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

The Blade Runner universe expands its reach with Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus, the first installment set in Japan. This IGN Fan Fest 2025 interview delves into the creation of this unique series with writers Kianna Shore and Mellow Brown. Exclusive artwork showcases the series' evolution from script to stunning visuals. See the gallery below:

Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus - Exclusive Art Gallery

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The writers discuss their vision of a 2015 Tokyo, contrasting it with the familiar Los Angeles of previous Blade Runner iterations. Shore, drawing on personal experiences in Japan and future-focused exhibits, aimed for a "hopepunk" Tokyo, distinct from the dystopian LA. Brown describes Tokyo as a beautiful utopia masking a harsh reality: disobey, and the paradise turns deadly. Instead of directly referencing Akira or Ghost in the Shell, they sought inspiration from post-3.11 Tohoku Disaster Japanese media and contemporary Japanese society.

Tokyo Nexus, set in 2015, stands alone within the franchise's timeline. While subtle nods to the films exist, it's accessible to newcomers. The series builds upon previous works like Blade Runner: Origins and Blade Runner: 2019, exploring the Kalanthia War and Tyrell Corporation's replicant monopoly, ultimately leading to a large-scale conflict between Blade Runner organizations.

The core of Tokyo Nexus centers on Mead, a human, and Stix, a replicant, a battle-scarred duo relying solely on each other. Their bond, described as a "platonic life-partnership," is a key element, exploring the "We're More Human Than Human" theme. Their codependency, born from shared trauma, forms a fragile foundation.

The narrative involves a conflict between Tyrell Corp, the Yakuza, and Cheshire, a rising company challenging Tyrell's replicant market dominance with a new military model. Cheshire's ambitions extend far beyond simple crime, fueled by escaped Tyrell scientists.

Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus Vol. 1 - Die in Peace is available now. Order on Amazon. Also featured at IGN Fan Fest 2025: IDW's Godzilla shared universe and a Sonic the Hedgehog sneak peek.