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Golgo 13's Creator Reacts to Kochikame Manga Ending After 4 Decades
posted on by Amanda Ellard
Osamu Akimoto is ending his over four decades-long comedy series Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikoen-mae Hashutsujo (This is the police station in front of Kameari Park in Katsushika ward) on September 17. As Golgo 13, the oldest manga running at over 45 years, also nears its end, its creator Takao Saitō commented on the finale of Akimoto's Kochikame.
have to say good work. When serializing something that long, you can't really end it because it's not really yours anymore. Kochikame was the face of the magazine, so it must have been a tough decision. It's a lonely, envious, and strange feeling.
Akimoto's Kochikame police comedy manga centered on the crazy adventures of middle-aged policeman Kankichi Ryōtsu. An hour-long special is commemorating the 40-year anniversary of the serialization on September 18.
Kochikame ran uninterrupted in Weekly Shonen Jump for 40 years since 1976. The September 17 issue will hold the last chapter and the final volume 200, which will include the ending, will also go on sale that day.
The manga inspired a 1996-2004 television anime adaptation and two anime compilation films in 1999 and 2003, along with an anime special in 1985 and then various other anime specials that aired between 2005-2008. Additionally, the manga inspired two live-action films in 1977 and 2011, and a live-action drama adaptation in 2009.
Golgo 13 currently has 181 volumes as the longest manga series still in publication. Saito launched the manga in 1968 and it has appeared in Shogakukan's Big Comic magazine ever since. The story inspired two live-action films in 1973 and 1977, a 1983 anime film, a 1998 Golgo 13: Queen Bee original video anime, and a 2008-2009 television anime series.
Source: Sankei News, Yaraon Blog, Japan Times
