Meet Toco, a man from Japan who’s taken his love for canines to an eccentric extreme. Toco has donned a meticulously crafted collie costume, a labor of love that set him back a staggering $14,000. This peculiar transformation has propelled him into the online spotlight, where he’s amassed a devoted following of over 32,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Toco, as he’s known online, has fully embraced the dog days of his existence by not only wearing but embodying his furry alter ego.
His YouTube channel offers a window into his unusual journey of “becoming an animal.” With uncontainable enthusiasm, Toco showcases himself frolicking on grassy lawns, playfully rolling around, and even engaging in rounds of fetch, all while adorned in his distinctive dog costume.
In a particularly eye-catching video, Toco takes his canine persona into the public sphere for the first time. Strutting down a bustling street, his collie outfit complete with a harness, he garners the attention and astonishment of onlookers. Despite his confident stride, Toco admits to feeling “nervous” and “scared” about going out in his canine guise.
Reflecting on his unconventional journey, Toco shared, “Do you remember your dreams from when you are little? You want to be a hero or a wizard.”
In his case, this dream took on an “unrealistic” yet undeniably captivating form: “I remember writing in my grade school graduation book that I wanted to be a dog and walk outside.”
Toco’s childhood fascination with the idea of becoming an animal evolved into his unique hobby as an adult. He eventually settled on the collie breed, citing its relatively similar size to humans as a reason for his choice.
His dedication to his canine dream materialized into the elaborate collie costume, a creation that took 40 days to craft and cost a substantial $2 million Yen (equivalent to $14,161 USD).
Designed by Zeppet, the costume impeccably mimics the appearance of a real dog walking on all fours. Toco’s commitment to authenticity shines through this intricate ensemble, which has become the embodiment of his unconventional passion.
However, despite his online fame and unwavering devotion to his dog persona, Toco keeps his peculiar hobby mostly hidden from his offline world. He confides that he rarely shares this aspect of his life with friends and family due to the fear of being judged as “weird.”
In fact, even his coworkers remain largely oblivious to his double life. Toco goes to great lengths to maintain a clear separation between his canine alter ego and his professional persona. This duality underscores his determination to preserve his privacy and protect his passions from potential misunderstanding or scrutiny.
Toco’s transformation into a human dog stands as a testament to the extraordinary complexity of human expression.
His journey highlights the diverse and unconventional ways individuals seek to connect with their passions and demonstrate their unique identities.
Through his enchanting journey, Toco has shown that even in a world where conformity often dominates, there’s a space for embracing the wonderfully weird.