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Golgo 13
Anime Review by John Martone
You may have heard of Duke Togo, the legendary sniper for hire. The again, if you haven't heard of him, maybe your parents have. The reason for this is that Golgo 13 is the longest running manga still in publication. A man who has had stories published as early as 1968, this assassin gives James Bond a run for his money in so many, many ways.
Here's what you need to know. Duke Togo is the sniper for hire, Golgo 13. If someone gets shot in an otherwise improbable, borderline impossible manner, Golgo 13 did it. Practice has proven that if you are not dead, it is because Golgo 13 doesn't need/want to kill you. This fact is evidenced by how every person he agrees to kill, dies. In short, Golgo 13 is not a good guy. I wouldn't call him a bad guy, no one is building statues in his honor.
The most recent anime adaptation, released by Sentai Filmworks, is an episodic adventure through decades of these stories. A figure of legend, he takes relatively impossible jobs, and after the other characters have established its difficulty, he effortlessly accomplishes it. The alternative is that the story begins with an impossible feat, and the authorities struggle to figure out how he did it, before they are forced to release him for lack of evidence.
 In that sense, the plot is centric around Duke Togo, yet his narrative involvement is almost indirect. He rarely speaks, and comes off with an incredibly gruff, disinterested attitude. That said, this process goes on for 50 long episodes, with little to no character development. Also, some of the decidedly more ìcold warî stories feel decidedly odd in a modern setting.
For example, dated context like the Russian violinist who is creating a political stir by performing in England, is needlessly placed in a modern setting. Such cold war narratives are rich and inspired, but without a modern explanation, the rivalry feels empty and shallow.
That said, there is an undeniable charm to how raw and dangerous this noble assassin is. The first 26 episodes are viewable on The Anime Network, both subbed and dubbed. So what's the harm, just don't get caught in Golgo's cross-hairs.
Golgo 13 is available for viewing on The Anime Network.
Reviewed by John Martone , June 2011
Below: Scenes from Golgo 13.
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