The first attempt to dub the film into Italian dates back to 1997. At that time, the company Buena Vista (the historical distributor of Disney, which also distributed Studio Ghibli's works in many countries) started working on an Italian version. The person in charge of this project was none other than Gualtiero Cannarsi, a name that would become central to the tale of "Porco Rosso." Cannarsi was entrusted with directing the dubbing and adapting the dialogues. It seemed that the wait would finally come to an end.
Brought an energetic, spunky flavor to the role.
, capturing the spunky and intelligent energy of the young engineer. Donald Curtis : Voiced by Fabrizio Pucci porco rosso italian dub
Would you like a scene-by-scene comparison of a famous line (e.g., the “human pigs” speech) across Japanese, English, and Italian?
The film is set in the Adriatic Sea (between Italy and Croatia) in the late 1920s. The protagonist is an Italian ex-WWI fighter pilot, and the secondary characters (Fio, Gina, the pirates) are all Italian. An Italian dub isn’t just a localization—it’s a . The first attempt to dub the film into
, bringing a sophisticated and melancholic air to the Adriatic's "singer of the hotel". Fio Piccolo : Voiced by Joy Saltarelli
The English dub is funnier. The Italian dub is sadder and more romantic. For a film that is fundamentally about survivor’s guilt, the Italian version wins. It seemed that the wait would finally come to an end
For international anime fans, experimenting with different dubs can reveal hidden dimensions of a film. Here is why the Italian track of Porco Rosso is worth your time, even if you rely on English subtitles:
Joy Saltarelli brings to life the energetic, intelligent, and determined 17-year-old mechanic. She infuses Fio with the right amount of youthful exuberance and professional competence, making her a delightful and unforgettable character.
Furthermore, the localization of terminology regarding aviation and mechanics adds a layer of technical realism. Italian aviation terminology is rich and historic, given Italy's pioneering role in early flight. When Porco and Fio discuss the plane’s hydraulics or the engine's specifications, the Italian terminology flows with a technical precision that feels native to the setting. The dialogue avoids the stilted "translation-ese" often found in anime dubs, instead opting for naturalistic colloquialisms that Italian aviators of the 1920s might actually employ.