Man marries a video game character

TOKYO (CNN) - She is the perfect woman: Luscious, lovely, devoted and entirely portable.

It is why Sal 9000, of Tokyo, said he loves Nene Anegasaki, a character in a game called "Love Plus" on his Nintendo DS player.

"I love this character, not [a] machine," said Sal.

Sal, who goes by his virtual name "Sal 9000," started playing "Love Plus" in September. The more you play, the more she demands your attention.

So, Sal nurtured his relationship, playing every single day, taking Nene with him everywhere: Out on the town, even on vacation to the resort beaches of Guam.

Then, he decided to marry her live, webcasting the ceremony to thousands of attendees - both virtual and real.

"I understand 100 percent that this is a game," said Sal, point out it is not a legal union, and he likes the tongue-in-cheek humor of his marriage. Sal said he does not want a real girlfriend.

"I only want Nene right (now), " said Sal. "She's better than a human girl."

Sal 9000 said his marriage to Nene is just the next step in video gaming - a new way to integrate, if you will.

Sociologists said that blurring between the real and virtual world means less human contact, and that is where danger begins.

But Japan's Internet world has moved beyond Facebook, Twitter or online game relationships - and marriages to avatars are now part of the norm in the virtual world.

Sal is not that extreme, said author Hiroshi Ashizaki, who studies game and Internet addiction. Many modern-day Japanese youth cannot express their true feelings in reality, only in the virtual world, he said.

It is a trend Ashizaki said shows no sign of slowing down, as the entire world socializes more online and less in-person.

"The purpose of this game is to enjoy your romantic relationship," said Sal 9000. "Since there's no ending to this game, you can continue this game forever."