A Japanese man dressing up in his custom collie costume has said online trolls are mocking his desire to be a dog.
Known only as Toco, the man spent two million Yen – which works out to £12,480 – on a lifelike costume to fulfill his lifelong fantasy of ‘becoming an animal’.
Toco waited 40 days before the specialty suit and makeup company Zeppet finished his dog costume and he finally realized his dream.
In some of its most recent updates to its nearly 30,000 YouTube subscribers, Toco was seen playing in his backyard — on all fours — trying to perform tricks in exchange for fake dog food.
But recently he also 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 works out to £12,480 – on a lifelike costume to fulfill 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 them
In a few surreal videos posted to his YouTube channel “I want to be an animal,” Toco is first seen being walked on a leash, and is later seen sniffing other dogs in a park before he rolls around on the floor.
Toco has now claimed he is being bullied online.
One Twitter user said, “A Japanese man spent over $20,000 on this border collie costume. You can’t convince me this isn’t some weird sex thing.
“Men will literally spend $20,000 turning into a border collie instead of going to therapy.”
Toco responded to the comments, “I’m just sad that people can think that. I love animals and like to play as a collie. This is my hobby, so I will continue. It makes me happy and other people too.’
Toco’s antics were seemingly well received in the video by passersby and other dogs, who seemed mostly curious.
But despite building a cult following, Toco isn’t ready to take off his mask just yet.
Toco told MailOnline in May last year: ‘Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be an animal. I think it is a desire to transform.
“I’ve been thinking 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 with the people I work with.”
“They think it’s weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason I can’t show my real face.’
Toco suggested using a collie, as he says “long-haired dogs can deceive the human figure”
He spent $15,000 on the shaggy collie costume so he could fulfill his dream of turning into an animal
Then late last year, Toco told the Mirror he still hasn’t built up enough confidence to tell some of his best friends about his hobby.
“I rarely tell my friends because I’m afraid they’ll think I’m weird,” he said. “My friends and family seemed very surprised when they heard I was turning into an animal.”
Toco said he enjoys “doing things only dogs do.”
In September, Toco tried an outdoor walk for the first time. He said in a YouTube video documenting the experience that he felt “nervous and a little scared.”
“I wear a belt 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 were 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 off — and admits to being “really nervous.”
Toco said he wears sandals to protect his feet and the bottom of the costume from getting dirty, having spent nearly £13,000 having it tailored
A Japanese man who transforms into a dog with an ultra-realistic costume has said he hides his dog alter ego from his friends because he’s afraid they’ll think it’s weird
He noticed 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 suit from getting dirty, having spent nearly £13,000 to have it tailored.
His now-viral videos have attracted like-minded fans, with a saying, “You inspire us to make our dreams come true, too.”
Another wrote: ‘I hope I too become the animal I want to be. You are an inspiration to us.’
Japanese company Zeppetwho makes costumes for TV commercials and movies spent 40 days making the outfit.
A spokesperson said: “Modelled after a collie dog, it reproduces the look of a real dog walking on all fours.”