A Japanese man is leading a double life, but not in the way you might expect. The man, known online as Toco, spent over two million yen, which is about $14,076.90, on a realistic costume to fulfill his dream of becoming an animal.
Toco mentioned he’s hesitant to share his secret hobby with friends and family.
“I rarely tell my friends because I am afraid they will think I am weird,” Toco told The Mirror. “My friends and family seemed very surprised to learn I became an animal.”
Toco has a YouTube channel called “I want to be an animal,” where he shares video updates with nearly 40,000 subscribers, documenting his journey and experiences in the lifelike collie costume.
“Since childhood, I have had this unspecific fantasy of becoming an animal,” Toco said. “I wonder whether it was a desire for transformation.”
Toco finds the most happiness in “doing things that only dogs do,” as these activities make him feel truly like an animal. His videos depict him engaging in dog-like behaviors such as rolling over for belly rubs, sitting on command, drinking from dog bowls, and recently, going on his inaugural walk.
His first dog walk video became immensely popular, garnering over 4 million views since it was posted on his channel. It marked Toco’s first public appearance in his collie costume. He admitted feeling “nervous” and “scared” before venturing outside.
The video captures him in costume on a leash, performing tricks on the street, and interacting with other dogs while onlookers react with a mix of curiosity and surprise.
However, not everyone has been supportive of his lifestyle.
According to The New York Post, numerous critics have used social media to comment on Toco’s choices.
“Men will literally spend $20,000 to transform into a border collie instead of going to therapy,” one user wrote.
“A Japanese man spent over $20K for this border collie costume,” said another. “You cannot convince me this isn’t some weird sex thing.”
Toco insists that dressing up and acting like a collie isn’t a fetish but rather a “hobby” and said, “It makes me happy and other people happy, too.”
Toco’s decision to dress as a collie had two main reasons. Firstly, collies are his favorite breed of dog. Secondly, he explained that the extra-long fur helps to “mislead the human figure.”
The intricate craftsmanship behind Toco’s hyper-realistic fur suit was executed by Zeppet, a company typically engaged in creating costumes for TV commercials and movies. After several revisions, the project took 40 days to complete, and by April 2022, Toco’s vision of living as an animal began to materialize.
A Zeppet employee explained to The Mirror the process behind the suit’s creation, noting how the team managed to mimic the skeletal structure of a dog. They said, “In addition, we collect photographs to be taken from various angles so that the beautiful coat of the collie can be reproduced and devised so that the coat will flow naturally.”
Despite facing criticism from online users, Toco has garnered a large following on YouTube, with many supporters leaving messages of encouragement on his videos.
“If you’re happy and not making bad things, I think it’s cool!” one commenter wrote. “Don’t bother about mean people, they’re meaningless.”
“The costume is incredibly well done! And I find your videos very inspirational. Always follow your dreams,” wrote another. “You really can achieve them. Keep following your dream, and never let anyone discourage you from it. You’re an inspiration.”
Ultimately, Toco’s hobby seems harmless. He’s simply a man who has found a distinctive way to express himself and fulfill a childhood dream. While some choose to criticize him for being unconventional, others send messages of support and goodwill just as easily.
Perhaps, through Toco’s unique example, we can all become a bit more empathetic and open-minded.
