“I’d seen a picture of a gurner on the wall at the dentists, so I had to investigate” says Adrian Zivelonghi.
He’s wearing a T-shirt bearing the legend Keep Calm and Gurn On.
“For 23 years I’ve been coming here. It’s my religion, I become a gurner.”
I ask how much success he’s had at the yearly gurning competition.
“Erm, three times world champion,” he says calmly, as if being recognised as being able to pull the ugliest face in the entire world is not a big deal.
It’s fair to say I meet a lot of interesting characters in the series, but there is a common thread. Many people find a community when they pursue their hobby or interest.
This is illustrated perfectly by 15-year-old Chris at an Anime convention in Newcastle.
He’s dressed as DIO from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and is fully committed to the role, even walking like the character does on screen with an exaggerated swagger that oozes confidence.