Exhibits on classic Japanese animation. [PHOTO BY WANG KAIHAO/CHINA DAILY]

If visitors feel the need to join in after admiring the masterpieces, they can go to the interactive section of the exhibition and try their hand at painting or graffiti.

While it's not common for an institution with such a serious public image to display cartoons, Cheng says he is planning to take the exhibition to other cities in China.

"We have a huge collection of handwritten scripts from ancient China in our library and many of them are also on display here," says Gu Heng, the NLC's exhibition director. "It will create a magical dialogue if we show animation scripts from abroad as an example of our cultural exchanges."

He adds that the library is also a place to educate young people.

"We see many common themes in the animation works displayed, like the pursuit of your dreams and love," Gu says. "These refined works teach children about what is good, kind and beautiful through their diligence and precision."

If you go

Key Animation Expo
Through Oct 14, closed on Mondays. National Museum of Classic Books, 33 Zhongguancun Nandajie (south avenue), Haidian district, Beijing. 100 yuan ($14.8) on weekends and 80 yuan on weekdays; 60 yuan for children less than 1.2-meter-tall.