There is something otherworldly about Tekko, and this year it leaned fully into that magic with its space-themed celebration of anime, fandom, and community. Held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, Tekko brought together thousands of passionate fans for four days of joy, cosplay, music, and heartfelt connection. The theme may have been space, but the energy felt like a supernova of love for all things nerdy and creative. Whether you were attending for the first time or returning after years of memories, Tekko 2025 offered a galaxy of experiences to explore.
At every turn, the convention center buzzed with activity. There was an escape room for brave souls and a Pokémon challenge for the best battlers. Builders hunched over tiny parts in the scale model room while performers belted their hearts out on Stage Uzumi, the open mic space for dance, song, and skits. The arcade and rhythm games area thumped with constant energy, and a Guitar Hero competition brought out the most passionate players. Video rooms showed anime from morning until midnight, and the manga library offered quiet space to browse and read. Chibi Tekko gave younger attendees a space of their own with crafts, storytime, bingo, and more. Sword fights broke out regularly, both chaotic foam battles and real, professional demos, courtesy of Convention Foam Fighting and Pittsburgh Sword Fighters, respectively. There were dance lessons to prep for the weekend’s formal and informal dances, taiko drumming lessons taught by Pittsburgh Taiko, a whimsical Lolita tea party, and even cosplay Jackbox, which was just Jackbox while in costume, and somehow much funnier that way. RPG, TCG, LARP – all of the most fun letter combinations had game sessions running all weekend. Electric T – Kolsch blended with Moroccan Mint Tea – was back on the menu once again adding fuel to the shenanigans. Yes, this all sounds like a lot, and that’s because there really was non-stop, nearly unlimited activities to participate in throughout the entire weekend, allowing each and every con-goer to have a uniquely personal experience. No two people have the exact same Tekko!
Panels brought another layer of depth to the weekend, offering thoughtful discussions, creative showcases, and straight-up ridiculous fun. Guests of honor participated in several panels. Abigail Blythe and Jessie James Grelle discussed LGBTQIA+ in voice acting. It was a very insightful discussion, especially since so many Tekko attendees are a part of the community, and it’s always welcoming to see such topics discussed openly. Natalie Van Sistine (Yor), Alex Organ (Loid), and Megan Shipman (Anya) had a Spy x Family reunion in the form of a Q&A. The Spy trio then got together again on Sunday for the ever-popular Can I Pet Your Pets panel, and decided on which of the submitted pets they would pet, ranging from cats and dogs to a very cute lizard. A quiz show filled with Pittsburgh trivia tested Griffin Burns, Xanthe Huynh, and Abigail Blythe, and though they struggled with a lot of the Burgh’s unique quirks, they were very intruiged by both cookie tables and Picklesburgh. Uncle Yo brought his signature balance of humor and heart, guiding fans through heavy topics like trauma and healing using Naruto and Batman as points of connection. Fan-run panels made up the bulk of the programming and were as wide-ranging as you can imagine. Pokéchurch-goers gathered to worship the Pokégod Arceus and attempted to summon Him (in Pokémon Go). There were game shows and tutorials, gatherings of both shrimp and silly geese, body paint demos and Gengar. Yes, multiple panels about just Gengar. Because he deserves all the love. And the ultimate goal of not just the panels but Tekko in general is to share your love of something with others. These panels were hilarious, informative, and endlessly passionate, and this was just the surface of the countless panels that took place over the weekend, covering just about every topic and genre imaginable.
The exhibition hall was an explosion of colour and fandom energy. Vendors sold everything from plushies and prints to handmade jewelry and gothic dresses. There were even little clay animals made by JsWonderfulCreations, of which we claimed a cute purple dinosaur whom we dubbed Franklyn. Wild Bill’s, a Pittsburgh convention requirement, had several flavours of their soda with unlimited refills, which always serves as the perfect fuel to help keep lapping the convention center. If the con got a little too overstimulating, Feline Freedom Fighters had a booth and tent set up to allow people to take a break to play with adorable, adoptable kitties. Nearby, the Heart and Soul Parrot Rescue brought a few of their feathered friends for people to meet and support the rescue. Erie Distillery, the only alcohol vendor in the exhibit hall, was offering samples of their impressive selection of drinks, and we need to give them a special shout out for their Apple Pie Moonshine, which was so tasty that we bought a bottle immediately. The vibe was welcoming, bustling, and filled with the kind of impulse buys you never regret. Partner booths were also set up in the exhibit hall and promoted other upcoming conventions and events, offering hope for anyone already dreading the post-con blues; check them out below!
Tekko is known for its cosplay, and this year was no exception. Attendees came dressed to the nines, showcasing everything from intricately crafted armor sets to the simplest outfits with instantly recognizable flair. There were quite a few Ghost cosplays roaming the halls, thanks in part to the band’s concert in town the same weekend. As with last year, characters from Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss made frequent appearances, alongside a lively crew of furries who were fresh off Anthrocon earlier in the month.
Saturday’s masquerade allowed cosplayers to show off not just their creations, but also their performance chops. Dancing, singing, shredding on guitar, there were so many different skits this year! The Best in Show award went to an absolutely flawless Scylla from Hades 2, who owned the stage with gorgeously crafted tentacles. But it was Sans and Papyrus who won our hearts with a perfectly in-character comedic skit, though not surprising as they’re the same duo who performed the stunning Lisa Frankenstein skit last year. As always, every single person who walked or performed was phenomenal!
The creativity and kindness on display made the entire weekend feel like stepping into a living fanart gallery. Quite literally at times, thanks to the colourful, elaborate backdrop displays provided by CandiiLand. Just like their Tekko debut last year, they became the central hub for photoshoots. CandiiLand has very quickly become a staple. Posing with any of the intricate backdrops was a sure-fire way to get instant masterclass photos.
Idols had a major presence this year, bringing the sparkle and energy of J-pop and K-pop to the Steel City. Nat and Birdie of Metam0re led an approachable guide to idol dance that drew in the early crowd Friday morning, and the Steel Triangle Idol Showcase lit up the main stage with talent and charm. For those looking for something a little spicier, the after-dark 18+ idol showcase kept the energy alive long into the night. Vtuber-turned-idol Phoebe claimed the main stage as her own with a high-energy performance, but a glitch in the matrix occurred, causing her V-Tube persona to split from her physical self, allowing for the most unique duo ever! It was a super cute performance, and Phoebe even showed off one of her upcoming songs, “Rainfall.” Colourful penlights lit up the room, making for a very fun, very lively show.
Returning favourites Jonathan Young and Caleb Hyles were back by popular demand after their stellar appearance in 2023. They performed two concerts. Their Friday night show was their “standard” set on the main stage, though there was nothing standard about it. The duo had everyone singing along to their iconic covers, including Disney songs, sea shanties, and Smash Mouth’s “All Star” which went on far, far longer than usual. Both artists got a chance to show off their original songs as well, which really highlight their incredible versatility and musicianship. Of course, Jonathan couldn’t pass up the opportunity to Rick Roll everyone. But karma got its revenge as he broke not one, but TWO guitar strings during the set! This made it impossible to play their closing song, the Pokémon theme, so Tekko was treated to an arguably even better a cappella rendition, complete with fan-provided Pokéball.
The following night the duo took over the largest panel room for an improv show based on audience suggestions and vibes alone. Most of the set ended up being snippets of songs, which was a delightful way to showcase a lot of different music and deflect away from the fact that they just didn’t know the full songs. It only took a little bit of goading from the crowd to convince Caleb to hit the griddy, surprisingly quite well for a millenial. Adding to the chaos, Jonathan broke another string, during “Welcome To The Black Parade,” bringing the total broken string count up to 3, a NoFlash Photography record (the previous record of 2 was held by Paul Cha of Black Ridge)! But that didn’t stop Caleb from keeping it going while Jonathan changed the string. We were discissing the show the next day and Caleb commented that this particular show was far more chaotic than usual, which made it more unforgettable for everyone who attended. The duo also hosted a much calmer Q&A panel on Sunday that allowed fans to ask questions, share gratitude, and end the weekend properly. If you didn’t get the chance to see the dynamic duo live, or if you did and want to relive the magic, Jonathan just released a new album, 40K Heavy Metal, of Warhammer 40K-inspired songs, and Caleb not only released an original album, The Darkness Before the Dawn, just a few months ago as well as a Naruto-themed EP, Believe It!, with both new and remastered songs but also just completed a Kickstarter for a Steven Universe album that will be releasing soon. So lots of music to fill the void!
Tekko had even more to offer in the realm of performance. From dance battles to nightly EDM parties, the con never once slowed down. Friday’s party featured ChaoticStyle, Mikey Sling, and iKhanhik, while Saturday night belonged to the MOGRA showcase with D-YAMA, Creep-P, and James Landino bringing nonstop beats. Karaoke rooms filled with both seasoned performers and brave first-timers with genres spanning from emo to showtunes and everything in between, and lip sync battles had the crowd roaring with cheers. Our long-time friend Nancy Kepner once again stole hearts with her nerdy comedy music, including an improv set with songs created on the spot based entirely on audience suggestions. Her new musical collaboration with Rakumaroo, titled “Is it Wrong to Trap Your Friend in an Isekai Time Loop?,” blended humor and heartfelt storytelling into one of the con’s most memorable acts.
Among the most powerful events of the weekend was the charity drag show, Lip Sync for Your [Extra] Life, hosted as always by the dazzling WeebAlong CosDrag queens. This cosplay drag show raised funds for WVU Children’s Hospital through Extra Life and Children’s Miracle Network. Every single performance was show-stopping, with incredible looks and fierce attitude. Audience participation added another layer of fun, with attendees competing in wig-strength headbanging, strutting contests, dance battles, and lip syncs for a change to win prizes and even the highly coveted tiara and scepter. Among the participants were human Lightning McQueen, a professional belly dancer, and a Broly who stayed in character the entire time despite losing his wig early in the headbanging competition. The entire show was bold, joyous, and generous in spirit, with so many people tipping to support the children’s hospital. A shining example of how Tekko blends entertainment and compassion.
Still, for all the panels and performances, all of the action and activities and non-stop shenanigans, the true heart of Tekko lies in its people. The staff and volunteers keep things running smoothly, but it’s the attendees who bring the magic. Friends reunited, strangers bonded, and laughter rang through every hallway. Ribbons and kandi were passed around freely. Little trinkets and handmade treasures were gifted with a smile. Many people were asked what their favourite part of Tekko was this year, and a vast majority said getting together with friends new and old. On Friday night, someone stood outside the convention center with a sign that read, “The real One Piece is all the friends we made,” and that perfectly sums up the weekend better than anything else. Tekko is so much more than just a convention. It’s a home for everyone who loves, dreams, and believes in the power of fandom.
Tekko 2025 was a truly unforgettable journey through space and beyond. The memories made, the friendships formed, the stories shared will live on as long as the sun shines bright. The countdown has already begun for next year. Mark your calendars for July 23 – 26, 2026. Anne Yatco and Kaiji Tang of Jujutsu Kaisen have already been announced as the first guests! The next adventure awaits, and Tekko will be ready to launch again!
