Editing Shojo Beat (section)

==History==
In February 2005, the [[San Francisco]]-based [[Viz Media]] announced the creation of a new manga anthology, ''Shojo Beat''. Marketed as a sister publication of Viz's existing ''[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]'', the magazine started with six manga titles: ''Crimson Hero'', ''Kaze Hikaru'', ''Baby & Me'', ''Godchild'', ''Nana'', and ''Absolute Boyfriend''.<ref name="VizAnnounce">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-08/shojo-beat-details |title=Shojo Beat Details |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=February 8, 2005 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420125633/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-08/shojo-beat-details |archive-date=April 20, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="HappyBirthday" /> Of the six titles, two each came from Japanese publishers [[Shueisha]], [[Shogakukan]], and [[Hakusensha]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shojo Beat Issue 0 in April|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-08/shojo-beat-issue-0-in-april|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|date=February 8, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126211320/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-08/shojo-beat-issue-0-in-april|url-status=live}}</ref> The first issue, released in June 2005, featured [[Nana Komatsu (Nana)|Nana Komatsu]] of ''[[Nana (manga)|Nana]]'' on its July cover.<ref>{{cite web|title=In the Magazine Vol. 1, Issue 1|url=http://www.shojobeat.com/inthemagazine/01.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506220006/http://www.shojobeat.com/inthemagazine/01.php|archive-date=May 6, 2006|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Shojo Beat Online|publisher=[[Viz Media]]}}</ref>

Yumi Hoashi was the publication's original [[editor-in-chief]]. In November 2006, Hoashi left Viz, and [[Marc Weidenbaum]] replaced him as the magazine's editor-in-chief.<ref name="EiC">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-15/viz-names-new-shonen-jump-shojo-beat-editor-in-chief |title=Viz Names New Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat Editor-in-Chief |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=November 15, 2006 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224161015/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-15/viz-names-new-shonen-jump-shojo-beat-editor-in-chief |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="EiC2">{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/9632.html |title=Marc Weidenbaum Named V.P. Magazines |website=[[ICv2]] |publisher=GCO |date=November 16, 2006 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203192319/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/9632.html |archive-date=December 3, 2008 }}</ref> Weidenbaum remained the magazine's editor until February 13, 2009, when Viz announced that he had left the company, though the magazine continued to list his name in the role through the May 2009 issue. Starting with the June 2009 issue, publisher Hyoe Narita was listed as the editor-in-chief.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-13/vp/shonen-jump-eic-weidenbaum-leaves-viz |title=VP/Shonen Jump EIC Weidenbaum Leaves Viz (Updated) |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=February 13, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216120450/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-13/vp/shonen-jump-eic-weidenbaum-leaves-viz |archive-date=February 16, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=June 2009|title=The Beat|journal=Shojo Beat|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|volume=5|issue=6|page=006|issn=1932-1600}}</ref>

The magazine's [[panda]] mascot, Moko, was first introduced in the October 2005 issue,<ref>{{cite journal |date=October 2005 |title=Contest: Panda Prêt-à-Porter |journal=Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=268 |issn=1932-1600 }}</ref> though he remained nameless until the July 2006 issue.<ref>{{cite journal |date=July 2006 |title=Editor's Letter |journal=Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |volume=2 |issue=7 |pages=006 |issn=1932-1600 }}</ref> He later was given his own [[Myspace]] account run by Viz.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moko World|url=https://www.myspace.com/mokoworld|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221155710/https://myspace.com/mokoworld|archive-date=February 21, 2015|access-date=August 28, 2008|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|via=[[Myspace]]}}</ref> With the July 2007 issue, a new mascot, Beat Girl, was introduced. Included in each issue on the "Editor's Letter" page as the magazine's "illustrated spokesperson," she was drawn by different artists each time.<ref name="Jan 07 Redesign">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-12-19/viz-media-announces-new-look-and-expanded-coverage-for-shojo-beat |title=Viz Media Announces New Look and Expanded Coverage for Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=December 19, 2006 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123092645/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-12-19/viz-media-announces-new-look-and-expanded-coverage-for-shojo-beat |archive-date=November 23, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="March 2008 EL">{{cite journal |date=March 2008 |title=Editor's Letter: Art, Girl |journal=Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=006 |issn=1932-1600 }}</ref> A third mascot, a star-shaped figure named Hoshiko, was introduced with the March 2008 issue as a friend for Moko.<ref>{{cite journal |date=March 2008 |title=Editor's Letter: Art, Girl |journal=Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=319 |issn=1932-1600 }}</ref>

With the magazine's first anniversary issue, dated July 2006, ''Shojo Beat'' switched to using [[cyan]] and [[magenta]] ink tones for the manga pages rather than black-and-white. Though this mirrors the format of Japanese manga anthologies, it was a first for manga anthologies published in North America.<ref name="1stAnniversary">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-05-15/first-anniversary-issue-of-shojo-beat |title=First Anniversary Issue of Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=May 15, 2006 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224115522/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-05-15/first-anniversary-issue-of-shojo-beat |archive-date=February 24, 2008 }}</ref> ''Shojo Beat'' launched another redesign with the January 2007 issue. The new design included more vivid color schemes and [[font]]s and introduced a new "Girl Hero" column to spotlight women Viz felt were charitable and selfless and who would inspire readers. The existing columns were also expanded.<ref name="Jan 07 Redesign" /><ref name="March 2008 EL" />

In May 2009, the magazine stopped accepting new subscriptions and ceased publication with the release of the July issue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-19/shojo-beat-magazine-no-longer-accepting-subscriptions |title=Shojo Beat Magazine No Longer Accepting Subscriptions |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=May 19, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521232506/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-19/shojo-beat-magazine-no-longer-accepting-subscriptions |archive-date=May 21, 2009 }}</ref> Existing ''Shojo Beat'' subscriptions were transferred to Viz's ''Shonen Jump'' magazine.<ref name="Viz Confirms Cancellation" /> With the first copy of ''Shonen Jump'' sent to former subscribers, a letter informed them of the transfer and how to request a refund for the unfilled portion of their subscriptions if they would prefer.<ref name="Viz Confirms Cancellation" /><!-- sourced from the letter as well --> In a press release, Viz stated that the "difficult economic climate" was behind the magazine's cancellation.<ref name="Viz Confirms Cancellation">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-19/viz-confirms-shojo-beat-manga-magazine-end-in-june |title=Viz Confirms Shojo Beat Manga Magazine's End in June (Updated) |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=May 19, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522090656/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-19/viz-confirms-shojo-beat-manga-magazine-end-in-june |archive-date=May 22, 2009 }}</ref>