Japanese man wants to wed cartoon woman

A Japanese man is campaigning to legalise marriage between humans and cartoon characters.

Taichi Takashita, whose online petition has accumulated over 1,000 signatures, confessed that he feels more comfortable in the "two-dimensional world".

"I am no longer interested in three dimensions," he explained. "I would even like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world.

"However, that seems impossible with present-day technology. Therefore, at the very least, would it be possible to legally authorise marriage with a two-dimensional character?"

One person who signed the petition said: "For a long time I have only been able to fall in love with two-dimensional people and currently I have someone I really love.

"Even if she is fictional, it is still loving someone. I would like to have legal approval for this system at any cost."

Animated manga and anime characters have acquired celebrity status in Japan, with Prime Minister Taro Aso admitting to being a fan.