Osaka, Japan – Pietro Pinetti and Andrea Bozzetto to Present Pino & Shinoby at Expo 2025 Osaka
World Premiere of the Italian-Japanese Co-Production to Take Place on July 27
After months of intense creative and production work, Pietro Pinetti and Andrea Bozzetto of Studio Bozzetto will travel to Osaka to celebrate the world premiere of Pino & Shinoby at Expo 2025. The screening will take place on July 27 at the Italy Pavilion during the Expo’s themed week, “Learning and Playing.” The event marks a major milestone in the development of this unique preschool series and a symbolic moment in the collaboration between Italy and Japan in the animation industry.
Developed and co-produced by Studio Bozzetto and Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV), Pino & Shinoby is one of the very first projects to emerge following the signing of the official Italy–Japan co-production agreement. With this series, the two studios not only bring together the storytelling and animation traditions of their respective countries, but also lay the groundwork for a new era of international collaboration.
The series follows the friendship between Shinoby, a cheerful little ninja from Japan, and Pino, an imaginative Italian boy loosely inspired by Pinocchio. Through their playful adventures and cultural exchanges, the series invites preschool audiences to discover everyday life through the lens of two different cultures — without ever compromising the characters’ individual identities. Pino speaks Italian, Shinoby speaks Japanese, and their dialogue is bridged by a narrator, keeping everything accessible for young viewers while reinforcing respect for language diversity.
Andrea Bozzetto, creative director of Studio Bozzetto, directed the series and coordinated a cross-cultural team of artists, writers, and animators. The result is a show that not only entertains but also educates, using humor and gentle storytelling to explore differences and celebrate them.
The collaboration with YTV brought together two worlds with rich animation histories. Studio Bozzetto, a household name in Italian animation thanks to titles like Topo Tip, The Game Catchers, and Bruno Bozzetto’s award-winning auteur shorts, joined forces with YTV, the Japanese broadcaster behind classics such as Detective Conan and Inuyasha. YTV’s beloved mascot Shinoby, originally created for the network’s 60th anniversary, serves as the heart of the new series, bringing his joyful energy from Japan to a global audience.
The world premiere at Expo 2025 Osaka is more than just a launch — it is a celebration of shared values. The featured episode will include a special appearance by Italia-chan, the Italy Pavilion mascot, guiding the protagonists on a journey that highlights Italian cultural treasures. The event is a powerful statement about the role of creative industries in international dialogue and about the future of animation as a bridge between nations.
“Pino & Shinoby represents a tangible example of what international co-productions can achieve,” says Pietro Pinetti, CEO of Studio Bozzetto. “With this series, we’re not just telling stories — we’re creating cultural connections that speak to kids around the world.”
YTV President Yozo Matsuda adds, “We are delighted to embark on this cross-border challenge with the renowned Studio Bozzetto during the memorable year of the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Through Pino & Shinoby, we hope to contribute to deeper understanding and cultural exchange between our countries.”
Ambassador Mario Vattani, Italy’s Commissioner General for Expo 2025 Osaka, echoed this sentiment: “Art and creativity are forms of soft power. Projects like this help us share our values and heritage with the world, using universal languages like animation.”
The series, co-produced with the support of Rai Kids, will feature 26 five-minute episodes and is set to broadcast in Italy and Japan in the upcoming season.
