Post Games What Is Fictosexuality? (Tanja Välisalo)
Mar 2, 2026
Tanja Välisalo, a researcher of game and fandom studies exploring fictosexuality. Nicole Carpenter, reporter covering gaming and safety issues. They discuss what fictophilia is and how it differs from ordinary crushes. They explore fandom communities, parasocial ties, JRPGs, VTubers, and AI. They also cover Roblox’s scale, moderation challenges, and child-safety controversies.
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Why Fictional Characters Feel Irresistible
- Supernormal stimuli explain why fictional characters often feel preferable to real people, via perfected looks and behaviors.
- Välisalo notes it's not just appearance but idealized personality traits and actions that create the pull.
Safety Of Fictional Relationships
- Fictional partners can feel safe because they're predictable, controllable, and you can stop the relationship by turning off the media.
- That safety contrasts with the risks and unpredictability of human relationships.
Kondo And The Media Spotlight
- The best-known public example is Akihiko Kondo, who symbolically married Hatsune Miku and raised media attention.
- Välisalo says Kondo's publicness attracted attention because most fictophiles stay private due to stigma.