Lovely Play & Recreation

A collection of questions that will liven up conversations with friends. Talk themes to deepen your bond.

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Looking for conversation starters that naturally liven up chats with friends? With social media everywhere, there should be plenty of shared topics.

Still, it’s not always easy to think of them, and figuring out how to ask the first question can be tricky.

So this time, we’re introducing a set of classic questions that can help deepen your conversations with friends or even spark them in the first place.

These are all questions that can reveal new sides of the other person, help you share values, and bring you closer.

Give them a try in your next conversation!

Ultimate multiple-choice questions to liven things up (11–20)

Which could you not live without: your smartphone or music?

Which would you choose? Here are some ideas for the debate: Which is more essential to life—smartphones or music? In recent years, many people keep their phones in hand from morning till night, since smartphones can control home appliances and offer a wide range of apps.

At the same time, music has also become easily accessible—not only Japanese music but also international artists and even past works.

Some people play their favorite tunes after waking up and listen to sleep-inducing music at bedtime.

It sounds like a topic that could really spark excitement.

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Which do you want: freedom or happiness?

A profound theme! Here are some ideas for “Which do you want: freedom or happiness?” Everyone’s definitions of freedom and happiness differ, but let’s start by choosing casually.

After that, it might be good to define the terms and then choose again based on the theme.

“Freedom” sounds very easygoing, but even if only you are free, there are still rules in society, so it’s complicated, isn’t it? “Happiness” sounds nice, but there’s the mystery of what standard that happiness is based on.

It seems like a theme well worth debating!

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Which would you rather have: the ability to read minds or the ability to see the future?

Able to read people's minds or foresee the future

Which would you rather have: the ability to read minds or the ability to see the future?

Watch “Which would you rather have: the ability to read minds or the ability to see the future?” on YouTube

Sounds like a setup straight out of a manga or anime! Here are some ideas for “Which would you want: the power to read minds or to see the future?” If you’ve watched series where characters have these mysterious abilities, you probably understand the difficulties and pitfalls that come with them.

No matter which you choose, there are pros and cons.

Reading people’s minds doesn’t seem like it would be all good, but being able to see the future might also dampen that sense of excitement.

It’s a compelling topic—which would you choose, and why?

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For drinking parties, do you prefer a large group or a small group?

[What about drinking parties?] Either-or Series★! Big group or small group—which do you all prefer? #shorts #engineer #Osaka #eitherorgame #eitheror #drinkingparty

For drinking parties, do you prefer a large group or a small group?

I think it depends on the purpose of the drinking party and the personalities and moods of the people gathering, but if you’re going to have one, is it better to do it with a large group or a small group? The appeal of a large drinking party is that you can meet and talk with many different people.

Because lots of people come together, it has a more event-like feel and a sense of unity, making it easier to get lively.

Small-group drinking parties, on the other hand, make it easier to have calm conversations, and depending on the person, you might even be able to talk more deeply.

Being able to drink in a private room and similar settings is another attraction of small-group gatherings.

Let’s have everyone share which type of party they’d like to join, along with their reasons.

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If you had to stay up all night listening, which would be better: complaints or a lecture?

Part-time jobs for social misfits #shorts

If you had to stay up all night listening, which would be better: complaints or a lecture?

Watch “If you had to stay up all night listening, which would be better: complaints or a lecture?” on YouTube

The ultimate choice! If you had to listen all night, which would be better: complaints or lectures? Here are some ideas.

Since it’s called “ultimate,” either option will probably leave you a bit dissatisfied, but use this game as a chance to dig deeper into conversations with friends or family.

This time’s theme is: “If you had to listen all night, which would be better: complaints or lectures?” Neither complaints nor lectures are exactly what you want to hear, but which would you choose? It could be fun to think about your reasons, too.

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If you had to date someone who’s careless with either money or time, which would you choose?

This is a question that makes you consider what kinds of major flaws in another person you could tolerate.

Because being careless with money or time directly affects daily life, it also reveals what each of us values in our everyday routines.

Try to vividly imagine living with someone who’s lax in each of these ways, and think about how you would feel and how it would impact your life.

Some might say it depends on the degree of looseness, so discussing the threshold of what you can accept could make for a lively conversation.

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In conclusion

Topics that get you and your friends excited by asking each other questions are often surprisingly hidden in classic, simple prompts. From easy, low-pressure questions you can ask casually to deeper ones that touch on each other’s thoughts and values, try expanding the conversation from various angles. Discovering an unexpected side of the other person can also be one of the moments that makes the conversation really come alive.