Award Banner
Award Banner

Japanese man marries virtual character Hatsune Miku and wants you to know about fictosexuals

Japanese man marries virtual character Hatsune Miku and wants you to know about fictosexuals
PHOTO: Twitter/akihikokondosk

Akihiko Kondo made news in 2018 when he married a virtual character, the Vocaloid virtual songstress Hatsune Miku. Though the marriage is not recognised by law, his actions opened up the discussion about people who are attracted to virtual characters.

In Japanese, this attraction is called nijikon, but in the English-speaking world, we have started to use the term, 'fictosexual'.

Kondo's story began in 2008, when he became depressed after being bullied by female co-workers. He found solace in the videos of Hatsune Miku, a 16-year-old singing avatar that now has over 100,000 songs released worldwide.

He binge-watched them 24 hours a day which helped him cope and sleep at night. The videos got him through his depression and back into society, but the attraction that formed remained and a relationship bloomed.

PHOTO: Twitter/akihikokondosk

A decade later, Kondo married Miku at an unofficial ceremony in Tokyo. His co-workers and family refused to attend. Since then, he has been sharing photos of life with his assortment of Miku dolls on Twitter and Instagram.

Some may find the whole thing weird and creepy, or that he's delusional. The thing is, 38-year-old Kondo knows Miku isn't real. But his feelings for her are.

"When we're together, she makes me smile," he says. "In that sense, she's real."

His very public wedding has spurred discussions and awareness of people that identify as 'fictosexuals'. In Japan, there are thousands of people who have entered into relationships with fictional characters, with a growing industry that supports a fervent manga and anime culture.

'Fictosexuals' are expected to grow in numbers in the near future as advances in virtual reality, artificial intelligence and robotics create even more life-like interactions in both the metaverses and real life.

Akihiko Kondo with Gatebox’s hologram Hatsune Miku, before the company’s service went offline in 2020.
PHOTO: Twitter/akihikokondosk

Society at large still scorns people who are attracted to virtual characters, similar to what people in the LGBTQ community face not many years ago. Kondo wants to change that, but he says that what he is doing is not a political movement. All he wants is for 'fictosexuals' to be seen: "It's about respecting other people's lifestyles."

To that end, his widely-shared wedding has opened some doors for him. In 2019, he was invited to join a symposium at Kyoto University to speak about his relationship. At this event, as well as at other lectures, he was asked a wide range of questions that include the mental and physical effects of marriage with a two-dimensional character.

"The students asked me questions very earnestly," he says. "But I didn't have the legal knowledge and I was left disappointed that I was unable to provide sufficient answers."

This made him think about going back to school. In 2021, he enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Komazawa University to study minority rights and, armed with what he is learning, he hopes to continue bringing better awareness and acceptance of 'fictosexuals'.

ALSO READ: Jujutsu Kaisen goes the high-fashion route with Dolce & Gabbana collection

This article was first published in Geek Culture.

homepage

trending

trending
    Israel attacks targets in Gaza as ceasefire deadlock breaks
    Die-hard Singapore fan recalls serenading Lady Gaga in LA, moving her to tears: 'That moment means the whole world to me'
    Singaporean boy flung out of car in fatal Johor accident; lorry driver didn't have licence, tests positive for drugs
    St Joseph's Church stabbing: Accused given additional charges of being in possession of weapon
    Is roti john from Singapore or Malaysia? Radio DJs spark debate
    Pinnacle@Duxton sets new record with $1,502 psf after 4-room unit sells for about $1.52m
    From Spain to Singapore: Spanish performance brand Cupra relaunches in Singapore
    The one passion that drives this teen robotics whiz to keep innovating
    Laid to rest: Barbie Hsu's ashes interred, Wheesung funeral's condolence money to be donated
    Lee Si-young to divorce after 8 years of marriage
    'It all burned': Food stall in Malaysia catches fire after rain falls on hot oil
    Strong winds in Hong Kong leave gondola worker 'hanging' in mid-air

Singapore

Singapore
    • 3 injured after bus ferrying Singapore passengers skids and overturns near Cameron Highlands
    • Elderly man dies after falling in bus, family appealing for witnesses
    • 'They deserve an award': Pre-school teachers hailed for carrying children to safety amid Punggol fire
    • Keep off the tracks: SMRT issues warning after man climbed over barriers at Boon Lay MRT station to retrieve phone
    • Woman found dead in Bukit Merah flat after not collecting free meals for days
    • Elderly motorcyclist dies after being hit by car in Bartley Road accident; driver, 30, arrested
    • Singapore's harmony is precious and must always be cherished and protected: PM Lawrence Wong
    • Long delays at Woodlands checkpoint: Over 2-hour wait as school holidays start
    • Man to be charged for abusing airline staff and kicking wall at Changi Airport over lost phone
    • 'Spectacular sight': SM Lee shares stunning photo of rare sun halo over Singapore

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Tay Ping Hui says acting in China was a 'super humbling experience'
    • Kim Soo-hyun admits to dating late Kim Sae-ron, refutes allegations she was underaged
    • Ya Hui toughs it out in new job as creative director: 'I'm not a flower you need to take care of'
    • 'Where am I supposed to say I'm from?' Jackson Wang addresses controversial clip of him saying 'I'm Chinese'
    • 'I'm a bit concerned for my and my mum's safety': Chantalle Ng reveals extreme online harassment
    • Courtney Love permanently relocating to UK over fears about impact of Donald Trump as US president
    • Conan O'Brien to return as Oscars host in 2026
    • Cassie Ventura expecting baby boy
    • Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom married
    • Sir Elton John struggling to sign autographs after losing vision in right eye

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • 2 Singapore pizzerias earn spots on 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2025 list
    • Luckin Coffee launches Maltese-themed drinks and limited-edition merchandise as part of collaboration
    • 23 local attractions offering SG60 deals, here's what Singaporeans can enjoy
    • Hunt the Mouse is back, with $100k worth of coins hidden at Sentosa waiting to be found
    • All-new Skoda Superb Combi unveiled
    • The truth about dual-key living in Singapore: What 3 homeowners want you to know
    • Toyota Camry review: A classic nameplate that vastly amps up the luxury and fun factor
    • Dear teachers, I owe you an apology: Lessons I learnt as a parent
    • Neta X review: Affordable Chinese EV with more than a few flaws
    • Touring Lucky View: Freehold landed homes from $5m in the east

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • China's Baidu launches 2 new AI models as industry competition heats up
    • China's top universities expand enrolment to beef up capabilities in AI, strategic areas
    • International Women's Day: Meet the Singapore women levelling up in gaming
    • US indicts slew of alleged Chinese hackers, sanctions company over spy campaign
    • Meet the women powering innovation in tech in Singapore and beyond
    • Games in March: JRPGs, co-op games and wrestling
    • Australia fines Telegram for delay in answering child abuse, terror questions
    • Embracing the future: A personal guide to how to get started with artificial intelligence

Money

Money
    • Amid AI push, DBS to cut 4,000 temp jobs over next 3 years
    • Singapore's economy grew 4.4% in 2024, beating forecasts
    • DBS to give staff $1,000 special bonus, introduce capital return dividend
    • Travel insurance for infectious diseases: What you need to know (2025)
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (March 2025): Lady Gaga concert presale, up to 50% off flights and more
    • How high will Singapore property prices get in 2025? Here's what AI predicts
    • Before you say 'I do' to a home: The checklist every newlywed couple needs in Singapore
    • Are older HDB maisonettes and jumbo flats worth the premium? A deep dive into pricing trends
    • This newly MOP-ed 4-room HDB flat at Bidadari sets new record with almost $800k profit
    • Chocolate Finance imposes $250 spending limit on debit card to manage demand for miles rewards

Latest

Latest
  • US aid cuts to Myanmar are having catastrophic impact, UN rapporteur says
  • Mexican president pledges stronger missing persons efforts after mass grave found
  • Canada's Carney says Trump must stop comments before bilateral talks can start
  • What is the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua?
  • China's Xi may visit US in not-too-distant future, Trump says
  • Trump and Putin to discuss power plants, land in talks to end Ukraine war
  • Harvard offers free tuition to students from families earning $270k or less
  • Crowds demand justice for 59 killed in North Macedonia nightclub fire
  • 'Butch and Suni' astronauts prepare for Tuesday homecoming after 9-month mission

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Malaysian woman stunned to find car trapped among diners after car park turns into outdoor eatery at night
  • Johor invests $1.5b in water treatment infrastructure to reduce dependency on Singapore after 2030
  • Ceiling collapses at KSL City Mall in JB, viral videos show
  • Food poisoning outbreak: 187 cases linked to Total Defence Day ready-to-eat meals, probe underway
  • Blazing car on Nicoll Highway: 1 dies, 2 taken to hospital
  • FairPrice giving away 75,000 sets of snacks and drinks to Muslim customers to break fast
  • Disabled Malaysian boy seen 'walking' with hands in school gets walkers from kind donors after TikTok video went viral
  • CDL's Kwek Leng Beng seeks to fire son Sherman as CEO over alleged 'attempted coup'
  • 10-year-old girl hurt by pebbles thrown from condo's 11th storey by toddler
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.