Tokyo in Tulsa

Tokyo In Tulsa (TnT) is an annual three-day anime convention held during July at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The convention is family friendly, and along with being an anime convention is Oklahoma's largest game event.[3][4][5] Tokyo In Tulsa was previously held at the Cox Business Center for several years.[1][3][6]

Tokyo In Tulsa
Tokyo in Tulsa 2011 logo
StatusActive
GenreAnime, Gaming, Japanese popular culture[1][2]
VenueStoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
Four others venues
Location(s)Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2008
Attendance2,640 in 2010
Websitehttp://www.tokyointulsa.com/

Programming

The convention typically offers anime video rooms, artists’ alley, collectible cards games, concerts, cosplay ball, costume competitions, LARP, panel discussions, rave, tabletop gaming, vendors, and video gaming (console, PC, arcade).[2][3][7][8] In 2015, the convention had 50,000 sq ft of gaming space.[9] In 2017, the convention had more than 300 hours of programming.[10]

History

Tokyo In Tulsa began as a Halloween block party held in October 2005 for the Darkstone Anime Store in Tulsa. Attendance was estimated at 500 people. After the store closed in 2006 the event continued.[3][7][11] Cassandra Hodges was scheduled to appear as a friend of the convention prior to her death in 2011.[12]

In 2019, Tokyo In Tulsa moved to the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. This move was due to construction at the Cox Business Center, and the facilities costs.[6] The convention was spread out across five total venues, including a Hilton Garden Inn, XTreme Racing & Entertainment, the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, and a former Hobby Lobby.[13] Shuttles were run by the convention between the venues. The vendor room was moved two weeks before the convention, and had serious issues including a lack of lighting.[14] Tokyo in Tulsa 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15][16]

Event History
DatesLocationAttendanceGuests
August 1–3, 2008 Crowne Plaza Hotel Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma		1,804Amelie Belcher, Crispin Freeman, Gary Friedrich, DJ Infam0us, Sara E. Mayhew, Wendy Powell, The Slants, Spike Spencer, and Team Royal Sabi.[17]
July 10–12, 2009 Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown
Tulsa Convention Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		2,118Laura Bailey, Amelie Belcher, Rei Davidson, David Doub, Todd Haberkorn, Cassandra Hodges, DJ Infam0us, Samantha Inoue-Harte, The Last Dance, Nena Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Wendy Powell, Sephiroth, Sky Pirate, Spike Spencer, Dominic Vitucci, Voltaire, Kent Williams, Travis Willingham, and Stephanie Young.[18]
June 18–20, 2010 Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown
Tulsa Convention Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		2,640Amelie Belcher, Chris Cason, Daniel Coglan, Rei Davidson, Clarine Harp, Cassandra Hodges, DJ Infam0us, Jeremy Inman, Scott McNeil, r*k* Milholland, Jenny Pennington, Peter Pixie, Wendy Powell, Beauty Thibodeau, Eric Vale, Kent Williams.[19]
July 15–17, 2011 Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown
Tulsa Convention Center[3]
Tulsa, Oklahoma		Troy Baker, Leah Clark, Zach Fast, Freezepop, Todd Haberkorn, Yaya Han, Kyle Hebert, DJ Infam0us, K-Sides, Kevin McKeever, Peter Pixie, Monica Rial, Christopher Smith, and Spike Spencer.[20]
July 20–22, 2012 Tulsa Convention Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		Joshua Adams, Steve Argyle, Chris Cason, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, Zach Fast, Caitlin Glass, DJ HeavyGrinder, DJ Infam0us, Wendee Lee, Uke Li, Peter Pixie, Wendy Powell, Sephiroth, The Slants, Spike Spencer, Brooke Stephenson, J. Michael Tatum, Eric Wile, and Stephanie Young.[21]
August 2–4, 2013 Tulsa Convention Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		6,000
(est)[22]		Terri Doty, DJ Infam0us, Jeremy Inman, DJ Jeffito, DJ Jimni Cricket, Kevin McKeever, Brina Palencia, Peter Pixie, Raj Ramayya, Ian Sinclair, J. Michael Tatum, Eric Wile,[23] and Destrose.[24]
July 11–13, 2014 Cox Business Center[1]
Tulsa, Oklahoma		6,700
(est)[25]		Jerry Bennett, Chalk Twins, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, Cynthia Cranz, Terri Doty, FEMM, Imza, Jerry Jewell, Cherami Leigh, DJ MaRia, Peter Pixie, Wendy Powell, and J. Michael Tatum.[26]
July 17–19, 2015 Cox Business Center[25]
Tulsa, Oklahoma		8,000+[11]Amelie Belcher, Chris Bevins, Kira Buckland, Chris Cason, Jessica Cavanagh, Chalk Twins, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, Zach Fast, Kyle Hebert, DJ Infam0us, Michele Knotz, Mika Kobayashi, Ryuu Lavitz, Kristen McGuire, Kevin McKeever, Peter Pixie, Wendy Powell, Rachel Robinson, Brooke Stephenson, and David Vincent.[27]
July 15–17, 2016 Cox Business Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		Nadia Baiardi, Amelie Belcher, Jessica Cavanagh, Chalk Twins, Eric Cherry, Leah Clark, Terri Doty, Zach Fast, Joel McDonald, Rachael Messer, MeteoroiD, Chris Patton, Peter Pixie, Wendy Powell, Brooke Stephenson, and J. Michael Tatum.[28]
July 14–16, 2017 Cox Business Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		Avanchick, Jessica Cavanagh, Chalk Twins, Eric Cherry, Zach Fast, Josh Grelle, Kristen McGuire, Rachael Messer, Keith Silverstein, The Slants, Saki Tachibana, Alexis Tipton, and Michael "Knightmage" Wilson.[29]
July 13-15, 2018 Cox Business Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma		Chuck Huber, Jeremy Inman, Erica Lindbeck, Phil Mizuno, Cassandra Lee Morris, Peter Pixie, Ian Sinclair, and Jessica von Braun.[30]
July 12-14, 2019 Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
Four others venues
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma		Dawn M. Bennett, Billy Kametz, Phil Mizuno, Xander Mobus, Peter Pixie, Wendy Powell, Jād Saxton, and Christopher Wehkamp.[31]
July 9-11, 2021[32] Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Community support

Tokyo in Tulsa was recognized by the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association in 2009 for its efforts in attracting tourism to the city of Tulsa.[33] Fundraisers ranging from challenges, a photo suite, and a silent auction were held plus a portion of the conventions 2013 revenue went to the charity Bikers Against Child Abuse.[2][4] In 2014, the Charity Ball, held pre-convention, along with other at convention donations benefited the Greenwood Cultural Center's Kids Korner.[34]

References
  1. Harlow, Brittany (July 11, 2014). "Tokyo in Tulsa kicks off in Downtown Tulsa". KRMG. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  2. Smith, Michael. "Tokyo in Tulsa event this weekend lets anime fans get their cosplay on". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  3. Ashley Wright, Jason (2011-07-12). "Anime will be in spotlight during 'Tokyo in Tulsa'". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  4. "Convention celebrates Japanese culture, games at 2013 Tokyo in Tulsa at the Cox Business Center". KJRH. 2013-08-03. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  5. Hoppa, Jen. "Tokyo comes to Tulsa". Tulsa People. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  6. Tramel, Jimmie (March 14, 2019). "Broken Arrow to be new home for Tokyo in Tulsa convention". Tulsa World. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  7. Greenwood, Britt. "Character building". Tulsa People. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  8. Hicks, Chris (July 16, 2014). "Tokyo in Tulsa calls out to Sapulpa Sci-fi Anime fans". Sapulpa Daily Herald. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  9. Dupree, Will (July 17, 2015). "Tokyo in Tulsa event brings around 9K gamers, anime fans to downtown". KJRH. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  10. Partain, Lauren (July 14, 2017). "Tokyo in Tulsa convention kicks off this weekend". KTUL. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  11. Harkins, Paighten (July 17, 2016). "Tokyo in Tulsa brings thousands of costume-clad anime lovers to downtown". Tulsa Word. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  12. "Memorial Fund, Service for Voice Actress Cassandra Hodges". Anime News Network. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  13. Tramel, Jimmie (July 10, 2019). "Tokyo in Tulsa -- Oklahoma's largest anime, Japanese and pop culture event -- is all over Broken Arrow this weekend". Tulsa World. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  14. Jenson, Amy (14 July 2019). "Tokyo in Tulsa vendor says she was kicked out for Twitter post". KTUL. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  15. "IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING TOKYO, OK 2020". Facebook. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  16. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  17. "Tokyo In Tulsa 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  18. "Tokyo In Tulsa 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  19. "Tokyo In Tulsa 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  20. "Tokyo In Tulsa 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  21. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  22. Graham, Ginnie (2013-08-07). "Nerds come together, find community at Tokyo in Tulsa". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  23. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  24. "Female Metal Band DESTROSE Makes US Debut". jame-world.com. 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  25. Tramel, Jimmie (July 15, 2015). "Tokyo in Tulsa draws cosplayers, anime fans and more to convention". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  26. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  27. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  28. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  29. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  30. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  31. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  32. "Tokyo in Tulsa 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  33. Hollingshead, Nancy (2009-05-24). "Groups honor city's 2009 'Heroes' at luncheon". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  34. Sherrow, Rita (July 9, 2014). "Tokyo in Tulsa has something for everyone this weekend". Tulsa World. Retrieved 21 July 2014.

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