Zen's Zany Blog

The list of tags below will be updated as time progresses.

#zanyzendraws - All my art is tagged under this!

#hanashima's advanced class - My main project with an overarching plot. Still in the process of being written.

#zen's zaniness - My more humorous comic series.

#self promo - Any promotions of my own work or projects of those I've collaborated with will be under this tag!

#ZSA: Zen Service Announcement! - My development log (devlog) entries posted from time to time highlighting my creative and personal progress. They're akin to occasional diary entries of sorts.

Hanashima's Advanced Class (Progress Report)

Significant progress has been made with writing along with solidifying the foundations of the story itself.

I now have a concrete direction regarding what direction the series is meant to take, alongside the character arcs. Notable changes have been made regarding some characters, regarding either designs or introductions. Writing from this point on should be swifter as I've addressed pressing concerns regarding the story and its direction. Also, with season 1 being the introductory season, it'll be easier for me to work on the story after this point (it's easier to write for established characters, rather than actually establishing them).

Earlier written chapters/episodes (however you wish to call them) have also been revamped to better aid characterization, improve the plot overall, and be more consistent format-wise.

Regarding the planned official comic dub, I've managed to find decent sound libraries and even musicians I'd like to contact or commission in the future for production. Furthermore, voice actors for some major and minor characters have been scouted, though this casting process will be halted for now. I will publicly announce auditions for remaining characters at a later point.

I genuinely love the direction that my major project has been headed, and the goal is to hopefully get everything written before the end of this year. Of course, this could be ambitious, but that's a goal as of right now. Summer has given me more time to devote to passions - thus I shall try to spend the remainder of it prioritizing this.

The following is a more detailed list of what specifics have been accomplished for Hanashima's Advanced Class since the last time I have made an update on Tumblr (May 2025).

9/16 episodes have been completed for the first season of Hanashima's Advanced Class. (approx 56% has been accomplished; we are now at the halfway point of writing S1).

Multiple characters have been redesigned to improve upon characterization and accuracy to the time period Hanashima takes place in. Examples include Kenneth, Lucien, and Daichi.

That in mind, a solid timeline has been established for the story itself (with me settling for 2015 as the year that the story begins).

I have changed both major and minor details about multiple characters - main or otherwise. This is either to improve upon the story, further expand upon them, or to make them more enjoyable. The details specifically changed outside of character designs will be discussed post-release or post-arc of whoever I'm vaguely talking about here.

Multiple voice actors have been scouted and casted for the future comic dub, with earlier comics planned to release with the dub simultaneously (from that point on, there will be a wait for dubs with comic releases taking priority).

The following is a more detailed list of what needs to be done prior to completing this same season.

The history of the island's founding needs to be established in order for an entire episode to be written. This means key historical events and figures have to be explicitly explained/named outside of the outline that I currently have.

Adding on to the previous point, I have to cross-reference multiple sources for some of history in order to ensure said timeline is believable.

Solidify the layout of the school and multiple areas of Hanashima Island, outside of individual rooms (ex: the campus, but also a city on the island that plays a role later in the series)

Overall, I just need to push harder as I'm quite close to finishing it! I've attempted writing Hanashima's Advanced Class multiple times (dating back to when I was 16) and this is the farthest I've ever gotten, alongside the most satisfied I've ever been with my work.

Zen's Zaniness (Rebooted)

It's no surprise that Zen's Zaniness (my Tapas slice-of-life comedy series) has been on hiatus since 2024. I've reflected upon the reasons why I've been dreading returning to it after the very wrist recovery that resulted in the hiatus to begin with.

The reason was simple: I was hating it.

While I was glad that I was capable of making the "relatable" and "quirky" content that many often made through short comics, it wasn't creatively fulfilling - thus, my passion for the project (alongside the project itself) died. I grew to eventually end up both bored and disgusted with the direction.

Months ago, I asked myself: What was it that made a story or project engaging to me? Why do I stick around with other people's stories? And why was I so passionate about Hanashima after six or so years, but not this?

The answer to this question was the interactions between characters. Most of the media I adore are character-focused to an extent, and Hanashima's Advanced Class is entirely focused on how Hanako develops her relationships with the characters. And I loved writing those.

Only drawing the comedic-sona-character version of me wasn't really doing it for me - I needed character interactions. This was kept in mind when I began working on Zen's Zaniness again, and I ended up being excited about it again. Sanders Sides ended up being a huge inspiration the new series was written, and I think the work is way better now. I'm definitely more satisfied with it.

The following is a more detailed list of what specifics have been accomplished for this new Zen's Zaniness approach.

New characters have been created, with distinct personalities and dynamics in mind. They're also meant to represent ideas such as logic, childlike wonder, passion, etc.

I've redesigned my sona in these comics in those to be distinct from that of my main one, so it's similar to the Character!Thomas Sanders vs ACTUAL Thomas Sanders approach.

15 short comic scripts have been written (in the same format as Hanashima's Advanced Class scripts), and I intend on maybe writing ten more before I begin drawing for this.

I won't be releasing these as I complete them, and I plan on making a backlog to last me a few months' worth of weekly releases before I officially upload the reboot.

QnA in Progress (100 Sub Milestone)

A QnA to celebrate 100 subscribers has been repeatedly scrapped and put on pause due to multiple factors, such as a malfunctioning iPad I've had since 2018, IRL obligations (namely, school), and overall perfectionist tendencies.

After self reflection (more on that in the purple section, Life of Zen), I've finally written a script that I think will suffice, and even added in an extra introduction to poke fun at the fact this has taken forever. Hopefully this take of the QnA will have appropriate amounts of curiosity-satiating for my audience, but also the vulnerability that I've previously struggled to write in.

The following is a more detailed list of what specifics have been accomplished for the QnA.

I've written the script for the entire QnA, alongside the introductory skit.

I've recorded my answers for the QnA in its entirety, alongside the introductory script. A friend who voices a character within it has also sent me his lines.

The QnA audio recording of me answering questions has been cleaned up and edited.

The following is a more detailed list of what specifics still have to be done for the QnA.

I have to splice together the audio bits for the introductory skit

I have to draw a few pictures for each answer for the QnA, alongside the introductory skit (did I mention that this was an animatic of source?)

Title cards for each asker and their accompanying question/comment have to be made

Suitable background music to add near the end of production still needs to be found, to fit both the mood and overall feed of what exactly is being discussed.

I'm aware that production on this end has been disappointing, but I do genuinely appreciate those who follow me and enjoy my creations despite my self doubts about them - and the delays that tend to come with my content as a result. No matter how late, I'm dead set on releasing this.

Youtube (Backlogs and New Collabs)

I'd like to make the disclaimer that the topics I'm discussing will not be ordered in terms of importance, but rather alphabetical order (A, B, C - you get it, right?)

Backlogs

I rarely upload on Youtube, but there are things currently in the works outside of my QnA. I can't quite give specific bulletpoints regarding progress yet, but just know that the following has been in development:

Multiple song covers (woah, a shocker). However, a few of these are collaborations with friends!

More Zen Draws and Drivel (with some conversation topics I've been wanting to cover since I was but a wee lass!)

A new series in the works - however, I'm trying to figure out how exactly I wish to present this and differentiate its format from Zen Draws and Drivel.

New Collaborations!

Since the last time I've been updating here, I've been involved in some pretty cool projects with some SUPER TALENTED AND AWESOME PEOPLE!

Firstly, I've been involved in the 430 Productions of the Scott Pilgrim series, as Scott's sister, Stacey! I remember that in an old film class in my freshman year of uni, our class actually studied Scott Pilgrim for its SFX. I really enjoyed the film overall, so it's cool that I get to read the original - and hang out cool people at the same time!

Here's the playlist!

On that same channel, I've also played Kate Bishop in the Hawkeye vs. Deadpool comic dub series! I've never really been exposed to the Marvel comics themselves, but it's been really fun so far.

Most recently, I've been in a fandub for the Yu-Gi-Oh manga volume as Yugi Muto(u), hosted on Danny Campbell's channel! Since I used to watch the anime with my brother, it's interesting to see what exactly the show didn't cover in the manga.

Of course, I've still been involved in stuff for Paradox: Tales of Hell by Hylactic, and the playlist is linked here! In fact, me and other cast/crew members recently raised awareness for Aware NI - a depression charity in Northern Ireland! While the event is over, don't hesitate to show your support regardless.

It's always fun for me to get involved in projects like these, especially since I've loved voice acting since I was a kid. But more than that? I've found community with the people I've worked with, and we all push each other to meet our creative and personal goals. I'm a very lucky person to have met these people. <33333

Please check out these videos, alongside the many awesome people involved in each one!

Life of Zen (Academics + Self Improvement)

Oh boy, personal stuff. I've never been good with this sort of thing. I always struggle whether I should filter myself more or less, or if me not sharing anything about myself makes me come across as cold, or whatever else. I've gotten better at talking about myself outside of creative work, though it still always feels awkward. Oh well. We're working on it.

Firstly, academics have been keeping me especially busy. The last time I posted a Zen Service Announcement was May 2025 - coincidentally, around the time I started school again. To say that I've been busy and maybe a tad stressed with some things is a massive understatement, but I've learned how to better manage things (and keeping what I've learned in mind for the upcoming Fall 2026 semester).

Second, I've been trying to improve upon myself. This includes my creative work (obviously) and finding my style, but also overall self care. Working out is an example. Learning how to rest is another. (The latter's a bit hard for me, but I've learned how to play video games without feeling restless over the summer. Thanks, Tomodachi Life!)

Though my self improvement attempts have been more than just in terms of skills and physical health. I've done serious self reflection since the last time I've written a devlog like this, and I've ultimately learned what I need to work on for myself.

I've been trying to leave the house more often, even if not to document it (and I'll still attempt this when school starts back up again).

I've been trying to improve in how I both perceive and carry myself as well - so I can be a person that doesn't feel like hiding behind their art on a screen all the time.

I've been trying to unlearn a lot of toxic mindsets I might have learned - whether they be from past relationships or just from modern internet discourse.

Doomscrolling less, trying to nuture my relationships, doing things that have caused me discomfort despite them being good for me.

Either way, I've decided that I'm sick of running away from things that I'm scared of. No matter how anxious I get about things, I've decided, "fuck it, I'll do things even if I am scared."

"Fuck it, we ball!"

Things may be hard, but that doesn't equate to immediate danger.

The past year has certainly been a year. I've learned a lot not just creatively, but about life overall. While there's definitely been more than a few hard times on my end, in a way I'm glad it all happened. Not because I'm a masochist or something, but I've gained wisdom and confidence I might not have gotten otherwise.

I'm still the same person, but I'm just happier and healthier both in terms of my physical and mental state.

Final Thoughts

Friends have jokingly told me that this year is "Year of the Alex" (which on another note, me being called by my NOT ZEN nickname is still trippy to hear). Though in a way, this year does feel like my year.

Admittedly at the start of it, I thought it'd be like past ones where I felt unsatisfied with everything. Unsatisfied with my art, with my growth (or my perceived lack of), misc. I was glad to see how wrong I was! So much has been done with Hanashima and other creative endeavors compared to last year, and 2026 isn't even over yet.

I've definitely also learned to give more grace towards myself, and weirdly enough, it's this forgiveness that also helps me keep going. It also helps that I've further invested in my relationships and have established support systems.

Make sure that you do this for yourself too. You're worthy of grace, and you're worthy of love. I'm glad I finally learned that.

Remember to stay sweet, and stay zany everyone.