In the frame

From Mickey Mouse and Bambi to Dragon Ball and Astro Boy, whatever their taste, cartoon fans are in for a treat at a Beijing expo, Wang Kaihao reports.

For fans of animation films, the National Library of China in Beijing could turn into an unexpected shrine this summer, with the opening of the Key Animation Expo.

The exhibition began on Saturday at the National Museum of Classic Books, an affiliate of the National Library of China, juxtaposing more than 400 key exhibits of animation scripts, drawings and original celluloid productions from Walt Disney Studios and works by Japan's most talented animators.

Most of the exhibits have never been displayed in China before, but their names hardly need introduction in the country.

From Mickey Mouse to Astro Boy, the salvo of American and Japanese cartoon stars may not only bring a warmth but also sweet childhood memories to many visitors.

"People often label animated films as 'childish'," says Cheng Xu, curator of the exhibition. "However, we view them as highly expressive and sensational in their artistic styles."

Cheng adds that using film as a platform, animation grows old with people, one generation after another, and this makes it a unique genre of art with few linguistic or cultural barriers.