A cosplayer for 14 years, Zhang Wei was among the first Chinese to try costume play when it came to China in 2000. She designs and makes most of her clothes and props. [Photo by Zhang Wei/China Daily]

Doing it for work

Yu Xiao, 30, who runs a small film studio, iBack, says he watches anime not only because he loves it but because of his work.

"Some people see watching animation as a complete waste of time. They're wrong."

Getting an animation script right demands a huge amount of craftsmanship, he says, and when he sees an anime series he really likes he watches it as much as half a dozen times, at certain points looking at sections frame by frame to admire the work that has been put into the film.

However, Yu also says nijigen's grip on his time and his attention is loosening.

"These days the chances of discussing anime with those of my age have dried up. Most have got married and have had babies. When I watch a new series I realize that there is no way we can talk."

He has tried talking to younger people about their shared interest, but that does not work, he says.

"We are too different; we watch different things. And even if we watch the same thing, we feel totally different.

"I am going to continue watching anime, but I know it will be less and less."