Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Unveils Cyberpunk Japan's Future at IGN Fan Fest 2025

The Blade Runner franchise has found a vibrant new life through Titan Comics, which has significantly expanded the cyberpunk universe with various spinoffs and prequels. Among these, Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus stands out as the first story set in Japan, a country renowned for its own iconic cyberpunk narratives like Akira and Ghost in the Shell. As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the privilege of speaking with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown about this exciting new series and how they adapted the Blade Runner aesthetic to the unique setting of Japan. Dive into our exclusive slideshow gallery below to see how the series evolved from script to stunning artwork, and continue reading for more insights:

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

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Tokyo, a city synonymous with futuristic cyberpunk narratives, provided a fresh canvas for the Blade Runner universe. We were eager to understand how the writers envisioned this alternate version of 2015 Tokyo and how it contrasts with the familiar, neon-drenched Los Angeles of the original films.

"Brainstorming Tokyo in the Blade Runner universe was a thrilling journey!" Kianna Shore shared with IGN. "Having lived in Japan in 2015 and recently visiting exhibits on envisioning the future, I aimed to create a Tokyo that feels distinct from Los Angeles. Their histories, experiences, and socioeconomics differ vastly, so I wanted to craft a 'hopepunk' Tokyo."

"Los Angeles in Blade Runner is depicted as a decaying, barely holding together place, where neon lights mask its grim reality," Mellow Brown added. "Our Tokyo, on the other hand, is a beautiful utopia with a tight leash. Step out of line, and it turns into a nightmare just as terrifying, but in a different way."

Both writers consciously avoided direct homages to Akira and Ghost in the Shell, instead drawing inspiration from other media and contemporary Japanese life. Shore explained, "While I drew inspiration from classics, I focused on how Japanese media depicted the future post the 3.11 Tohoku Disaster. I watched anime like Your Name, Japan Sinks 2020, and Bubble to gain a deeper understanding."

"I wanted to steer clear of anime directly influenced by Blade Runner, like Bubblegum Crisis or Psycho-Pass," Brown stated. "Writing cyberpunk is about reflecting on the future of your own environment. The original series had an '80s theme and fears of Japan's rising power, so I aimed to reflect current Japanese societal fears and hopes."

Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus is set in 2015, a few years before the events of the original film, yet it stands as a standalone story. We were curious about its connections to the larger franchise and whether it offers familiar touchpoints for fans.

"Tokyo Nexus is distinct in setting, time, and narrative," Shore noted. "It retains the essence of Blade Runner with the Tyrell Corporation's influence and a mystery to unravel. There are nods and easter eggs for fans, but the story is accessible even to those new to the franchise."

"We're building on the story from Blade Runner: Origins and setting the stage before Blade Runner: 2019," Brown added. "We're exploring deep questions like the Kalanthia War and Tyrell's monopoly on Replicants. It's all leading to a massive, secret civil war among different Blade Runner organizations, and Tokyo Nexus sets the stage for one of those organizations to rise to prominence."

The series revolves around the partnership between human Mead and Replicant Stix, two battle-hardened veterans navigating a treacherous world. "Mead and Stix are best friends and life partners," Shore described. "They've endured unimaginable trials together, their bond forged in shared hardship. Their survival hinges on trust and protecting each other, even from themselves."

"Their relationship is beautifully unhealthy," Brown chuckled. "It's a play on the 'More Human Than Human' theme. Stix's thirst for life contrasts with Mead's mechanical, survival-driven mindset. They're codependent, a dynamic that could break them but also keeps them alive."

As the story progresses, Mead and Stix find themselves entangled in a conflict involving the Tyrell Corporation, the Yakuza, and a Japanese group called Cheshire. The writers hinted at Cheshire's significant role in the Blade Runner universe, aiming to challenge Tyrell's dominance in the Replicant market.

"Cheshire is vying to compete in Replicant manufacturing," Shore teased. "Their latest model is a military-grade Replicant, designed for war, built to surpass Tyrell's creations."

"Cheshire is more than a typical crime organization," Brown added. "With refugee Tyrell scientists in their grasp, they're poised to expand their reach significantly 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 got an early look at IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.