Legendary mangaka Takao Saito, creator of 'Golgo 13,' dies at 84

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Manga artist and gekiga icon Takao Saito passed away at the age of 84 from pancreatic cancer on Sept. 24.

Saito’s Legacy: Saito, whose death was announced on Wednesday by the editorial department of Big Comic, was best known for creating the longest-running Japanese comic-book series of all time, "Golgo 13".

  • “Golgo 13,” the tale of a legendary professional assassin, has been serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic since October 1968.

  • When its 201st edition was released in July, it was certified by Guinness World Records as the highest number of volumes ever published for a single manga series.

  • The manga has been adapted into an anime series, an animated film, video games and two live-action films.

  • “Golgo 13” is the second-best-selling manga series of all time after “One Piece” and ahead of “Dragon Ball” and “Naruto.”

  • In 2003, Saito was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government for his contributions to academic and artistic developments.





Saito’s wishes: His production company, Saito Production, will continue “Golgo 13” in accordance with Saito’s wishes.

  • While Saito did everything from drawing to writing, his production company was restructured to ensure his manga would continue.

  • “Even without me, I want ‘Golgo 13’ to continue,” Saito reportedly said.


Featured Image via Kyodo (left), Golgo 13 (right)

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

‘Stir-Fry Meals on Wheels’ Activist Don Lee Provides Food for Chinese Seniors

South Korea's First Trans Soldier Found Dead in Her Home at 23

'World's Loneliest Elephant' Meets First Friend in 8 Years at New Home in Cambodia

Netherlands Stops Adoptions from South Asian Countries After 30 Years of Abuses Revealed