Songs from Porco Rosso. Theme song and inserted songs.
That famous phrase, “A pig that doesn’t fly is just a pig”—haven’t a lot of people tried imitating it?
This article gathers the theme song and insert songs from the 1992 Studio Ghibli film Porco Rosso.
Listening to them, you can’t help but picture a bright red airplane soaring through the sky.
Porco, the protagonist, has this irresistible cool, rugged vibe that contrasts with his fanciful appearance.
If you’ve seen the film before, just hearing the music will make you want to watch it again!
It’s a collection packed with unforgettable classics.
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The Songs of Porco Rosso: Theme and Insert Songs (11–20)
Porco e Bella－Ending－Hisaishi Joe
This piece, which seems to encapsulate the entire film, is the theme song of Porco Rosso, the protagonist—a man whose face has been turned into that of a pig by magic.
His way of life, his friendships, and his battles with rivals have long inspired countless men.
It’s a theme song whose beautiful, valiant melody brings back every one of his lines, emotions, and actions.
Crimson WingsHisaishi Joe
This is a piece included on the image album for Porco Rosso.
The title, “Crimson Wings,” is presumably a reference to the red plane flown by the protagonist Porco Rosso, the Savoia S.21.
While the video features a piano arrangement, the original has the violin playing the main melody.
Its richly melancholic tone is so expressive that it evokes the impression of sobbing.
Fio－SeventeenHisaishi Joe
This is the theme song of Fio, a 17-year-old girl who, despite her age, fearlessly stands up to Porco and cheerfully, brightly gets her work done.
She’s the granddaughter of the owner of the seaplane company Piccolo and a key character in this story.
While she’s energetic and outspoken, the song also conveys a side of her that feels the anxieties typical of a 17-year-old girl.
At the end of summerHisaishi Joe
A piece used in the latter half of the film.
The mandolin’s wistful melody and the flute’s flowing lines create a beautiful number that, true to its title, evokes the end of summer.
It conjures the bright skies and dry breezes of Italy’s Mediterranean coast, yet carries a hint of transience and melancholy.
The finish subtly suggests the nuance of a canzone.
Lost SpiritHisaishi Joe
It is included on the Porco Rosso soundtrack.
“Lost Spirit” is a number used in the latter half of the film.
The contrast between the piano’s dramatic, heartrending main melody and the soft sound of the backing strings makes for a pleasing yet somehow wistful piece.
The timbre of the strings feels like the flicker of life.
Dog fightHisaishi Joe
Included on the “Porco Rosso Soundtrack.” A dogfight is a term meaning an intense aerial battle between fighter planes.
This piece is not only thrilling but also features a touch of comedy.
The first half is light and lively, but it gradually becomes more serious, structured in a way that seems to fit the unfolding of the story perfectly.
Listen while picturing the scenes from the film.
Songs of Porco Rosso. Main theme and insert songs (21–30)
The Age of Adventurer AviatorsHisaishi Joe
This is a waltz number from the image album that evokes a gently drifting sense of comfort.
It’s crafted into a slightly retro, nostalgic piece that conveys the breeze of the early 1900s, the era in which the film is set.
The soft melody, carried by the light, airy tone of the clarinet, fills you with a happiness that makes you want to start twirling as you listen.