Lovely anime song

Songs from Porco Rosso. Theme song and inserted songs.

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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.

Songs of Porco Rosso. Main theme and insert songs (21–30)

Marco and Gina's ThemeJoe Hisaishi

"Marco and Gina's Theme" from "Porco Rosso" played by ocha

Marco and Gina’s Theme by Joe Hisaishi

A beautiful piece that vividly brings to mind Marco and Gina’s relationship and feelings.

This one is a track from the image album.

While the piece itself isn’t used as-is in the film, many listeners will probably recognize the melody.

There’s a similar piece as the third track on the same album, but the melody is different.

If you’re a Porco Rosso fan, this might be a piece you’ll want to try playing at least once.

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Addio!Joe Hisaishi

Joe Hisaishi – Nostalgia

Addio! Joe Hisaishi

While it carries a slightly playful mood, this piece is marked by its weighty low tones and chords that feel a bit unsettling.

It was also used in a scene from Porco Rosso.

Though the arrangement isn’t long, it might be one of the more memorable tracks in the film.

The next time you watch it, try to find which scene it was used in!

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Doom - Trap of CloudsJoe Hisaishi

Porco Rosso Doom – Trap of Clouds Joe Hisaishi

Doom — Trap of Clouds — Joe Hisaishi

I think Porco Rosso is a hardboiled, adult-oriented work packed with men’s dreams and romance.

Isn’t the protagonist, Porco Rosso, something men aspire to? The soundtrack is very adult as well.

It’s full of cool tracks like chanson and jazz.

“Doom — Trap of Clouds” features stylish dissonant piano, which also evokes a sense of foreboding.

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Partner shipJoe Hisaishi

Partnership from “Porco Rosso” / Joe Hisaishi: Piano (Solo) / Intermediate

Partnership Joe Hisaishi

A number for the pair of Porco Rosso, the protagonist, and his reluctantly accompanying partner, Fio Piccolo.

“Partnership” literally means a cooperative relationship, but in looser terms it carries the nuance of being partners.

It’s a piece that seems to depict the process of the two clashing yet growing to trust each other: it starts with an unsettling mood, then gradually becomes relaxed and gentle, transforming into a lively, heart-lifting tune.

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sepia-toned photographJoe Hisaishi

Photo Jaunie / Andre Gagnon (sepia-toned photograph)

Sepia-Toned Photograph Joe Hisaishi

Porco Rosso is a cool film with two main charms: the passionate, slightly goofy men who throw themselves into their work and refuse to lose, and the dramatic side of women’s hearts and romance.

This piece belongs to the latter, expressing the romantic side more strongly.

Even among the many richly emotional masterpieces in the music of Studio Ghibli films, this work is filled with beautiful numbers.

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Women of PiccoloJoe Hisaishi

Women of the Piccolo (from "Porco Rosso") / Joe Hisaishi

Joe Hisaishi: Piccolo Women

At the company that builds Porco’s seaplane, Piccolo Company, there are so many women working there—from Fio to the adorable grandmothers.

This song captures the power of those working women, and it was used in a truly energetic and fun scene.

It’s a track I hope you’ll listen to while thinking of these women joining forces to build Porco’s wonderful seaplane.

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make-believe warJoe Hisaishi

playing war

War Game Joe Hisaishi

A piece included on the image album.

Although the image album doesn’t contain tracks from the main feature, the music was composed with Porco Rosso in mind, so please listen while imagining scenes from the film.

Despite its ominous title, “War Games” has a majestic feel that evokes a calm, open sky.

To me, the backing rhythm sounds like the engine of a seaplane—what do you think?

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