It's been more than
five years since a Tokyo man “married” the popular virtual character Hatsune Miku .
Recently, the Mainichi Shimbun interviewed the man about his life, including
founding an association for people who have romantic feelings toward fictional
characters . Akihiko Kondo, 40, formalized her union with Miku, a
Vocaloid with distinctive blue hair, in November 2018. Despite the time that
has passed, her love for her remains intact.
Kondo tells how, upon
returning from work, he greets the life-size Miku in his home, waiting for a
response that never comes, but that comforts him anyway and puts a smile on his
face. In her daily life, he talks with her, shares meals and faces her life,
always keeping the flame of her love alive. Although it may seem
outlandish to some, Kondo points out that having affection for fictional
characters is not as unusual as you might think.
According to a
national survey on youth sexual behavior conducted in 2017 by the Japan Sexual
Education Association, more than 10% of high school and college
students, both men and women, have had romantic feelings for characters in
video games and anime. This phenomenon, which has been the subject of
study since the 1990s, is being addressed by society in an increasingly open
way, although the public attitude towards “ phyctosexuals ”
remains challenging.
As a result of this
reality, Kondo and her peers founded the Fictosexuality Association in
June 2023, with the purpose of providing a safe space for those who share their
same feelings . Its objective is to promote greater understanding and
acceptance of this form of sexual orientation, as well as combat discrimination
and prejudice towards minorities.
The road to
acceptance has not been easy for Kondo and other phyctosexuals. Faced
with criticism and judgment from society, they have found in their association
a refuge where they can share their experiences and receive mutual support. For
Kondo, Miku is not simply a replacement for reality, but a source of comfort
and companionship in difficult times.
Despite adversity,
Kondo looks to the future with optimism. She dreams of a world where
people can freely celebrate their love for fictional characters, even going so
far as to formalize marriages with them . With five years of marriage
behind him, Kondo does not rule out the possibility of a change in the future,
but for now, his commitment to Miku remains as firm as the first day.
Source: TheMainichi Shimbun
Copyright THE
MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved.
