What is ‘Fictosexuality’? Why are more people coming out with this new sexuality trend

From Darcy's aloofness to Chandler Bing's awkward humour, many characters have men and women committed to finding someone like them. But others, prefer sticking with the fictional ones themselves. A rising trend in human sexuality has people stunned and a bit worried about the human race, mind and heart. As more and more people are declaring their love for someone or something that could never love them back. For the 'fictosexuals' attraction to fictions if imagination isn't limited to the mind, it has travelled to their heart, sparking an intense romance and even relationship with an entity that does not even exist. What is 'fictosexuality' and how does it work? Let's find out!'Fictosexuality' is a sexual orientation where someone feels drawn emotionally, romantically or sexually to fictional characters, sometimes more than they do to real people, as per therapist and gender specialist Rebecca Minor. Books, movies, TV shows, video games and any other form of fictional space can spark an attraction. “For folks who identify this way, those connections aren’t imaginary or surface-level—they’re deeply felt and genuinely meaningful,” she added. 'Fictosexual' is often considered a microlabel under the asexual umbrella. It can be a part of someone's primary identity or a part of their larger sexual identity. “It speaks to the power of imagination, storytelling, and emotional connection—and how expansive attraction can truly be. At its core, it’s a valid identity that challenges how we define attraction—and invites us to expand our understanding of it,” said the expert.Not really. Everyone experiences sexual attraction differently. If you are 'fictosexual' you do not need to identify as an ace or aromantic. It is also possible for 'fictosexuals' to identify as straight, gay, pansexual or omnisexual. What matters in the end is resonating with the identity you believe in. 'Fictosexuality' in the current scenarios is not just limited to fictional entertainment, AI has also entered the landscape and changed it completely. The number of people turning to AI chatbots for love and relationships has been considerably high in 2025. From divorcing their partner for an AI boyfriend, finding love in AI after losing a partner or walking down the aisle to an AI bot, people have done it all in the past year and made numerous headlines. For people who are 'fictosexual' the partners give them a sense of security that humans could not guarantee. Akihiko Kondo, married a holographic pop star in 2018. The process cost him $15,000 and according to him, Miku, will 'always be there for him, never betray him, and he’ll never have to see her get ill or die.'As per Agnes Giard, a researcher at the University of Paris Nanterre, the impossibility of rejection from these fictional characters is what makes them appealing to people. Additionally, some practitioners use their virtual relationships as a 'way to challenge gender, matrimonial and social norms.'And one of the best perks of being 'fictosexual'? It's all in your hands. The timing, decisions, pace and even longevity of the relationship. In a world where real relationships feel fragile and unpredictable, fictosexuality raises a provocative question: are imaginary lovers filling an emotional gap humans no longer can—or no longer want to?