Fictosexuality
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Fictosexuality is sexual attraction towards fictional characters.[1][2] Romantic attraction towards fictional characters is called fictoromantic.[3][4]
| Definition | Attraction to fictional characters |
|---|---|
| Parent category | Asexuality |
| Other terms | |
| Associated terms | |
The term fictosexuality describes the desire to engage in sexual or romantic relationships with a fictional character,[2] or the experience of desire for fictional sexual material distinct from desire for flesh-and-blood people.[1][2] The asexual community has used the term to describe people who experience sexual attraction exclusively to fictional characters and not to real people,[2][5] although not all people who use the term to describe themselves also consider themselves asexual.[citation needed]
Terms in different languages edit
In Chinese, the term 紙性戀; zhǐxìngliàn; 'fictosexuality'[a] specifically refers to sexual attraction towards two-dimensional characters only.[6] In Japanese, フィクトセクシュアル (fikutosekushuaru), an assimilation of the word fictosexuality 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 human.[7][8] However, the term fikutosekushuaru is distinct from "otaku" and specifically pertains to a sexual identity.[2][1]
Research edit
Feminist and queer research edit
Several asexual studies and introductory books on sexual minorities refer to fictosexuality.[9][5][10][11] Elizabeth Miles argues that "[a]s with current theorizations of asexuality (...) desire for two-dimensional [nijigen] characters forces us to reconsider what sex is and how legal and social proscriptions deny sexual access and the rights of full sexual citizenship."[12]
Queer theoretical research has also been conducted. In her analysis of the notion of "animation" put forth by Teri Silvio and Hiroki Azuma's interpretation of Jacques Derrida, 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.[7] 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."[13] Matsuura also posits a theory that human-oriented sexualism is linked to heteronormativity and gender binarism.[7][1][14]
Through interviews conducted with fictosexual individuals, Matsuura discovered that they face the same forms of oppression due to compulsory sexuality as asexual individuals do.[8] Furthermore, it was also observed that sexual desire does not always entail a desire for sexual intercourse.[8] Interview surveys indicate that the practices of fictosexual individuals present some possibilities to challenge compulsory sexuality and human-oriented sexualism.[8][6]
Just as not all allosexuals desire sexual contact, some fictosexual individuals do not desire interactive relationships with fictional characters.[2][8] Matsuura's research indicates that these individuals are rendered invisible under amatonormativity.[2]
Criticism, discrimination and stigmatization edit
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. Fictosexuals also face prejudice from the LGBT community. Fictosexuality is often thought of as a preference and excluded from the LGBT community.[2]
Additionally, the sexual attraction towards fictional characters can be misrepresented as a mere inclination towards a human depicted in a particular style, whereas actually the attraction is directed towards a non-human entity.[7][1] Some researchers and activists argue that considering the attraction to fictional underage characters as equivalent to a desire for a human child reflects an human-oriented sexualist biased view.[7][b]
Community and activism edit
Online communities and forums about fictosexuality exist.[2] A fictosexual activist organization has been established in Taiwan, aligning with feminist bookstores and LGBTQ activists.[1][6]
Japanese school administrator Akihiko Kondo, who identifies as a fictosexual,[15][16] symbolically married Hatsune Miku in 2018, attracting media attention.[17] In June 2023, he founded the General Incorporated Association of Fictosexuality,[18] to provide comfort to fictosexuals, hold meetings with people that have similar views, and improve the understanding of the subject by the public.[19] As such, sources have identified him as someone who fights for the rights and acceptance of fictosexuals;[19][20] 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".[20]
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".[12] Criticism of human-oriented sexualism rebuts the assumption that ACG pornography sexualizes real women and promotes pedophilia,[2][7] while simultaneously denouncing rape culture.[2] This critique is oriented towards solidarity with the feminist and LGBTQ movements.[1][14]
See also edit
Explanatory notes edit
- ^ "Zhǐ" (紙) means paper and "xìngliàn" (性戀) means sexuality.
- ^ Yuu Matsuura criticizes the "asymmetry wherein hentai content is subject to unilateral problematizing, while human-oriented sexuality is presumed as self-evident" and presents an ethical question, "Why is the issue that hentai content purportedly causes not labeled as the 'human-oriented sexuality issues'?"[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Matsuura, Yuu (2023). "Basic Terms of Fictosexuality Studies". researchblog (researchmap). Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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.
- ^ Barron, Victoria (2023). Amazing ace, awesome aro: an illustrated exploration. London ; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-83997-714-5.
- ^ Rendle, Samantha (2023). Hopeless aromantic: an affirmative guide to aromanticism. London ; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-83997-367-3.
- ^ a b Daigle-Orians, Cody (2023). I Am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- ^ a b c 廖 希文 (SH Liao) (2023). 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]. 動漫遊台灣2023：台灣 ACG 的過去、現在與未來 (研討會論文) (in Chinese).
- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Palettalk (2021). マンガでわかるLGBTQ+ [Comic Book for Learning LGBTQ+] (in Japanese). Kodansha Ltd. p. 35. ISBN 9784065224922.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Matsuura, Yuu (2022). 対人性愛中心主義とシスジェンダー中心主義の共通点：「萌え絵広告問題」と「トランスジェンダーのトイレ使用問題」から [The Common Point between Human-oriented Sexualism and Cisgender-Centrism] (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kazuyuki, Ito (May 18, 2023). "Man finds bliss after 'marrying' virtual idol Hatsune Miku". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Obuno, Yuka (2023-07-01). "Tokyo man 'married' to virtual singer Hatsune Miku fights for acceptance of 'fictosexuals'". The Mainichi. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ a b Ryall, Julian (2023-09-15). "Japan: Man married to fictional character fights for rights". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2024-04-06.