Back in 1992, Studio Ghibli captivated audiences with the release of Porco Rosso, a unique anime film that showcases Hayao Miyazaki’s fascination with fantasy, aviation, and, quite intriguingly, pigs. Exciting news for fans: next month, a new art book will spotlight Porco Rosso, featuring a treasure trove of previously unseen sketches and storyboards from the film’s creation.

According to PR Times, the fifth volume of The Complete Collection of Hayao Miyazaki Image Boards is slated for release on December 4, 2025, in Japan. As with the earlier installments, this book will offer Studio Ghibli enthusiasts an exclusive look behind the curtain, unveiling a multitude of concept illustrations and paintings that have never been publicly available. The Porco Rosso volume boasts 85 stunning artworks, 15 of which are debuting for the first time. Additionally, the book includes three “rough sketches” from another Miyazaki classic, Kiki’s Delivery Service. A highlight of this volume is a special interview with Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and director Miyazaki, where they delve into the legacy of Porco Rosso and its myriad creative inspirations, courtesy of Japanese publisher Iwanami Shoten.

Unlike many other Ghibli films, Porco Rosso is based on a manga created by Miyazaki himself. Originally serialized in Model Graphix magazine under the Daydream Data Notes series, The Age of the Flying Boat combined detailed technical drawings of 1920s aircraft with humorous stories featuring Porco and his adversary, Donald Curtis. Initially, the anime adaptation was intended to be a short 15-minute feature. However, thought-provoking questions from producer Suzuki prompted Miyazaki to expand the storyline, adding new characters and depth. An excerpt from their interview reveals a pivotal moment when Suzuki queried, “Why is this guy a pig?” to which Miyazaki candidly replied, “That’s what Japanese movies are about, so it doesn’t really matter.” This exchange sparked the creation of 30 additional minutes of storyboards and introduced Porco’s charming companion, Gina.

Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso Was Originally Planned as 15-Minute Movie Without Key Female Character

Porco Rosso is one of the few Ghibli productions based on a Miyazaki-created manga. Originally published in Model Graphix magazine as part of the Daydream Data Notes series, The Age of the Flying Boat featured technical drawings of various types of 1920s aircraft interspersed with comedic episodes starring Porco and his rival, Donald Curtis. Although Ghibli’s anime adaptation was initially conceived as a 15-minute short film, questions posed by Suzuki caused Miyazaki to flesh out the narrative with additional characters and details. One of PR Times’ excerpts from the aforementioned interview reveals how Suzuki once asked Miyazaki, “Why is this guy a pig?” to which the latter replied, “That’s what Japanese movies are about, so it doesn’t really matter.” This conversation ultimately led to 30 minutes’ worth of new storyboards and the creation of Porco’s lady friend, Gina.

The story of Porco Rosso follows Marco Rossolini, a former WWI-era military pilot for the Italian Air Force. After deserting his fleet, he makes a new living as a bounty hunter targeting seaplane pirate gangs in the Adriatic region. For reasons unknown, Marco is subsequently afflicted with the appearance of a pig. Irritated by Porco’s meddling, several pirate gangs eventually pool their resources to hire Donald Curtis, a famous aircraft racer from America. After getting shot down by the arrogant foreigner, Porco returns to Italy for repairs. There, he meets Fio, the granddaughter of his engineer and long-time friend Piccolo. Determined to help Marco reclaim his honor, Fio returns with him to the Adriatic to help him prepare for a rematch with Curtis. Meanwhile, glimpses into Porco’s past reveal his internal struggles with shame and survivor’s guilt.

As of Nov. 10, 2025, there are four volumes in The Complete Collection of Hayao Miyazaki Image Boards series. The latest volume, initially released in July 2025, spotlights Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, the second animated feature directed by Miyazaki. The book contains 58 never-before-seen drawings, many of which were created during the “trial-and-error” phase of Nausicaa‘s development. Volumes 2 and 3 of the series highlight pre-production artwork from Ghibli’s debut feature Castle in the Sky (1986) and My Neighbor Totoro (1988), respectively. The next installment, titled Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Collection 6: Whisper of the Heart, On Your Mark is scheduled to be published in June 2026.

The Complete Collection of Hayao Miyazaki Image Boards 5: Porco Rosso will be published in Japan on Dec. 4, 2025. Iwanami Shoten has not yet released any information regarding a potential international release.