Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Reveals a New Vision of Cyberpunk Japan - IGN Fan Fest 2025

Titan Comics has breathed new life into the *Blade Runner* universe, expanding its cyberpunk world through captivating spin-offs and prequels. Their latest venture, *Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus*, marks a significant milestone—the first *Blade Runner* story set in Japan.

IGN Fan Fest 2025 provided an exclusive 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 this new global setting. Explore the slideshow below for exclusive artwork showcasing the series' journey from script to stunning visuals.

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

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The choice of Tokyo, a city synonymous with cyberpunk in works like *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, was intriguing. We asked the writers how they envisioned this alternate 2015 Tokyo, and how it differed from the rain-soaked, 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 in 2015 and recently visiting future-focused exhibits in Tokyo, I aimed to create a Tokyo distinct from Los Angeles, reflecting its unique history, experiences, and socioeconomics. My vision was a 'hopepunk' Tokyo.”

“Los Angeles in *Blade Runner* is broken, decaying, and fractured, with neon masking its underlying hellscape,” Brown explained. “Our Tokyo offers a parallel: a beautiful utopia where people feel constrained. Disobey, and the paradise turns deadly. It's equally terrifying, just differently so.”

Intriguingly, 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, it was crucial to understand how Japanese media portrays the future after the 3.11 Tohoku Disaster. I looked to anime like *Your Name*, *Japan Sinks 2020*, and *Bubble*.”

Brown added, “I personally aimed to avoid iterating on anime already inspired by *Blade Runner*, such as *Bubblegum Crisis* or *Psycho-Pass*. Cyberpunk often reflects one's vision of the future. I wanted to reflect the hopes and fears of modern Japanese society and explore potential positive or negative outcomes based on the actions of powerful individuals.”

Set in 2015, within the broader *Blade Runner* timeline, *Tokyo Nexus*’s connection to the larger franchise was a point of interest. We explored whether fans would find familiar elements or if the Japanese setting created a wholly new experience.

“*Tokyo Nexus* is a standalone in setting, time, and story,” Shore confirmed. “However, it wouldn't be *Blade Runner* without the Tyrell Corporation's influence and a mystery to solve. There are nods and easter eggs for fans, but the story is accessible to newcomers.”

Brown added, “We're building on the story established since *Blade Runner: Origins* and shortly before *Blade Runner: 2019*. We're addressing complex questions like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell Corporation's Replicant monopoly. This all builds towards a large-scale, secret civil war among Blade Runner 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, two battle-hardened veterans relying solely on each other in this harsh world.

“Mead and Stix are best friends and platonic life partners,” Shore explained. “They've endured hardship together, forged a deep bond. Their goal is survival, requiring them to trust again.”

Brown added, “Their relationship is beautifully unhealthy. We explored the franchise's 'We're More Human Than Human' theme. Stix, a Replicant, craves life, while Mead, a jaded human, is pragmatic. Their codependency, born from shared trauma, could ultimately break them both.”

The series features a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and Cheshire, a Japanese company challenging Tyrell's Replicant market dominance.

Shore teased, “Cheshire aims to compete in Replicant manufacturing, producing a new military model—stronger, faster, built upon Tyrell's designs.”

Brown added, “Cheshire's ambitions extend beyond petty crime. Acquiring escaped Tyrell scientists in Tokyo unlocks incredible potential within this universe…”

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

IGN Fan Fest 2025 also featured early looks at IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.