It seems we truly are living in history as it is written. For the first time since it began in 1968, the oldest running manga that is still receiving new content has finally been temporarily halted by COVID-19 and put on hiatus. It was a mutual decision by the author’s and editor’s companies to pause production for the safety of employees. And just like that, a 52 year streak ended. Of course it’s the right call, but it sure is crazy to think about. The manga in question was called Golgo 13, I’m sure some of the older anime fans here have likely heard of it considering it’s the third best-selling manga of all time. 

"Copy that. Standing by."

According to Wikipedia, Golgo 13 is also third place as the most volumes for a manga of all time coming in at a hot 196. I have to be honest, It’s mind boggling to me that stuff can be in production for so long. I mean don’t get me wrong, we all enjoy a good long series with hundreds of episodes now and then, but when shit that’s been going for over 50 years steps up to the plate, I’m thinking “Okay, what the fuck could you possibly have to write about involving these characters, in this setting, that makes sense with the story at this point.” I’ve never checked out Golgo 13 but from the summary it’s about a legendary hitman. How the fuck do you need 196 volumes to tell a story about a hitman? What grand theme or character moment will occur on volume 165 that couldn’t or shouldn’t have happened by volume 65? I’m not saying it’s not possible, obviously there’s still enough people supporting the series for it to stay in production this long so there must be something positive about it, but I simply can’t imagine how it could be any good at this point. Kind of like how Naruto was already an overstretched mess, but then they said fuck it, here’s an anime about his kid too.

You know this shit is long when the side woman is different everytime.

Have you heard about Golgo 13? What record will coronavirus break next? Are extremely long manga/anime ever good? Ready your sniper rifle and fire a comment down below!