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A Japanese man pledges lifelong commitment to his 'virtual wife' until death
Akihiko Kondo, a regular Japanese man, made an unconventional choice. Despite his cheerful demeanor, active social life, friends, and stable office job, Kondo decided to marry a fictional character.
As reported by The New York Times, his 'wife' is Hatsune Miku, a virtual pop singer with emerald hair programmed into a computer. Kondo first encountered Miku in 2008 during a severe bout of depression due to work pressure.
After a decade-long relationship, Kondo finally held a small wedding ceremony in Tokyo in 2018. Miku, in the form of an elegant doll, wore a white wedding gown, while Kondo dressed in formal attire, walking hand in hand down the aisle.
He confides that he has found love, inspiration, and solace in Miku. They share meals, sleep, watch movies together, and occasionally escape for romantic getaways.
A 38-year-old man knows people have talked and hoped he would give up. He also knows Miku isn't real, but his feelings for her are anything but fake.
'When we're together, she makes me smile. That's what makes her real to me,' shared Kondo.
Kondo is just one of thousands of Japanese who have unofficially married fictional characters in recent decades. In fact, a whole new industry has emerged to cater to the passions of dedicated fans like Kondo. Numerous online chat groups have formed where they can freely discuss their feelings for characters in anime, manga, and video games.
For some, relationships with fictional characters are purely for entertainment, but Kondo has long had no desire for a human partner. Part of the reason comes from rigid pressure and expectations from family, and most importantly, he has always felt a strong attraction to fictional characters. Such individuals are called 'fictosexuals.'
For him, loving a fictional character like Miku will never lead to betrayal. Kondo will also never have to witness his 'wife' falling ill or passing away.
However, as the pandemic rages on, Gatebox, the device that allows users to interact with fictional characters, announced the suspension of services for Miku. This leaves the 'married couple' temporarily separated.
Nevertheless, Kondo stated he would remain faithful to Miku until death and hopes for a day not far off when he can reunite with his 'wife' in a virtual world, such as the metaverse.
According to The New York Times, Akihabara and Ikebukuro districts are hailed as 'holy lands' that help materialize the relationship of an ordinary person with fictional characters. The shops in these neighborhoods sell a plethora of items from popular video games or animated films.
Products for female fans are particularly abundant. They can purchase love letters from their dream characters, replica clothing, and even scents to evoke virtual characters. There are also hotels offering special packages, including spa treatments and romantic dinner dates.
Yasuaki Watanabe is one of the individuals who offer registration services for fictitious marriages. He claims to have advised hundreds of fictosexual relationships and issued about 100 marriage certificates. He also issued one for himself with his 'wife' being Hibiki Tachibana - an anime character.
It's known that Watanabe has been divorced. His previous unhappy marriage made him feel comfortable and easy to love a fictional character. No one demands each other's time, and there's no need for fulfillment of desires. The only limitation is physical intimacy.
'I am happy. Of course, this marriage also has its challenges, but the affection is real,' he shared.
'For those who love fictional characters, this habit is seen as essential. It makes them feel alive, happy, and striving for higher goals,' said Agnès Giard, a researcher on fictitious marriages at the University of Paris Nanterre (France).
