Shimejis (pronounced shee-may-jee) are adorable "desktop mascots" that wander around your screen, climb your browser windows, and occasionally multiply or toss your icons around. Originally popularized in Japan, they have grown into a massive community project where fans create custom versions of favorite characters from anime, games, and movies. How to Get Started
Use the "Restore Windows" or "Follow Cursor" commands from the tray menu. Mac/Linux desktop pet shimeji
Warning: Because the original project is old (dating back to 2009-2011), many download sites are riddled with bad ads. Here is the safest method. Mac/Linux How to Install a Desktop Pet Shimeji
Interactive Windows: In the settings menu, you can select specific windows (like your browser or Spotify) for them to sit on or "kick" across the screen. Since you asked for the "long story," here
Since you asked for the "long story," here is the deep dive into the history, the technical headache, and the enduring legacy of the desktop pet that refused to let you work.
Problem: The character is just a white square.