los Angeles.”

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

Shore shares, “While I drew inspiration from the classics, it was crucial to understand how Japanese media has depicted the future post-3.11 Tohoku Disaster. Anime like *Your Name*, *Japan Sinks 2020*, and *Bubble* were instrumental.”

Brown explains, “I aimed not to repeat the anime already influenced by Blade Runner, like *Bubblegum Crisis* or *Psycho-Pass*. Writing cyberpunk involves reflecting on your environment's future. For Tokyo Nexus, I focused on Japan's current societal fears and hopes, imagining what could go wrong or right if dangerous forces had their way.”

*Tokyo Nexus* is set in 2015, a few years before the events of the original film, and we were curious about its connection to the broader franchise. Shore explains, “*Tokyo Nexus* is a standalone in setting, time, and story. Yet, it wouldn't be Blade Runner without Tyrell Corporation's influence and a mystery to unravel. There are nods to the films, but it's accessible to newcomers as well.”

Brown elaborates, “We're expanding the story from *Blade Runner: Origins* and *Blade Runner: 2019*. We're tackling complex questions like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell's Replicant monopoly. All of this is building towards a civil war among different Blade Runner organizations, and *Tokyo Nexus* lays the groundwork for one of those groups to rise as a global superpower.”

Central to *Tokyo Nexus* is the partnership between human Mead and Replicant Stix, portraying them as battle-hardened veterans who rely solely on each other.

Shore describes their relationship, “Mead and Stix are best friends and platonic life-partners. They've endured unimaginable hardships together, and their primary goal is survival, which requires them to rebuild trust.”

Brown adds, “Their bond is beautifully unhealthy. We explore the franchise's 'More Human Than Human' theme through their dynamic. Stix's thirst for life contrasts with Mead's mechanical mindset, and their codependency is both their strength and their potential downfall.”

As the story unfolds, Mead and Stix become entangled in a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and a Japanese group called Cheshire, which is attempting to break Tyrell's Replicant market monopoly.

Shore teases, “Cheshire is venturing into Replicant manufacturing. Their latest model is a military-grade Replicant, supposedly superior to Tyrell's creations.”

Brown adds, “Cheshire is more than just a crime organization. With refugee Tyrell scientists in Tokyo, they're poised to challenge the status quo in the Replicant industry.”

*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.