The convention's name comes from the Japanese word 'tora' meaning tiger and is organized by the Rochester Institute of Technology Anime Club.

[5] The convention typically offers an animated music video contest, anime showings, artists alley, concerts, contests, cosplay chess tournament, cosplay contest, cosplay dating game, dances, gaming tournaments, iron cosplay, panels, and performances.

[5][6][7][8] Tora-Con was founded to raise money for the anime club.

[1][2] In 2014, the event expanded to additional parts of campus and capped attendance at 3,000 people.

[10][11] Tora-Con held a virtual convention in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.