With the technological boom in artificial intelligence, human beings have already accustomed themselves to the virtual world, and are sometimes completely disconnected from the reality of worldwide disturbances, pandemics, relationships, and even their intimate needs. Japan, home to sophistication and innovation, famously known for its anime and virtual reality games, has been facing a dreadful alarming decrease in the rate of marriages and childbirths.
Uncanny as it seems, the growing regard for two-dimensional anime girlfriends and VR games are to be blamed. Just like the fantastical love story between a human and a God, is the mingling of the virtual world and the real one going to be a part of modern love?
The otaku culture, which was once indigenous to Japan, has become a global phenomenon, gaining popularity every day. Otaku is a Japanese word, referring to a person who indulges in a subculture strongly linked to anime, manga and video games, often possessing poor social skills while being addicted to VR. This word has different connotations in various parts of the world. However, Japanese people use this word negatively, as it entails a withdrawal from the social world, but there are plenty, outside Japan, who admit to being an otaku.
Shockingly, but palpably, this has taken a toll on the lifestyle of the Japanese population and their declining birth rates could be well linked to this factor. Many have lost interest in physical relationships.
“Some Japanese men choose to have digital girlfriends rather than real ones, thanks to the newest advance in technology, girlfriends in virtual reality have become a possibility,” says Anita Rani, a BBC journalist.
A popular Japanese Nintendo DS computer game called ‘Love Plus’ allows otaku men to have two-dimensional teenage girlfriends, where the players can experience virtual dating. These men prefer their 2-D partners to a three-dimensional woman.
Just like men, female Japanese otaku do exist, who spend hours playing erotic games with their virtual partners, insensible to their real world feelings or relations. There are chances that the number of women might be larger than men – maybe the former is better at hiding it from the public. Otaku enthusiasts immerse themselves into their own fantasy worlds, forming opinions that virtual relationships are better than getting married.
In November 2018, Kondo Akihiko, a 35-year-old Japanese man, was on world headlines for marrying an AI–developed anime hologram, named Hatsune Miku. Although it was not legally recognised, he received a marriage certificate from its creators, Crypton Future Media, based on Sapporo, Japan.
Just like Kondo, there are thousands of people across the globe who recognize themselves as contemporary ‘digisexuals’ and they are dreaming of digital possibilities — albeit in a spiritual rather than sexual sense. It is certain that our future holds possibilities of 2-D brides and grooms and so, AI developers are working together to create a realistic ‘modern love’ experience. After all, love prevails in every form.
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