From BDSM to threesomes, most people have a sexual desire they would like to fulfill.
Now, a scientist has lifted the lid on one of the strangest spells he has come across.
In his new book, Dr Mark Griffiths, professor of addiction at Nottingham Trent University, has researched ‘toonophlia’ – a cartoon sex addiction.
As we explore furry fandom (i.e., people who get sexual pleasure from dressing as an animal or/or get sexual pleasure from having sex with a person dressed as an animal) and animal sex (i.e., people who develop emotional and/or physical contact with inanimate objects) or other inanimate objects), I still came across various references related to toonophilia,” he said.
‘Toonophilia is a paraphilia in which people are sexually attracted and/or obsessed with cartoon characters including Japanese anime.’
Sexually active characters like Lara Croft, Jessica Rabbit, or Hercules may be the first to come to mind.
However, Dr Griffiths says he has come across atoonophiles who are drawn to strange cartoons.
These include Bugs Bunny, The Flintstones, and Ms Pac-Man.
From BDSM to threesomes, most people have a sexual desire they would like to fulfill. Now, a scientist has lifted the lid on one of the strangest magical encounters he’s ever encountered (stock photo)
In his new book, Dr Mark Griffiths, a professor of addictions at Nottingham Trent University, investigated ‘toonophlia’ – the magic of sex in artists.
Writing in his book, Sexual Perversions and Paraphilias: An A to Z, Dr Griffiths explains that there are different definitions of toonophiles on the internet.
‘Some say that toonophilia applies to people whose main or only sexual interest is in filmed people.
‘There also seem to be other similar paraphilias, such as ficto-philia, in which people love and/or are attracted to fictional characters in books and gameophilia, in which people love and/or are attracted to fictional characters in video games, such as. Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.
‘One website (now defunct) claimed that toonophilia is seen as a lifestyle and that “due to the lack of physical contact between people and artists” most toonophiles’ sex, unsurprisingly, involves genitalia.’
Even though this third definition shows the absence of cartoon characters, this has not stopped some atoonophiles from following relationships.
“On the Go Petition website there was a genuine petition calling for the legalization of relationships and marriages between people who take photos,” said Dr Griffiths.
According to this expert, the most popular characters among toonophiles are Japanese characters.
However, Dr Griffiths also met toonophiles who were fascinated by Bugs Bunny, Ms Pacman, Jessica Rabbit, and Betty Boop.
Dr Griffiths met toonophiles who were fascinated by Bugs Bunny, Ms Pacman, Jessica Rabbit, and Betty Boop.
Writing in his book, Sexual Perversions and Paraphilias: An A to Z, Dr Griffiths explains that there are different definitions of toonophiles on the internet. Image: Bugs Bunny
‘Some websites contain pornographic images and/or pornography and cartoon-style videos such as The Flintstones having sex,’ he added.
Unsurprisingly, Lara Croft is also the best choice for many toonophiles.
“It’s a digital image of a large breast,” said Dr Griffiths.
‘However, most Tomb Raider players don’t like teenagers.’
As part of his research, Dr Griffiths asked a group of players why Tomb Raider is a good game.
“One of the most important things seemed to be the problem-solving part as part of the treasure hunt,” he explained.
‘His physical appearance was not important to most players except for the young players.
‘Perhaps it is in the youth of these video games that toonophile tendencies can begin to develop.’
You can find out more about paraphilias in Professor Griffiths’ new book, Sexual Disorders and Paraphilias: An AZ.
