007 manga by Takao Saito

a rogue AI

Steve Bunche wrote:

Takao Saito's long-running manga series GOLGO 13 is often described as the Japanese answer to James Bond, but what many fans/geeks don't know is that Saito actually adapted four of Ian Fleming's 007 novels into manga form some four years before he launched the adventures of Duke Togo. Believe it or not, Saito, with the approval of Gildrose — the company that owned the rights to Bond — translated THUNDERBALL, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, and LIVE AND LET DIE into comics, but for some unknown reason Gildrose put a stop to further adaptations despite the works being officially licensed. That may have had something to do with Saito's versions being described as "loose" versions of Fleming.

Whatever the case, 007 provided Saito a perfect dry run for GOLGO 13, even down to the visual similarities between 007 and Togo.


http://buncheness.blogspot.com/2008/01/before-golgo-13-there-was007.html

Visit that link for scans of Takao Saito's Bond and comparisons to his later Golgo 13.

emtiem

Is this true? It's rather hard to tell if that's from Golden Gun or not. Rather fascinating, though- thanks for posting.

a rogue AI

I believe it's true, yes; and I too find it difficult to see from where in TMWTGG could that be. I suppose it has to do with the liberties he took with the adaptation of the material. Also, I am afraid that manga is not my cup of tea, so perhaps I am not appreciating it correctly.

Smoke_13

Not related at all to literature but does anyone playing the Golgo 13 games on the NES?

I absolutely loved that game. The double crosses, the story, the crappy graphics. I played it numerous times after I finished it.

Lazenby880

This is indeed all true. Takao Saito published a Bond series in 1964 in Japan, although as has been noted the series took fairly large liberties with the source material. Takao Saito's own character Golgo 13 is sort of a Japanese James Bond, with rather more liberal attitudes towards sex, violence and morality in general. Duke Togo is Golgo's pseudonym (the latter based on Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified) and he is an interesting character: his origin is unknown (a debate continues as to whether he is Japanese or of some mixed descent) and he is, to put it mildly, amoral.

here

Smoke_13 wrote:

Not related at all to literature but does anyone playing the Golgo 13 games on the NES?

I absolutely loved that game. The double crosses, the story, the crappy graphics. I played it numerous times after I finished it.

No, but I own both anime films and have watched them several times. The original one is definitely the best; Queen Bee (made in 1998 if I recall) is entertaining but a bit of a damp squib in comparison. The original is fantastic, although some of the dialogue is unintentionally (I assume) funny, and there is an infamous 30-second use of some early computer technology. Those who prefer a dark, cold and detatched Bond would probably love it; Dalton fans especially should check it out.

a rogue AI

Thanks for that link. I had seen that page from TMWTGG and couldn't tell who was who, nor who was supposed to be Bond.

Personally, I'd like to see them reprinted in English. While the liberties Takao Saito took are obvious, I bet the spirit of IF's Bond is kept and the stories are fun.