Kawasaki City Museum, the first in Japan to establish a manga department and a place dedicated to manga culture, will hold a special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the manga's serialization, "Saitou Takao and Golgo 13," from September 22nd to November 30th.


The manga character "Golgo 13" exudes an overwhelming presence as a lone, top-tier sniper. While his real name, nationality, and date of birth are all unknown, his attitude toward his mission, famous quotes, and beliefs have captivated countless fans. The manga began serialization in "Big Comic" (Shogakukan) in November 1968. With a total circulation of over 200 million copies, it continues to break the record for the longest-running series in the comics industry.

The exhibition, which commemorates 50 years of the series, has now made its long-awaited tour to the Tokyo metropolitan area, following Osaka and Morioka. Comprised of five chapters, it displays a number of precious original drawings that will be shown for the first time, as well as model guns from Saito Production's "armory" that were previously kept secret. There will also be an area where you can experience Golgo's favorite gun, the Armalite M16, and a recreated corner where his workplace is recreated, and it will also take you behind the scenes of Golgo's production, which is carried out through division of labor. "Dead Attire" by Takao Saito
Other highlights include the "Eva Corner," where you can read the entire chapter of the classic "Eva Heading for the Sea" along with 15 original drawings that will be shown for the first time, "Love Letters to Golgo" from famous people, and a display of all the precious volumes of "Bessatsu Big Comic" and "Big Comic Special Edition" (Shogakukan). There will also be a life-size figure of Golgo available for commemorative photos.
There will also be a number of events unique to the Kawasaki Exhibition. On September 30th, the animated film "Golgo 13" will be screened in the video hall on the first floor at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Starting at 1:00 PM on November 3rd, the museum will host a "Saito Takao Autograph Session" as a special event to commemorate its 30th anniversary. The first 100 people to purchase the special exhibition catalog (¥2,000 including tax) will receive a numbered ticket, offering a rare opportunity to see Takao Saito personally sign his autograph right before their eyes. Starting at 2:00 PM on November 4th, a special live performance will be held by Kyoji Yamamoto, guitarist for the rock band BOWWOW, who created the exhibition's official theme song, "13th Shot." Other events include a workshop called "Take Photos and Create a Manga!" where visitors can experience how to construct a manga story, stroller tours, and gallery tours. The museum shop will also sell a variety of original merchandise available only at the exhibition, including limited-edition figurines designed by Takao Saito.