100 Things | Kosei Ayabe

01

NARUTO

My all-time favorite manga. I've been reading it since I was little — it feels like we grew up together. It has shaped my outlook on life more than anything else.

02

Programming

Something I'm good at and genuinely love. When you really think about it, being able to turn ideas in your head into reality through code is kind of amazing.

03

Nature

There's something nature gives you that nothing else can. It moves me, heals me, excites me — I absolutely love it.

04

Vancouver

I spent a year there on a working holiday. The way nature and city life blend together, the multicultural coexistence — it's a truly wonderful place.

05

Sunset

The golden hour sky is beautiful every single time. Sunsets make me feel something I can't quite name — nostalgic, a little melancholic, like the day is rolling its credits.

06

TWICE

The cutest group in all of humanity. No debate.

07

Entrepreneurship

I've been drawn to entrepreneurship since I was a kid. I deeply respect the people who've changed the world through business, and someday I want to take that leap myself.

08

Sushi

My favorite food, without question. I'm Japanese.

09

Putting Things into Words

I love the process of taking vague thoughts and feelings and finding the exact words for them. Don't you think people who can articulate things perfectly are just effortlessly cool?

10

Sony Headphones

I already loved music, but these took it to a whole new level. The WH-1000XM6 are genuinely incredible.

11

English

My most-hated subject in school — now one of my favorites. Studying a language seriously as an adult taught me that learning a language is something beautiful. These days, immersing myself in English has become a quiet daily habit.

12

Competition

I'm not exactly clutch under pressure, but I love competing with others. A good rival pushes you to grow in ways you never could alone.

13

Fashion

I'm not particularly stylish, but I love experimenting with different looks, pieces, and hairstyles. For the past few years I've kept switching up my hair.

14

Airplanes

The excitement of being on a plane, the anticipation before boarding, the feeling of heading somewhere new — I love all of it. Window seat, always.

15

Systems & Automation

I love turning scattered tasks into systems, and manual work into automated processes. It feels a lot like designing an algorithm — which is exactly why I enjoy it.

16

ONE PIECE

Like NARUTO, I can't talk about my life without ONE PIECE. It's taught me most of what I consider important. Honestly, it should be required reading for every boy.

17

Friends

One of the most important things in my life. I don't have a huge social circle, but once I get close with someone, that bond tends to last forever.

18

Math

My favorite subject since I was little. I love the feeling of building logic step by step, and the moment when scattered dots suddenly connect into a line.

19

Tacos

I love burgers too, but lately tacos have been on another level. During a week-long trip to Mexico, I ate tacos more than 10 times.

20

Skateboarding

Started skating with friends when I was 15. I've kept it up through high school, college, and working life — sometimes the urge to just go skate hits out of nowhere.

21

Growth

Whether or not I can grow is hugely important to me — it's usually the deciding factor in any major life decision. I want to keep growing, no matter how old I get.

22

Apple Products

iPod touch, iPhone, MacBook. I love Apple's refined products. It's not too much of an exaggeration to say that Steve Jobs is the reason I became an engineer.

23

HUNTER x HUNTER

Easily in my top 5 manga of all time. The cast is full of compelling characters, but Chrollo and Hisoka are my favorites by far.

24

Places I've Never Been

Going somewhere for the first time makes my inner world feel bigger. It's like unlocking a new area on a Pokémon map — that feeling is something I love.

25

Data

Especially at work, I believe that well-grounded opinions backed by data really matter. It's also fascinating how applying statistics to scattered data can suddenly reveal clear patterns.

26

Beer

I'm not much of a drinker, but I love beer. My all-time favorite is Steamworks Brewing from Vancouver.

27

Freedom

Freedom is the theme of my life. On the flip side, being tied down or restricted by pointless rules makes me deeply uncomfortable.

28

DJ

Why is a DJ mix so incredibly cool? I once bought equipment and tried to learn — but I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and gave up.

29

My Hometown

My hometown has the people I love most, and going back always brings that warm nostalgic feeling. The warmth of the people, the perfect balance of countryside and nature, the view of Mt. Fuji — it's all just perfect.

30

AI

I'd consider myself an early adopter when it comes to AI. I love using various tools to build things, brainstorm ideas, write, and think through design.

31

The Sky

Why is the sky so good? I always end up taking photos of it without even thinking.

32

Not Talking Trash

I can't stand people who constantly bad-mouth others or their surroundings. Just listening to it feels like negativity rubbing off on me. I try my best to keep my own words positive.

33

Dragon Ball

Probably the first anime I ever got completely obsessed with. Gohan is my favorite. Someday I want to fire off a Kamehameha.

34

International Travel

I haven't been to that many countries, but I love international travel. I want to visit as many places as I possibly can in my twenties and thirties.

35

Natural Talent

People with natural flair and an innate sense of cool are just incredibly magnetic. Earning a skill through hard work is impressive, but someone who just has it from the start? That's a different kind of cool. lol

36

Japanese Hip-Hop

I've been listening to hip-hop since elementary school. I feel like I've drifted from it a little lately, but it's probably still my favorite genre.

37

Dogs

I grew up with dogs in the house from day one. They're my favorite animal of all. Honestly, probably more than humans.

38

New Experiences

Places I've never been, things I've never seen, experiences I've never had. New things excite me more than almost anything.

39

Ramen

My second favorite food. I've been really into Jiro-style ramen lately. That stuff is basically a drug.

40

Logical Thinking

I personally think being logical is incredibly important. It's not always the most important thing — but I always want to hold myself to that standard.

41

Attack on Titan

AoT is life. I genuinely envy anyone who hasn't seen it yet — the first watch was that shocking. I've re-watched the anime at least 10 times total.

42

Writing

I've gone through phases of daily journaling, and sometimes I write just to sort out my thoughts — almost therapeutically. I genuinely enjoy putting words to the page.

43

Working Out

I started going to the gym after realizing how much I'd stopped moving once I entered the workforce. I love lifting enough that I still find gyms wherever I am, even abroad.

44

Innovation

Innovation that changes the world genuinely moves me and fills me with excitement. I want to be someone who stays curious about new ideas and technology, no matter how old I get.

45

History

I had almost no interest in it growing up, but I came to realize that understanding history is really understanding the present.

46

Smiles

I love seeing people who always have a smile on their face, or catching that moment when someone laughs. A smile really is the world's universal language.

47

Snowboarding

I'm not great at it, but I love it. I grew up somewhere too warm for snow, so every time I see it, it still feels a little magical.

48

Avicii

My favorite artist of all time. He was the one who opened the door to international music for me.

49

Dreams & Goals

I have a habit of seriously thinking about my dreams, goals, and what I should be doing with my life right now. But honestly, I also just love sitting with those thoughts and feeling excited by the possibilities.

50

IT

Because I love technology, I studied information science in university. It's something I'm both good at and genuinely passionate about — one of the best decisions I've made.

51

Earth

This planet is stunningly beautiful. I feel genuinely lucky to have been born on it.

52

Movies

I love watching films across all kinds of genres. There's nothing quite like stumbling across a masterpiece that moves you to tears — it's the best feeling.

53

Money

Not just money itself, but the freedom and options it gives you. I was born a guy, and honestly — I want to be wealthy someday.

54

Photography

I'm no expert and not particularly skilled, but I love taking photos. The moment you look back at a photo and a memory or feeling suddenly comes rushing back — that part especially.

55

IShowSpeed

My all-time favorite YouTuber. Short clips and memes got me hooked, and now my Reels feed is basically just Speed 24/7. Honestly, no complaints.

56

Hiking Trails

Just walking through nature — nothing more than that — and my mind starts to clear in a way nothing else achieves. Vancouver is full of incredible trails, which is another reason that city has my heart.

57

Typing

I love the feeling of thoughts becoming words at the same speed you're thinking them. Fast typists are just effortlessly cool, right?

58

International Music

Even when I don't understand the lyrics, the melody and the beat alone can make me feel so much. Avicii opened that door for me, and my whole world of music expanded from there.

59

Kingdom

Watching Shin and his crew charge toward their dreams never fails to fire me up. It's a manga that shows you just how cool it is to chase what you want with everything you've got.

60

Wanderers

I'm fascinated by the kind of life where you're not tied to one place — just moving through the world. Every wanderer I've ever met reminds me that you're allowed to live more freely than you think.

61

Self-Imposed Rules

I hate arbitrary rules — but the ones I set for myself, I take seriously. If I can't keep promises to myself, I feel like I'll become unreliable with others too. I genuinely work hard at staying true to my own commitments.

62

Technology

Something that was impossible yesterday becomes possible today. And by tomorrow, no one's even surprised anymore. Technology keeps performing that magic — and it never stops exciting me.

63

Clash Royale

A mobile game I've been completely hooked on again after a long break. Genuinely addictive. lol

64

Equality

Equality is one of my core values. I don't think a perfectly equal world is possible, but I believe we should strive for it as much as we can. I have zero tolerance for things that are unfair.

65

GTR

My dream car since I was a kid, and that still hasn't changed. Not a Lambo, not a Benz — the GTR is just the coolest car to me, no contest. One day, I will own one.

66

Reading

I discovered reading after entering the workforce. I love the time I spend with a book — learning different ways of thinking and living, stepping into entirely different worlds. It's the highest-ROI self-investment I know of.

67

The Come-Up

A story of rising from nothing to something fires me up every time, without fail. Whether it's hip-hop or manga, the come-up story might just be my favorite kind.

68

Social Media

The invention that lets anyone connect with anyone and gave individuals a voice to broadcast to the world. It all depends on how you use it, but the concept itself genuinely impressed me back then. I used to just consume content, but lately I've been enjoying posting too.

69

Philosophy

Questioning what we take for granted and searching for answers — it's surprisingly primal, but I think it's one of the most important things we can do. The fact that there are no right answers is exactly what makes it endlessly fascinating.

70

Drones

They show us perspectives of the world that humans have never been able to see before — that alone gets me excited. In my next life, I want to be a bird.

71

Waking Up Early

The quiet morning hours when no one can interrupt you — that's my favorite part of the day. Ever since I made early rising a habit, so many other things in my life seem to fall into place. Highly recommend.

72

JOJO

The world-building, the battles, the way it's drawn — there's nothing else quite like JOJO. Once you're in, there's no getting out. It has a one-of-a-kind addictiveness. Jotaro is still my favorite, in the end.

73

Studying Abroad

I attended language school in the Philippines for three months to study English. That experience undoubtedly changed my life and shaped the person I am today. The feeling of everything I thought I knew being flipped upside down — strange and exhilarating — is something I'll never forget.

74

Thriving Under Pressure

I'm honestly not great under pressure myself, but I'm in awe of people who deliver when it really counts. Isn't there something just incredibly cool about someone who rises to the occasion?

75

Interior Design

A space filled with things you love just elevates your mood by itself. One of my dreams is to renovate an old traditional Japanese house from scratch, designing every detail myself.

76

Nakata Atsuhiko

His ability to put things into words is genuinely world-class. The way he takes complex topics and explains them more clearly than anyone else, while keeping it interesting and funny — it's incredible.

77

Space

A scale so vast we can't even fully grasp it. The more you learn, the less you understand — and that bottomless depth is what makes it so endlessly romantic.

78

The Color Blue

It evokes the vastness and depth of the sky and sea — calm, fresh, and expansive. For whatever reason, blue is simply my favorite color.

79

Working Holiday

A working holiday has an age limit, but it gives you a real reason to step outside your country. Everyone has different reasons for going abroad, but I deeply respect anyone who actually makes the leap and builds a life somewhere new.

80

Eren

A controversial character, for sure — but someone who acts out of a relentless pursuit of freedom. That resonates deeply with something I believe in.

81

Teaching Others

I've always loved teaching. That moment when you've actually helped something click for someone else — there's nothing quite like it.

82

Surfing

Hands down the hardest of skating, snowboarding, and surfing. I'll never forget the rush the first time I took off and felt the wave push me. I can't even swim properly, but I want to get better.

83

To-Do Lists

I love being able to dump everything out of my head and get it organized. Even the small stuff — crossing things off one by one is genuinely satisfying.

84

Women

"Be kind to all women" is my motto. Why are women so beautiful, honestly?

85

No Prejudice

Living abroad taught me that "normal" and "common sense" are as varied as the people who hold them. I can't stand judging something I don't know or haven't tried.

86

Quotes

Truth compressed into a single line — that's the power of a great quote. The ones that truly resonate have a way of showing up right when you need them most.

87

Optimism

I believe it's better to lean optimistic than pessimistic. People who believe things will work out tend to be the ones who actually make it work.

88

Gaming

The feeling of a Pokémon or Dragon Quest world expanding before you, hanging out with friends while you play, getting fired up over competitive matches — these are things only people born in our era get to experience, and I think gaming deserves way more credit. lol

89

Geography

Every country and region has its own character, and that shapes the culture, values, and way of life that grow from it. Studying geography makes me feel like I'm getting to know the world. I love the feeling of the dots connecting.

90

Politics

I had zero interest before entering the working world, but I've come to see how important it is to pay attention. No matter what country I visit, people always say their government is terrible — I find that fascinating. There's no perfect answer or ideal system, and that's exactly what makes it so complicated and endlessly deep.

91

Self-Help

For someone who values personal growth as much as I do, this genre is squarely in my wheelhouse. I don't take everything at face value, but it keeps giving me new angles and sparks for growth.

92

Twitter

My favorite social media platform. The random posts, the replies, the general vibe — it's the most casual and entertaining platform out there.

93

Heroes

There's still a boy inside me who looks up to heroes like manga protagonists. I want to live without ever losing that boyish wonder.

94

SDGs

I think sustainability is a genuinely beautiful idea. Some people say it's pointless, but I see the SDGs as the world's shared goals — something I can get behind.

95

Video Production

Like photography, I have no particular skill or trained eye for it — but I enjoy the process of making something. The idea that moving images can genuinely move people always strikes me as incredible.

96

World Maps

I love browsing places on Google Maps or just gazing at a globe. Google Maps is probably my favorite web service.

97

DIY

There's something incredibly satisfying about thinking something up and making it yourself. Writing code to build an app from an idea in your head — maybe that's really just the same joy as any other DIY.

98

Intelligence & Wit

Whether it's manga, anime, or film — I've always been drawn to intelligent characters. Being genuinely sharp and perceptive is, to me, one of the coolest things a person can be.

99

Genius

I've been fascinated by the word "genius" and what it means since I was a kid. Whenever I encounter a true genius, I can't help but wish I could peek inside their mind, just once. lol

100

Outlook on Life

I love hearing about the different ways people see and approach life. People are fascinatingly different from one another — and understanding someone's outlook on life makes me feel like I've truly gotten to know them.