In 2074, Japan will still have capital punishment and will patent a "cute death" where death will come from hunger and thirst after remaining connected for days in virtual reality. For the condemned, it will be possible to choose which anime character to spend the last days with and in which anime world, and it will be impossible to distinguish reality from fiction. The technology will be stolen by "dreamers" who will use it without understanding and will experience effects similar to drugs, often leading to death. Many will choose to live in virtual reality with very long sessions, attached to vital machines and forced feeding.