On May 17, Shogakukan’s Big Comic Zokan magazine announced a spinoff manga for Golgo 13. The announcement only hints at the identity of the unnamed protagonist being a constant helper that makes Golgo’s impossible attempts possible. He also works an unseen job and is one of the only people that Golgo trusts. Saito and Saito Productions are responsible for this manga’s creation. The untitled spinoff will start out as a supplemental piece for Big Comic Zokan.
What is Golgo 13?
The original title of Golgo 13 revolves around a legendary hitman. Also, this title is currently the oldest manga still in publication. Golgo, known by his alias of Duke Togo, is a man of few words. The 13 in his name is a reference to the unlucky number 13. It is also a reference to the 13th disciple of Jesus, Judas Iscariot. As Golgo himself is not a good person or a hero, many (if not all) of the stories in the manga revolve around him carrying out his hitman tasks. He also figures out and dismantles many worldwide underground conspiracies. But, Golgo soon learns that he has to finish the job in order to continue with his lifestyle.
Saito launched the manga in the 1968 issue of Big Comic Magazine. Golgo 13 is tied with Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo (“Kochikame”) for the Guinness World Record of “most volumes published for a single manga series”. Both titles have 200 volumes as of April 5. With 53 years of publication under its belt, Golgo 13 has only taken a short hiatus in 2020 due to Covid-19.
Viz Media published only 13 volumes of the manga for the North American audience. The manga also received two live-action films in 1973 and 1977, an anime film in 1983, a 1988 Golgo 13: Queen Bee original anime, and a television-based anime series from 2008 to 2009. Altogether Golgo has won over numerous words since its debut and has sold over 280 million copies.
