'Fictosexual' Japanese Man Marks Six Years Of Marriage With Vocaloid Wife

A Japanese man who wed a fictional character in 2018 is marking his sixth wedding anniversary with her this year.

Akihiko Kondo, 41, married Hatsune Miku, a vocaloid (a type of singing voice synthesiser software), on November 4 six years ago.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/akihikokondosk

The vocaloid character, depicted as a 16-year-old pop singer with large blue pigtails, is represented in cartoon form.

Kondo posted a picture on Instagram showing an anniversary cake with the message "I like Miku very much. Happy six-year anniversary" inscribed on it.

Speaking to Japanese media, Kondo shared that he had previously been interested in women but had faced rejection seven times after declaring his feelings. He also revealed he had been bullied and ridiculed for his passion for anime and manga.

Bullying over his love

Kondo first encountered Miku's character in 2007 when she was launched as a vocaloid, and he fell in love. After enduring workplace bullying, he was diagnosed with adjustment disorder - intense emotional and behavioural symptoms following a stressful event.

Kondo explained that Miku's soothing voice helped him re-engage with society, and he believes she saved his life. In 2018, he spent two million yen (approx. Rs 9.5 lakh) on a wedding ceremony held at a Tokyo chapel to marry her.

He proposed to Miku through a hologram device that enables users to interact with her character, and she "accepted" his proposal.

Understanding fictosexuality

He soon discovered the term "fictosexual" - describing those who feel sexual attraction toward fictional characters - and began identifying as one.

A survey by the Japanese Association for Sex Education shows that over 10% of students in schools and universities have reported romantic feelings toward fictional characters.

Last year, Kondo founded an association for fictosexuality alongside peers, hoping to encourage wider acceptance of this orientation.

To bring Miku into his life more tangibly, Kondo had a life-sized doll of her created, which he often dresses up and sits with for meals and tea, chatting with her as they do.

However, Kondo says he does not believe his relationship with Miku will continue indefinitely.