Studio Ghibli’s Flying Pig: Why the Italian Dub of Porco Rosso is a Masterpiece
in Italy is as legendary as the Crimson Pig himself. There is a fascinating "lost" dub that was originally intended for a 1997 home video release but was canceled for unknown reasons. This version remains a holy grail for collectors.
Voiced by Joy Saltarelli, Fio's dialogue was adjusted to reflect her youthful, energetic, yet technically precise engineering mind.
Known for his purist approach to translation, Cannarsi ensures the dialogue feels period-accurate, honoring the aviation jargon and the political undertones of the era. Italian Dub vs. Japanese Original porco rosso italian dub
This article dives deep into why the Italian dubbing of Porco Rosso is considered the definitive way to watch the film, how Celentano redefined the character, and why this dub is a landmark in animation history.
The romanticism of the Adriatic Sea, the banter of the Mamma Aiuto pirates, and the refined dialogue of Gina are rendered naturally in Italian.
, known for his deep, gravelly tone that fits the "weary veteran" persona of the lead character. Donald Curtis : Voiced by Fabrizio Pucci Madame Gina : Voiced by Roberta Pellini Fio Piccolo : Voiced by Joy Saltarelli Mr. Piccolo : Voiced by Armando Bandini Mamma Aiuto Boss : Voiced by Paolo Buglioni : Voiced by Massimo De Ambrosis The Dubbing Database Cultural Impact & Authenticity Studio Ghibli’s Flying Pig: Why the Italian Dub
In the end, the moral of Porco Rosso is simple: Meglio vivere un giorno da leone che cent’anni da pecora. (Better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep). Thanks to the Italian dub, that lion has a pilot’s goggles and a very charming snout.
In summary, the Italian dub of Porco Rosso is not just a translation — it’s a cultural homecoming. For Italian viewers, Porco speaks with the soul of a Mediterranean aviator, not a foreign cartoon character. That authenticity is why, over 30 years later, it remains the definitive version for many.
The heart of any great dub is its cast, and the Italian version of Porco Rosso brought together some of the country's finest voice talents. Here is the complete list of the main Italian voice actors, lovingly curated by the renowned dubbing site Antoniogenna.net , alongside their original Japanese counterparts: Voiced by Joy Saltarelli, Fio's dialogue was adjusted
Voiced by Roberta Greganti, Gina's performance gained a more melancholic, aristocratic weight, perfectly suited to the lounge singer of the Hotel Adriano.
: The protagonist, Marco Pagot, is named after the real-life Italian animator and friend of Miyazaki, Marco Pagot, whose family created the famous Italian cartoon character Calimero . Watching the film in Italian honors this personal tribute between creators. Why Watch the Italian Dub?
The is more than a translation; it is an act of cultural appropriation in the best sense of the word. Hayao Miyazaki drew Italy, but Italy gave Porco his soul.
One of the greatest achievements of the Italian dubbing script is how it handles the political and social nuances of the era. The most famous line in the movie— “Meglio porco che fascista” —takes on an entirely different weight when spoken in Italian.
The cornerstone of the Italian version’s prestige lies in its homage to cinema history. The film features a brief but memorable cameo by Fiorello, a famous Italian singer and showman, who voices the owner of the Hotel Adriano. This casting choice is a direct and loving nod to William Wyler’s 1953 classic Roman Holiday . In that film, the real-life radio host and singer Nunzio Filogamo made a cameo playing himself. By casting Fiorello—a modern equivalent of that era's entertainer—Miyazaki and the Italian localization team bridged the gap between the animated world and the golden age of Italian culture.