In Japan, one man has taken the phrase “living your dream” to a new dimension after he spent more than €14,000 on a custom-made Collie costume just to fulfil his childhood fantasy of becoming a dog.
Toko, who is a lifelong dog enthusiast, brought a costume to look like a dog literally after he purchased the custom-made Collie costume for €14,000, and the costume is not for a party or a prank or even a movie role, but a full-bodied, four-legged transformation.
A Costume With Heads And Wags Tails
Toko’s canine debut on YouTube in April 2022 created lots of buzz on the internet as his videos showed him rolling on the ground, lying belly-up, and mimicking the behaviours of a real Collie with uncanny accuracy.
The hyper-realistic suit was created by Zeppet, a Japanese company popular for its movie-grade costumes. The process of making the suit took 40 days, with designers observing thousands of photos and even canine anatomy to make sure that every detail is perfected, from the length of the fur to the positioning of the joints.
Why Choose A Collie?
Toko’s choice wasn’t random. Collies, according to him, besides being beautiful, have a thick, flowing coat which hides the human shape beneath.
“My favourite animals are quadrupeds, especially the cute ones,” he said. “The long coat of a Collie hides the human shape well, which was important for the look I wanted.”
It’s this careful attention to realism that aided his videos in getting more than 1.7 million views and generated reactions from complete surprise to heartfelt admiration.
From YouTube to the Streets
Recently, Toko took his passion outdoors. On a leash held by a friend, he walked the streets in full costume, not for shock value, but to meet other dogs and, perhaps, make some new furry friends. This is no gimmick for him. It’s a deeply personal journey, one he hopes might even lead him to a like-minded partner who shares his love for animals and unconventional self-expression.
Walking on the Wild (and Woolly) Side
Toko’s story might raise eyebrows, but it’s also a reminder of something universal: the longing to step outside the ordinary and live life in a way that feels true. For some, that’s through art, travel, or music. For Toko, it’s through becoming a Collie.
In a world that often demands conformity, maybe the most authentic thing you can do is dare to be different. Even if that means growing fur.
