A shimeji (Japanese for a type of mushroom) is a small, animated desktop mascot that "lives" on your computer screen. These little characters are programmed to:
Wander freely across your monitor and climb along the edges of your browser or open windows.
Interact with the user, such as being picked up and tossed with the mouse cursor.
Perform idle animations, like sitting, sleeping, or occasionally multiplying until they cover your screen. The Appeal of Ralsei
Ralsei is the "Prince from the Dark" in Toby Fox’s Deltarune. He is defined by his extreme kindness, pacifism, and helpfulness. His design—featuring a green cloak, pink scarf, and a round, "fluffy" appearance—makes him a perfect candidate for a desktop pet. For fans, having a Shimeji Ralsei is a way to keep a piece of the game's gentle atmosphere present during work or study.
A Ralsei Shimeji is a digital "desktop pet" based on Ralsei, the kind-hearted "Prince from the Dark" in the video game Deltarune. Shimejis are small, animated characters that roam around your computer screen, interacting with windows and performing cute idle animations. Overview of Ralsei Shimejis
Because Ralsei is one of the most beloved characters in the Deltarune community, several fan-made Shimejis have been created to bring him to the desktop.
Appearance Options: Most Ralsei Shimeji packs offer different "skins" reflecting his game progression, such as his Chapter 1 look (green hat and scarf, black fur) and his Chapter 2 look (hatless, white fur).
Behavior: These little companions walk along the bottom of your taskbar, climb the sides of your monitor, and occasionally "steal" your active windows by dragging them off-screen.
Community Versions: Artists often share their custom Shimejis on platforms like Tumblr and DeviantArt, where they provide free download links for fans. How to Install and Use
To get a Ralsei Shimeji running on your computer, you typically need to follow these steps:
Install Java: Shimejis are Java-based applications, so you must have a version of Java (usually Java 8) installed on your system.
Download the Shimeji-EE Tool: This is the "Shimeji English Enhanced" engine that allows you to run custom character sprites.
Add Ralsei Sprites: Download a specific Ralsei "img" folder from a fan artist. Replace the default images in the Shimeji folder with these Ralsei sprites. shimeji ralsei
Run the Executable: Open the .jar or .exe file in the folder, and Ralsei will drop onto your screen. Why They Are Popular
Companionship: For fans of Deltarune, having a "soft and fluffy" companion like Ralsei on their desktop makes the workspace feel more cozy.
Customization: Users can often find specific versions, such as "scringle Ralsei" or versions where he uses his healing spells.
Interactivity: Unlike static wallpapers, Shimejis feel alive. They react to your mouse cursor and can be multiplied to fill your screen with a "Ralsei army."
Developing a Ralsei Shimeji (a desktop pet from ) involves creating a set of animation frames and configuring their behavior using XML. You can find pre-made versions on platforms like DeviantArt, or use tools to build your own. How to Get or Build Ralsei Shimeji Standard Desktop Version (Windows) Shimeji-ee
(English Enhanced) program. It allows you to swap out image folders to change the character. Browser Version : You can add Ralsei to your browser via the Shimeji Browser Extension on Chrome, which lets characters interact with web pages. Mobile Version : Download Shimeji-ee for Android Shimeji: Screen Buddies to have Ralsei walk across your phone screen. Essential Animation Frames for Ralsei
To make a high-quality "feature" for Ralsei, you'll need to draw or find sprites for these specific behaviors:
: Standing still, perhaps blinking or adjusting his glasses.
: Walking across the bottom of the screen or climbing the sides of windows. Special Actions
: Ralsei-specific moves like casting "Heal Prayer," dancing, or eating a manual. Interactions
: Being picked up (hanging/flailing) or sitting down to rest. Technical Setup : All frames must be transparent PNGs, typically Behavior (XML) actions.xml
file, you can define how often Ralsei performs certain moves, such as "climbing" or "sitting". Multipliers
: In the settings, you can enable "cloning," which allows multiple Ralseis to spawn over time. A shimeji (Japanese for a type of mushroom)
the specific animations for Ralsei, or would you like to find a pre-made pack to download? Shimeji: Screen Buddies - Apps on Google Play
The phenomenon of Shimeji Ralsei serves as a fascinating intersection of indie gaming culture, desktop customization, and the specific "comfort character" appeal of Deltarune. Origins and Technical Context
A "Shimeji" is a desktop mascot—a small, animated character that wanders across a user’s computer screen, climbing windows and interacting with the interface. Originating from Japanese "desktop buddy" software, these mascots became a staple of internet subcultures. When Toby Fox released Deltarune, the character Ralsei immediately became a prime candidate for this format. As a "Dark Prince" defined by his kindness, fluffy appearance, and pacifist nature, Ralsei’s design translates perfectly into the gentle, idle animations required of a Shimeji. The Appeal of the Character
Ralsei’s popularity in this format is largely driven by his role as a "white mage" archetype. In a gaming landscape often defined by high stakes and aggression, Ralsei represents a sanctuary of politeness and healing. By installing a Shimeji version of him, users are essentially inviting a digital companion into their workspace. Unlike more chaotic Shimejis that might "steal" the mouse cursor or multiply uncontrollably to the point of annoyance, the Ralsei variant is often curated to reflect his helpful personality, offering a sense of calm during stressful tasks. Community and Customization
The creation of the Shimeji Ralsei is a grassroots effort. Fans painstakingly draw individual frames of animation—walking, sitting, tripping, and casting spells—to ensure the character feels "alive." This reflects the broader Deltarune fandom’s dedication to transformative art. Because Ralsei undergoes a significant design shift between Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (moving from a hooded, shadowed look to a hatless, vibrant appearance), the Shimeji community has produced multiple versions to cater to different player preferences. Conclusion
Ultimately, Shimeji Ralsei is more than just a decorative program; it is a digital manifestation of the character’s core traits. It brings the cozy, supportive atmosphere of the "Castle Town" directly to the user’s desktop, proving that even in the functional world of computing, there is a profound desire for a little bit of magic and companionship.
from Deltarune, there are two primary Shimeji (desktop pet) versions created by the community. You can choose between a hatless version or a hatted version depending on your preference for his look. Ralsei Shimeji Versions
Hatless Ralsei: Created by honeybomb, this version features the unmasked "White" Ralsei. It is hosted on itch.io and includes unique pixel art animations.
Hatted Ralsei: Shared by users like u/chubbidust, this version features Ralsei in his classic green hat and scarf. It is often recommended to pair him with a Kris Shimeji for matching aesthetics. How to Install (Windows/PC)
To run these characters, you typically need the Shimeji-ee (English Enhanced) software.
Download Java: Ensure you have Java installed, as the desktop app requires it to run.
Download Shimeji-ee: Get the base program from GitHub or official community mirrors. Add Ralsei Sprites: Extract your downloaded Ralsei file.
Place the character folder (containing the img folder) into the img directory of your Shimeji-ee folder. Doesn’t appear
Run: Open Shimeji-ee.jar and right-click the tray icon to select Ralsei. Mobile Alternative
If you are on Android, you can use the Shimeji App on Google Play. Once installed, use the "+" button to search for "Ralsei" and download the community-uploaded sprites directly to your screen. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more honeybomb updated [Shimeji] Ralsei (hatless) - itch.io
Here are a few options for a post about a Shimeji Ralsei, depending on where you are posting (Twitter/X, Tumblr, etc.) and the vibe you want!
img/ and behavior.xml directly inside the Ralsei folder.behavior.xml to change animation speeds, clone chance, etc.Because this is fan-made software, bugs are common.
If you leave Shimeji Ralsei running long enough, he may clone himself. Suddenly, you have two Ralseis. Then four. Then eight. You end up with a swarm of fluffy princes crawling over your spreadsheet. You can control the population, but watching a platoon of Ralseis walk in a line is peak fan service.
Highlights the glitchy/funny nature of Shimejis.
Text: Me: I need to focus on my project. My Shimeji Ralsei: Proceeds to clone himself 15 times and yeet my project folder into the void.
Look at them go though. They are causing absolute chaos on my desktop but look at those little hats!! Look at those scarves!! Absolute menaces but they are my menaces.
Ralsei.exe has stopped working (from too much cuteness).
#Deltarune #Ralsei #Shimeji #DesktopShimeji #Gaming
Generally, yes. The standard Ralsei Shimeji is completely safe for work. However, be aware of "NSFW" variants floating around on DeviantArt (often labeled "Bathrobe Ralsei" or "Milk Ralsei"). These involve custom animations you probably do not want your boss to see. Stick to the vanilla version if you are on a work laptop.
When Ralsei isn’t doing anything, he doesn’t just stand still. He shifts his weight, adjusts his glasses, or hugs his robe. Some versions include him reading his manual (the Legend of Delta Rune book) or nervously tapping his hooves.