Porco Rosso

In the sun-drenched Adriatic Sea, the early 1930s are bustling with life. Wealthy tourists and aristocrats cruise the calm waters in luxury, unaware of the danger lurking overhead. Sky pirates, ruthless and cunning, have taken it upon themselves to terrorize these unsuspecting travelers. They operate in high-tech, heavily-armed biplanes, striking fear into the hearts of the shipping industry. Against this backdrop of piracy and violence emerges Porco Rosso, a man who was once a renowned World War I flying ace. His skills in the air were unmatched, and his bravery and derring-do earned him the respect and admiration of the Allied powers. However, during a particularly grueling battle, something went terribly wrong. A mysterious affliction transformed him into a pig. Despite his new, porcine appearance, Porco Rosso – now known more commonly as Marco Pagot – refuses to let his condition get the better of him. He continues to fly, taking to the skies in his beloved, hand-crafted seaplane, the American import, and battleship-gray F-35. His years of experience and battle-hardened instincts still serve him well, and though many believe him to be out of his league, he remains a formidable force in the skies. One pirate crew, however, has caught Marco's attention. Led by an obnoxious, arrogant pilot, known as Curtis, they have become the bane of Porco Rosso's existence. The American ace is determined to take Marco and his reputation down, a task he's willing to risk anything to accomplish. Curtis and his men are not the typical Italian or European aerial pirates, but the first of their kind from across the Atlantic, armed to the teeth, with high-tech American planes, including their prize seaplane. Porco Rosso understands the pirate's motivations. Money and notoriety drive them, and Curtis will stop at nothing to claim both. The stakes are high, and the two are bound to clash in the skies. To aid Marco in his ongoing struggle against Curtis and his crew, he reaches out to an old friend and fellow veteran, Madame Gina. A vivacious, charismatic woman, Madame Gina had once been Marco's confidante, supporting him through the darkest of times. Additionally, he turns to Fio Piccolo, a spunky and resourceful girl mechanic. Her exceptional skills with a wrench and her intuitive grasp of aircraft mechanics have allowed her to maintain and fly the F-35, Porco Rosso's trusty seaplane. Together, they form an unlikely trio, working tirelessly to keep the planes flying and Porco Rosso in the air. Though still grappling with his own identity and his porcine condition, he knows he can rely on Fio and Madame Gina to have his back in the battle to come. While the stakes are high, and the danger grows, Porco Rosso sees more than just a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the Italian military. With Fio by his side, and Madame Gina's guidance, he's also found friendship and companionship in this desperate and uncertain time. His journey takes him through the rolling hills and coastal towns of Italy, where he navigates his feelings, confronts his inner demons, and comes to terms with his new existence, all while battling Curtis and his crew of aerial thieves.