Japanese man who spent $14K to become a collie doesn’t want a dog’s life

He’s not into the canine’s life in any case.

The Japanese man who went viral after posting a video of himself sporting a hyper-realistic tough collie costume in public howled that individuals and information retailers had been “misinformed” about the concept that he desires to reside like a canine.

“My want to be an animal is sort of a want to rework…a want to be one thing that I’m not,” Toco instructed The Submit, including that he wears the costume possibly as soon as every week, largely at dwelling.

The wannabe Lassie, who was catapulted to worldwide stardom final month after posting a video of himself waddling round Tokyo within the $14,000 swimsuit — and interacting with strangers and real-life pups — admitted he “didn’t anticipate such a giant response” about his ruff life. 

His household, in the meantime, didn’t put him within the canine home over his uncommon passion. 

“The household was shocked, however obtained it favorably,” Toco mentioned. “I’m very completely satisfied that they accepted it.” 

Along with the viral clip, he’s to this point has amassed 19.5 million views on his YouTube channel “I Want To Be an Animal,” the place he shares snippets of his canine days, together with wolfing down fake dog treats, scuttling right into a wire cage, and rolling over. 

Toco declined to share how a lot cash he’s made out of his YouTube account, the place his subscriber base has skyrocketed to 51,000 subscribers. 

The life-like costume value a staggering 2 million yen ($14,099) and was custom-made by Zeppet, an organization that produces costumes for TV commercials and reveals. 

It took 40 days and a number of revisions to make the ultimate swimsuit, though American Kennel Club judges barked that the impersonations might use some enchancment. 

The part-time herding canine, nevertheless, didn’t run together with his tail between his legs after trolls trashed his canine cosplay as a bizarre fetish.  

“I’m simply unhappy that individuals can suppose that,” Toco mentioned. “I like animals and luxuriate in play-acting like a collie.”

He added, “That is my passion, so I’ll stick with it. It makes me completely satisfied and different individuals completely satisfied, too.”