Could you be fictosexual? Experts reveal all about the little known sexuality – and the tell-tale signs of it

Does your heart flutter at the prospect of spending forever with a fictional being? 

If you’ve ever fantasised about getting it on with a book, TV or video game character, it could mean you’re a fictosexual.

The sexuality refers to strong and lasting feeling of love, infatuation, or desire for a fictional character. 

And while many people might experience attractions to characters, fictosexuals differ in that they only experience sexual feelings towards fictional characters, and not real people. 

In 2018, Akihiko Kondo, then 35, married a virtual reality hologram in Tokyo. 

Meanwhile, anime and cartoons are full of ‘sexualised’ anthropomorphic animals such as Jessica Rabbit. 

Isabelle Kirsch, a London-based sexologist, said that these are ‘beyond crushes’.

‘These aren’t always just crushes.

If you’ve ever fantasized about getting it on with a book, TV or video game character, it could mean you’re a fictosexual, reveal experts (Pictured: Suzu Naito in 2021 Japanese animated film, Belle)

Fictosexuality is a strong and lasting feeling of love, infatuation, or desire for a fictional character (Pictured: A scene from 2024 fantasy action movie, The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirri)

‘For some, these figures become objects of lasting emotional or erotic attachment’ she explained.

‘Fictosexuality can be a valid and meaningful form of attraction, especially for those questioning traditional sexuality’. 

So what exactly is fictosexuality? Perhaps the term is more nuanced and complex than it appears to be on the surface.

Here, FEMAIL unravels the meaning behind the phenomenon, with the help of three experts.

What is fictosexuality? 

According to Isabelle, fictosexuality refers to ‘romantic or sexual attraction toward fictional characters’.

‘This might sound surprising at first ‘ she added. ‘But for many people, it feels as real and intense as attraction to a person in real life’.

For some people fictosexuality is a strict way of life and they are unable to harbour romantic feelings towards human beings.

According to London-based sexologist and intimacy coach, Isabelle Kirsch, fictosexuals can develop sexual and emotional bonds with characters such as early 90s animated superstar, Jessica Rabbit (pictured)

Leah Levi, resident sex expert at dating app Flure, describes fictosexualism as an ‘exclusive’ attraction to fictional characters.   

The specialist also explained that for those who are fully fictosexual, their romantic or sexual attraction can only exist in the world of fiction.

‘More broadly, fictosexuality is about feeling emotionally or sexually connected to characters from books, movies, games, or anime’ she continued.

‘Sometimes it’s an emotional bond, other times it includes physical attraction. These characters are often idealised – they feel safe, loving, and emotionally available in ways that real people sometimes aren’t’.

If you’ve just put down your favourite novel and questioned a lustful tingling towards its main protagonist, or saucy side character, fear not, as these feelings don’t necessarily mean you are a fictosexual.  

Annabelle Knight, sex and relationships expert at British intimacy brand Lovehoney told FEMAIL that feelings for a fictitious character do not solely define fictosexuality.

‘If you have ever felt strongly towards a fictional character while reading a novel, this doesn’t automatically make you a fictosexual’ said Annabelle.

‘As with any sexual preference, the term is not all-encapsulating, and is there for people to better understand how they might be feeling, rather than exclude or segregate’.

‘If you have ever felt strongly towards a fictional character while reading a novel, this doesn’t automatically make you a fictosexual’ explained Lovehoney’s Annabelle Knight (Pictured: A scene from 2024 fantasy action movie, The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim)

She added that the term is considered by many to be a part of the ‘asexual umbrella’ as the term often refers to those that are attracted exclusively to fictional characters.

Likewise Leah adds that fictosexuality often falls under the asexual or aromantic spectrum, ‘though not everyone who identifies as fictosexual is asexual’.

An asexual is someone who experiences little to no sexual attraction towards other people. Many people who identify as asexual do not want to have sex, and some choose never to do so. 

What does fictosexuality look like in the real world?

According to Isabelle, fictosexuality can manifest in various ways, such as developing a strong emotional or sexual attachment to a character, or fantasising about being in a relationship with them.

‘[It is about] feeling more fulfilled by fictional connections than real-world dating or avoiding physical relationships because the fantasy feels safer or more exciting’ she explained.

‘Some people describe feeling genuine love, loyalty, and even heartbreak tied to these characters’.

Fictosexuality can also be seen in such hobbies as writing fan fiction or capturing your affection for a character through art and drawings.

Leah explained that it isn’t limited to surface level dating, and can often be about ’emotional safety and comfort.

‘For a lot of people, fictional relationships are a helpful escape when real dating feels too much or when they’re still figuring out what they want’ she added. 

‘And with spaces like BookTok and online fandoms, more people are talking about it openly and feeling okay about these feelings’.

How can you tell if you’re a fictosexual?

Isabelle explained that you might identify as fictosexual for a number of reasons ranging from what arouses you to where you find comfort.

If you are consistently more attracted to fictional characters than real people, or you find emotional comfort or arousal from imagining relationships with these characters, then it could mean you are fictosexual, revealed Isabelle.

If ‘real-life intimacy feels lacking, overwhelming, or secondary to the connection you feel in fantasy, or you spend time building a personal inner world or fantasy life around a specific character’, then these too are signs of fictosexualism.

Fictosexualists often develop a deep sexual attraction towards book characters (stock image)

The hypnotherapist also delved into the reasons this kind of attraction occurs, and why some people would rather seek a genuine bond inside a fantasy than with a real person.

‘Fictional characters offer safety, consistency, and a space free from real-world pressures or unpredictability’ said Isabelle. 

‘They allow someone to experience emotional intensity without the risk of rejection, abandonment, or conflict’.

Speaking on Gen Z’s fixation with anime and SmutTok – books that include sexually explicit scenes – she said the younger generation may be turning to fictional characters as a safe way to explore feelings of romance or lust.

‘[It’s] similar to how pretend play helps children understand relationships’ she explained. ‘While not everyone talks about it openly, it’s more common than people might think, and nothing to be ashamed of.

‘From a psychological perspective, fictosexuality may relate to attachment styles. People with high emotional sensitivity or anxious attachment might feel more at ease forming connections where they have more control. 

‘It can also be a response to previous relationship disappointments, trauma, or social disconnection’.

Is fictosexuality harmful?

While fictosexuality in itself isn’t harmful, as it thrives in a world devoid of real human interaction, it could leave people feeling isolated and desolate.

‘If someone feels isolated, lonely, or stuck in ways that impact their real-life well-being, exploring the emotional dynamics behind the attraction in therapy can help’ advised Isabelle. 

‘The goal is not to eliminate the fantasy, but to understand what needs it is meeting and whether those needs could also be met in the real world if the person wishes’.

Additionally, Leah says much like any kind of escape, it is important to maintain a balance. 

She explained: ‘If your connection to fictional characters starts getting in the way of real-life friendships or dating, it could be a sign you’re emotionally unfulfilled in other areas. 

‘But for most, it’s just a fun, safe, and meaningful way to explore love, desire, and identity – without needing it to be real’.

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