Cosplayer and Playboy Club creator Marin Amai is happiest when she’s creating things. She sat down with us to discuss her inspirations, anime crushes, and her obsession with musical video games.

PLAYBOY: So to start us off, where are you from?

Marin Amai: I’m from Stockton. I think when you say you’re from Stockton, automatically people think you’re trouble. There’s pretty much nothing to do here. It’s a farm town mixed with the hood. Something crazy always is happening.

PLAYBOY: That has its own charms. What was the first thing you ever dreamed of achieving?

Marin Amai: I think the first thing I ever dreamed of achieving was actually being a computer technician. But I didn’t realize that I actually wanted to do website designing. But as far as fun goes, probably being a professional cosplayer.

PLAYBOY: What makes you happiest?

Marin Amai: A lot of my hobbies revolve around just making things. It started with making my first cosplays in 2017. Then it escalated to just sewing in general. And I’ve made sets before in my little tiny studio. Making floors, making walls—just making things. So, anything DIY.

PLAYBOY: What possession do you treasure most?

Marin Amai: That’s really hard. Maybe my Guitar Hero set. I’ve had it since 2014, and I still play it now.

PLAYBOY: Totally not an answer I was expecting. What turns you on?

Marin Amai: I think lingerie and being pretty, or doing what makes me feel pretty. That’s what makes me feel sexiest. When I just walk into a room and own it…that’s what makes me feel sexy.

READ MORE: Marin Amai is a Dance Dance Revolution Champion

PLAYBOY: What turns you off?

Marin Amai: Somebody who has a bad attitude. That’s a big thing for me. Are you a good person? That’s usually what attracts me to someone. If somebody is just kind of off putting, that definitely turns me off.

PLAYBOY: Describe your perfect day.

Marin Amai: My perfect day would actually wake up at seven and…haul ass to the flea market so I can Dance Dance Revolution. I’ve been playing since I was 10, so I’m pretty good.

PLAYBOY: Sounds awesome. What food do you reach for when you’re feeling blue?

Marin Amai: I’m like a jerky fanatic. Any hot jerky. Peppered or spicy. That’s pretty much what I grew up on.

PLAYBOY: Who is the first fictional character you fell in love with?

Marin Amai: Yeah, that’s hard because Inuyasha was my first. But it’s a tie between Inuyasha or Sora from Kingdom Hearts. The pouty attitude all the time was just super cute to me. But Sora, I feel like he’s a good guy. I like that he’s not angry all the time. I think playing the game really just gets you attached to the character.

PLAYBOY: Who’s a woman that inspires you?

Marin Amai: This one’s going to get a little controversial. I want to say I’m in between a few people. I would say Grimes, FKA twigs, and Aaliyah. They’ve always been my big inspiration. And it’s funny because they’re all like people who pave their own way.

I aspire to always be behind everything that I’m doing. And people are really surprised when they see my pictures in my videos and they’re just like, “You did this.” And I’m like, “Yep.” So, that’s what’s really inspiring about them to me.

PLAYBOY: What’s a talent you wish you had?

Marin Amai: I wish I was bilingual. Because I’m Mexican and African-American. And one thing that I really wish that I had growing up was I wish my dad taught me Spanish. Man, it’s so important not just culturally, but living in California, there’s a lot of people who speak Spanish out here. And I’d love to be able to communicate with them.

Marin Amai is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her now.