In a world where daily life often feels like an endless cycle of work and social pressures, one Japanese man has taken a wild leap into the realm of the animal kingdom to find his freedom. Toru Ueda, a Tokyo-based engineer, didn’t just want a break from humanity; he wanted a complete transformation. And he chose to become a wolf.
Toru’s journey into his lupine persona involved an investment of 3 million yen (over $21,000) in a hyper-realistic wolf costume, crafted by Zeppet, a company known for its work in TV and film costumes. This wasn’t a whimsical purchase; it was the realization of Toru’s profound desire to escape societal pressures and embrace a form of liberty that only being a wolf could offer him.
The quest for realism was paramount for Toru. He wanted a costume that didn’t just look real but allowed him to walk upright, embodying the dignified stance of a wolf. To achieve this, he had three meetings with Zeppet, exchanged around forty emails, and shared numerous wolf images to ensure every detail of the costume was perfect.
Becoming the Wolf
Toru’s transformation has been nothing short of transformative for him. “When I wear my costume, I no longer feel human. When I look in the mirror, I see a wolf, and it’s incredibly moving,” he shared with The Times. This new identity has allowed him to shed the burdens of human relationships and work-related stress. In his wolf form, Toru finds a sanctuary where the complications of human life can’t reach him.
However, don’t expect to bump into Toru the wolf wandering the streets of Tokyo or showing up at costume parties. His wolf persona is reserved for his private life, a sacred space where he can fully embody his new identity, even when hosting friends at home. And what do his friends think about this unique lifestyle choice? They’re supportive, happy that embracing his inner wolf helps Toru thrive.
Despite his retreat into a lupine identity, Toru hasn’t completely severed ties with humanity. And he’s not alone in his journey to an alternate identity. Zeppet has previously worked with another individual who spent over $14,000 to become a dog. It seems that for some, the call of the wild is a path to personal fulfillment and escape from the monotony of human life.
