I know, I know, it sounds stupid, right? Somehow, he makes it work. The entire cast of the show is completely deadpan about having a large, rotund porcine pilot in their midst. Of course, it comes up, but not as "how is that pig flying a plane?", in favor of, "Why do you look like a pig?" What would be a cause of whimsy in a Disney animation is an excuse for serious introspection and a nice mood-setting flashback by Porco, in his aviation goggles and smoking a cigar. Note that none of the other cast member are anthropomorphized in any way.

The visuals are beautiful, portraying usually-tranquil Mediterranean scenery in a very simplistic manner, becoming detailed for the designs of the planes, which are very detailed and realistic. This says less than it looks - ALL Miyazaki films are generally stunning - but nevertheless, you will be hard pressed to find better, even in the modern age of computer graphics. Sure, sometimes small things may lack this or that detail, but it is the selection of which details are presented that shows the film's true mastery... the details presented are invariably those most essential to the proper impression.

The pirates continue to amuse with their antics, as does the narcissistic American mercenary Curtis. Even Porco's very brief confrontations with the outclassed Fascist secret police are comical.