Akihiko Kondoa Japanese man who went viral after marrying a holographic version of Hatsune Miku In 2018, he can no longer communicate with his “virtual wife” after the company responsible for the service closed the platform Gatebox.
A virtual marriage interrupted by technology
Kondo spent about $17,300 at the ceremony and used a device Gatebox of $1,300 which allowed him to interact with Miku using artificial intelligence. However, upon completion of the service, the system only displays a message “network error” every time you try to connect.
Despite the disconnection, Kondo declared to the The New York Times that his feelings towards Miku have not changed and that he continues to consider her his partner. Currently, he lives accompanied by a life-size figure of the virtual idol.
The phenomenon of “fictosexuals”
Kondo is part of a growing group of people known as “fictosexuals”individuals who choose to maintain romantic relationships with fictional characters. According to reports, more than a hundred people in Japan have held similar ceremonies, driven by the emotional connection they feel towards these digital characters.
Kondo's case reopens the debate about the limits of virtual love and emotional dependence on digital creations, especially in an era where artificial intelligence redefines forms of companionship.
To what extent can emotional relationships with virtual characters be considered real?
