One of the great things about the movie is how children are portrayed. When the sea plane pirates take a bunch of kids hostage at the beginning of the movie, you don’t see any parents panicking. The kids are relaxed. The pirates clearly understand the social contract where they can’t split up the kids from their friends.

It’s such a different take from modern parenting and today’s anxiety filled culture.

An aside, my 8yo son used Porco Rosso as the subject of a school speech about a favourite film. I was surprised how few of the themes were lost on him, especially those of war, comradeship, and the other side of every coin. Not to mention those points that only a child discovering the world can savour, that I'd missed myself (or at least misplaced since I first saw the film at around his age in the 90s).

As seen from Italy, Porco Rosso is... interesting. Someone looked at a lot of pictures, and then re-invented them in a way that is totally alien.

In 2020, Seiko made some limited edition Porco Rosso themed watches:

https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/products/presage/spec...

I recently re-watched a few movies by Anthony Minghella (I liked his Ripley). I was surprised that the theme of two movie (and he didn't made that many) was treason and the author sided with the traitor. (Cold mountain, The English patient.)

Better a pig than a fascist

Of course the Japanese would be anti-war. Never forget December 7, 1941.

For my money, one of the most visually impressive Ghibli movies. Just stunning composition throughout.

"I'd rather be a pig than a fascist"

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Yes, this is as scientific as e.g. sociology.