Japanese man turned himself into a dog bites back at trolls
Japanese man who spent £12,000 turning himself into a dog bites back at cruel trolls making fun of his new life as a collie
- READ MORE: Man who bought £12,000 dog costume finally goes on first walk
A Japanese man who dresses in his bespoke collie costume has said that online trolls are making fun of his desire to be a dog.
Known only as Toco, the man spent two million Yen – which equates to £12,480 – on a lifelike costume to fulfil his lifelong fantasy of ‘becoming an animal’.
Toco waited for 40 days before the special suits and makeup company Zeppet finished his dog costume and he finally realised his dream.
In some of his most recent updates to his almost 30,000 YouTube subscribers, Toco was seen playing in his backyard – on all fours – and attempting to perform tricks in exchange for fake dog food.
But he also recently ventured into the outside world to meet other people and animals for the first time.
Known only as Toco, the man spent two million Yen – which equates to £12,480 – on a lifelike costume to fulfil his lifelong fantasy of ‘becoming an animal’
Toco, who has now stepped outside his home, has interacted with other dogs, walking on all fours and sniffing at them
In a pair of surreal videos posted to his YouTube channel ‘I want to be an animal’, Toco is first seen being taken out for a walk on a leash, and is later seen sniffing at other dogs in a park before rolling around on the floor.
Toco has now claimed that he is being bullied online.
One Twitter user said: ‘A Japanese man spent over $20K for this border collie costume. You cannot convince me this isn’t some weird sex thing.
‘Men will literally spend $20,000 to transform into a border collie instead of going to therapy.’
Responding to the comments, Toco said: ‘I’m just sad that people can think that. I love animals and enjoy play-acting like a collie. This is my hobby, so I will carry on. It makes me happy and other people happy, too.’
Toco’s antics were seemingly well-received in the video by passers-by and other dogs, who seemed inquisitive above all else.
But despite having built a cult following, Toco is not yet ready to take off his mask.
Toco told MailOnline in May last year: ‘Ever since I was a small child, I wanted to be an animal. I think it is a desire to transform.
‘I’ve thought about it since I can remember.’
The dog-lover said he has hidden his identity and his human face from the world because he doesn’t want to be judged by people he knows.
‘I don’t want my hobbies to be known,’ he said, ‘especially by the people I work with.’
‘They think it’s weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason why I can’t show my real face.’
Toco suggested using a collie as he says ‘long-haired dogs can mislead the human figure’
He spent $15,000 on the rough collie costume so he could fulfil his dream of turning into an animal
Then late last year, Toco told the Mirror he’s still not yet built up enough confidence to tell some of his closest friends about his hobby.
‘I rarely tell my friends because I am afraid they will think I am weird,’ he said. ‘My friends and family seemed very surprised to learn I became an animal.’
Toco said he enjoys ‘doing things that only dogs do’.
In September, Toco first attempted an outdoor walk. He said in a YouTube video documenting the experience he felt ‘nervous and a little scared’.
‘I’m wearing a leash because people are surprised when they see me. I’m very nervous,’ he said in the video.
‘Do you remember your dreams from when you are little? You want to be a hero or a wizard.
‘I remember writing in my grade school graduation book that I wanted to be a dog and walk outside.’
Making friends: Toco released a video showing him out and about – and admits to being ‘very nervous’
Toco said he wears sandals to protect his feet and the bottom of the costume from getting dirty, after spending almost £13,000 getting it custom-made
A Japanese man who transforms into a dog using an ultra-realistic costume has said he hides his canine alter ego from his friends because he is worried they think it is weird
He noted how nice the wind felt in his fur, and rolled in the grass in his backyard.
Toco said he wears sandals to protect his feet and the bottom of the costume from getting dirty, after spending almost £13,000 getting it custom-made.
His now viral videos have attracted like-minded fans, with one saying: ‘You inspire us to fulfil our dreams too.’
Another wrote: ‘I hope I become the animal I want to be as well. You’re an inspiration to us.’
Japanese company Zeppet, which creates costumes for TV commercials and films, spent 40 days making the outfit.
A spokesman said: ‘Modelled after a collie dog, it reproduces the appearance of a real dog walking on four legs.’
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