Kai Zeal

Writing | Streaming | Researching

About Kai

(she/her)

Kai Zeal got her start writing fanfiction as a child, creating an awareness of tropes, characterization, and the importance of retellings. From there, she refined her analytical skills both in academia and through fandom with critical analysis of media to gain a better understanding of how the parts of a work come together to form its whole.She has degrees in psychology, writing, higher education administration, and is pursuing a PhD with a research focus on critical disability studies through a queer lens. In her free time, she’s a lifelong gamer, particularly of JRPGs, many of which have shaped her storytelling strategies and love of media.

Independent Book Publishers Association (ibpa) Proud Member

LiveStreaming

Kalani Shimizu’s logo, which has cat ears above her name. There are pins, a gaming controller, an open book, a cat ball of yawn and stuffed fish, and two cats— one orange and white and another black. Her name, “Kalani Shimizu,” is written in upper case bub

While there’s no regular schedule at the moment, Kai Zeal streams as Kalani Shimizu for the following games/categories on Twitch and Youtube, many of which have been uploaded to her VOD Youtube Channel!

A drawn picture of Kalani Shimizu’s vtube avatar, a glasses wearing, red-haired with braided pigtails catgirl, looking confused while holding a gaming controller.

  • Final Fantasy XIV Online

  • JRPG’s
    * Xenoblade Chronicles 2
    * Xenoblade Chronicles 3
    * Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed (Incomplete)
    * Okami HD (incomplete)
    * Kingdom Hearts FM
    (1.5HD/PC, Easy Speedrun Event)

  • Visual Novels
    * AI: The Somnium Files
    * AI: The Somnium Files- nirvanA Initiative
    * Zero Escape: The Nonary Files- 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors
    * Zero Escape: The Nonary Games- Virtue’s Last Reward (incomplete)

  • Simulations
    Played games:
    * Zoo Tycoon: The Complete Collection
    * Stardew Valley
    * Cat Cafe Manager
    * Powerwash Simulator
    * Palia

Riyati Series

The Riyati logo, stylized in a semi-cursive handwriting-like font

Riyati is a new adult/adult contemporary, low dark fantasy series that seeks to explore themes of identity, legacy, the greater good, and finding your own path in life. The series includes multiple first person perspectives and multiple queer characters (currently including demisexual/romantic and lesbian representation with more to come in future books), set in the modern day United States.

  • Genre: Dark Contemporary Fantasy, Low Fantasy

  • Target Demographic: New Adult & Adult

  • Average Book Length: 60,000-90,000 words (~240-360 pages)

  • First Person Perspective, Multiple Narrators, Magical Girl Deconstruction, Multiple Queer Characters

  • Series Debut: Riyati Rebirth

Cover Design: Kai Zeal (author)

Monthly Newsletter

A drawn chibi picture of Kalani Shimizu’s vtube avatar, a glasses wearing, red-haired with braided pigtails catgirl, holding a pen and notebook, looking about to write something down.

art: @Kana7o

Keep up with Kai's content creation and Riyati information by signing up for her monthly newsletter-- and receive Riyati Origins, a Riyati prequel novella, for free!

Credits

Tips & Subscriptions

There's now rewards for subscribing on Ream! Please check this out for exclusive Riyati info and perks!All tips and subscriptions go towards reinvesting in content (such as stream equipment and Riyati assets and merch) and living expenses; thank you so much for the support!

© 2025 Kai Zeal. All right reserved.