Each individual must create their own shelters, catch food from the land, overcome the harsh foreign terrain and bitter cold, and contend with a host of deadly predators.
The man eventually discovers the deception, but when he sees what Kotaro did to the balloons, he quietly leaves him alone and even hopes for Kotaro the balloons will last a long time.
Balloony is also pretty brave.
Indeed, Roland Welker's journey was a long and inspiring one that saw him surviving and struggling against the elements for well over three months.