'My Grand Father is a Nihonjin' Gets First Trailer
Gone are the days when animation came mainly from just a few countries. These days, it's produced all over the world. One part of the world whose animation industry only continues to grow is South America- and in particular Brazil. Brazilian studio Pinguim Content, has just dropped the first trailer for their highly anticipated animated feature My Grand Father is a Nihonjin. The film was screened in an exclusive early showing at the Marché du Film, during the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The film will be receiving its official world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, under the Annecy Presents strand.
Pinguim Content is a Sao Paulo based animation production studio with more than 30 years in the business. They have produced several globally popular kids' television series including Fishtronaut, De Onde Vem?, Rita, Ping and Friends, and Earth to Luna! This will be their second feature released after Fishtronaut: The Movie.
Produced in 2D animation with strong Japanese cultural influences My Grand Father is a Nihonjin tells the story of 10 year-old Noburo. In search of his cultural identity, he turns to his grandfather for help. Despite having always resisted talking about his past, grandfather Hideo agrees to finally share his story. As Noburo delves into his family history, he discovers an uncle he never knew existed.
Directed by Celia Catunda, with a screenplay by Rita Catunda, based on a novel by Oscar Nakasato, this film boasts beautiful handdrawn animated inspired by the paintings of Oscar Oiwa, a contemporary Brazilian-Japanese artist. It explores identity, resilience, and cultural legacy through the eyes of a family navigating the tides of immigration. Producers Kiko Mistrorigo and Ricardo Rozzino, bring their trademark touch from Pinguim Content, combining Japanese culture with the best in Brazilian storytelling.
The film features the voices of Ken Kaneko and Pietro Takeda in the lead roles of Hideo and Noburo respectively and features an original soundtrack by Andre Abujamra and Marcio Nigro.
Celia Catunda says “São Paulo, Brazil, is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan. The inspiring story of Noboru and his grandfather sheds light on the deep challenges of migration and cultural identity that resonate in immigrant families across the globe."
This is a very timely film, at a time when immigrants are under attack all over the world. A very human, heartfelt immigrant film like this feels like it could hardly come at a better time.
Check out the new trailer below.
