Toko ’17 T-Minus 1 Weeks: Toko-Retreat!
1 week left!!! That’s right, just one week till Tokonatsu!!! If you haven’t already purchased your ticket, there is still time! Head on over to the ticket page now!
We are wrapping up our run up to Tokonatsu series with an article about ourselves, what we are, and what we are bringing to Tokonatsu this year.
Toko-Retreat
So, you’ve probably seen us around over the years, and wondered who we are.
Some have asked if we’re committee, we’re not, though we are on staff this year. We have been mistaken for being an elite click of attendees that have super powers, and you can’t approach, this is also rubbish! (Though we may have superpowers 😉 )
There have been a few other outlandish theories throughout the years. They have, for the most part, been fairly off the mark.
Understandably, we may look intimidating with our lights and banners, but I assure you, that is to draw you to us, not to turn you away. We love company, and we love meeting new people!
So, how did we start and why? In the days pre-dating the explosion of social media, Tokonatsu used to have a popular set of Forums, but they were only open a portion of the year, taken down as the site went through its yearly re-vamp. During this time, we thought it would be a great idea to have a place that the attendees could go to, and keep in-touch throughout the year. A ‘retreat’ from Tokonatsu if you will (hence our name!)
As such, we created a site, with a set of forums, and invited people to take part. We also became the defacto photo-gallery, and barring Foxy’s Instagram, probably have the largest collection of Tokonatsu Photos spanning back to 2005.
With the rise of Facebook though, our role changed, and our need faded. Through 2012-2015, we mostly existed in a capacity to bring Anime reviews and snippits of news from our inside links at Tokonatsu. We did start providing the Open Air Cinema in this time, but we were still an obscure entity.
Last year however, we were asked to provide some panels and events, which culminated in us hosting the Writing, Art, and Card’s Against Humanity competitions that some of you may have taken part in. These were a huge success, and we received nothing but good reviews from those that approached us.
So this year, we’re expanding what we’re offering. The committee have asked us to become staff, and to provide a more relaxed festival area next to the existing Matsuri Festival area.
Toko-R Festival Area
This is an area that will be for the more chilled aspects of Toko. We will host various events as outlined in our schedule in this area, as well as the Get Ready Tent, and an all new Manga Library!
We have been sponsored by Sweatdrop Studios, with some of their manga appearing in the Library, as well as a confirmed appearance from Manga Artist Irina Richards whom will be on site on the Saturday with a stall to sell her Manga.
You can also look forward to a presentation on how to create Bubbletea, a light Role Play Session, and the Cards Against Humanity competitions all being hosted here, as well as a Culture Presentation on Saturday.
So come on down, relax, take part as much as you want to, and perhaps make some new friends!
We may or may not have bean-bags… 😉
Toko-Retreat Events schedule
Saturday:
Culture Presentation 10am @TokoR Area
A presentation on various aspects of Japanese Culture, including a segment on the houses, Kimonos, and the history behind Tea Ceremony’s
Writing Competition Noon @Festival Area
You will have 1 hour to write an original piece of fiction based on this year’s theme of Japanese Horror/Myth/Legends
Bubble Tea 2pm @TokoR Area
Join Hoshino_Draco as she demonstrates how to make Bubble Tea!
Art Panel 4pm @Festival Area
Hoshino Libra will be going over some basic art technics to assist all you fledging Anime Artists.
Cards Against Humanity 6pm @TokoR Area
The play through of this year’s Cards Against Humanity entries!
Anime 7pm Demos / 8pm start @Festival Area
Open air Anime Cinema at the Festival Area.
Sunday:
Art Competition Noon @Festival
You will have 1 hour to write an original piece of fiction based on this year’s theme of Japanese Horror/Myth/Legends
Role Play 2pm @TokoR Area
A 2 hour RP session using an original system designed by Rezal, set in the fictional world of Nasadia. No Character Gen needed, just show up and take part! (Max 6 players)
Bubble Tea 4pm @TokoR Area
Join Hoshino_Draco for her second demonstration on how to make Bubbletea!
Anime 7pm Demos / 8pm start @Festival Area
Open air Anime Cinema at the Festival Area.
NERF War Event 7pm @Events Field
A last minute addition to our line-up, hosted by ED-SKaR and in conjunction with The Events team, we will be bringing you an hour of NERF Team battles, and something else that’s a bit special.
If you want more information on any of the above events, please come find us at Tokonatsu, and we’ll be happy to go over them!
Members:
M pro
Co-Founder, webmaster, and procurer of Anime. M pro puts together the Anime schedule every year based on what we received from MVM, and supplies all the AV equipment needed to make it possible. As well as this, he has designed all the graphics, takes all the pictures, and built most versions of the Toko-Retreat site. We would not be what we are without him. Also helps to illuminate the Toko-R tents.
Rezal
Co-Founder, Author/reviewer, Competition master. Provides a bulk of the articles that goes up on the site (including this one 😉 ) and organizes the competitions that we host at the festival. Responsible for putting together the Manga Library this year, and keeping the rest of the team organized in general.
Hoshino Libra
Our resident artist, assists with judging competitions, and will be hosting an Art Panel this year. She is also the best cosplayer among us, and is a master of wigs and disguise! She normally enters into the Masquerade, and her entries are always amazing.
Hoshino_Okami
Our resident technician, providing the other half of the illuminations, and assisting with AV set up and power distribution. He is also good at crafting what we need, and if something needs fixing, Hoshino_Okami typically has the tools!
Hoshino_Draco
Our resident mad scientist! She provides a lot of the supplies for the competitions, and is doing a lot of the leg work on making the Cards Against Humanity competition happen. Also providing 2 Bubble Tea demonstrations this year.
Lauri0s & Yenots
Running the Get Ready Tent, and providing the awesome events shelter that we’ll be using in the Toko-R Festival area this year. Lauri0s has been providing the Get Ready Tent for a number of years, and Yenots is here on his first Tokonatsu to help Lauri0s stay sane through it all. All round fun bringers!
Tiki
M pro’s better half, she keeps him sane through-out the year, and is probably the reason he can get so much done for us in the first place. Just found out that she’ll be in attendance for the Sat and Sun this year, which is awesome news!
Margo & Spawn
Spawn is our mascot, if you want to know more, come down and see us on the day! Margo is the keeper of the mascot, and ensures it’s all round safety.
Members not in attendance:
Odyssey & Struggles
These outstanding members are unable to attend this year due to family commitments, but they have been a rock of Toko-R for many years. Odyssey is one of our founding members, and probably the social Guru of the team. If you’ve been attending Tokonatsu for any years, you probably know her better than you do Toko-R, and in recent years, you would have gotten to know her outstanding husband Struggles. You’ll be missed this year, and we hope to see you back again soon!
Chuchunezbee
The spirit and core of what Toko-R is. He brings the party, the tunes, and the good times. Anytime that Chuchunezbee can make it is a good year, and one that we always remember!
That just about sums us up, if you have any questions about us, or the events we are hosting, feel free to contact us at info@192.168.0.22
That’s all from us before the event, we can’t wait to see you there!
And remember, if you haven’t nabbed a ticket, head over to https://www.tokonatsu.org.uk/registration/ticket now and get your place reserved! I can guarantee, Tokonatsu wouldn’t be the same without you!
~ Rezal
