What does fictosexual mean?
Fictosexual describes a person whose romantic or sexual attraction is directed mainly or only at fictional characters. It is an identity term from online communities, not a medical one. It differs from an ordinary fictional crush in that the attraction to characters is lasting and central.
What the term means
Almost everyone has had a crush on a character. A fictosexual person experiences that as their main form of attraction: characters from novels, games, anime or film draw them in a way real people rarely or never do. Some communities place the term on the asexual spectrum; others treat it as its own orientation.
Fictosexual or a fictional crush
The difference is weight. A reader with a book boyfriend usually also wants a real partner. Someone who identifies as fictosexual often does not, and is content. Neither is a disorder. Attachment to characters is one of the oldest things people do with stories.
Characters who answer
Until recently a fictional love was silent. AI characters have changed that: a written man can now reply. For people who love characters, that is a new kind of story to be inside. It remains fiction, and the pleasure lies in knowing so.
Questions and answers
- What is a fictosexual?
- Someone who is attracted mainly or exclusively to fictional characters.
- Is it normal to be attracted to fictional characters?
- Yes. Crushes on characters are extremely common. Identifying as fictosexual means that this attraction is central for you.
- What is fictoromantic?
- The romantic counterpart: falling in love with fictional characters, with or without sexual attraction.