Golgo 13

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I am currently going through the Viz releases dating from 2006 to 2008. These releases are included with a number of liner notes at the end to further expand Golgo 13, his arsenal, and the people behind his stories.

The actual mangas are selected issues, with varying contexts that are plucked and taken as per Viz saw. It is entirely possible that Viz cherrypicked some of the stronger stories they thought, or ones that would appeal more to an international audience, but I will say that many of these stories really are quite cerebral. This isn't just a James Bond story. This is very much a ... series of drama tales with a political, economical, or personal spin on them. Golgo isn't Rambo, he's a force, an agent, who is as levelheaded as he is smoldering (which is to say, very).

My personal favorite story has to probably be in Viz Volume 13, "Dark Skinned Sniper", which has a scathingly accurate and gritty portrayal of police-on-black racism that hits far too hard today, considering the story is pushing 50 years old now. Despite a problematic disguise Golgo takes to blend in to a black commune (he deeply tans himself; this story was written in the 70s and if this upsets you, hey I don't blame you), the tale truly does hold up even to this day as we can all relate to the plight of the black man.

Some other fantastic stories too, including one where Golgo doesn't show up at all, a Golgo-ified retelling of the 2000 Florida presidential elections, one where a man who looks like Golgo kind of rides the high life pretending to be him and taking a hit in his name, lots of fun stories to be told. Viz also provides extraordinarily high quality scans and translations too. I'm someone who normally reads 4komas, slice of life, mecha, and gag mangas, and I am enthusiastically entertained by what I am reading.

But good god don't watch the anime.

The little that I have read has nonetheless left a very big impression. Golgo 13 is without a doubt one of the finer manga out there. Featuring, one-shot stories comprised of 12 or more parts, each story finds a way to be just as memorable, just as remarkable as the others. Which is quite a feat, considering that some of these stories are decades apart. One of, if not he main, thing that makes Golgo 13 so enjoyable is its approach towards the themes and topics that the stories are centered on. As the stories shift from politics to corruption to greed etcetera. it's clear ... that Mr. Saito has done his research and comes across as very knowledgeable. Another thing that sets this series apart is Golgo 13 himself, particularly his motivation. It is simply non-existent and this allows for him to be just the type of character that he is. His decisions and judgement are not motivated by national honour or some sort of greed or any of that. He is simply cool, calm, collected and does whatever is necessary to get the job done. Golgo 13 is by far one of the better comics that I have read. I only wish there was more available to read.