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Golgo 13 Author Saito Discusses Manga's Hypothetical Ending

Golgo 13 creator Takao Saitō outlined various details about his manga, which has been running in Shogakukan's Big Comic magazine since 1968, at the manga's 45th anniversary celebration on Wednesday.

When asked about a hypothetical ending, Saito replied, “I always had nightmares about my manga getting cut, and I thought it would get ended right away, so I had an ending prepared.” However, when asked about when the manga will end, he said, “It's not something that can be decided on... The manga has continued so long that it is no longer the property of the author; it belongs to readers.”

The 77-year-old manga creator added, "The ending and even its panel layout are all inside my head. And that's fine, but I'm going to do my best until the 200th volume." He added with a laugh that the details of the ending are a "trade secret."

The manga's 170th volume shipped in Japan on September 5, and the 171st volume is slated to ship on December 5.

Deputy Prime Minister of Japan Tarō Asō congratulated Saito at Wednesday's celebration. Asō said, [Golgo 13] is a very international work. I hope it reaches its 50th and 60th anniversaries." Illustrations from 63 artists including Leiji Matsumoto, Gō Nagai, George Akiyama, and Yūsei Matsui also appeared at the event and in this year's 22nd issue of Big Comic. The artists drew main character and professional hitman Duke Togo as part of the anniversary celebration. A life-size figure of Duke Togo was also on display.

Viz Media published 13 volumes of the manga in North America between 2006 and 2008.

More event images are available at the links below.

Sources: Comic Natalie, Oricon, Nikkan Sports