He appears in over 1,500 pieces of fan-fiction, often as a background character. Sometimes, he’s even paired with Maka’s ...

Tens of thousands more around the globe have joined online groups where they discuss their commitment to characters from anime, manga and video games. For some, the relationships are just for a laugh.

LOVE LETTERS I have a crush on a fictional character. I’m not sure how to find real love. I’m 23 and so far I’ve only felt drawn to characters in simulation games and anime.