TL;DR: A custom shimeji is a desktop character you made or modified yourself. Doing it the classic way means replacing a template folder of ~46 transparent PNG frames and keeping file names aligned so the behavior files still work. Doing it the DeskSprite way means uploading 1–3 photos and getting a fully animated pet back — your first sign-up includes a free credit. Just want more pre-made characters instead? See shimeji characters — the field guide.
What a "custom shimeji" actually is
Under the hood, every shimeji character is two things: a folder of transparent PNG sprites — one frame per action moment (walking, climbing, falling, sitting, being dragged…) — and a behavior file (an XML in the original Shimeji family) that says which frames play when, and with what probability. The program reads both and improvises a little life on your screen.
"Custom" simply means you replace the art with your own: an original character, a favorite anime mascot, a game sprite — or, with the newer tools, a photo of your actual cat. The plumbing stays the same; only the art changes.
Route 1: The classic way, step by step
This is how the community has done it since the original Japanese release:
- Get a Shimeji program. The mainstream open-source one is Shimeji-ee from kilkakon.com — note it needs Java installed to run.
- Duplicate a character folder. Copy any existing character inside the
imgdirectory; that copy is your template. - Redraw the sprites. Replace each PNG with your own art — around 46–50 frames, traditionally 128×128 px, drawn facing left because the program mirrors them for right-facing actions. Use an art tool with proper transparency support (FireAlpaca, Krita, anything but basic Paint).
- Keep the file names identical. Match the original names exactly and the default behavior files keep working with zero coding. Rename freely only if you're willing to edit
actions.xmland friends. - Test, then share. Run the program, pick your character from the tray menu, watch it live. Zip the folder and it's installable for anyone else.
It works, and for many artists it's a beloved craft. But be honest with yourself about the cost: that's a weekend of sprite discipline for one character — and if you want the character to be your pet, hand-drawing chibi frames of it is a strange detour.
Route 2: The AI way — photos in, animated pet out
DeskSprite's AI pet maker removes the sprite marathon:
- Upload 1–3 photos of the character — a pet photo works brilliantly, so does a plush or a drawing.
- AI generates the action set: idle, walk, sit, react to clicks and the cursor — keeping your subject's real look, not a generic template.
- It lands on your desktop inside DeskSprite, alongside the built-in pet and any shop pets you've adopted.
No frames to count, no XML, no mirroring rules. If you can take three decent photos, you can have a custom desktop pet tonight. Your first sign-up includes 1 free credit.
Classic vs AI at a glance
| Classic sprite editing | DeskSprite AI maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Time per character | A weekend (46+ frames) | Minutes |
| Skill needed | Pixel/sprite art, file discipline | Take 1–3 photos |
| Runtime | Shimeji (Java required) | DeskSprite (native, no Java) |
| How faithful to your subject? | As faithful as your redraw | Built from your actual photos |
| Sharing | Zip the folder, post it | Lives in your app; regenerating is cheap |
| Cost | Free (open-source tools) | 1 free credit at sign-up, more with membership |
Where to download pre-made custom shimeji
Not every character has to be yours. The community's answer to "where do people get these" is pretty consistent:
- Cachomon — the community's most-recommended collection of pre-made shimeji characters, maintained by one team.
- DeviantArt — galleries like ShimejiDesktopPets host dozens of downloadable packs; quality and install instructions vary by artist.
- shimeji.org — a community-run library where you can preview a character's moves before downloading.
One caution applies to all fan-made packs: you're downloading files made by strangers, so stick to the well-known hubs and give odd files a scan before running them — we cover this properly in Is Shimeji safe?. For a fuller map of where characters live and how to install or delete them, see shimeji characters — the field guide.
FAQ
How do I make a custom shimeji from scratch?
The classic route: duplicate an existing character folder in your Shimeji installation, then replace the roughly 46–50 transparent PNG sprites in the img folder with your own art (traditionally 128×128 px, drawn facing left — the program mirrors them for right-facing actions), keeping the file names identical so the behavior files still match. Edit actions.xml if you want different behaviors, then run the app and pick your character. It works, but it is a weekend of sprite work.
How do I add a custom shimeji I downloaded?
For Shimeji-ee: quit the app, drop the unzipped character folder into the img directory of your Shimeji installation, and start it again — the new character appears in the tray menu's roster. In DeskSprite there is no folder surgery: pets from the shop install with one click on their card, and pets you generate yourself appear in the app automatically.
Can I make a custom shimeji without drawing sprites?
Yes — that is exactly what the DeskSprite AI pet maker is for. Upload 1–3 photos of a character, a plush or a real pet, and it generates the full set of animated actions for you, keeping the subject's actual look. No sprite sheets, no behavior XML, no mirroring rules to memorize.
Where can I download custom shimeji characters?
The community's go-to sources are Cachomon (a large curated collection of pre-made shimeji), the DeviantArt galleries such as ShimejiDesktopPets, and shimeji.org, a community-run library where you can preview before downloading. We keep a fuller guide — including how to sanity-check downloads — on our shimeji characters page.
Is making a custom shimeji free?
The classic way is free: Shimeji itself is free and open-source, and sprite editing can be done in any art tool that exports transparent PNGs. The AI route is free to try — your first DeskSprite sign-up includes 1 free customization credit.
The shortest road to a custom pet
If the character you want is your pet — or any photo you already have — the sprite route is a detour. Upload the photos, let the maker do the frame work, and meet your custom desktop pet tonight.