Titan Comics has breathed new life into the *Blade Runner* universe, expanding its cyberpunk world through compelling 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 an exclusive opportunity to delve into the series with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown. The slideshow below showcases exclusive artwork, illustrating the series' journey from script to stunning visuals.

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

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The setting of Tokyo in 2015, a city featured in seminal cyberpunk works like *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, presented a unique challenge. We were eager to learn how the writers envisioned this alternate reality and how it differed from the iconic, rain-soaked Los Angeles of the original films.

“Developing Tokyo within the *Blade Runner* universe was incredibly fun,” Shore shared with IGN. “Having lived in Japan in 2015, and recently visiting future-focused exhibitions in Tokyo, I aimed for a distinct feel from Los Angeles. Their histories and socioeconomics are vastly different. My goal was to create a hopepunk Tokyo.”

Brown added, “Los Angeles in *Blade Runner* is broken and decaying, with neon masking its hellscape. Our Tokyo parallels this; a beautiful utopia where people live under a tight leash. Disobey, and the paradise turns deadly. It's terrifying, just in a different way.”

Interestingly, both writers consciously avoided direct homage to *Akira* and *Ghost in the Shell*, drawing inspiration from other media and contemporary Japanese life. Shore cited anime like *Your Name*, *Japan Sinks 2020*, and *Bubble* as influences, while Brown focused on reflecting the hopes and fears of modern Japanese society to shape their vision of the future.

Set in 2015, preceding the original film, *Tokyo Nexus* occupies a specific point in the *Blade Runner* timeline. We explored its connection to the broader franchise. Would fans find familiar elements, or is it a self-contained narrative?

“*Tokyo Nexus* is standalone in setting, time, and story,” Shore explained. “However, the omnipresent Tyrell Corporation and a central mystery remain true to *Blade Runner*. There are subtle nods and easter eggs, but the story is accessible even without prior *Blade Runner* knowledge.”

Brown elaborated, “We're building on the narrative from *Blade Runner: Origins* and *Blade Runner: 2019*. We're tackling significant questions, such as the Kalanthia War and Tyrell Corporation's Replicant monopoly. This all leads to a vast, secret civil war between different Blade Runner organizations. *Tokyo Nexus* reveals the origins of one of these organizations, which will rise to global power in that war.”

*Tokyo Nexus* centers on the partnership between Mead, a human, and Stix, a Replicant. Their bond is central to the narrative, portraying them as battle-hardened veterans relying solely on each other in this harsh environment.

“Mead and Stix are best friends, platonic life partners,” Shore described. “They've endured immense hardship, sharing pain and tears. Their desire is to protect each other, sometimes from themselves. Survival is their goal, but it requires them to trust again.”

Brown added, “Their bond is beautifully unhealthy. We explored the ‘more human than human’ theme. Stix, a Replicant, craves life, while Mead, a jaded human, is pragmatic and mechanical. They need each other to survive, creating a codependency that could be their downfall.”

The series features a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and Cheshire, a Japanese company challenging Tyrell's Replicant market dominance. The writers hinted at Cheshire's significance within the *Blade Runner* universe.

“Cheshire is vying for the Replicant manufacturing business,” Shore teased. “Their latest Replicant is a military model, supposedly stronger and faster, based on 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 in comic shops and bookstores. You can also order the book on Amazon.

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