The Blade Runner franchise has experienced a remarkable revival through the expansive storytelling of Titan Comics, which has enriched the cyberpunk universe with a range of spinoffs and prequels. One of their latest ventures, *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus*, marks a significant milestone as the first story set in Japan within the Blade Runner universe. During IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the privilege of speaking with the series' writers, Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown, to delve into the creative process behind this groundbreaking series. Scroll through the exclusive slideshow gallery below to see how the series evolved from script to stunning artwork, and continue reading to uncover more about this captivating narrative:

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

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Set against the backdrop of Tokyo, a city that has been the setting for iconic cyberpunk narratives like *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, *Tokyo Nexus* presents a fresh take on the Blade Runner universe. We were eager to learn how the writers envisioned this alternate version of Tokyo in 2015, and how it contrasts with the familiar, neon-drenched streets of Los Angeles.

“Brainstorming Tokyo in the Blade Runner universe was an exhilarating experience!” Shore shares with IGN. “Having lived in Japan in 2015 and recently visited exhibits on envisioning the future, I wanted to craft a Tokyo that felt distinct from Los Angeles, reflecting their unique histories and socioeconomics. My aim was to create a 'hopepunk' Tokyo.”

“Los Angeles in *Blade Runner* feels broken and on the brink, with neon lights masking the chaos,” Brown explains. “In contrast, our Tokyo is a beautiful utopia that feels like a paradise on a short leash. It’s just as menacing, but in a different way. Step out of line, and this 'paradise' will devour you.”

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

Shore notes, “I drew inspiration from various sources, but it was crucial to understand how Japanese media depicts the future post the 3.11 Tohoku Disaster. Anime like *Your Name*, *Japan Sinks 2020*, and *Bubble* provided valuable insights.”

Brown adds, “My goal was to avoid repeating the themes already explored in anime inspired by Blade Runner, such as *Bubblegum Crisis* or *Psycho-Pass*. Writing cyberpunk is about reflecting on the future of your own environment. I wanted to capture the hopes and fears of contemporary Japanese society and explore what could go right or wrong.”

Set in 2015, a few years before the original film, *Tokyo Nexus* raises questions about its connection to the broader Blade Runner universe. Shore clarifies, “*Tokyo Nexus* is a standalone story in terms of setting, time, and plot. Yet, it retains the essence of Blade Runner with the omnipresent influence of the Tyrell Corporation and a central mystery. There are nods and Easter eggs for fans, but newcomers can enjoy it just as well.”

Brown elaborates, “We're building on the narrative that began with *Blade Runner: Origins* and precedes *Blade Runner: 2019*. We're exploring significant questions like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell's Replicant monopoly. This series sets the stage for a looming civil war among different Blade Runner organizations, with *Tokyo Nexus* revealing the origins of one key player.”

*Tokyo Nexus* focuses on the unique partnership between a human, Mead, and a Replicant, Stix. Their bond forms the heart of the series, portraying them as battle-hardened veterans who depend solely on each other in a dystopian world.

“Mead and Stix are the best of friends and life partners,” Shore explains. “They've endured unimaginable hardships together, and their primary goal is to survive. Their trust in each other is vital, even if it means protecting one another from themselves.”

“Their relationship is beautifully unhealthy,” Brown laughs. “We're exploring the 'More Human Than Human' theme. Stix, the Replicant, craves life, while Mead, the human, has been worn down by life's systems. They need each other to navigate this world, and their partnership, born from trauma, has turned into a codependency that could break them.”

As the story progresses, Stix and Mead become entangled in a conflict involving the Tyrell Corporation, the Yakuza, and a Japanese group named Cheshire. Shore teases, “Cheshire aims to break Tyrell's monopoly on Replicant production with their military-grade model, built on Tyrell's foundation.”

Brown adds, “Cheshire is not just another crime syndicate. When they acquire refugee Tyrell scientists in Tokyo, their potential becomes limitless in this universe…”

*Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Vol. 1 - Die in Peace* is now available at comic shops and bookstores. You can also order the book on Amazon.

As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we also got an exclusive preview of IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.