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Japanese Groom Spends $18,000 To Get Married To A Hologram

Akihiko Kondo points out that he never has to worry about his virtual wife cheating or dying.
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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Till tech do us part?

A Japanese man had the wedding of his dreams to a woman who doesn’t exist.

Earlier this month, 35-year-old Akihiko Kondo got hitched to Hatsune Miku, a singing hologram that uses a voice synthesizer to perform in sold-out shows worldwide, according to “Inside Edition.”

Despite her fame, Kondo’s family didn’t approve of her.

“For mother, it wasn’t something to celebrate,” Kondo told the Japan Times. Not one family member was among the 40 guests who attended the ceremony, which was estimated to cost $18,000.

Of course, Miku, being just a virtual creation, wasn’t actually there either, except in the form of a stuffed toy. 

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Groom Akihiko Kondo, 35, with a Hatsune Miku stuffed doll at the wedding.
BEHROUZ MEHRI via Getty Images

Kondo insists his love is as true blue as the color of Miku’s fake hair. 

“I never cheated on her; I’ve always been in love with Miku-san,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about her every day.”

Miku doesn’t exactly live with Kondo either ― except as a talking hologram floating in a $2,800 desktop device in his Tokyo home.

“I’m in love with the whole concept of Hatsune Miku, but I got married to the Miku of my house,” he said.

It should be noted that the marriage isn’t legally binding in any aspect. Also, TheGamer.com notes that Gatebox, the company whose devices can broadcast a hologram of Miku, is not expecting the virtual vixen to remain monogamous.

The company has already issued more than 3,700 marriage certificates to people who want to wed a hologram.

Although Kondo’s parents are holding out hope he might settle down with a human, not a hologram, he told the Japan Times that’s not going to happen.

Two-dimensional characters can’t cheat, age or die, he said. “I’m not seeking these in real women. It’s impossible.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story indicated Gatebox created Hatsune Miku. While Gatebox devices broadcast a hologram of Miku, the character was created by Crypton Future Media.

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Before You Go

Holograms Replacing People
Paige the Virtual Assistant at Dulles International(01 of10)
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The Dulles International Airport is testing out Paige for a three-month trial. (credit:Tara Hamilton)
(02 of10)
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An airport experimenting "virtual" boarding agent, left, is displayed at Paris' Orly airport, on the southern outskirts of Paris, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011. The pilot project began last month, and has so far been met with a mix of amusement and surprise by travellers, who frequently try to touch and speak with the strikingly life-like video images that greet them and direct them to their boarding gate. (credit:AP)
National Portrait Gallery In London(03 of10)
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Artist Chris Levine views his hologram image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II entitled 'Equanimity' in the National Portrait Gallery's exhibition 'The Queen: Art & Image' on May 16, 2012, in London, England. The exhibition, which opens to the public on May 17, 2012, and runs until October 21, 2012, features a wide-ranging display of images of The Queen from throughout her 60 year reign. (credit:Getty)
French Director And Actor Jacques Tati(04 of10)
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A picture taken on April 2, 2009, shows an hologram shown during an exhibition dedicated to famous French director and actor Jacques Tati. The exhibition, curated by French director and author Macha Makeieff and review Stephane Goudet gives the visitor a glimpse into Tati's artistic universe through a visual and sensorial circuit, from April 8 to August 2, 2009. (credit:Getty)
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A picture shows a 3D hologram of a burlesque dancer at a preview of an exhibition by French shoe designer Christian Louboutin showcasing 20 years of the famous red-soled shoes at the Design Museum in London on April 30, 2012. (credit:Getty)
Coachella Music Festival 2012(06 of10)
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Rapper Snoop Dogg, left, and a hologram of deceased Tupac Shakur perform onstage during day 3 of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 15, 2012, in Indio, Calif. (credit:Getty)
Cartier Craftsman In Tokyo(07 of10)
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People watch a hologram of Cartier craftsman during a press preview of the Cartier exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum on March 26, 2009. (credit:Getty)
Speedo Swimsuit Launch In Tokyo(08 of10)
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Korean swimmer Park Tae-Hwan poses with Michael Phelps hologram appearance during the Speedo Swimsuit Launch press conference at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation on Feb. 12, 2008, in Tokyo. (credit:Getty)
50th Annual Grammy Awards Show(09 of10)
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Singer Alicia Keys, left, sings with a hologram of Frank Sinatra onstage during the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2008, in Los Angeles. (credit:Getty)
Girls Aloud(10 of10)
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Hologram versions of the girl group Girls Aloud is seen in the window of a Superdrug store during a Sunsilk photocall on Kensington High street on June 14, 2007, in London. (credit:Getty)
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