In Tokyo, a man spent over 17,000 dollars to marry a hologram. cover art

In Tokyo, a man spent over 17,000 dollars to marry a hologram.

In Tokyo, a man spent over 17,000 dollars to marry a hologram.

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 This episode delves into the true story of Akihiko Kondo, a Tokyo man who married virtual pop star Hatsune Miku in a full wedding ceremony, spending over $17,000. The narrative explores eerie little moments—like Miku waking him up or lighting his home—before a Gatebox service shutdown leaves him with a silent AI spouse. It ends by questioning whether digital love can truly break a heart.


The event, while often phrased in viral, quirky language, is grounded in factual reporting and global coverage. Source

An anime-style vocaloid pop star is a fictional character (anime-style) paired with synthesized singing software(Vocaloid). The most famous example? Hatsune Miku.Here’s how it breaks down:
  • Anime-style: She looks like a typical anime character—big eyes, colorful hair (turquoise, in Miku’s case), futuristic clothes.
  • Vocaloid: This is a software developed by Yamaha that lets users create songs by typing lyrics and melodies. The software uses pre-recorded vocals to "sing"—Miku’s voice was created using samples from a real singer.
  • Pop Star: Even though she’s not real, she’s released albums, appeared in commercials, and performed sold-out liveconcerts as a hologram.
So, Hatsune Miku is a completely digital creation: part character, part voice engine, and full-blown global pop icon.

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