Golgo 13

Golgo 13, also know as Duke Togo, is the titular main protagonist of the manga/anime series of the same name, created by Takao Saito. An assassin for hire, Golgo accepts jobs from various organizations & individuals. He is known for - among other things - his cold, calculating attitude, superb marksmanship skills & prowess with women. While there is no question that Golgo 13 is a cold-hearted killer, the vast majority of people who die at the hands of Golgo are evil and at the very least partially deserve their demise. In the world of Golgo 13, no one is completely innocent.
==Backstory==
Nothing is known about Golgo 13's history. Although various stories have provided details about his past, it always contradicts each other or cast doubt upon themselves. Many people have speculated that he might be Japanese or otherwise Asian, given his pseudonym "Duke Togo". And those who delve too close into his past end up dead at the hands of the said assassin, leaving his past unanswered. But one thing is certain with all these various stories revealed; when Golgo was young he suffered something so traumatic that it turned him into what he is today - a ruthless killer. In fact, some astute clients who requested Golgo's service asked him this: Inside your eyes... They are full of sadness/wrath... What did you see?
It is safe to say that as of right now, the only one who knows Golgo's past is the man known as Golgo himself.
==Personality==
Cold and ruthless, the man known as Golgo 13 is mostly a quiet person, talking only when he needs to. And whenever he takes a job, he won't stop until it is complete. Despite his cold attitude and professionalism, Golgo 13 has also admitted that he is cowardly as a rabbit, which is part of the reason that he manages to stay alive for so long. He also hates it when people walk up or stand behind him, and will punch or threaten anyone who does so.
==Rules==
Golgo 13 has a specific set of rules for carrying out contracts: He will only speak with a client once and refuses to enter into long-term contracts. Clients must be completely honest with him about their reasons for proposing the contract, and he will not tolerate betrayal or double-crossing (unless his clients are forced to betray Golgo by third parties; then Golgo would spare them with conditions on his own terms). He will not accept contracts where the reasons are unclear.
In addition, although Golgo would do his best to fulfill his contract, he is not responsible if the completion of his contract ends up producing different result than his client expected.
==Abilities==
Golgo 13 is a top-notch sniper. For example, he was able to shoot Robert Horton at a distance of over 500 yards through a two-feet wide opening between two buildings with the sun shining in his face. He is very athletic and highly resistant to pain. He is also an excellent driver, as seen in Golgo 13: The Professional.
==Items and Weapons==
Golgo 13's weapon of choice is a customized M16 assault rifle. For backup, he carries a snub-nose revolver. He has various cars, most notably a Ford Laser in Golgo 13: The Professional.
==Weaknesses==
Despite possessing various extraordinary skills and some physical attributes that are considered nothing less than superhuman, Golgo does in fact has a few weaknesses; in fact, his forte can sometimes become his liability.
*Golgo is poor at disguise. His sharp glare and formidable facial feature do not help.
*Because he can withstand tortures, his captors realize that their captive is no ordinary man and decipher that he must be Golgo 13.
*When others get too close to him, he overreacts by instinctively punching them, raising other people's suspicion.
*Golgo can be susceptible to hunger.
==Portrayals==
Japanese
Ken Takakura (Golgo 13 1973 film)
the late Sonny Chiba (Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon)
Tetsurō Sagawa (Golgo 13: The Professional)
Tesshō Genda (Golgo 13: Queen Bee OVA)
Hiroshi Tachi (Anime)
English
Gregory Snegoff (1983 Movie)
John DiMaggio (OVA)
David Wald (Anime)
==Gallery==
=====1960s=====
Golgo_13.jpg
=====1980s=====
1983 - Golgo 13 - The Professional.png|Golgo 13 as seen in the Japanese theatrical poster of The Professional, along with Cindy and the recurring cast.
Golgo-13-The-Professional-Screenshot.png|Golgo 13 as seen on The Professional.
Golgo 13 (Queen Bee).png|Golgo 13 as seen towards the end of Queen Bee.
=====2000s=====
Golgo13Ep04-PrettyWomanmkv snaps-2.jpg|Golgo 13 as he appears in the 2008 anime of the same name.
==Videos==
=====1980s=====
Golgo 13- The Professional - Opening -HD- - 'Pray for You' by Cindy Wood
Golgo 13 The Professional- The Anime Under Your Dad's Bed
=====2000s=====
Golgo 13 Official Trailer
Golgo 13 - Take The Wave - Naifu (Full Version)
ゴルゴ13 OP 〜 「So faraway」
All Golgo's Kills (Episodes 1-10) (Long version)
All Golgo's Kills (Episodes 21-30) (Long version)
==Trivia==
* The name "Golgo 13" is a reference to the death of Jesus Christ. Golgo is short for Golgotha (ゴルゴタ Gorugota), the place of Jesus' crucifixion, while the number 13 is considered an unlucky number. Also, Golgo 13's logo is a skeleton wearing a crown of thorns.
* The Golgo 13 series is the oldest manga still in publication, and its tankōbon edition has the third-highest number of volumes. It has sold 280 million copies in various formats, including compilation books, making it the second or third-best-selling manga series and the top selling Seinen manga series in history.
* Juzo Togo, a character from the Gantz anime and manga series, is loosely based on Golgo 13. Juzo and Golgo 13 are similar in appearance as well as the fact that they are both accomplished snipers, rarely speak to others, and share the same last name "Togo". Also, the name Juzo can be translated as "thirteen."
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