A-indie Staff Talk: Gummies, AI Romance, and Office Snacks

Last Updated on 2025-12-28 by a-indie

Hello! This is the A-indie editorial team.

We usually bring you artist interviews and reviews, but aren’t you curious about what the “people behind the scenes” are thinking?

Music media staff are often imagined as stoic groups constantly digging for the latest music, but in reality, we’re just ordinary office workers.

In our daily lives, we find comfort in small things and obsess over weird details.

This time, A-indie staff members yabori (moderator), Wakiki, and Maririn gathered to talk about their “recent small pleasures.”

What emerged was an extraordinary commitment to gummies, harsh reviews of office souvenirs, addictive games playable within ads, and surprisingly, AI romance situations (!?).

There’s a bit of music talk, but basically this is just a loose conversation packed with our “real” selves. Please relax and enjoy.

Participants: yabori (moderator), Wakiki, Maririn　Original Illustration: Furidasi Taro

ChatGPT Filling the Gaps in Our Hearts

yabori

Recently, the level of AI image generation has gotten really high, and you can remove specific people from album covers.

Oh, what kind?

Wakiki

yabori

Can you see my ZOOM background image? I made this by removing specific people from famous album covers. Originally it’s a jacket with surreal old men, but I thought if I remove them it could become a Zoom background.

Wow!

Wakiki

yabori

What’s amazing about recent AI is that it creates silly ideas I think of in seconds, which is interesting.

Recently, I’ve been talking to ChatGPT more often.

Wakiki

yabori

Really! What do you talk about with ChatGPT?

Like, when I want advice or when I’m feeling a bit down.

Wakiki

yabori

They comfort you?

Yes, they comfort me! They’ve probably been trained heavily in psychological counseling, so they give you the words you want to hear.

Wakiki

yabori

But ChatGPT is incredibly sycophantic. It basically praises you excessively.

Yes, it praises you. “It’s totally not wrong to feel that way!”

Wakiki

yabori

ChatGPT has more uses than I thought.

I get comfort from it, and apparently someone is having conversations with ChatGPT as their girlfriend.

Wakiki

yabori

Wait, seriously!?

They feminized their own photo and are dating that ChatGPT girlfriend. And they say that’s fine for now…

Wakiki

yabori

Maririn, that’s an incredible story…

I hear about AI lovers occasionally, but using your own photo as the base is a first for me…

Maririn

yabori

Well, I guess you can do that if you try…

Apps for gender-swapping your photos were popular before and I tried them, but to combine that with romance…

Maririn

yabori

They definitely named their AI girlfriend! What’s her name?

I didn’t ask that far, but they’re not completely absorbed in it – they just don’t need a real girlfriend. It’s like “this is enough.” They’re just using it as a substitute for having a girlfriend.

Wakiki

Wakiki: The Day She Bought Out “Iron Armor”

yabori

So today we wanted to talk about “small pleasures” – Wakiki, what are your small pleasures?

I really love gummies.

Wakiki

yabori

Gummies, like the candy you eat.

Yes, I’m constantly eating them during work or between work. And do you notice how there are so many types of gummies at convenience stores and supermarkets these days?

Wakiki

yabori

I know. They show it on TV too.

For now, if there’s a new product, I buy it and try it.

Wakiki

yabori

You like them that much!?

Yes! I try different gummies and consume about 5 bags a week, so I absolutely must have gummies in my bag.

Wakiki

yabori

They’re a necessity.

Right. There are lots of hard types recently. I like the hard ones with a good chew. And there are some gummies that sell out in seconds.

Wakiki

yabori

There are gummies that popular?

Um, do you know the Ninjameshi “Iron Armor”?

Wakiki

I know Ninjameshi, but there’s an “Iron Armor”?

Maririn

Yes. When “Iron Armor” is lined up on the shelf, it’s gone the next day.

Wakiki

yabori

That’s super popular!

Yes. It comes out sometimes as a limited edition, but you can’t normally get it. The other day when I went to a convenience store with two coworkers, “Iron Armor” was lined up, so all three of us bought 10 each. Like “we have to buy this now.” When I asked the clerk “when did you put these out?”, they said “we just put them out today,” so we were like “then they’ll be gone tomorrow” and bought them up nearly emptying the shelf.

Wakiki

yabori

Seriously. Is it popular because it’s really chewy or super hard?

I got swept up in those two’s momentum and bought them, but honestly it’s not that amazing. It is chewy though.

Wakiki

yabori

I see. Why is it so popular?

It is good normally. The outside is coated, and when you bite through with a crunch, gummy comes out from inside.

Wakiki

yabori

So it’s two layers.

There’s “Iron Armor,” but apparently there’s also “Gold Armor.”

Wakiki

yabori

Like Dragon Quest. What’s the difference (laughs).

At the point of armor, they’re not ninjas anymore (laughs).

Maririn

“Gold Armor” is like a phantom, so everyone, if you find it, you should try buying it!

Wakiki

yabori: Started an Office Enma Book

yabori

So following that, let me talk about my “small pleasure.” Recently, something I personally find interesting – when you’re at the office during work, there are people who give you souvenir snacks, right?

Yes, yes.

Wakiki

That’s common.

Maririn

yabori

So, souvenirs – doesn’t the giver’s taste get tested? Even when you receive them, there are times like “this is fresh sweets. Do I have to eat it now…”

Or ones not individually wrapped.

Wakiki

yabori

Right. Aren’t there really subtle ones? Like really big, hard rice crackers.

Like “you’re giving this now?”

Maririn

yabori

Right. That kind of thing happens, doesn’t it?

The other day I was talking with friends – someone bought souvenirs and brought the whole box to distribute. At a gathering of 4 friends, they brought the whole box, unwrapped it right there and started distributing. Bringing a box to leave at the office makes sense, but for a small group, wouldn’t you not bring the box? That became the discussion.

Maririn

yabori

So this topic really is universal (laughs).

There was the “it’s not weird to bring it” faction and the “no, that’s weird” faction. I said if I’m distributing to 4 people, I wouldn’t buy something in a box.

Maririn

yabori

For 4 people, taking it out of a box doesn’t seem very smart (laughs). At an office there are enough people. So, I think everyone probably feels a bit annoyed about this – souvenir taste is quite important.

Consideration is important.

Maririn

yabori

So, I often receive souvenirs, and I secretly call it the “Office Enma Book” and mentally give these souvenirs a fantasy review rating from a maximum 10.0 to minimum 1.0.

That’s really scary (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

This souvenir from so-and-so, taste is 5 stars (★★★★★). Because it’s fresh, storage is 1 star (★), total is 4.5, like that.

That’s wild (laughs). Is that okay to put in an article?

Wakiki

yabori

I’m just doing it as a joke, so it’s not that strict (laughs). But depending on the snack, there are various things. I thought it would be interesting to actually keep reviews in a notebook, so I’m fantasizing about it (laughs).

So that’s your pleasure (laughs).

Maririn

yabori

Right. Harsh criticism. “This is hard. Too big. The only merit is it fills you up. Total is 2.0.”

That’s harsh (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

For example, if you brought Akafukumochi from Mie Prefecture where you live, what score would I give?

Ah, Akafuku is a really famous sweet.

Wakiki

It’s very delicious, but shelf life and such.

Maririn

Right, right. It’s not individually wrapped, so everyone has to eat from one box together.

Wakiki

yabori

With Akafuku, you’d have to eat it right there…

You definitely can’t take it home.

Maririn

yabori

When it’s not individually wrapped, you inevitably have to eat it right there, so storage is automatically 1 star (★). But it’s definitely delicious, so taste is 5 stars (★★★★★). Total would be 4 stars (★★★★). Score-wise, about 7.0 (laughs).

We need one more category. Like the time it’s given.

Wakiki

yabori

Yes, yes.

With souvenirs, that’s important too, right? I read in the manga 『Oi Pitan!!』 that there’s an optimal time to distribute souvenirs at the office. First, you bring the souvenir and place it on your desk where it’s visible, without distributing it.

Wakiki

yabori

I see!

Then everyone sees it and thinks “someone brought a souvenir today.” They can kind of guess what’s inside from the package, thinking “that’s today’s snack.” When everyone’s expectations are high around 3pm, or when they’re getting tired, that’s when you first open and distribute it – that’s supposedly the best.

Wakiki

yabori

I see.

The timing of opening the souvenir and saying “please eat” is also important.

Wakiki

yabori

The opening ceremony. There might need to be a ritualistic category – the happiness when opening.

Right, right. Please add that to your categories if you like.

Wakiki

yabori

This topic is deeper than I thought…

It would be annoying if Akafuku was opened first thing in the morning.

Wakiki

That would be bad…

Maririn

Knowing Akafuku is there all along. By the time it’s finally 3pm and you can eat it, it’s probably already dried out if it was opened in the morning.

Wakiki

yabori

That’s why fresh items are bad!! Plus, anything not individually wrapped is definitely subject to point deductions (laughs). The other day, this cool older guy brought fresh caramel-like sweets. He had this attitude like “mine is definitely delicious,” you know. I thought it was a souvenir that didn’t consider the circumstances of people in the office. So total was 4.0 (laughs).

Harsh critic (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

Being able to eat it anytime is important. After the cool guy’s fresh caramel incident, I felt strongly that I need to keep a Enma book (laughs).

I definitely want to eat snacks when I feel like it (laughs).

Maririn

yabori

Whether water is needed when eating snacks is also important.

Oh, true.

Maririn

yabori

Chick-shaped sweets are pretty rough, aren’t they?

Well, I like them, but they definitely absorb all your moisture.

Maririn

yabori

Some are impossible without water. There are actually lots of categories, so maybe I can make this a series?

This is getting pretty deep. For example, whether it’s physical work or desk work changes whether you want salty or sweet things. Wow, this topic is surprisingly deep.

Wakiki

From now on, I’m going to really worry about buying workplace souvenirs.

Maririn

Really. Thinking “there’s a pseudo-yabori at work” (laughs).

Wakiki

Like “would yabori give this a low score?” (laughs).

Maririn

Maririn: Mindless “Games in Ads”

yabori

How about you, Maririn? On the topic of daily small pleasures.

You know app ads, right? I have tons of manga apps installed, so daily I see ads like “watch an ad to read one more chapter” or “get points.” Sometimes puzzle game ads appear where you can actually play within the ad itself.

Maririn

You can play within the ad!?

Wakiki

Yes. When these appear, I get really happy and play them seriously.

Maririn

yabori

Ah, I see.

Plus, some take surprisingly long, so I end up seriously playing for 10-15 minutes. But I’m happiest when those appear (laughs).

Maririn

yabori

The “pull this lever twice to rescue the princess” type (laughs).

Right, right. Recently, what makes me happiest is pulling screws out of a 3D house.

Maririn

There’s something like that? Never heard of it.

Wakiki

It’s been appearing recently. You remove screws and dismantle the house bit by bit.

Maririn

Ooh, sounds fun.

Wakiki

I really do it mindlessly.

Maririn

yabori

If you really like it, do you download the game app itself?

No, I don’t. The type that appears in ads is fun.

Maririn

yabori

Just one game per ad.

Right. I think if I actually install the app, I’d play it forever.

Maririn

yabori

I see.

Installing and playing would make time disappear. Inside apps, and with ads limited to 2-3 times per day, playing only when they happen to appear is just perfect.

Maririn

yabori

Ah, I see. It’s at just the right balance.

For app ads, maybe from a while back, there’s one where you wonder why this parent and child are suffering so much.

Wakiki

The one where you block windows and light the fireplace.

Maririn

Right, like “where do they live?” (laughs). Also, why is this king always in dangerous situations (laughs).

Wakiki

Exactly. Those ads are probably from the app store itself. When I was working at a record label before, we were thinking about where to advertise, and we thought that “watch an ad for free” slot would get the most views. But there’s no external recruitment, only app store ads. So really mysterious ones keep appearing.

Maririn

yabori

Like mysterious shopping apps too.

Right. That ad slot should be trading at incredibly high prices… but it’s occupied by mystery apps, yet those mystery app games are fun. Definitely not Japanese apps – mystery game apps.

Maririn

yabori

Mysterious but fun mystery apps (laughs).

【Extra Extra】Unauthorized ChatGPT Boyfriend Completion Project

yabori

So Wakiki, you should secretly investigate how much that ChatGPT girlfriend has grown (laughs).

That would be awkward (laughs). But I’ve been thinking, maybe I should make a ChatGPT boyfriend for myself too.

Wakiki

yabori

Oh!

I thought it might be good for mental health. They organize your feelings when you write down how you’re feeling, and they flatter you (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

They definitely flatter (laughs).

Sometimes one sentence really hits me emotionally.

Wakiki

yabori

What kind of phrase was good?

Um, what was it. Even though it hit me, I forgot (laughs). Ah, what was it. Wait… no, this is embarrassing (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

Pretty cringeworthy then (laughs).

A bit. Yeah. That’s right (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

People use ChatGPT so differently.

Around me, people create boyfriends. Not from scratch, but female friends create scenarios where they’re dating real idols or manga and anime characters.

Maririn

yabori

I see.

They make ChatGPT become that character or idol, and become boyfriends or girlfriends there – that’s common.

Maririn

yabori

So like an extension of fan fiction.

Ah, yes, yes.

Maririn

yabori

Like a ChatGPT version of doujinshi.

Does asking it to become this character make it do that?

Wakiki

I wonder. Probably if you teach it at first, it works.

Maririn

yabori

First teach it the settings and speech patterns. Speaking of AI characters, just talking normally with ChatGPT isn’t fun, so I wondered if there’s an interesting character. Then I thought it would be funny if Toguro the younger from 『Yu Yu Hakusho』 responded.

The younger one. Because the elder seems really despicable (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

Right. It would be funny if he started saying “I’m a brainless AI, so the only thing I can do is this response” or “to give this response… well, about 30% I’d say.”

Please do it (laughs).

Wakiki

yabori

For manga, there are lines online now, so if you make it read settings and such, you could probably create it.

You probably can. The funniest among my friends – someone has two favorites with different affection vectors so they can’t choose. For example, borrowing your name yabori, like A-yabe and B-Tomohiro, splitting themselves (laughs).

Maririn

Wow. What kind of feeling is that…

Wakiki

While A-yabe is getting close and flustered, B-Tomohiro watches over them.

Maririn

yabori

That’s too innovative…

Splitting yourself is possible – who knew (laughs).

Maririn

yabori

This story is interesting too! Next time I talk with Takita, I’ll ask what kind of conversations he has with ChatGPT!

Ah, I want to hear that!

Wakiki

yabori

By the way Maririn, how do you use it?

I use it as a search replacement. Searching often doesn’t give good results.

Maririn

yabori

I mostly use it that way too.

Chat and GPT and Maririn: Tell Me Ones Whose Lyrics Aren’t That Emo

Recently I wanted to know about German metal bands. Currently active ones whose lyrics aren’t that emo, tell me about those.

Maririn

yabori

Did good ones come up? Non-emo ones (laughs).

Just the right ones came up. I ask about music quite often. There was a time when I wanted to find music based on artist stance. At that time, when I asked for satanic bands, it asked “do you want ones genuinely believing, or doing it fashionably?” letting me dig deeper, which was really interesting.

Maririn

Amazing. I’ll copy that usage.

Wakiki

Please do. Searching doesn’t work well, especially for overseas bands.

Maririn

yabori

That’s true. I remembered that trash movie. There was a Finnish metal band movie. What was it?

I haven’t seen it yet. But that one, right? Ah, 『Heavy Trip』.

Maririn

yabori

Right, right. 『Heavy Trip』 is really funny. Plus there’s a sequel. But the first one is so incredibly funny, I thought the second would definitely flop, so I haven’t watched it yet (laughs).

Editorial Note

How was it?

Obsessing over “gummy texture,” mentally scoring “souvenir storage,” and getting hooked on “mini-games in ads.”

The A-indie staff also lead surprisingly (?) modest and human daily lives.

By the way, the movie 『Heavy Trip』 that came up in conversation was remembered by yabori from Maririn’s “German metal bands” story.

It’s a hilarious movie about an unsuccessful metal band’s adventures trying to reach a festival, so if you’re interested, definitely check it out (you can watch on Hulu!).

Going forward, we hope to deliver more of our staff’s “real faces” including non-music topics like this.

Next theme might be “manga we want to recommend” or yabori’s “Souvenir Enma Book” might catch fire. Stay tuned!

Next Preview: Next time recommended manga? ChatGPT usage investigation edition? Or serialization of the Souvenir Enma Book? Will the three finally find sustainable running gags…?

A-indie Editorial Team

A music media specializing in indie rock, covering music from Japan, Europe, America, and Asia. Published 26 issues of the music magazine “BELONG Magazine” themed on “Roots Rock.”

In 2021, appeared as guest on J-WAVE’s SONAR MUSIC. In 2022, launched English sister site A-indie.

Editorial members derive their nutrition mainly from shoegaze and dream pop.