Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- aggressive
- melancholic
- stylized
- late night anime viewing
- cult cinema night
What critics said
Critics were divided, with praise for the animation and visual style offset by criticism of the excessive violence, sexual assault, stiff dialogue, and emotionally thin story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Golgo 13 remains expressionless and mysterious while executing contracts amid escalating threats.
Critical reception specifically highlights stylized design and extreme camera angles during the film’s violent set pieces.
Golgo is hired solely on his reputation and is defined by his refusal to break a contract.
The FBI, CIA, Pentagon, and U.S. Army combine forces to stop Golgo 13.
Films like Golgo 13: The Professional, and why
Le Samouraï
stylized assassin thriller, graphic violence, and emotionally detached professional killer
Die Hard
international manhunt, relentless action, and a highly capable lone protagonist
Wicked City
Japanese animated crime violence, mercenary intrigue, and morally austere characterization
Ninja Scroll
stylized action anime with ruthless killers, dark atmosphere, and adult themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Osamu Dezaki
- Release Date
- 1983-05-28
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (86)
Cast
- Tetsurō Sagawa
- Kiyoshi Kobayashi
- Kei Tomiyama
- Kumiko Takizawa
- Reiko Mutoh
- Toshiko Fujita
- Ichirô Murakoshi
- Kazue Komiya
- Kazuo Hayashi
- Koichi Chiba
Common questions
- What is Golgo 13: The Professional about?
- An enigmatic contract killer confronts a multinational military manhunt and a pair of psychopathic mercenaries in a brutally stylized anime crime thriller.
- What is Golgo 13: The Professional like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Golgo 13: The Professional as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Golgo 13: The Professional violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Golgo 13: The Professional as graphic.
- What did critics think of Golgo 13: The Professional?
- Critics were divided, with praise for the animation and visual style offset by criticism of the excessive violence, sexual assault, stiff dialogue, and emotionally thin story.
- Which films are like Golgo 13: The Professional?
- Films with a similar feel include Le Samouraï, Die Hard, Wicked City, and Ninja Scroll.
- How long is Golgo 13: The Professional?
- Golgo 13: The Professional runs 91 minutes.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Golgo 13: The Professional
- Lupin the Third: Swallowtail Tattoo2004
- Golgo 13: Queen Bee1998
- Cowboy Bebop: The Movie2001
- Vampire Hunter D1985
- Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades1972
- Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War1973
- Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive1996
- Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner2019
- Tokyo Gore Police2008
- Branded to Kill1967
