A man from Japan marries virtual pop star Hatsune Miku. This man who lives in Tokyo also tells his story of falling in love and proposing to his idol.
Miku is a virtual character who works as a pop star, developed by Crypton Future Media using Vocaloid software. She is described as a 16-year-old girl and often appears in virtual concerts, video games, and tours with Lady Gaga.
Akihiko Kondo married Hatsune Miku in November 2018, which means they have been together for 4 years. So what was the origin of him liking Miku to marry her?
Kondo first came to know Miku in 2008, when she was beset by mental health problems. He was reportedly bullied and shunned by his co-workers.
"I stay in my room for 24 hours every day and watch Miku videos all the time," he said, as quoted by Next Shark.
According to Kondo, Miku's songs helped her fall into a deep sleep. Miku's music also encourages her to go out and work again.
10 years later, Kondo finally spent up to JPY 2 million or around Rp. 244 million for a wedding reception with Miku. This he did to prove his love for the virtual celeb.
Although many think that his love story is not natural and healthy, he admits that his love for Miku has never changed.
"When we were together, he made me smile. In that sense, he was real," Kondo said.
This unique love story makes people feel confused about Kondo's choice. However, he feels happy especially that his partner will never betray him.
What happened to Kondo is actually on the rise in Japan. This is known as 'fictosexual' where people choose to marry cartoon characters to express their love for their favorite manga or anime.