📖 Anime Mod Alert: How DST Became the Ultimate Weeb Survival Sandbox
Table of Contents
Introduction: Anime Invades The Constant
"Wilson, meet Naruto and Nezuko." – Not a crossover one expects in Klei Entertainment's Don't Starve Together, yet the DST modding community has made it possible. Anime-themed mods have become a vibrant part of DST's workshop, allowing players to survive the Constant as their favorite anime heroes or with an anime-inspired style. From adding playable characters ripped from popular series (Naruto, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, etc.) to applying anime skins, UI themes, and even background music, these mods let fans mash together two passions: DST's gothic survival and Japan's pop culture icons.
What This Guide Covers
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the wide world of anime mods for Don't Starve Together. We'll cover notable character mods (and their abilities), anime-themed cosmetic mods (skins, HUD changes, soundtracks), and crossover collections that bundle multiple characters. Crucially, since DST is a multiplayer game, we'll discuss how these mods work in multiplayer – including installation, ensuring compatibility for all players, and performance considerations. We'll also highlight any recent updates or patch notes that mod users should know about.
Character Mods
Play as your favorite anime heroes with unique abilities, stats, and items.
Cosmetic Mods
Change the look and feel of DST with anime skins, UI elements, and sounds.
Multiplayer Tips
Learn how to use anime mods with friends and maintain game stability.
Important Note on Mod Status
As of mid-2025, all information in this guide reflects the past 18 months of community activity and official DST patches. However, mod availability can change due to author decisions, copyright claims, or DST updates breaking functionality.
Always check the mod's Workshop page for the latest status, updates, and community comments before adding it to your game.
Anime Character Mods: Survive Together as Your Favorite Heroes
The most dramatic anime mods are the character mods – these let you play as an anime character with unique stats, powers, and sometimes custom items. DST's modding API makes it possible to create new survivor characters, each with bespoke abilities coded in Lua. The anime modders have gotten very creative, often designing powers that reference the character's source material.
Balance Warning
It's common for anime character mods to make the game easier – many anime characters are given high stats or powerful attacks to match their lore. Some mods include drawbacks or try to stay balanced, but expect a different experience than vanilla DST.
Naruto Shippuden Comes to DST
One of the most modded anime franchises in DST is Naruto. Fans have attempted to bring many shinobi into the Constant. These mods typically grant ninja abilities that go far beyond what vanilla DST characters can do, making them exciting (if sometimes overpowered) to play.
Balance & Gameplay with Naruto Mods
Generally, these ninja mods turn DST into a more combat-heavy, action-oriented experience. You'll be less afraid of hounds or bosses because you can blast them with jutsus. But you might need to manage new resources (many mods make special moves cost sanity or hunger, effectively introducing a chakra system).
For multiplayer co-op, it can be hilarious to have one player as Naruto drawing aggro with shadow clones while another as Sasuke snipes from range – just remember that DST wasn't originally balanced for demigods. If you want a challenge, consider upping world difficulty or limiting mod usage.
"Kimetsu no Yaiba" – Demon Slayer Characters
When Demon Slayer's anime took off, modders brought its characters into DST as well. These mods are generally well-received and still available on Steam (except a couple). Each Demon Slayer character mod tends to incorporate their Breathing Style techniques in clever ways.
Multiplayer Notes for Demon Slayer Mods
These mods are generally friendlier to use together than some others, since they were made by one or two authors with a similar style (Rengoku and Giyu by the same person). They also feel balanced within their own mini-universe – e.g., Rengoku vs. Giyu, each has strengths (fire vs water).
They're fun for co-op or even PvP if you do modded skirmishes. Make sure everyone has the mod if you're hosting. If some players don't want the game easier, perhaps designate only one person to pick an OP Hashira while others play as normal DST survivors to act like support. It can create a neat narrative ("our world got a Hashira visiting, helping the regular survivors"). Just beware that bosses will fall much faster.
Other Anime & Game Characters
DST's modding community hasn't stopped at Naruto and Demon Slayer. Almost any fandom character you can imagine might have been attempted. Let's explore some of the other notable anime character mods.
One Piece Mods
Monkey D. Luffy
A mod for Luffy existed (mentioned in a 2015 Reddit thread) where Luffy is a glutton (likely very high hunger drain to reflect his appetite), but in exchange possibly had stretchy punches or high HP. If true to character, Luffy might also have fire immunity or lightning immunity (rubber man).
Roronoa Zoro
The Zoro mod was legendary for its creative flaw: Zoro had "3 swords and OP stats" but his minimap was disabled! This brilliantly mirrored Zoro's terrible sense of direction – as the player, you literally have no map to rely on, making you dependent on friends for navigation.
Portgas D. Ace
Ace's mod made him a "calm pyromaniac who loves fire and has fire attacks". Similar to Willow's perks, but enhanced: Ace might be completely immune to fire damage and deals extra fire damage with all attacks. He likely started with a fire fist item or could ignite enemies at will.
Status Note
Many One Piece mods were made around 2015–2017 and may have been abandoned or removed. There was a mention of a "World Government" or generic "One Piece characters mod" but no specifics. Check Ronson/Arcade's collection on Steam which may include One Piece characters.
Other Notable Anime Characters
Sword Art Online - Asuna
SAO's Asuna is one example of an anime character mod covered on YouTube. An "Anime:Asuna" mod listing appears to integrate Asuna with some client-side features (like anime wallpaper and music). It's likely Asuna's character mod gives her a rapier weapon (fast attack speed) and healing abilities.
Bleach - Toshiro Hitsugaya
We spotted one Bleach mod: Toshiro Hitsugaya (captain from Bleach) in Arcade's list. Hitsugaya likely has ice powers (could freeze enemies or create an ice dragon). If Toshiro is there, possibly Ichigo or others were made by fans too.
For any major anime, try a keyword search on Workshop – you'd be surprised. Virtually any popular anime character might exist as a DST mod, though quality and support vary widely.
Anime-Themed Skins, UI and Cosmetic Mods
Not all anime mods add new characters; some bring anime flair in more subtle ways. If you love DST's core gameplay but want it to look or sound more anime-esque, these mods are for you.
Skins and Outfit Mods
Sometimes you might want your favorite anime look without the overpowering perks. Skin mods allow exactly that by making anime character appearances into costumes for existing DST characters.
Silhh's Skin Project
This ambitious mod (also called "Silhcade's Skin Project") compiled a huge number of character art assets from various mods and repackaged them as purely cosmetic "Mystery Doll" skins craftable in-game. The idea is you could craft an item to "disguise" your character as, say, Rem from Re:Zero or Naruto, while keeping your original stats and perks.
A user in Jan 2024 noted that both the original and an updated version "don't work anymore". However, another user "Serp" replied that his updated version works and was tested as of Jan 2024, indicating someone took up maintenance unofficially.
"Enjoy anime aesthetic characters without jeopardizing gameplay"
Individual Outfit Mods
Some mods replace a single DST character's appearance with an anime character while keeping the original's abilities. An "Anime Portraits" project replaced the portraits of the base cast with anime-style drawings. These are purely cosmetic and can be fun if you prefer that look (imagine anime Wendy or anime Wolfgang).
Cute or "Waifu" Mods
There was a mod known as "全面背景萌化" (Full Background Moe Conversion) that made the game's visuals more "cute." There have been projects to draw DST characters in a "moe" (cute anime) style, replacing the character's big portrait and maybe even in-game sprite with more kawaii versions.
UI Changes and HUD Mods with Anime Flavor
Gesture Wheel
The Gesture Wheel mod is not inherently anime, but it was included in an "Anime Collection" as it gives a more modern interface for emotes. It allows pressing a key to bring up an emote wheel, making it easier to have your character laugh, dance, etc.
HUD Skin Mods
There are mods that recolor or redesign the HUD (e.g., Roseate HUD gives a pink-ish elegant skin to health/armor icons; Nightmare HUD for a spooky purple look). These can complement the anime vibe if you find one that matches an aesthetic.
Custom Menu Backgrounds
Some mods change the main menu and loading screen artwork. For instance, you could install a mod so that every time you boot DST, you see a collage of Demon Slayer characters in the background rather than the default. These mods often also change the menu music to an anime opening song.
Anime Sound Packs
Beyond just music, there's also sound effect mods. For example, a mod that gives Wigfrid actual Japanese voice lines from an anime valkyrie. However, be cautious with sound mods that include real voice snippets from anime - one user noted that the music was loud and not adjustable via settings.
Important Note on UI Mods
UI and cosmetic mods are generally client-side, meaning only you see the changes. This makes them perfect for personal customization without affecting other players' experience. Just avoid using two different mods that modify the same UI element, as they might conflict.
Crossover Content Mods (Beyond Characters)
Some mods introduce items or mechanics from anime without necessarily being tied to a character. These can transform your DST experience in even more unique ways.
Reimu Hakurei Character Selection
The character selection screen with a Reimu Hakurei mod active, showing anime artwork and custom title. Mods often include beautiful portraits; here Reimu is labeled "The Shrine Maiden of Paradise" with perks "Faster, Comes equipped with her unique items, Isn't afraid of monsters." Such mod portraits replace the usual DST style with an anime look, setting the tone for an anime-themed playthrough.
Kasen Ibaraki In-Game
In-game screenshot of Kasen Ibaraki (Touhou mod) in DST. She's surrounded by colorful balloon-like "Light Orbs" she created (one of her abilities). Anime mods can introduce unique visual elements (here the balloons) that still blend into DST's art style. Kasen's pink-haired anime sprite is visible along with DST's standard UI.
Multiplayer Compatibility and Tips
One of the best things about DST anime mods is that you can enjoy them with friends – Goku, Luffy, and Tanjiro can literally team up to take down Deerclops if you wish. But to make that work smoothly, there are a few things to understand about how DST handles mods in multiplayer.
Server-Side vs Client-Side Mods
Potential Conflicts
One caveat: if a client mod somehow conflicts with a server mod (for instance, a client mod that replaces character models might conflict with a server mod doing the same), weirdness can occur. Generally avoid using client mods that override the exact assets server mods use. But most times it's fine – client mods stick to UI and visual adjustments.
Installation and Coordination
Ensure Everyone Has Matching Mods
When you plan a multiplayer session with anime mods, it's wise to coordinate mod lists with your friends beforehand. The host can share a Steam Workshop Collection containing all the mods to be used. (For instance, compile "Our Anime Mod Pack" with the IDs of Naruto, Rengoku, etc. and share the link). Players can subscribe to all with one click.
Pro Tip:
If someone's on a slower connection, subscribing and loading the game prior to the session helps because the game will download mods on the main menu (you'll see a "Mod Downloads" progress if any). This avoids mid-game lag from downloads.
Character Duplication
By default, DST doesn't let two players pick the exact same character. This includes mod characters – so two people can't both be "Tanjiro mod" unless the mod is coded to allow clones or you use another mod to remove the uniqueness restriction. There is a small mod called "Duplicate Characters" which allows identical characters in one world.
Selecting Mod Characters
When starting a server with new mods, sometimes the character select screen might take a few seconds to populate or could appear blank at first – this can happen if mods are still loading. Give it a moment. If a mod character isn't showing up, check that the mod is actually enabled (the host can pause and go to Mods menu to verify).
Ensuring Auto-Download
Also note, when a mod character is selected, other players who don't have the mod would typically see them as some default or crash out – but since DST forces the download, this scenario won't happen unless someone's mod download failed. In early DST days, if someone somehow didn't download the mod, they'd see the character as a weird "invisible" thing or a random Wilson. Now it's rare.
Performance Considerations in Multiplayer
When you introduce a lot of mods, you're asking the game to do more work. In multiplayer, that workload is mainly on the server/host.
CPU Load
Each mod can add processing – e.g., calculating flame effects for Rengoku's sword, or clones' AI for Itachi. The more complex the mod, the more CPU it uses. If you host on your PC and it's mid-range, try not to go overboard with simultaneously active script-heavy mods.
Memory/RAM
Mods add textures (art) and sounds. Each character mod might be tens of MBs. If you have dozens of mods, it could eat a few extra hundred MB of RAM. Most gaming PCs can handle it, but if someone has low RAM, they could see performance issues or crashes.
Known Conflicts
Some mods conflict by trying to use the same resource names or global variables. E.g., if two mods both define a global function with the same name, one might overwrite the other. As a rule, mods from the same author or collection are usually designed to work together.
Saving and Loading Safety
If you use anime mods and then later disable them and load the world, what happens? If a mod character was being used, that player might turn into Wilson or the server won't let the world load. So, if you ever want to remove an anime mod mid-playthrough, make sure no players are currently that character and ideally remove any mod-specific items from the world.
Installation & Usage Guide
Installing mods in DST is generally straightforward through the Steam Workshop. Here's a detailed guide to get you started with anime mods.
Installing via Steam Workshop
- Find the mod: Search for the anime mod you want on the Steam Workshop. Make sure it's for DST, as Don't Starve single-player mods are separate.
- Subscribe: Click the green "Subscribe" button on the mod's page. Steam will automatically download it.
- Launch DST: Open Don't Starve Together through Steam.
- Enable the mod: From the main menu, click "Mods", find your anime mod in the list, and check the box to enable it.
- Configure (if available): Some mods have a "Configure Mod" button. Click this to adjust settings like the Touhou Music Mod's playlist mode, or toggle abilities.
- Start a server: When you create or host a game, the mod will be active. For character mods, you'll see the anime character as an option at the character select screen.
Manual Installation
If a mod was removed from Workshop but you have a download (or it's on Klei forums or GitHub), you can manually install it:
-
Locate your mods directory: Navigate to
documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogether/modsor the equivalent Steam folder. - Add the mod folder: Extract the mod files into a new folder in this directory.
- Edit modsettings.lua: Add an entry for the mod (advanced users).
- Share with friends: For multiplayer, all players would need the files if it's not on Workshop for auto-distribution.
Warning
This is generally only for advanced users; for example, some fans preserved the Naruto Uzumaki mod after its removal (ID 485694807) and share it off-platform, but use at your own risk if it violates any terms.
Performance Tips
- Don't overload: Avoid using too many large mods at once; each character mod adds textures and sounds that increase loading time and memory usage.
- Watch entity counts: Mods spawning lots of entities (clones, summons, etc.) can increase CPU usage on the server.
- Limit effects: If the host has a strong PC and the clients are weaker, consider limiting effects like fancy particle systems.
- Backup your save: Always backup your save if running many mods. Mods can sometimes corrupt saves if removed improperly.
Staying Updated
Be mindful of mod update timings. DST updates (which happen roughly monthly or during events) can break mods until the modder updates them.
If you rely on a mod for a long-term server, check after DST patches if a quick mod update or rollback is needed. The game's client log will often list if a mod caused a crash on startup (with the mod's name/ID).
Known Issues and Troubleshooting
Even the best mods can run into issues, especially after game updates or when combined with other mods. Here's how to diagnose and solve common problems.
Common Issues
Updates and Maintenance
Encourage readers to support mod creators by giving feedback. Many modders update their mods when issues are reported (e.g., the author Yakuzashi of Itachi mod responded in 2023 to a request for Sasuke and indicated future plans).
If a mod hasn't updated, sometimes other community members step up – as seen with Reimu's mod fix by DekGym3Atom. It's acceptable to ask on forums if anyone has an updated fork.
Just be respectful of original creators' IP and the legal gray area of unlicensed anime content – which leads to the final note: some mods get removed due to copyright (this happened with several Naruto and Hololive mods, possibly via DMCA since they "violated guidelines").
Community Fixes
Where to Find Help
Always consider checking the Klei forums; searching the mod name there can yield threads like "Mod crashing – Attack on Titan Eren" which might have solutions. The Steam Workshop comment section is also invaluable - users often post workarounds or links to fixed versions.
In cases where authors moved on, community members often share fixes. E.g., after a patch, you might find a "Unofficial Update" workshop entry or a pastebin of a quick fix. Always exercise caution with unofficial files, but in DST's modding scene it's common and usually fine (check comments for confirmation that others used it safely).
Patch History Impact on Mods
Don't Starve Together is a living game – frequent updates can inadvertently break mods or change their balance. Let's quickly recap major changes in the last few years and their relevance to anime mods.
August 2021 - "Waterlogged" Update
DST overhauled its crafting interface around August 2021. Modders like the author of Rengoku and Giyuu updated their mods on Aug 24-25, 2021 to accommodate this. The changes included recipe UI changes that could crash older mods.
Impact: After this patch, most active mods posted a small fix. If you're using an anime mod last updated before Aug 2021, be wary – it may have crafting issues.
2022 - Character Reworks & Quality of Life
Several character reworks (WX-78, etc.) and new content came, generally not breaking mods except in edge cases. A notable change was the shadow creature refactor and some tag changes.
Impact: A mod that specifically interacted with sanity or shadow creatures might need adjustment. For instance, if an anime character had a custom sanity mechanic, it might have needed a tweak.
March 2023 - "Spring Cleaning" Quality of Life
DST introduced skill trees (for Wilson) and UI improvements. This came with a big Quality of Life patch (ID R33_QOL_SPRINGCLEANING). Notes for modders show a few deprecations: a prefab was removed, some functions were replaced, and fonts handling changed.
Another tweak: healing component changes (the addition of SetOnHealFn) – a mod providing a custom heal (like Kasen's Medicine Box) might have had issues if it overrode component logic.
Impact: After the Spring 2023 update, many modders had to push compatibility updates. Check if your anime mod had an update around April 2023 – if not, it might have small bugs.
Late 2023 - New Characters and Shard Update
In late 2023 and early 2024, DST added new characters (e.g. Batger, Wilson's skill tree) and improved world sharding. These typically don't break character mods unless they rely on specific character indices or wardrobe UIs.
One potential issue: Wardrobe UI changes (for the new item skins system) might affect mods that had custom skins. Also, the Dreadstone and Brightshade mechanics introduction – if an anime mod created an item using an old loot table insertion method, it might need an update.
Impact: Most anime character mods remained compatible, though some custom crafting or wardrobe behavior may have needed updates.
Ongoing Updates
Klei often includes a "Notes for Modders" section in patch notes. We've cited a couple of these to illustrate changes. Users interested can view the full patch notes on the Klei forums or wiki to see if a particular function a mod uses was altered.
The community also tends to comment on Workshop pages if a patch breaks something (search the comments for terms like "crash" or the date).
In summary, the past 18 months saw DST evolve, but active modders kept up for the most part. Always ensure you're using the latest version of a mod (if a mod has an abandoned original and a fan-made "fixed" version, use the latter). If everything is up to date, anime mods can coexist with the current DST build fairly well.
Conclusion: Embrace the Chaos of Anime Mods
Anime mods inject a dose of creative chaos into Don't Starve Together. They're not "lore-friendly" or balanced in the traditional sense – instead, they're about having fun and living out cross-genre fantasies in the DST sandbox. Want to Kamehameha a Spider Queen? Go for it. Want Miku Hatsune as your survivor singing to plants? That mod exists too!
Final Tips
Before diving into an anime-modded world, consider doing a quick test run solo – spawn in the character, spawn some enemies, test their abilities (using console commands if needed). This way you know how things work and won't be fumbling during a critical fight.
Many mod characters have custom keybinds (Z, X, C often) – you can usually change these in DST's Controls menu under mod section or via the mod config. Learn them to maximize effectiveness.
Maintaining Challenge
Remember the survival aspect: Just because you're an anime hero doesn't mean the world can't kill you. Mods like Madara's might make you strong but still vulnerable if you're careless with hunger or sanity.
For a balanced approach, you can mix one or two anime mods with some challenge mods. For example, if you run three powerful anime characters, you might install a mod that makes bosses tougher or seasons longer to keep it interesting.
"Enjoy the novelty. Some of the most memorable DST moments can come from mods – like the first time your friend yells 'Believe it!' as Naruto and promptly sets the forest on fire with an overzealous jutsu, or when an entire base gets decorated with anime art thanks to a UI mod and everyone facepalms but secretly loves it."
It's these emergent fun times that mods enable. The DST community thrives on this creativity, and as long as you follow the installation guidance and keep an eye on updates, you'll find that anime mods can greatly extend DST's replayability, offering fresh experiences long after you've mastered the base game.
So gather your comrades, pick your favorite heroes, and survive together – in anime style! Ganbatte (do your best) not to starve!
References
The information above was compiled from various sources, ensuring accuracy up to 2025. For specific mod details, see the cited Workshop pages and comments.
- Steam Workshop mod descriptions and comment sections (2020-2025)
- Reddit discussions from r/dontstarve, r/Hololive
- Klei Entertainment official forums and patch notes
- YouTube mod showcases and Twitch streams featuring anime mods
- DST Wiki's version history pages