App 'Alma,' Allowing Conversations with the Inefficient AI 'Yuru-Chara' Inamun, Released March 25, 2026
Sazare Inc. has launched 'Alma,' an iOS app for chatting with 'Inamun,' a friendly AI character focused on emotional support rather than productivity. Released on March 25, 2026, the app aims to help users relax by offering a companion for daily conversations. Following a positive reception at a pre-launch event, future plans include developing physical AI versions of Inamun and expanding into entertainment, with the goal of fostering an AI 'culture' of companionship.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 26, 2026 at 22:35
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (47h 24m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 22:32 (408h 32m after Collected)
Sazare Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akira Takehara), a company involved in the planning and development of AI products, announces the official iOS release of 'Alma,' an app that allows you to casually chat with the AI 'yuru-chara' (cuddly mascot) 'Inamun' anytime. The app was officially released in March 2026.
Prior to the full release, 'Alma' was unveiled for the first time on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 'Hills House Sleep Biz 2026,' an event hosted by the sleep industry community 'ZAKONE' at Azabudai Hills. We exhibited at a joint booth with IVYX Inc. Over 100 business professionals attended, and many had the opportunity to experience the app early.
What is 'Alma'?
'Alma' is a conversational app that lets you talk casually with the AI yuru-chara 'Inamun' anytime, anywhere. From complaints about work to small daily happenings, Inamun listens gently, helping users sort through their feelings and supporting a more relaxed daily life.
Our company is currently developing multiple new AI products, and 'Alma' is the first of these. It was released as an iOS app on March 25, 2026.
Early Experience at Hills House Sleep Biz 2026
We exhibited at 'Hills House Sleep Biz 2026' for the app's first public showing before its official release. This exhibition was made possible through a collaboration with IVYX Inc. At the Azabudai Hills venue, which drew over 100 business professionals, our booth allowed visitors to experience the core concept of 'Alma': finding emotional balance and better sleep by talking about work and personal worries with Inamun. We received a great deal of positive feedback, with comments such as, 'It's comforting to be able to talk so casually,' and 'This seems like it could reduce my stress and help me sleep soundly.'
This initiative was made possible by IVYX Inc., which was invited to the event, with our company participating as a collaboration partner. 'Hills House Sleep Biz 2026' was an event planned in coordination with 'Hills House,' operated by Mori Building Co., Ltd., and 'ZAKONE,' a Sleep Network Hub chaired by NTT DX Partner.
(Scene from Hills House Sleep Biz 2026.)
Background of 'Alma's' Development — Aiming for AI 'Culture' over 'Civilization'
Currently, the global AI development race is focused on creating high-performance models. It is an era of competing on the 'abilities' of AI: making them smarter, faster, and more accurate. However, the vision of AI that our company pursues is the opposite.
We are pursuing AI 'culture,' not 'civilization.' The focus is not on the level of ability, but on how much AI can empathize with human emotions. We believe this is the value that a Japan-born AI should deliver to the world.
Typical AI services are 'passive,' only activating when a user sends a message. In contrast, the yuru-chara 'Inamun' in 'Alma' initiates conversations with the user. 'How was your day?' 'Are you pushing yourself too hard lately?' — Inamun gently stays by the user's side in their daily life, like a caring best friend.
To support people's hearts, be there for them, and grow with them. Our development philosophy for 'Alma' is to use technology to create a 'Doraemon'-like presence that we dreamed of as children. We have also collaborated with IVYX Inc.'s incense brand, which contributes to improving sleep quality.
Future Developments
'Alma' was officially released as an iOS app on March 25, 2026. Anyone can experience a conversation with Inamun via the link below.
Going forward, we will further refine the in-app conversation experience and are conceptualizing an expansion of Inamun's presence beyond the smartphone screen and into the physical world. We aim to realize a future where Inamun is a companion in every home, with a view toward development as a physical AI that can be subtly present in living rooms and bedrooms.
Furthermore, the potential of 'Alma' is not limited to the mental care domain. By leveraging the friendliness and worldview of the character Inamun, we are also considering expansion into the entertainment sector. We will explore new forms of 'fun' and 'play' that can only emerge from an AI that integrates into daily life.
Our goal is not only for AI to become a tool that extends human capabilities but also for it to become a presence that stays close to people's hearts and becomes rooted in our culture. To that end, we will continue to increase awareness and improve our service.
Prior to the full release, 'Alma' was unveiled for the first time on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 'Hills House Sleep Biz 2026,' an event hosted by the sleep industry community 'ZAKONE' at Azabudai Hills. We exhibited at a joint booth with IVYX Inc. Over 100 business professionals attended, and many had the opportunity to experience the app early.
What is 'Alma'?
'Alma' is a conversational app that lets you talk casually with the AI yuru-chara 'Inamun' anytime, anywhere. From complaints about work to small daily happenings, Inamun listens gently, helping users sort through their feelings and supporting a more relaxed daily life.
Our company is currently developing multiple new AI products, and 'Alma' is the first of these. It was released as an iOS app on March 25, 2026.
Early Experience at Hills House Sleep Biz 2026
We exhibited at 'Hills House Sleep Biz 2026' for the app's first public showing before its official release. This exhibition was made possible through a collaboration with IVYX Inc. At the Azabudai Hills venue, which drew over 100 business professionals, our booth allowed visitors to experience the core concept of 'Alma': finding emotional balance and better sleep by talking about work and personal worries with Inamun. We received a great deal of positive feedback, with comments such as, 'It's comforting to be able to talk so casually,' and 'This seems like it could reduce my stress and help me sleep soundly.'
This initiative was made possible by IVYX Inc., which was invited to the event, with our company participating as a collaboration partner. 'Hills House Sleep Biz 2026' was an event planned in coordination with 'Hills House,' operated by Mori Building Co., Ltd., and 'ZAKONE,' a Sleep Network Hub chaired by NTT DX Partner.
(Scene from Hills House Sleep Biz 2026.)
Background of 'Alma's' Development — Aiming for AI 'Culture' over 'Civilization'
Currently, the global AI development race is focused on creating high-performance models. It is an era of competing on the 'abilities' of AI: making them smarter, faster, and more accurate. However, the vision of AI that our company pursues is the opposite.
We are pursuing AI 'culture,' not 'civilization.' The focus is not on the level of ability, but on how much AI can empathize with human emotions. We believe this is the value that a Japan-born AI should deliver to the world.
Typical AI services are 'passive,' only activating when a user sends a message. In contrast, the yuru-chara 'Inamun' in 'Alma' initiates conversations with the user. 'How was your day?' 'Are you pushing yourself too hard lately?' — Inamun gently stays by the user's side in their daily life, like a caring best friend.
To support people's hearts, be there for them, and grow with them. Our development philosophy for 'Alma' is to use technology to create a 'Doraemon'-like presence that we dreamed of as children. We have also collaborated with IVYX Inc.'s incense brand, which contributes to improving sleep quality.
Future Developments
'Alma' was officially released as an iOS app on March 25, 2026. Anyone can experience a conversation with Inamun via the link below.
Going forward, we will further refine the in-app conversation experience and are conceptualizing an expansion of Inamun's presence beyond the smartphone screen and into the physical world. We aim to realize a future where Inamun is a companion in every home, with a view toward development as a physical AI that can be subtly present in living rooms and bedrooms.
Furthermore, the potential of 'Alma' is not limited to the mental care domain. By leveraging the friendliness and worldview of the character Inamun, we are also considering expansion into the entertainment sector. We will explore new forms of 'fun' and 'play' that can only emerge from an AI that integrates into daily life.
Our goal is not only for AI to become a tool that extends human capabilities but also for it to become a presence that stays close to people's hearts and becomes rooted in our culture. To that end, we will continue to increase awareness and improve our service.