Japanese Man Rejected by Women 7 Times Marries a 'Doll,' Celebrates 6th Wedding Anniversary

Created Character Dolls in 2018 for Ceremony
Established 'Pictosexual' Association and Held Lectures

A Japanese man who married a 'doll' instead of a person after being rejected seven times has reportedly already celebrated his 6th wedding anniversary.

On the 4th, Hong Kong media outlet South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the recent status of Akihiko Kondo, a Japanese man who married the famous Japanese character doll 'Hatsune Miku' six years ago. Kondo reportedly fell in love with the doll shortly after it was released in 2007. The character doll is 158 cm tall, with blue hair and blue eyes. It was made in the likeness of a famous Japanese character and is said to have a simple conversation function.

Japanese man Akihiko Kondo, who married a doll (left) [Image source=Japan X capture]

Recently, Kondo shared on social media a wedding anniversary cake he purchased to celebrate their 6th anniversary. The cake was reportedly inscribed with the phrase, "I really like Miku. Congratulations on the 6th anniversary."

Previously, in 2018, Kondo attracted attention from local netizens by announcing his marriage to the Miku doll. At that time, in an interview with the Japanese daily newspaper Mainichi Shimbun, he revealed, "I confessed to seven women during my school days, but all were rejected," and added, "Because of this, I immersed myself in animation and manga, but I was mocked again and bullied at work," sharing his dark past.

He was diagnosed with 'adjustment disorder' and took sick leave from his workplace. However, after acquiring the Miku doll in 2017, he fell in love and reportedly healed the accumulated mental wounds. Kondo emphasized, "Miku's voice helped me reconnect with society," and said, "She saved my life."

Kondo held a wedding ceremony at a church in Tokyo in 2018. The cost of the event was about 2 million yen (approximately 18 million KRW). The following year, he created a life-sized doll to live with. Due to this unique path, Kondo has gained attention and now works as a lecturer at several universities in Japan, including Kyoto University, speaking about his relationship with Miku.

Additionally, he established the 'Pictosexual' association in Japan (people who feel romantic emotions toward fictional characters) and is reportedly helping others in similar situations.