A Japanese man has launched an online petition to permit human beings to marry their favourite comic characters. Taichi Takashita's campaign has so far received the support of over 1,000 signatures, the Metro reports.

One person in favour of the proposed law wrote: "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."

The news comes days after a woman was jailed for 'murdering' her virtual husband after he divorced her during an online game.

Anyone Got Betty Boop's Phone Number?

"I am no longer interested in three dimensions. I would even like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world… At the very least, would it be possible to legally authorise marriage with a two-dimensional character?" reads Takashita's petition

aww bless his cotton (pixilated online) socks.

Funny how so many of these stories begin with the phrase "A Japanese man...."