The Blade Runner universe expands its reach with Titan Comics' Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus, the first Blade Runner story set in Japan. IGN Fan Fest 2025 provided an exclusive interview with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown, revealing insights into the series' creation and unique aesthetic. A slideshow gallery showcases the evolution of the artwork from script to finished product.
[Image Gallery: Six images showcasing the artwork's development. Images are in the original format.]
The writers consciously avoided direct homage to Akira and Ghost in the Shell, instead drawing inspiration from post-3.11 Tohoku Disaster Japanese media (like Your Name, Japan Sinks 2020, and Bubble) and contemporary Japanese society to craft a distinct vision of Tokyo in 2015. Shore describes their Tokyo as "hopepunk," contrasting with the decaying Los Angeles of the original films. Brown elaborates, stating that while Los Angeles hides its dystopian underbelly with neon, Tokyo presents a seemingly utopian facade masking a brutal reality.
Tokyo Nexus stands alone within the broader Blade Runner timeline, set in 2015, but subtly incorporates familiar elements and Easter eggs. The series expands on existing lore, addressing questions about the Kalanthia War and Tyrell Corporation's replicant monopoly, hinting at a larger inter-organizational conflict.
The core of the story centers on Mead, a human, and Stix, a replicant, a battle-hardened duo bound by a complex, codependent relationship. Their survival hinges on their mutual trust in a harsh environment.
The narrative unfolds amidst a conflict involving Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and Cheshire, a burgeoning competitor aiming to challenge Tyrell's replicant market dominance with its advanced military models. Cheshire's acquisition of escaped Tyrell scientists promises significant implications for the universe's future.
Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Vol. 1 - Die in Peace is available now in comic shops and bookstores, and can be ordered on Amazon. IGN Fan Fest 2025 also featured previews of IDW's Godzilla shared universe and a new Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
