For generations, audiences have been captivated by fictional characters, from Mr. Darcy's brooding charm to Chandler Bing's endearing awkwardness. While many seek partners who mirror these traits, a growing number of individuals are bypassing reality altogether, choosing to commit their hearts to the characters themselves. This emerging trend, known as 'fictosexuality,' is reshaping conversations about love, attraction, and human connection in the digital age.
What Exactly Is Fictosexuality?
According to therapist and gender specialist Rebecca Minor, 'fictosexuality' is a sexual orientation where individuals experience deep emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to fictional characters. This attraction can sometimes feel more profound and meaningful than connections with real people. The source of this attraction is not limited to one medium; it can be sparked by characters from books, movies, television shows, video games, and other fictional narratives.
"For folks who identify this way, those connections aren’t imaginary or surface-level—they’re deeply felt and genuinely meaningful," Minor explains. Fictosexual is often considered a microlabel under the broader asexual spectrum, though it can exist as a primary identity or as part of a larger sexual identity like being straight, gay, or pansexual. The expert adds that this orientation "challenges how we define attraction—and invites us to expand our understanding of it."
The Allure of the Unreal: Security and Control
Why are more people openly identifying with this orientation? A key driver is the sense of security and absence of rejection that fictional entities provide. As researcher Agnes Giard from the University of Paris Nanterre points out, the impossibility of rejection from these characters is a significant part of their appeal. For some, these virtual relationships also serve as a way to challenge traditional gender, matrimonial, and social norms.
A prominent real-world example is Akihiko Kondo, who made headlines in 2018 by marrying the holographic pop star Hatsune Miku in a ceremony that cost him $15,000. For Kondo, Miku offers a perfect partnership: she "will 'always be there for him, never betray him, and he’ll never have to see her get ill or die.'"
The AI Revolution in Fictosexual Relationships
The landscape of fictosexuality has evolved dramatically with the advent of advanced artificial intelligence. The year 2025 has seen a considerable surge in people turning to AI chatbots for love and companionship. News stories have covered individuals divorcing human partners for an AI boyfriend, finding solace in AI after the loss of a partner, and even holding commitment ceremonies with AI entities.
This shift highlights a core perk for many fictosexual individuals: ultimate control. The timing, decisions, pace, and longevity of the relationship are entirely in their hands, free from the complexities and unpredictabilities of human interaction. As technology continues to blur the lines between fiction and reality, fictosexuality stands as a testament to the expansive and evolving nature of human attraction and the powerful role of imagination in our emotional lives.
