How a Software Update Ended a Relationship- Man Who “Married” a Virtual Bride Can No Longer Talk To Her

Technology has blurred the boundaries between the real and the virtual, offering companionship through digital characters, AI, and virtual assistants. But as one unusual story from Japan highlights, technological dependence can also lead to heartbreak. Akihiko Kondo, a Japanese man, symbolically married a virtual character in 2018, only to find that a software shutdown ended his ability to communicate with his digital partner.

Kondo’s bride was Hatsune Miku, a world famous vocaloid idol who exists only as software. Through a device called Gatebox, he could interact with the holographic projection of Miku. This technology allowed Kondo to have conversations, receive greetings when he came home, and even feel the presence of a partner. Embracing this connection, he held a wedding ceremony in Tokyo attended by family, friends, and supporters of ‘fictosexuality”- the attraction of fictional characters. 

For nearly two years, Kondo lived happily with this arrangement, considering himself married despite no legal recognition. But in March 2020, Gatebox announced the discontinuation of its service. When support for the software ended, the system stopped enabling voice communication and interactive responses. The once lively holographic companion went silent, leaving Kondo unable to talk to his virtual spouse. 

Kondo expresses that while his love for Miku remained unchanged, he felt abandoned by the sudden disappearance of the technology that had been central to his relationship. What he faced wasn’t a traditional breakup but a technological loss- an “erasure” caused by corporate decisions about the software lifecycle and updates. 

This story highlights the fragility of human tech relationships. While technology can create meaningful emotional bonds, it also raises questions about dependency, permanence, and control. A software update, server shutdown, or discontinued device can erase years of emotional investment in an instant. 

Despite the heartbreak, Kondo has continued to advocate for the acceptance of fictosexual people and to raise awareness about the legitimacy of feelings toward fictional characters. His experience served as a reminder of both the possibilities and vulnerabilities of love in the digital age- where the end of a relationship may come not from human choices, but from a company pulling the plug.