# Fictosexuals

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictosexuals/978408>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 18, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictosexuals/978408 "2023-01-18T14:23:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 1

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**Author:** ![pianodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictosexuals/978408/1 "2023-01-18T14:23:30Z")

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Hi SD,

I never heard this term before, but it describes people who are in love with/marry fictional characters. In real life.

I just read how this 38-year-old from Japan, Akihiko Kondo, married a fictional, computerized synth-pop singer, famous in anime and manga. She was even featured on a Lady Gaga tour at one point. I think their wedding was conducted through a hologram. According to the NY Post article, “family did not attend” the wedding.

My opinion on this is basically “live and let live.” If they’re not hurting anyone, it isn’t my business to judge. That said, it’s definitely out of the ordinary.

What’s the Straight Dope on this? Why does it seem to mostly happen in Japan? What’s so special about Japan? Are people who do this mostly a specific age or sex? Have there been studies on people’s long-term mental/emotional health who marry fictional characters? Have these stories been used to justify slippery slope arguments against other “taboo” marriages?

I am curious also about the human participants’ justification in choosing a fictional character for a partner. Are they that unable to interact with real people? Questions abound.

Thanks,

Dave

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