Manga artist Saito Takao’s “Golgo 13” marked 45 years since its November 1968 serialization start — news that filled media last month.
Serialized in “Big Comic” (Shogakukan), tankobon from Leed Co. A November celebration by both publishers displayed Golgo 13 drawn by 63 manga artists — Akira Hasegawa, Osamu Adachi, Naoki Urasawa, Rieko Saeki, Rumiko Takahashi, Tetsuya Chiba, Moto Hagio, Fujiko Fujio A and others, plus life-size Golgo figures — very crowded (The Mainichi news site photo feature: http://mainichi.jp/graph/2013/11/13/20131113dyo00m200037000c/001.html).
Golgo 13 is a sniper who takes contracts for huge fees — rumored “unemployed” after the Cold War ended, yet he survives and succeeds in any situation.
About a year ago, collaboration with The Mainichi made headlines. The November 8, 2012 morning edition ran a four-page prologue to episode 527 “Persian Gulf Crisis”; the main story opened Big Comic with Mainichi chief writer Narikata Kishii (then; now TBS “News 23” anchor) appearing by name ＝
top photo and right (Palaceside Building appears in the art).
“Persian Gulf Crisis” opens when a (fictional) Tehran correspondent spots Duke Togo in Iran; Hyoe calls Kishii; Duke’s actions tie to the U.S. election and Iran’s nuclear issue.
Ads under “The Mainichi” masthead mimicked Golgo job offers — bold for a staid paper. Nov. 7 evening ＝upper left of photo left: “Seek 13-model G tractor, urgent deal, Middle East export spec, contact for details.” Nov. 8 morning ＝lower right of photo left: “Accept deal; upon payment to our Swiss account, customs proceed. Duke Togo Trading.”
Call it “play” if you like — but imagine the proposals, approvals and stamps inside Mainichi and Shogakukan. As a salaryman, I oddly admire that. Those involved surely enjoyed it.