“PORCO ROSSO / 紅の豚” (1992) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 THEATRICAL POSTER – HAYAO MIYAZAKI / STUDIO GHIBLI Holy Grail Rarity | B1 Oversize | Original Japanese Release Campaign (1992) | c. 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 in) | Excellent

“PORCO ROSSO / 紅の豚” (1992) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 THEATRICAL POSTER – HAYAO MIYAZAKI / STUDIO GHIBLI
Holy Grail Rarity | Ultra-Rare B1 Oversize | Sepia “Photograph” Design | Original Japanese Release Campaign (1992) | c. 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 in) | Excellent

An exceptional, original first-release Japanese B1 theatrical poster for Porco Rosso (紅の豚)—Hayao Miyazaki’s richly atmospheric Studio Ghibli adventure, bringing together the romance of aviation, an unconventional hero and the lingering memories of a vanished world. Written and directed by Miyazaki, with music by Joe Hisaishi, the film occupies a distinctive place in Ghibli’s celebrated early catalogue.

This extraordinary design contrasts Porco’s full-colour portrait with a beautifully illustrated sepia-toned aviation photograph. Round sunglasses, a curled moustache, a casually held cigarette and a white scarf establish his unmistakable presence, while the intricate group portrait behind him introduces a quieter story of youth, friendship and remembrance. The enormous crimson Japanese title cuts through the composition—a striking counterpoint to the warm browns, cream highlights and deep black passages.

Sourced by Japan Poster Shop in Hokkaido, Japan, this example is offered in excellent condition, with particularly strong colour and outstanding visual presence. In the ultra-rare B1 format, the contrast between the intimate background drawing and Porco’s commanding foreground portrait becomes especially impressive: a true grail piece for the dedicated Miyazaki collector.

Date & Japanese Theatrical Release

Porco Rosso opened in Japanese cinemas on 18 July 1992, distributed by Toho. This poster belongs to the film’s original Japanese theatrical release campaign.

The vertical release announcement reads:

「今夏、全国東宝洋画系ロードショー」
“This summer, nationwide roadshow release through Toho’s foreign-film cinema circuit.”

The detailed photographs also show the 1992 copyright line, Toho distribution logo, Toho 60th-anniversary emblem, Eirin mark numbered 91522, and printed reference 200233-228. These are distinctive details of the period campaign, retained within the design’s narrow left-hand credits column.

The handwritten “1912” near the top belongs to the illustrated photograph within the composition—not the poster’s publication date.

The Film & Its Place in Cinema History

The romance of flight, tempered by the weight of the past.

Originally developed as a shorter film for Japan Airlines’ in-flight entertainment, and based on Miyazaki’s own manga The Age of the Flying Boat (飛行艇時代), Porco Rosso expanded into a full-length theatrical feature. Its unusual origins are particularly fitting for a film so thoroughly absorbed in aircraft, flying and the freedom of the open sky.

The story follows a flying ace turned bounty hunter whose appearance has been mysteriously transformed into that of a pig. Against the coastal landscapes of the Adriatic, encounters with airborne pirates and an ambitious American rival unfold alongside the support of Fio, a young aircraft designer, and Gina, the singer whose connection to Porco reaches into his past.

Beneath the adventure lies something more reflective: a film about independence, loyalty, lost friends and the difficulty of returning to the person one used to be. Its humour never entirely dispels its melancholy, and its spectacular flying sequences coexist with moments of remarkable tenderness.

For collectors, this particular poster captures that balance beautifully. The charismatic hero fills the foreground; the life behind him remains suspended in sepia. It is an unusually thoughtful piece of theatrical advertising—one that conveys the film’s emotional character rather than simply illustrating its action.

Design Notes

This is a remarkably effective portrait-and-memory composition, with an impact that becomes particularly powerful at B1 scale:

• Porco in full colour: The large foreground portrait is direct, relaxed and instantly recognisable. His round dark glasses, white scarf and cigarette convey the character’s self-possession without the need for a cockpit or an aerial battle.
• The sepia photograph: Behind him, finely drawn figures gather around an early aircraft. The image references the photograph seen in the film connecting Porco to his former human identity, Marco. The crossed-out face at the top is part of the printed illustration—not damage to the poster.
• Exceptional graphic contrast: The warm, nostalgic background is set against Porco’s cleaner colour shapes and the bold red 紅の豚 title. Dense black shading gives the image depth, while the white scarf and lettering keep the lower composition luminous.
• Period details within the artwork: The handwritten “1912”, flowing “Adriano” lettering, flying goggles, aircraft struts and carefully rendered clothing give the background the appearance of a treasured photograph from another age.

The campaign’s slogan, written by Shigesato Itoi, appears in white beside Porco:

「カッコイイとは、こういうことさ。」
“This is what it means to be cool.”

The combination is wonderfully assured: a larger-than-life character, a glimpse of his hidden history, and a line of copy that captures his entire attitude.

The Japanese B1 Format and Why It’s So Hard to Find

At approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, the Japanese B1 format provides twice the surface area of the familiar B2. This original Porco Rosso design is documented in the scarce B1 size, giving collectors the opportunity to experience its intricate illustration and bold portrait at a substantially larger scale.

The practical difference is significant. Larger sheets require more space to display, handle and store, creating more opportunities for edge damage, creasing and surface wear. On this design in particular, the extensive black and sepia passages leave little room for distracting scuffs or handling marks.

Its rarity is not simply a matter of dimensions: it is the combination of the scarce B1 issue, the original 1992 campaign and the quality of the surviving example. 

For a collector seeking a centrepiece rather than a standard-format example, this B1 offers both considerable visual impact and the appeal of elusive original Japanese theatrical material.

About the Artist: Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli

Miyazaki’s fascination with aviation runs through the identity of Studio Ghibli itself. The studio’s name was drawn from a name used for an Italian military aircraft—an association Miyazaki knew through his enthusiasm for flying machines. In Porco Rosso, that fascination becomes an entire cinematic world, expressed through aircraft construction, mechanical detail and the exhilaration of flight.

The poster’s printed credits also identify his manga 飛行艇時代—The Age of the Flying Boat as the original source. Its visual contrast between a colourful, fantastical protagonist and a painstakingly drawn historical setting beautifully reflects the film’s mixture of imagination and nostalgia.

The film also belongs to an important moment in the studio’s development. While making Porco Rosso, Miyazaki was closely involved in designing Ghibli’s new studio building; the film and building were completed at approximately the same time, and the studio moved to Koganei shortly after the film’s release. This original campaign therefore represents not only a distinctive Miyazaki film, but a period in which Ghibli was establishing a more permanent home for its ambitions.

Condition Report

Overall presentation: Excellent / outstanding large-format display.

A beautifully presenting original example with rich colour, strong black passages and finely preserved illustrative detail. The red title remains particularly striking against the sepia background, and the main portrait retains excellent clarity and impact.

• Minor pinholes: Small pinholes are visible around the corners and outer margins, as shown in the detailed photographs.
• Light handling wear: Minor paper undulations, small handling creases and occasional edge imperfections are present. No heavy horizontal or vertical storage folds dominate the composition.
• Reverse: The back is generally clean, with light handling impressions and a small pale archival tape patch at one side edge, visible in the reverse photograph.
• Original paper, unbacked: The poster is presented without linen backing, with both the front and reverse photographed for inspection.

The minor handling traces do little to detract from its overall appearance. An excellent example of a particularly desirable B1 design, with the scale and graphic strength to make an exceptional framed centrepiece.

Authenticity: Original Japanese theatrical B1 poster for the 1992 first release—not a modern reproduction or later reprint.
Documentation: Certificate of Authenticity included.

(Please refer to the images provided—this is the exact poster offered. Additional imagery available on request.)