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Everyone out there who disputes the claim that "men are dogs" has yet to meet Toco.

In April 2022, this man from Japan posted a YouTube video of himself in a dog costume straight out of uncanny valley.

No bills, no responsibilities.

Maybe he's onto something.

If you happen to be in the market for something similar—no judgement here—the company that made Toco's costume is called Zeppet.

The costume cost 2 million yen (S$19,798), but to achieve one's lifelong dream? Worth it.

A man (dog?) of his word, Toco shares videos of himself as a collie, performing charming tricks or just living his best doggie life around the house.

@toco_eevee 芸をする賢い犬？ 何か違和感を感じませんか？　#犬　#コリー #ケモノ #fursuit #着ぐるみ ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - 動物になりたい_I want to be an animal

His YouTube channel is called "I want to be an animal".

Man or dog

When Toco first went viral, the nature of his dog transformation was unclear.

Was this a human who indulges in the occasional dog cosplay?

Does Toco identify as an actual canine trapped in a human vessel, looking for a way to assume his true form?

Or is he a shapeshifter who has embraced both the beast and man within, Jacob Black style?

Toco told MailOnline: "Ever since I was a small child, I wanted to be an animal. I think it is a desire to transform. I've thought about it since I can remember."

Toco gets a cage

As we ponder endlessly over the anthropological/psychological implications of Toco the dog, Toco himself seems rather unfazed, even though being a dog isn't always a walk in the park.

He makes it known that he doesn't mind the less fun parts of embodying a house pet.

His most recent video is probably one of the most impressive—or disturbing, depending on how you look at it.

In the video, Toco's owner points to a dog cage in the corner of the room, asking him to get in.

Toco is a good dog, so he obeys.

His owner then waves goodbye to him. The door shuts and Toco is cast in darkness, left to spend the night in his crate.

He seems pretty content with his sleeping arrangement.

The video later shows Toco pawing at the bars of the cage, begging to be let out.

In this crazy beautiful world we live in, where one is allowed to change species in peace, the internet sent their love in the comments.

Many gushed over Toco just as they would any other biological canine.

One user ironically named ChronicMetamorphosis said, "They should at least leave the light on for you, dawg. That's messed up."

Others voiced questions that were probably better off left unanswered.

He "chopped his leg" might sound like an extreme theory, but if you examine the anatomy of Toco's dog form, you too might draw the same conclusion.

Toco has yet to provide an explanation, and his human appearance remains unknown.

"I don't want my hobbies to be known, especially by the people I work with," he said, "They think it's weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason why I can't show my real face."

PSA

Just FYI, fellow dog parents out there should keep in mind that adult dogs cannot be caged for any longer than six to eight hours.

Prolonged periods spent confined as such is detrimental to both a dog's physical and psychological health.

The same most likely applies to any men in dog costumes out there.

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Top images via YouTube I want to be an animal and Twitter zeppetJP