jacksreality is the author of the book "Love in the Second Dimension: How Love for Fictional Characters can re-enchant the World".

With English-Speaking Internet forums to express love for fictional characters and ceremonies to marry them in Japan, there has been an increase in activities to show affection for fictional characters in recent decades. While some people refer to it as "waifuism", others identify as "fictosexual".
What makes people develop emotional and romantic attachments to these characters? Which cognitive processes are involved when falling in love with them? What underlying mechanisms favor the belief in a parallel universe in which fictional characters live rather than taking introspection into account to arrive at the conclusion that a fictional character is the result of physical and psychological processes?
After all, is love in the second dimension, also known as "2D Love", a love revolution?

Cover art and illustrations by airqloo.
Zine illustrations by airqloo and tulacerito.