For Toko-san—a Japanese man who dreamed of being a dog, nothing seems too impossible. Since childhood, he longed to become a dog, and today, thanks to his unwavering determination (and an incredibly lifelike costume), he’s made that dream a reality.
Yes, you read that right. As unbelievable as it may sound, Toko-san now lives his life as a collie, and social media was quick to react.
The Man Who Dreamed of Being a Dog and Kinda Made It
Toko-san reached out to Zeppet, a Japanese company renowned for its special effects expertise, to bring his dream to life—a project that cost him no less than two million yen (roughly €14,700). The team custom-made a dog suit just for him. After a 40-day wait, the costume arrived, and it’s so realistic you’d hardly believe there’s a human inside.
With his new look, Toko-san took to YouTube, uploading a video of him performing dog tricks—raising his paw in greeting, rolling on the ground, and trotting around like a joyful canine.
The response on social media was immediate: thousands were shocked, amazed, even frightened and concerned. While some criticized his unconventional choice, others applauded him for chasing his dream regardless of what anyone else might think.
Designed with meticulous attention to detail—from the lifelike fur to the perfect proportions—the costume makes him resemble a real collie. However, Toko-san admits that while the suit allows for movement, overdoing it can break the illusion.
A Zoo of Dreamers?
After his story went viral, many people began expressing that they, too, felt a connection to his desire to transform—revealing a growing trend of those who wish to experience life as an animal, if only for a moment.
In fact, Toko is already mulling over the idea of opening his own “zoo” for fellow dreamers. Will he make it happen?
Despite the naysayers, Toko remains undeterred, continuing to share videos online. His journey is a powerful reminder that dreams don’t have to conform to society’s expectations. Whether it’s traveling the world, launching a business, or—like him—becoming a dog, if you truly desire it, nothing can stand in your way. And if it seems odd to some, well, who are we to judge?
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
