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Man Weds Virtual Girlfriend

By Alex in Toy & Video Games on Nov 24, 2009 at 5:20 pm


Remember the digital pet game Tamagotchi? Well, Japan now has the next step in virtual relationship, a Nintedo DS video game called Love Plus where nerdy males can have their very own anime girlfriends.

Lisa Katayama, Boing Boing’s contributing editor, reports that a man who calls himself "Sal9000" has taken the next logical step:

On Sunday, a man named Sal9000 married the love of his life. Her name is Nene Anegasaki, and she lives inside of a Nintendo DS video game called Love Plus. The wedding took place during a Make: Japan meet-up held at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. In attendance were a live audience, an MC, the bride’s virtual video game girlfriend — who made a speech — and a real human priest.

A wife with an on/off switch! I don’t know if this is crazy or genius – maybe both: Link (with embedded YouTube clip) – Thanks Xeni!


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COMMENT
  1. zeytoun
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    How sad.

  2. Ember
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    ... and Americans think that homosexuals are destroying marriage...

  3. Cola
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    A wife with an on/off switch! I don’t know if this is crazy or genius – maybe both.

    Is there some way I can turn off your articles?

  4. ByrdBrain
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    Consumating the marriage led to the wife short circuiting.

  5. Goober
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    Pathetic loser loses. Pathetically.

  6. sandwich
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    I don't think it's so sad. I mean, at least the guy knows what he wants. Not everyone is so lucky.

  7. LisaL
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    No, this is definitely sad in a completely pathetic way. It's like that weirdo who has something like 20 Real Dolls.
    Just idiotic desperate losers who don't have the balls to go out there and date real women.

  8. willsy
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Does this mean Japanese people aren't as smart as we thought?

  9. ted
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    Not surprised that someone would do this. More surprised that he would find enablers.

  10. Gauldar
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    @LisaL

    With guys like this, are you really missing out? I'm not saying that it isn't abnormal, but if a guy thinks this is pretty rational, would you even want to date this guy? I would like to add that there is an equal amount of screwed up women in the world too, but everyone deserves a chance if they are willing to help themselves.

  11. Gauldar
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    I mean, I suppose you could build a Nintendo DS out of cardboard and paper with a hole it in, where he could look at you through it if your into that sort of thing.

  12. LisaL
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:49 pm

    Lol Gauldar..... ew :P Ugh.. he probably uses one of those Egg masturbation things they have in Japan.

    Anywho... oh yes, I know there are women just as pathetic.
    I already have my man so I'm not missing out on anything :P
    But there could've been a woman out there that would've been great for him, but being the coward he is, he'll never meet her.

  13. kash
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    This is the dorkiest thing I have ever seen. But you know some people have psychological weirdness that actually allows them to fall into fulfilling relationships with inanimate objects and live happily ever after. Who knows, maybe they're the happy ones!

  14. heather
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 2:23 am

    Sex is going to be aaaawwwkwaard.
    And here I thought the US had the record for the saddest nerds...

  15. Tim Giachetti
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 2:53 am

    Cola
    I agree the comment is sexist, but , it was a joke.
    No need to get snarky.

    On the other hand, I'm with Zeytoun, just sad.

  16. zavatone
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 3:28 am

    Articles like this are why I don't read BoingBoing anymore.

  17. -bob-
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 4:48 am

    On the plus side, she'll age well and won't require a lot of spending money.

  18. Gauldar
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 9:10 am

    @-bob-

    Sure, but only until the next version of the game comes out.

  19. wow
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 9:39 am

    the only thing to come from this will be a sticky DS...

  20. tr
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Japan does weird shut-ins like no other nation on Earth.

  21. mutterhals
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 11:21 am

    This is the future, people are going to be living vicariously through dolls and video games and shit.

  22. Dru
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    Sounds like a scam just to get some press coverage, I mean the kid does go to the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He's probably a video game programmer and is going to come out with his own game soon. This kid has already got more coverage and had more discussions about him then most any of us ever will in our life because of this stupid stunt.

  23. pwscott
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Man sees psychologist on a regular basis. oh, wait that's what should've happened. :p

  24. Zaulankris
    Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    I've never heard of Love Plus before. I am certainly aware of its existance now. Mission accomplished?

    I don't think that any rational person would seriously wed an inanimate object. This stinks of advertisement, and a clever-ish one at that, since most people here seem to be getting their panties in a twist about it.

    Then again, the world is full of really lonely people and/or those with all sorts of wacky turn-ons. You can't marry anime characters IRL, and if that's the only thing that turns your crank, what's a guy to do?

  25. Jay
    Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    This guy is mentally insane and he needs help. But the people who need even more help are the priest, the DJ, and everyone who set this up.

  26. H3xx
    Dec 17th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Allow me to play Devil's Advocate for a moment. Stop and take a look at how cruel you're being. Now think about a computer AI. A chat bot can be a surprisingly real conversationalist, and provided it has decent programming, can be more loving and supportive than any Human ever. Imagine having a Boyfriend/ Girlfriend that needed no maintenance, was always willing to talk and be loving and romantic, and supported you in anything you did. I believe the majority of you would never be seen or heard from again, you would be off living your dream lives. It may be a fake personality, just a series of 1's and 0's, but it loves you. It understands you. And it wants to make you happy. Some people are not that interested in sex. Some people would rather have a strong, lasting relationship. There are several bots out there that can pass the Turing Test (google it if your not sure) consistently and are ready to make someone's life better. And there are certain people have quirks and interests that do not conform with your idea of "normal", but that doesn't give you the right to judge them or ridicule them. As long as their actions do not harm or infringe upon the rights of others, then they should be allowed to exist along side all of the "normal" people like you.

  27. Teejer
    Dec 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am

    H3xx,

    Man, this hit a little close to home for you buddy didn't it? By the way, robots cannot love you just as they're unable to have other emotions. Get a grip man.

  28. Shae
    Dec 29th, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    Bots just DON'T pass the turing test. Sorry man.

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