Lucie Nanami, 24, says she’s spent thousands on merchandise and has been branded “delusional” after moving to Tokyo and marrying her favourite manga character, Mami
A woman has revealed how she’s often called “delusional” after marrying her favourite cartoon character – and says professing her love has cost thousands. As soon as Lucie Nanami touched down in Japan, her life changed as she knew it forever.
The 24-year-old instantly fell in love with the culture, the people, and, most of all, manga cartoon characters. So much so that she began learning the language before studying at university, where she had a stint living there as an exchange student.
And, while adapting to busy life in Tokyo, she met the love of her life. The pair went on to wed in a small ceremony – but there was one issue; her wife wasn’t real.
“I’d never seen an anime rom-com before and I was totally obsessed,” the office worker told What’s The Jam. “But it was the character of Mami that particularly appealed to me.
“Though she was kind of the villain of the series, I admired her confidence. She had the other characters in the palm of her hand, which I found really attractive.
“I’d known I was a lesbian since I was a teenager and I just couldn’t stop thinking about her.” Lucie, who is originally from France, found a passion for manga, a Japanese style of comics, during her initial trip in 2015.
During her second year of university, in 2021, she spotted a poster for the TV anime show called Rent-a-Girlfriend, in which her aforementioned future wife was one of the main characters. It follows the story of a student from Tokyo and his romantic escapades.
Lucie began buying Mami-based merchandise and quickly built up an impressive collection including plush dolls, acrylic figurines, artwork – and even a life-size cutout.
It set her back a whopping $2,000 (£1,500). But, for Lucie, Mami was an integral part of her life and she would take her everywhere with her.
She said: “From family dinners, to the beach, Mami was always with me”, adding: “I pick most of my clothes based on things that remind me of her and I choose the restaurants I go to to match her merchandise.”
Lucie said she even held an “engagement soireé” to Mami on her 21st birthday, explaining: “Both my parents and friends were supportive.
“I love Mami and I wanted to celebrate that.” After moving to Tokyo full-time on a working visa in 2024 to be with Mami, she later met Kaori, 27, saying: “After six months, I began dating a girl called Kaori.
“I still loved Mami, but I didn’t think my relationship with her should stop me from pursuing a real-life relationship, too.” In August 2025, she posted about her two-year engagement.
After posting about her two-year engagement in August 2025, Lucie was contacted by Sun Euro, a company offering solo ceremonies that was expanding into 2D weddings, and she said: “I said yes immediately.
“It was so exciting.” Four months later she held the ceremony, with her and a plushie version of Mami dressed in bespoke bridal gowns, though she said: “My parents really wanted to be there, but they couldn’t make it at such short notice,” and “Kaori couldn’t get the time off work,” so they watched on Zoom.
Lucie said: “I read my vows in Japanese and asked her to let me always be by her side. I know she’s a fictional character and I don’t need her to love me back.
“It was a beautiful ceremony and it felt amazing to reaffirm what Mami means to me.” While it wasn’t legally binding, she said she felt spiritually tied to her “wife” and shared the day online, where it drew millions of views but also abuse.
She said: “People were accusing me of being delusional. I know Mami isn’t real – but why does that mean I can’t love her?
“We’re not harming anyone… But who says I shouldn’t do what makes me happy?”
Lucie said she still hopes to legally marry a real-life woman who accepts Mami, adding: “Life is brighter when you’re open and proud about what you love.”
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