二次元

Literally '2D dimension,' this term refers to the fictional world of anime, manga, and games — and by extension, the passionate subculture built around it. Chinese fans use it to describe both the content itself and their own identity as devotees who sometimes prefer cute, idealized 2D characters over messy real-world relationships. It's half lifestyle label, half affectionate self-mockery, with a side of genuine pride.

Around 2015, China's ACG (anime, comics, games) fandom exploded alongside platforms like Bilibili, which became the spiritual home of 二次元 culture. A generation of young Chinese, many feeling pressure from academic and economic competition, found escape and community in anime and gaming fandoms. The term shifted from a niche otaku label to a mainstream identity marker embraced by tens of millions.

指以动漫、游戏为核心的虚构二维世界，泛指ACG文化圈及其爱好者群体。