University of Algarve debuts anime-style video at Expo 2025 Osaka

Under the slogan “Our brand, from local to global!”, UAlg’s presence is part of the official programme of the Portugal Pavilion, on June 26 and 27, showing a new way of communicating science and knowledge. Produced by the Fly Moustache studio, a startup born at UALG TEC CAMPUS - the university's business accelerator - the video also reflects UAlg's commitment to training professionals in the creative industries, through its degree in Animated Image.

The four-minute film incorporates elements of Japanese imagery - such as sequential panels, decorative patterns and cinematic landscapes - in a clear tribute to the universe of anime and manga. The protagonist is an iconic Ria Formosa seahorse, who takes viewers on a journey of discovery through the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the University of the Algarve's scientific research projects.

More than an audiovisual exhibition, it is an invitation to dialogue between cultures and an example of how science, creativity and innovation can come together to build bridges between people, institutions and countries. By combining storytelling, science and Japanese visual culture, UAlg reinforces its identity as a university that combines knowledge, creativity and social impact in building the societies of the future.

For Bernardo Amaral, director of the Portuguese Pavilion, the presence of Portuguese universities at Expo 2025 Osaka is “fundamental”. He points out that Japan, with a market of 127 million people, is beginning to show a paradigm shift: “Interestingly, although Japanese students have not traditionally been in the habit of leaving the country, they are increasingly interested in studying and living abroad.”

There are currently an estimated 40 Japanese students studying in Portugal and, according to Bernardo Amaral, “the aim is to showcase all the skills and competences of Portuguese universities and polytechnics”.

In his view, the University of Algarve (UAlg) “fully understood the objective of national participation”. Referring to the theme of the Portugal Pavilion - “Ocean: Blue Dialogue” - he stresses: "The University of Algarve is one of the few institutions in the country that has consistently and sustainably developed work in line with ocean-related policies and themes. I'm convinced that, from the screening of this anime-style video, the exhibition panels and the algae display, your participation will be a huge success."

Coming straight from Portugal to the Expo, Ana Palma, who has a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, and Mário Cabecinha, who has a degree in Civil Engineering, both graduated from the University of Algarve, couldn't hide their surprise at finding their alma mater in Japan. "It felt like home! How could that be? Our university here, on the other side of the world!" they commented, visibly moved.

But it wasn't just the Portuguese who were surprised. Japanese visitors also showed great curiosity and interest in UAlg, where it seems that the University attracted the attention and curiosity of the youngest visitors. This is the case of Toma Kameoka, a 13-year-old resident of Osaka, who for the first time learned about a seahorse and the research work carried out at UAlg. As he has not yet chosen his future university, he has put Marine Biology at UAlg at the top of his list of preferences.

Expo 2025 Osaka, which is taking place between April 13 and October 13, brings together 158 countries under the motto “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives”, and expects to attract around 28 million visitors.

The delegation from the University of Algarve present at the Expo is made up of members of the Communications Office, CRIA - Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer Division, as well as a representative from the company producing the video, and GreenCoLab.

This participation and the video premiere are part of a broader initiative led by NERA - Associação Empresarial da Região do Algarve, financed by European Funds, under the SIAC measure of the ALGARVE 2030 Program, under the project INTERNACIONALIZAR+ALGARVE 3.0 - Promoting the International Recognition of the Algarve Region.

More information: https://www.ualg.pt/ualg-na-expo-2025-osaka-japao