Japanese man, who transformed into human dog, ‘doesn’t want to live an animal’s life’

A few days ago, a captivating video surfaced online, featuring a man donned in an impeccably realistic collie suit, strolling on the streets of Tokyo. This Japanese man spent around $14,000 to design the remarkably detailed canine costume, purely driven by his profound affection for animals. 

While users across different digital platforms speculated that his intention was to live life as a dog, the man clarified that his motivation stemmed because of his genuine adoration for these creatures and their nature.

Although he chooses to maintain anonymity, he goes by the moniker "Toco." 

The man hosts a YouTube channel titled "I Want to Be an Animal," where he shares captivating videos capturing his videos roaming on the streets in his hyper-realistic collie.

His video went viral on social media and has amassed around 6.8 million views so far. 

However, his unconventional choice received heavy backlash. Critics have cited concerns about the practicality of his endeavour, the cumbersome nature of his costume, and its perceived divergence from the attributes of the collie breed he aims to represent. 

Meanwhile, some online users even speculated that Toco's motivation was to simulate a dog's life after the substantial investment he made for his transformation.

However, in response to the various accusations, Toco denies any such intentions. He shared with the New York Post his deeply rooted aspiration "To be an animal is like a desire to transform...a desire to be something that I am not." 

Further, he also stated that his desire for embodying a collie is devoid of any sexual undertones and he “felt sad that people think such things.” 

Furthermore, he stated that his family is completely supportive and they have embraced his unique lifestyle choice. Toco was quoted as saying, “The family was surprised but received it favourably, I am very happy that they accepted it.”

The meticulously crafted collie costume that Toco wears is designed and made by Zeppet, a renowned company known for crafting costumes for television shows and advertisements. The process of converting his dream into reality took approximately 40 days, a testament to the dedication and artistry invested in its creation.