Osaka, Japan – Studio Bozzetto and Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation present Pino & Shinoby.
The Italian-Japanese co-production kicks off, one of the first following the signing of international co-production agreements Exclusive World Premiere of the Series at Expo 2025 Osaka
Following the recent entry into force of the international co-production agreement between Italy and Japan, Studio Bozzetto and Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV) are thrilled to announce the production of the animated series Pino e Shinoby. This project marks a significant step forward in the collaboration between the two countries, becoming one of the first animation co-production since the agreements implementation.
Pino e Shinoby is a preschool animated series that combines the rich cultural traditions of Italy and Japan, narrated through the adventures of Shinoby, a little ninja, and Pino, an Italian boy inspired by the famous Pinocchio. The series, composed of episodes blending stories, adventures, and everyday situations, showcases the cultural treasures of Italy and Japan while highlighting their differences and celebrating their uniqueness. Two key elements stand out in this regard: the settings, which integrate iconic features from both cultures within a single scene, and the use of the original languages. Pino speaks Italian and Shinoby Japanese, thereby preserving each character’s strong cultural identity. Thanks to carefully crafted dialogues and the presence of a narrator, viewers can seamlessly follow the conversations between the two protagonists.
The series is directed by Andrea Bozzetto, creative director at Studio Bozzetto, who brings his extensive experience in the animation industry to the project.
This co-production is the result of synergy between Studio Bozzetto’s creative and narrative excellence—one of the most prominent players in Italian animation—and the established television tradition of Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV), one of Japan’s leading networks. Studio Bozzetto has gained international recognition with global successes such as Topo Tip (distributed in over 160 countries), The Game Catchers (season two currently airing on Rai Kids), and auteur shorts like the recent Sapiens? by Bruno Bozzetto. Meanwhile, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation is a cornerstone of Japanese animation, having created iconic series like Detective Conan, Yatterman, and Inuyasha, which have captivated international audiences and shaped the history of entertainment. Among its creations is Shinoby, the YTV mascotte born to commemorate the broadcaster’s 60th anniversary, who is now expanding his presence beyond television to multiple platforms, including YouTube, X, and other social media.
«Pino e Shinoby represents a tangible example of the opportunities that international co-production agreements can offer – says Pietro Pinetti, CEO of Studio Bozzetto -. Thanks to this new framework of collaboration between Italy and Japan, we have combined our creative vision with Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation’s production expertise to create a series that celebrates creativity and dialogue between nations. It is an important step for the entire international animation landscape, and Studio Bozzetto is deeply honored to inaugurate this new phase of international cooperation alongside YTV».
«We are delighted to embark on a new cross-border challenge with the renowned European animation studio, Studio Bozzetto, in the memorable year of the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Through the Japan-Italy joint project “Pino & Shinoby,” we are honored to contribute to cultural exchange and deepen mutual understanding with countries around the world, with our mascot “Shinoby” who has a connection to Osaka Castle» comments Yozo Matsuda, President of Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation.
“Art and creativity are examples of soft power as is culture in the main way. We want to use new languages to speak with different audiences with the final aim to promote the heritage and the main values of Italy all around the world” adds Amb. Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka.
The highlight of the production will be the world premiere of the series, scheduled for 27 July 2025 at the Italy Pavilion of the Osaka Expo during the thematic week “Learning and Playing.” This debut will carry a highly symbolic meaning, celebrating the collaboration between Italy and Japan within the context of the Expo. The episode presented will also feature Italia-chan, the mascot of the Italian Pavilion, accompanying the protagonists on a journey to discover Italy’s beauty and elegance, showcasing the excellence of its cultural and artistic heritage to an international audience.
Pino e Shinoby also benefits from the involvement of Rai (Rai Kids), Italian public television, underscoring the importance of collaboration between Italy and Japan in promoting children’s animation on an international level.
The production of Pino e Shinoby (26×5’) is currently underway, with its broadcast currently planned for the upcoming season on Rai Kids (in Italy) and YTV (in Japan).
