Shortly after the end of World War I, former Italian Air Force pilot Porco Rosso, deeply passionate about flying, decided to escape the mundanity of human life by casting a spell on himself to become a pig. With his exceptional skills, he pilots a red seaplane, battling air pirates who terrorize the Adriatic Sea, earning bounty money to live a carefree life. The defeated pirates, eager for revenge, enlist an American ace pilot to challenge Porco. The two rivals agree to an aerial duel, staking their honor, women, and wealth on the outcome.