Asia Insight: 6x5

Cosplay to Business in China

In the 1990’s, Japan’s anime was regarded in China as a media for children, and only the most eager fans knew of performance activities such as cosplay. But now, after cosplay of Chinese content underwent government promotion and regulation as a unique form of culture, the practice of dressing up as characters from manga and anime is flourishing, and entire companies have grown around it, combining cosplay with performance arts such as stage plays or dance. In this episode, we take a look at how what was originally Japan’s popular culture has given rise to unique art and business in China.