"I have never been a manga artist. What I produce is drama."
September 29, 2021 10:16 PM Subscribe
The editorial department of manga anthology Big Comic announced the passing of Takao Saito, creator of the long running series Golgo 13, from pancreatic cancer at the age of 84.
Best known for his long running magnum opus, centered around the titular antihero assassin and his globetrotting adventures around the world (and often based in real world events), Saito's work made up an artistic rebellion from the Disney-inspired manga design of Tezuka. He, alongside other likeminded artists, pushed a new style of design, focusing on more adult themes and realistic designs, which they referred to as gekiga, in order to further differentiate themselves from the then-current manga industry. This new art style would become influential in the manga industry, and would become a major influence in shaping the medium to what we know it to be today. (Interestingly, while Saito was disdainful of Tezuka's design philosophy, his own relationship with his most famous creation echoed the latter's "star system" with regards to treating their characters as actors being directed.)
While Golgo 13 was international in scope, its design philosophy was very much centered in Japanese culture and thought, as seen in an interview with Saito by the Financial Times in 2015. He was initially opposed to attempts starting in the 80s to bring his series to international markets, thinking that it would be too Japanese for Western audiences - and was surprised to find instead a receptive audience attracted to the dark, hard boiled world he had created.
Best known for his long running magnum opus, centered around the titular antihero assassin and his globetrotting adventures around the world (and often based in real world events), Saito's work made up an artistic rebellion from the Disney-inspired manga design of Tezuka. He, alongside other likeminded artists, pushed a new style of design, focusing on more adult themes and realistic designs, which they referred to as gekiga, in order to further differentiate themselves from the then-current manga industry. This new art style would become influential in the manga industry, and would become a major influence in shaping the medium to what we know it to be today. (Interestingly, while Saito was disdainful of Tezuka's design philosophy, his own relationship with his most famous creation echoed the latter's "star system" with regards to treating their characters as actors being directed.)
While Golgo 13 was international in scope, its design philosophy was very much centered in Japanese culture and thought, as seen in an interview with Saito by the Financial Times in 2015. He was initially opposed to attempts starting in the 80s to bring his series to international markets, thinking that it would be too Japanese for Western audiences - and was surprised to find instead a receptive audience attracted to the dark, hard boiled world he had created.
I first saw Golgo13 back in the late 1980s as an undubbed and unsubtitled bootleg videotape of the anime movie Golgo 13: The Professional, which differed impressively from other anime imports I'd seen. A couple translated copies of the comic found their way to my local comic book store, and I bought them whenever I could.
A few years ago, visiting Japan, I saw a recent Golgo 13 manga on the shelves at the local convenience store, and bought it (never mind it being in Japanese, which I don't read). I was amazed that Saito's work was still being published. He had a remarkably long career and created one of manga's (and gekiga's if you please) iconic characters.
posted by Gelatin at 4:18 AM on September 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
A few years ago, visiting Japan, I saw a recent Golgo 13 manga on the shelves at the local convenience store, and bought it (never mind it being in Japanese, which I don't read). I was amazed that Saito's work was still being published. He had a remarkably long career and created one of manga's (and gekiga's if you please) iconic characters.
posted by Gelatin at 4:18 AM on September 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Gekiga eventually led to seinen manga, a genre which includes such beloved works as Akira, Maison Ikkoku, and, in more modern times, Golden Kamuy and Vinland Saga. If you're interested in the origins of gekiga/seinen, there's quite a bit in translation thanks to Drawn & Quarterly and other publishers.
As for Golgo 13 itself, Viz published a 13-volume "best of" some years ago. The paperback editions are out of print, but it's still available digitally. I've only read the first volume of this collection and found the series to be as hard-boiled and pulpy as its reputation.
It's worth noting that Golgo 13 will continue on in Big Comic by Saito Production, per Saito's wishes. The series is fairly unique in how it has been created since at least the early 80s, relying heavily on outside writers (including Kazuo Koike at one point!) and assistants, with Saito serving as a "director".
. to a legend.
posted by May Kasahara at 7:10 AM on September 30, 2021
As for Golgo 13 itself, Viz published a 13-volume "best of" some years ago. The paperback editions are out of print, but it's still available digitally. I've only read the first volume of this collection and found the series to be as hard-boiled and pulpy as its reputation.
It's worth noting that Golgo 13 will continue on in Big Comic by Saito Production, per Saito's wishes. The series is fairly unique in how it has been created since at least the early 80s, relying heavily on outside writers (including Kazuo Koike at one point!) and assistants, with Saito serving as a "director".
. to a legend.
posted by May Kasahara at 7:10 AM on September 30, 2021
.
posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:49 AM on September 30, 2021
posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:49 AM on September 30, 2021
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posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 3:43 PM on September 30, 2021
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 3:43 PM on September 30, 2021
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