Fictosexuality

Fictosexuality

Definition	Attraction to fictional characters
Parent category	Asexuality
Other terms
Associated terms	Gray asexuality object sexuality

Fictosexuality is sexual attraction towards fictional characters.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Romantic attraction towards fictional characters is called fictoromantic.^[4][6]

The term fictosexuality describes the desire to engage in sexual or romantic relationships with a fictional character,^[1] or the experience of desire for fictional sexual material distinct from desire for flesh-and-blood people.^[1][7] The asexual community has used the term to describe people who experience sexual attraction to fictional characters and not to real people.^[1][4][5]

Fictosexuality has been used as a term for sexual identity since the 2010s,^[1] and online communities and activist organizations now exist.^[3][7] The term "human-oriented sexualism" has also been coined to describe the social norms that marginalize fictosexuality.^[1][2][3]

Terms in different languages

In Chinese, the term zhǐxìngliàn (simplified Chinese: 纸性恋; traditional Chinese: 紙性戀; lit. 'paper sexuality') refers to sexual attraction towards two-dimensional characters only.^[3]

In Japanese, fikutosekushuaru (フィクトセクシュアル), an English loanword, is associated with nijikon, which is typically used to describe a sexual attraction towards two-dimensional anime, manga, and light novel characters, as opposed to attraction towards flesh-and-blood humans.^[8][9] However, the term fikutosekushuaru is distinct from nijikon and specifically pertains to a sexual identity.^[1][7]

Research

Relationship with fictional characters

Fictosexuality and fictromance are occasionally regarded as a form of parasocial relationship in media studies and game studies.^[10][11] Xiwen Liao claims that research on parasocial relationships often centers on unidirectional attachment from the audience to the character, thereby overlooking the intricate and diverse relationships between fictosexuals or fictromantics, and fictional characters.^[3]

Queer studies

Several studies on asexuality and introductory books on sexual minorities refer to fictosexuality.^{[5][12][13][14]} Elizabeth Miles and Matsuura Yuu conduct research on people who are sexually attracted only to fictional characters and argue that such sexuality, like asexuality, prompts reconsideration of dominant ideas about sexuality.^[9][15]

Sociologist and queer theorist Yuu Matsuura argues that sexual attraction to fictional characters subverts established norms in a different manner from Judith Butler's performativity^{[clarification needed]}.^[8] The subversion is "transforming the method of perception or the way of desire through animation constructing the beings of a category that did not exist before."^[16]

Human-oriented sexualism

The term used to describe the marginalization of fictosexuality is human-oriented sexualism (対人性愛中心主義 (taijin-seiai-chūshin-shugi)). This is the concept that sexual attraction towards flesh-and-blood human is "normal" sexuality.^[1][2] While the concept is raised from fictosexuality studies in Japan, it is now being discussed in research outside of Japan^[3] and in areas other than fictosexuality studies.^[17][18][19]

Human-oriented sexuality (対人性愛 (taijin-seiai) is the term used to describe the sexual majority attracted to flesh-and-blood people.^[20][21] This term emerged from grassroots usage among those who prefer two-dimensional sexual creations like manga and anime, yet lack sexual attraction to flesh-and-blood individuals.^[1][2] Based on this premise, the term "human-oriented sexualism" was coined, prompting inquiries into institutions, customs, and value judgments rooted in human-oriented sexuality.

According to queer theorist Yuu Matsuura, human-oriented sexualism is closely related to heteronormativity. Human-oriented sexualism erases the possibility of segmenting sexuality in ways other than the "heterosexual/homosexual" category, thus serving as a precondition for the exclusion of homosexuality.^[8] Heteronormativity is positioned as a combination of gender binarism and human-oriented sexualism.^[2][22] Furthermore, it has been observed that human-oriented sexualism shares roots with transphobia, operating within the same structural framework.^[2]

Kazuki Fujitaka, associate professor of feminist/queer studies at Kyoto Sangyo University, highly appreciated Matsuura's theory about critique against human-oriented sexualism and described the theory as "a practice of healing those who get hurt by a normative society and of defamiliarizing the world," akin to what bell hooks calls "theory as liberatory practice."^[23]

Marginalization, discrimination, and stigmatization

According to Matsuura, fictosexuals have been marginalized or concealed in societies that adhere to the norm of sexual attraction to human beings. They are occasionally stigmatized or pathologized.^[1]

Through interviews with fictosexual individuals, Matsuura discovered that they face similar forms of oppression due to compulsory sexuality as asexual individuals.^[9] Furthermore, it was observed that sexual desire does not always entail a desire for sexual intercourse.^[9] Just as not all allosexuals desire sexual contact, some fictosexual individuals do not desire interactive relationships with fictional characters.^[1][9] Matsuura's research indicates that these individuals are rendered invisible under amatonormativity.^[9] Interview surveys suggest that the practices of fictosexual individuals offer possibilities to challenge compulsory sexuality and human-oriented sexualism.^[3][9]

Community and activism

Online communities and forums about fictosexuality exist.^[1][3] The Taiwan Entrepot of Fictosexuality, a fictosexual activist organization, has been established in Taiwan, aligning with feminist bookstores and LGBTQ activists.^[24][3][7] Some activists have labeled the sexuality only attracted to manga/anime fictional characters as a "third sexual orientation," and Miles argues that "it is the criticism of non-real-world sex, sex outside a flesh-and-blood relationship, which drives much contemporary anti-pornography criticism and activism".^[15] Criticism of human-oriented sexualism rebuts the assumption that ACG pornography sexualizes real women and promotes pedophilia.^[1][8]

Japanese school administrator Akihiko Kondo, who identifies as a fictosexual,^[25][26] symbolically married Hatsune Miku in 2018.^[27] In June 2023, he founded the General Incorporated Association of Fictosexuality^[28][29] to provide comfort to fictosexuals, hold meetings with people that have similar views, and improve the understanding of the subject.^[30] Izumi Tsuji, secretary of the Japan Youth Study Group at Chuo University, where he is a sociology of culture professor, described Kondo as "a pioneer for the fictosexual movement".^[31]

See also

• Nijikon
• Demisexuality
• Tumblr sexyman
• Rule 34
• Cartoon pornography
• Clop
• Shipping (fandom)

References

1. Matsuura, Yuu (2021). 日常生活の自明性によるクレイム申し立ての「予めの排除/抹消」――「性的指向」概念に適合しないセクシュアリティの語られ方に注目して ["Foreclosure/Erasure" of Claims-Making by the Everyday Life as Taken for Granted: Discourse Analysis about "Fictosexual" as Sexuality that does not Conform to "Sexual Orientation"]. Journal of Social Problems (in Japanese). 36: 67–83. doi:10.50885/shabyo.36.0_67.
2. Matsuura, Yuu (2024). Tsuji, Yosuke; Sakamaki, Shitone (eds.). "素肉は肉より出でて、しかし肉には非らず──ヒューマノジェンダリズム批判序説" [Mock Meat, That Imitates Meat but Is Not Meat—An Introduction to Criticism of Humano-Genderism]. Ghost in the Shell Official Global Site. Ghost in the Shell M.M.A. - Messed Mesh Ambitions_. Kodansha.
3. Liao, Xiwen (2024). "紙性戀處境及其悖論: 情動、想像與賦生關係" [On Fictosexual Position and its Paradox: Affacts, Imaginary, and Animating Relationships]. In 劉定綱; 李衣雲 (eds.). 故事與另外的世界: 台灣ACG研究學會年會論文集 (in Chinese). Vol. 1. 奇異果文創事業有限公司. ISBN 9786269807680.
4. Barron, Victoria (2023). Amazing ace, awesome aro: an illustrated exploration. London; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-83997-714-5.
5. Daigle-Orians, Cody (21 February 2023). I Am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1839972621.
6. Rendle, Samantha (2023). Hopeless aromantic: an affirmative guide to aromanticism. London; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-83997-367-3.
7. Matsuura, Yuu (2023). "Basic Terms of Fictosexuality Studies". Research Map. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
8. Matsuura, Yuu (2022). アニメーション的な誤配としての多重見当識: 非対人性愛的な「二次元」へのセクシュアリティに関する理論的考察 [Multiple Orientations as Animating Misdelivery: Theoretical Considerations on Sexuality Attracted to Nijigen (Two-Dimensional) Objects]. Gender Studies (Thesis) (in Japanese). Institute for Gender Studies, Ochanomizu University. pp. 139–157. doi:10.24567/0002000551.
9. Matsuura, Yuu (2021). 二次元の性的表現による「現実性愛」の相対化の可能性――現実の他者へ性的に惹かれない「オタク」「腐女子」の語りを事例として [The Possibility of Relativization of Compulsory Sexuality by Nonrealistic Sexual Fantasy: Based on the Narration of "Otaku" and "Fujoshi" Who Do Not Experience Sexual or Romantic Attraction to Real People]. Japan Sociologist (in Japanese) (5): 116–136. ISBN 9784788517073.
10. Blom, Joleen (2022). Grabarczyk, Pawel (ed.). "Game Character". Encyclopedia of Ludic Terms.
11. Bruno, Luca (2023-12-23). "To (Sub)Serve Man. Role Language and Intimate Scripts in Kioku no Dizorubu". LEA - Lingue e Letterature d'Oriente e d'Occidente. 12: 99–116. doi:10.36253/lea-1824-484x-14474. ISSN 1824-484X.
12. Yule, Morag A.; Brotto, Lori A.; Gorzalka, Boris B. (2017). "Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: An In-Depth Exploration" (PDF). Archives of Sexual Behavior. 46 (1): 311–328. doi:10.1007/s10508-016-0870-8. PMID 27882477. S2CID 254264133.
13. Matsuura, Yuu (2020). アセクシュアル研究におけるセクシュアルノーマティヴィティ概念の理論的意義と日本社会への適用可能性 [The Concept of Compulsory Sexuality: Theoretical Meaning and Applicability to Japanese Society]. Journal of Sociological Society of West Japan (in Japanese). 18: 89–101. doi:10.32197/sswj.18.0_89.
14. Palettalk (2021). マンガでわかるLGBTQ+ [Comic Book for Learning LGBTQ+] (in Japanese). Kodansha Ltd. p. 35. ISBN 9784065224922.
15. Miles, Elizabeth (2020). "Porn as Practice, Porn as Access: Pornography Consumption and a ʻThird Sexual Orientationʼ in Japan". Porn Studies. 7 (3): 269–278. doi:10.1080/23268743.2020.1726205.
16. Matsuura, Yuu (2022). メタファーとしての美少女: アニメーション的な誤配によるジェンダー・トラブル [Bishōjo as Metaphor: Gender Trouble by Animating Misdelivery]. La revue de la pensée d'aujourd'hui (in Japanese). 50 (11): 63–75. ISBN 9784791714353.
17. Yamada, Masahiro (2022). "ペットの家族化の進展とその帰結――ネットモニター調査による考察" [Familiarization of Pet in Japan: From an Internet Research] (PDF). The Annual Bulletin of the Institute of Social Sciences, Chuo University (in Japanese). 27: 3–21.
18. 筒井晴香 (2022). "「推す」ことの倫理を考えるために". In 香月孝史・上岡磨奈・中村香住 (ed.). アイドルについて葛藤しながら考えてみた：ジェンダー／パーソナリティ／〈推し〉. 青弓社. pp. 46–71. ISBN 978-4-7872-7449-6.
19. Ueda, Masaki (2023). "わいせつ規制をめぐる諸課題" [Issues surrounding Crimes of Obscenity]. Criminal Law Journal (in Japanese). 75. Seibundo Publishing: 12–17. ISBN 978-4-7923-8881-2.
20. Iwasaki, Hanae (2024). "フツーの恋愛、性愛ってなに？『ACE アセクシュアルから見たセックスと社会のこと』刊行記念トークレポ". me and you little magazine & club. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
21. Matsuura, Yuu (2023). "抹消の現象学的社会学：類型化されないことをともなう周縁化について" [Phenomenological Sociology of Erasure : Marginalization Involving Untypification]. Japanese Sociological Review (in Japanese). 74 (1). The Japan Sociological Society: 158–174.
22. Matsuura, Yuu (2023). "フィクトセクシュアルから考えるジェンダー／セクシュアリティの政治" [The Politics of Gender and Sexuality from a Fictosexual Perspective]. researchmap. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
23. Hanyu, Yuki (2024). "Against Compulsory (Hetero)Sexuality: From Asexual Perspectives" (PDF). Gender & Sexuality. 19. Center for Gender Studies at International Christian University: 137.
24. Realms of the Unreal: Taiwan Entrepot of Fictosexuality (2023). "Introduction". Facebook.
25. Dooley, Ben; Ueno, Hisako (April 24, 2022). "This Man Married a Fictional Character. He'd Like You to Hear Him Out". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
26. Kazuyuki, Ito (May 18, 2023). "Man finds bliss after 'marrying' virtual idol Hatsune Miku". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
27. Katashibu, Yohei (2018-11-21). "批判もあったが「勇気付けられた」 初音ミクさんとの"本気の挙式"を終えて" [Despite Criticism, "It Gave Me Courage" - Ending the "Serious Wedding" with Hatsune Miku]. ITmedia (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
28. Kondo, Akihiko [@akihikokondosk] (June 29, 2023). "I founded the general incorporated association of fictosexuality. This is an organization whose main purpose is to promote understanding of fictosexuality, which is a sexual orientation that is attracted to fictional characters such as manga, anime, and games. I will do my best" (Tweet). Retrieved 2024-04-08 – via Twitter.
29. "Man, married to virtual pop star for 4 years, starts Association of Fictosexuality". Yahoo News. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
30. Obuno, Yuka (2023-07-01). "Tokyo man 'married' to virtual singer Hatsune Miku fights for acceptance of 'fictosexuals'". The Mainichi. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
31. Ryall, Julian (2023-09-15). "Japan: Man married to fictional character fights for rights". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2024-04-06.