MovieChat Forums > Gorugo 13 (1992) Discussion > Am I the only person that enjoys this ch...

Am I the only person that enjoys this character?

posted 20 years ago by crying_freeman_108
29 replies | jump to latest

With the recent explosion of manga and anime in the US in the last few years, I am amazed that:
1. The Professional is not on DVD
2. None of the Golgo 13 comics have been translated to english except for a few obscure graphic novels in the mid 80's and a brief run in the early 90's of about 3 issues.

Seriously, walk into any Borders books, manga outnumbers the american stuff 2:1 now. The golgo 13 comic has been running for atleast 25 years in Japan, I was at a japanese bookstore in hawaii and there were about 120 volumes of his adventures, yet this character in virtually unknown in America. It is not like the stories have a lot of complex dialog to translate, I could pretty much follow the stories in their original japanese form just by the pictures.
As for a DVD release the movie already has a dubbed track from the VHS, and not a terrible one at that. Just slap on the original Japanese track and subtitles, clean up the print, and get it out the the masses.

[–] zozogogo 20 years ago

Yeah I totally agree. This was an excellent movie and I'm baffled that there isn't even an import dvd available. It's too bad this movie will never get the recognition it deserves.

[–] bex753 20 years ago

Strange its been released in the UK in PAL format

[–] nalegun 20 years ago

Agreed. I bought the VHS years about 10 ago, back when I preferred dubbed. But now I really want it on DVD and in Japanese (though I have to say, the English dub is much better than the average anime). I've been a fan ever since playing the NES games ( which you can find used really cheap).

Also, does anyone know if there's any other Golgo 13 anime besides this and Queen Bee? You'd think since the manga is so big there'd be more anime. What a great series they could make out of it....sigh.

[–] SeanValen 20 years ago

Just got the dvd region 2 UK.

I remember first seeing this on the sci fi channel, only bits of it, I thought it was very cool.

Manga isn't shown enough on tv, thats the problem, it's a untaped market waiting to be utilised on tv in US and UK.

[–] TalkingBS 20 years ago

Actually,Channel 4 went into a phase around 1995 where every saturday night(Usually early hours of the morning)they would show some Manga shows,including the wonderfuly profane Cyber City Oedo 808.

This was back in the days when Channel 4 had some guts though.

[–] afnaste 19 years ago

This is an awesome kickass movie! I also want it on DVD.

[–] Blinking_Fish 19 years ago

We defiantly need this movie on DVD.

Also since this movie was made in 1983 how much do you think it cost the producers to make that computer animated Helicopter scene? It looks like crap now but back then it probably looks awesome

[–] The_Panther4180 19 years ago

Hell ya, this movie kicks major ass

[–] Zerolinar 19 years ago

Basically what happened to The Professional was this:

A dub existed back in the late 80s or early 90s, I'm not sure which. It was put out on Orion's Streamline label, which went belly up a long time ago. The rights were either auctioned off or more likely just floated around for a while.

Eventually Urban Vision, importers of massive *beep* that is the closest thing you'll find to hardcore demon porn without crossing over that thin line, picked up The Professional and it's more recent one hour counterpart, Queen Bee. Queen Bee came out first and BOMBED hardcore, and rightfully. The Professional came out shortly thereafter but was printed in small quantities due to the horrible performance of Queen Bee. I'm not sure if QB was ever pressed to dvd in the US, but I know for a fact The Professional was not. Likely a cheap VHS can be found on eBay or Amazon.

And just for the enthusiast, as of 1999 I had a retailer permit and posters for the original Streamline release were still in stock for just a few bucks. You might want to check out The Right Stuf International to see if they still have any.

[–] Mdgeist316 19 years ago

Queen Bee is on DVD in the US, and it's the only one from The Professional that is. Usually everything that was made by Streamline was sent to Urban Vision. I've got to get this movie, and I'm sure it will eventually be on DVD.

I'm not Stormy, I'm he who smokes b*tches!

[–] zozogogo 19 years ago

The Professional has made it to DVD in Europe by Manga Video. It's just Streamlines video converted to DVD. So no Japanese audio or subs(As Streamline's releases were usually about 60% accurate to the original Japanese dialogue) but it's better than an aging VHS tape.

Unfortunately Golgo 13 has fared about the same as Fist of the North Star. Bigtime smash series in Japan but they just don't seem to workout in the US. Not surprising as I don't see 14 year old girls buying Golgo 13.

[–] alastairward 19 years ago

Actually,Channel 4 went into a phase around 1995 where every saturday night(Usually early hours of the morning)they would show some Manga shows,including the wonderfuly profane Cyber City Oedo 808

Yeah, I remember that. I recently picked up the three parts of Cyber City on EBay, a cracker of a trilogy!

Bigtime smash series in Japan but they just don't seem to workout in the US. Not surprising as I don't see 14 year old girls buying Golgo 13

Yeah, I hate hearing people say "Oh its only a cartoon." I loved this film, the animation style was fantastic, it really made me feel like I was watching an animated comic. The plot is great too, like someone else said, it does rather overshadow Jimmy Bond :)

[–] Bitter_Almonds 19 years ago

Don't forget Cobra Space Adventure. It was also released under Urban Vision, but never made the transition from vhs to dvd :o( If you cads dig Golgo 13, then the Cobra Space Adventure feature shouldn't be that far off... it was even directed by the same guy, Osamu Dezaki.

Do The Mussolini! Headkick!

[–] MacGt 18 years ago

Space Adventure Cobra is my favorite anime of all time :)

[–] Golgo-13 19 years ago

G13

Peace through strength.

[–] the_negotiator-1 18 years ago

Not sure where else to add my 2 cents and i dont want to start a new thread but if they ever turn this into a live action film (Kowloon Asignment and the others aside) Id like to see Goro Kishitani play Golgo and have Miike Takashi direct the film - if anyone has seen the remake of Graveyard of Honor you might know what I mean...

http://imdb.com/title/tt0316599/ - graveyard of honor
http://imdb.com/name/nm0457240/ - Goro Kishitani

...the film has such a weight behind it, its like the others have said above just how astounding this anime is and especially so when you take into account when it was made!

the producers of the new james bond film should give this a watch - especially since they intend to make bond more a menace in the new casino royale...

cracking stuff!

[–] Golgo-13 18 years ago

Miike might make it a little too insane, too over-the-top. Then again, I haven’t seen Graveyard of Honor yet.

G13

Peace through strength.

[–] lorenzoae 18 years ago

Golgo 13 is so cool that it's a wonder to me that he's such an obscure character. I've seen "Queen Bee," and from the word on this thread, it seems that the original anime is better. If there were to be another live-action version, my vote would be for Duke Togo to be played by Riki Takeuchi

[–] the_negotiator-1 18 years ago

Yeah Riki Takeuchi rules - he would certainly make an interesting Duke Togo but possibly only in the sense that a new live action golgo 13 movie would be in the same vein as Dead or Alive or Deadly outlaw rekka since he is mostly known for his OTT performances (unless he tones it down of course and just provides a stoic and evil as hell 'quiet' performace)...the reason I mentioned Kishitani was because he is so menacing and utterly detached from humanity in the Graveyard of Honor remake and even in the Returner...Ive seen Queen Bee just lately and I did enjoy it, not quite sure how or why the guy on the Queen Bee page is comparing it to tentacle porn but the orginal is more enjoyable and much more layered and Golgo 13 in Queen Bee seems to take a lesser role...but in any case it was good to see him kicking serious ass...

[–] lorenzoae 18 years ago

I like Takeuchi because he's got an aesthetic that would be good for Golgo. I DEFINITELY don't think Golgo 13 should ever be over-the-top. I haven't seen the "Graveyard of Honor" remake because the original was so good, but "menacing" and "detached from humanity" definitely are the right facets for a new Duke Togo.

[–] mccarthystuart 18 years ago

Whenever I've seen the anime/comic version of the character, Golgo 13, his trademark eyes kind of make you feel as though he's staring right through you. Spooky or what?

So this is how liberty dies-with thunderous applause?

[–] the_negotiator-1 18 years ago

yeah i know what you mean...the artists really got it right with this anime

[–] topdrunkee 18 years ago

I think Masaya Kato who played the role of Shirase from Takeshi Kitano's "Brother" would be perfect for the role of Golgo 13.
He looks similar to Duke Togo when he slicks his hair back,and he also pulls off that quiet menacing feel quite well.

[–] interceptor619 18 years ago

The Professional Golgo 13 is an awesome movie...i remember watching this movie when i was 10 being a huge anime dork and i thought it was cool...overall the music in the movie is outstanding for being part of the 80s with a jazzy tune and also with the directing too...sometimes when i see the split screens it reminds of 24 of Jack Bauer (dont worry i know its the complete opposite of characters)...best scene though in the movie is when Duke Togo is being chased in his car love the soundtrack...

[–] echo_marychain 16 years ago

I've just watched the movie on DVD which I had rented a few days ago. I'm going to buy it tomorrow after I get off work alongside Golgo 13: Queen Bee. This was my first full length anime as I was never a fan of the Japanese animation. I couldn't find anything else that I would like to watch so I picked it up the other night from Blockbuster. Anyway I was just stunned how well organised the direction to the equally well written script was!! It was better than most of the so called action/thriller live action films that are being made these days. The dubbing made me laugh out loud at times but the way they explored each main character as the story progressed was enough to keep me hooked. And anything with that amount of BLOOD and sex can never be bad. Could anyone recommend any more adult-themed anime similiar to this one if not better(preferably a list)? And also how good is the Queen Bee movie? Thanks :)

"We interrupt this message to bring you loud static!

[–] otakugamerguy 16 years ago

i hate to say it, but queen bee wasn't all that great. i had seen the professional first, and enjoyed it completely. queen bee, however, was nothing compared to the professional.

[–] echo_marychain 16 years ago

Thanks mate, luckily they were out of copies of Queen Bee at HMV. I guess I'll rent it from Blockbuster.

"We interrupt this message to bring you loud static"

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] leegend_3004 13 years ago

No you ain't the only person. I have the special agent edition that is out on dvd in the uk has both dubbed and japanese versions. I love golgo, it is an awesome manga and is definately one anime that was done when anime was good, not like some of the crap we see now.

"Enough of this kung fu sh*t!" J MCclane DH 4.0