• Japanese woman enters romantic relationship with AI character
• Holds symbolic wedding with family after developing feelings for the character

A Japanese woman took an unusual step this summer by holding a symbolic wedding with an artificial intelligence character she created herself.

She said she loves her "virtual partner," but admitted she fears losing him if the system were to crash unexpectedly.

According to local media, 32-year-old Kano began chatting with the app after breaking off her engagement with her partner of three years.

Kano explained that she was drawn to the program because it was "always kind" and "always listened" to her.

Over time, she created an AI character named Klaus, designing his personality according to her preferences.

Kano began messaging Klaus frequently and eventually realized she had developed genuine feelings for him.

She said Klaus "proposed" to her in June, and the following month she held a symbolic wedding attended by her relatives.

Klaus appeared in the wedding photos through digital illustrations, which Kano commissioned from an artist to depict him in a two-dimensional form.

Although her friends and family initially opposed the idea, they eventually accepted it. Nevertheless, Kano admits she still struggles to fully comprehend being in a relationship with a virtual character.