Editing Shojo Beat

{{Short description|Shōjo manga magazine (2005–2009)}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox magazine
 |title           = Shojo Beat
 |image_file      = Shojobeat1.jpg
 |image_size      = 
 |image_caption   = ''Shojo Beat'' Volume 1, Issue 1, cover dated July 2005
 |image_alt       = First cover of ''Shojo Beat'' featuring a young woman looking over her shoulder with one hand on her neck and the other in her pocket. The magazine name is written in a scripted, wide-lettered font with "Shojo" in pink and "Beat" in a larger, red font. A swoosh comes from the Beat with the magazine motto "Manga from the Heart" in white on the same pink background. Headlines from the magazine stories are noted on the left side, and on the right the magazine's URL, issue date, series list, and barcode are given.
 |editor          = Hyoe Narita
 |editor_title    = Editor-in-Chief
 |previous_editor = {{ubl|Yumi Hoashi|[[Marc Weidenbaum]]}}
 |staff_writer    = 
 |frequency       = Monthly
 |circulation     = 38,000 (2007)
 |category        = [[Shōjo manga|{{Transliteration|ja|Shōjo}} manga]]
 |company         = [[Viz Media]]
 |publisher       = Hyoe Narita
 |firstdate       = July 2005
 |finaldate       = July 2009
 |finalnumber     = Volume 5, Issue 7
 |based           = [[San Francisco]], [[California]]
 |country         = United States
 |language        = English
 |website         = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20101129064059/http://www.shojobeat.com/|shojobeat.com}}
 |issn            = 1932-1600
}}
<!-- Per MoS the magazine still IS despite being discontinued; issues still physically exist, so it IS a magazine that WAS published -->
'''''Shojo Beat''''' <onlyinclude>is a [[Shōjo manga|{{Transliteration|ja|shōjo}}]] [[manga]] magazine formerly published in North America by [[Viz Media]]. Launched in June 2005 as a sister magazine for ''[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]'', it featured serialized chapters from six manga series, as well as articles on Japanese culture, manga, [[anime]], fashion and beauty. After its initial launch, ''Shojo Beat'' underwent two redesigns, becoming the first English anthology to use the [[cyan]] and [[magenta]] ink tones common to Japanese manga anthologies. Viz launched a related [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of the same name for female-oriented manga, [[light novel]]s and anime.

Targeted at teenage girls, the first issue of ''Shojo Beat'' launched with a circulation of 20,000. By 2007, the average circulation was approximately 38,000 copies, with half coming from [[Subscription business model|subscriptions]] rather than [[Retail|store sales]]. It was well received by critics, who praised its mix of manga series and the inclusion of articles on Japanese culture, though some critics found the early issues boring and poorly written. In May 2009, Viz announced that it was discontinuing the magazine; the July 2009 issue was the last released. Fans were disappointed at the sudden news. Industry experts felt its loss would leave female comic fans without a magazine of their own but praised Viz for its choice to continue using the ''Shojo Beat'' imprint and branding for its {{Transliteration|ja|shōjo}} manga and anime releases.</onlyinclude>

==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>

==Features==
As a manga anthology, the bulk of ''Shojo Beat's'' content was its manga chapters. Additional features included a letter from the editor, manga related news, a preview chapter from another Viz manga title being published under the "Shojo Beat" imprint, and articles on [[Japanese culture]], current trends in Japan, and fashion and beauty. Sections toward the back of the magazine featured fan-related material, including [[fan art]], letters from readers, manga drawing lessons, and [[cosplay]] how-to guides and highlights.<ref name="HappyBirthday" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shojobeat.com/inthemagazine/33.php |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |work=Shojo Beat Online |title=In the Magazine |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302042854/http://www.shojobeat.com/inthemagazine/33.php |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref> The magazine's official website included additional articles, downloads of templates for dressing up the magazine's panda mascot "Moko", and online previews of many of the manga series being published under the "Shojo Beat" label.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shojobeat.com/downloads/ |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |work=Shojo Beat Online |title=Downloads |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307125224/http://shojobeat.com/downloads/ |archive-date=March 7, 2008 }}</ref>

===Series===
''Shojo Beat'' contained chapters from six Japanese [[manga]] series licensed and translated to English by Viz.<ref name="HappyBirthday" /><ref name="SB Expand">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-12-15/shojo-beat-expanded-content-for-january-2006 |title=Shojo Beat-Expanded content for January 2006 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=December 15, 2005 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208160007/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-12-15/shojo-beat-expanded-content-for-january-2006 |archive-date=February 8, 2008 }}</ref> During its run, the magazine featured fourteen series, of which seven ended their runs and were replaced by other series. Only four of those replacements remained in the magazine until all of their chapters had been published. Each title serialized in the magazine was also published in {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes under Viz's "Shojo Beat" label. Viz noted that it periodically removed incomplete series from the magazine to help "keep the magazine fresh" and to allow it to speed up publication of the individual volumes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-08-19/godchild-not-returning-to-shojo-beat |title=Godchild Not Returning to Shojo Beat |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=August 19, 2006 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430115742/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-08-19/godchild-not-returning-to-shojo-beat |archive-date=April 30, 2008 }}</ref>

This is a complete list of all titles that were serialized in ''Shojo Beat''. It does not include preview chapters. The titles that were running in the magazine when it was discontinued are highlighted.

{{Serialization list/header}}
{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Absolute Boyfriend]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Yuu|Watase}}
| Genre     = [[Science fiction]], [[romantic comedy]]
| First     = July 2005
| Last      = March 2008
| Completed = Yes
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Baby and Me]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Marimo|Ragawa}}
| Genre     = [[Slice of life story|Slice of life]]
| First     = July 2005
| Last      = September 2007
| Completed = No
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Backstage Prince]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Kanoko|Sakurakoji}}
| Genre     = [[Romance novel|Romance]]
| First     = October 2006
| Last      = March 2007
| Completed = Yes
}}{{Serialization list
| Ongoing   = yes
| Title     = [[Crimson Hero]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Mitsuba|Takanashi}}
| Genre     = [[Sports]], [[Romance novel|romance]]
| First     = July 2005
| Last      = July 2009
| Completed = No
| Color     = #FFDFEF
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Gaba Kawa]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Rie|Takada}}
| Genre     = [[Magical girl]], [[Romance novel|romance]]
| First     = April 2008
| Last      = August 2008
| Completed = Yes
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Earl Cain|Godchild]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Kaori|Yuki}}
| Genre     = [[Horror fiction|Horror]], [[Mystery fiction|mystery]]
| First     = July 2005
| Last      = June 2006
| Completed = No
}}{{Serialization list
| Ongoing   = yes
| Title     = [[Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time (manga)|Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Tohko|Mizuno}}
| Genre     = [[Fantasy]], [[Romance novel|romance]]
| First     = October 2007
| Last      = July 2009
| Completed = No
| Color     = #FFDFEF
}}{{Serialization list
| Ongoing   = yes
| Title     = [[Honey and Clover]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Chika|Umino}}
| Genre     = [[Comedy-drama]], [[Romance novel|romance]]
| First     = September 2007
| Last      = July 2009
| Completed = No
| Color     = #FFDFEF
}}{{Serialization list
| Ongoing   = yes
| Title     = [[Honey Hunt]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Miki|Aihara}}
| Genre     = [[Romance novel|Romance]], [[drama]]
| First     = September 2008
| Last      = July 2009
| Completed = No
| Color     = #FFDFEF
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Kaze Hikaru]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Taeko|Watanabe}}
| Genre     = [[Action (fiction)|Action]], [[historical]]
| First     = July 2005
| Last      = September 2006
| Completed = No
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Nana (manga)|Nana]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Ai|Yazawa}}
| Genre     = [[Drama]], [[Romance novel|romance]]
| First     = July 2005
| Last      = August 2007
| Completed = No
}}{{Serialization list
| Ongoing   = yes
| Title     = [[Sand Chronicles]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Hinako|Ashihara}}
| Genre     = [[Drama]], [[coming-of-age]]
| First     = August 2007
| Last      = July 2009
| Completed = No
| Color     = #FFDFEF
}}
{{Serialization list
| Title     = Shojo Eve: Eve's Applework 24 Hours<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-07-12/viz-media-welcomes-shojo-manga-artist-arina-tanemura-at-2007-comic-con-and-in-shojo-beat-magazine | title=VIZ Media Welcomes Shojo Manga Artist Arina Tanemura at 2007 Comic-Con and In Shojo Beat™ | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=2007-07-12 | access-date=2019-07-19 | archive-date=July 19, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719210326/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-07-12/viz-media-welcomes-shojo-manga-artist-arina-tanemura-at-2007-comic-con-and-in-shojo-beat-magazine | url-status=live }}</ref>
| Author    = {{sortname|Arina|Tanemura}}
| Genre     = [[Romance novel|Romance]]
| First     = August 2007
| Last      = August 2007
| Completed = Yes
}}{{Serialization list
| Ongoing   = yes
| Title     = [[Vampire Knight]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Matsuri|Hino}}
| Genre     = [[Supernatural]] [[Romance novel|romance]]
| First     = July 2006
| Last      = July 2009
| Completed = No
| Color     = #FFDFEF
}}{{Serialization list
| Title     = [[Yume Kira Dream Shoppe|Yume-Kira: Dream Shoppe]]
| Author    = {{sortname|Aqua|Mizuto}}
| Genre     = [[Fantasy]]
| First     = April 2007
| Last      = July 2007
| Completed = Yes
}}
{{Serialization list/footer}}

===Imprints===
With the launch of the ''Shojo Beat'' magazine, Viz Media created new imprints for its manga and fiction lines. The "Shojo Beat" imprint included series featured in the magazine as well as other {{Transliteration|ja|shōjo}} manga titles licensed by Viz after the magazine's conception. Viz began releasing a few Japanese [[light novel]]s under a "Shojo Beat Fiction" imprint that were related to its "Shojo Beat" manga titles.<ref name="VizNovels">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-06-04/viz-to-publish-novels |title=Viz to Publish Novels |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=June 4, 2005 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327001455/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-06-04/viz-to-publish-novels |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="VizNovels2">{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6985.html |title=Viz Launches New Fiction Imprints |website=[[ICv2]] |publisher=GCO |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402070941/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6985.html |archive-date=April 2, 2008 }}</ref> In February 2006, Viz launched the "Shojo Beat Home Video" line for releasing [[anime]] titles primarily designed for female viewers. The first title under the new imprint was ''[[Full Moon o Sagashite]]'', the anime adaptation of the same titled manga that was also released by Viz. To promote the new anime line, Viz included a preview disc of the first volume of ''Full Moon'' in the June 2006 issue of ''Shojo Beat''.<ref name="SBVideo">{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8244.html |title=Viz Launches Shojo Beat Home Video Line |website=[[ICv2]] |publisher=GCO |date=February 20, 2006 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203192314/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8244.html |archive-date=December 3, 2008 }}</ref> Though the magazine itself has been canceled, Viz stated in May 2009 that it will continue releasing both existing and new series under the "Shojo Beat" manga and anime imprints.<ref name="Viz Confirms Cancellation" />

==Circulation and audience==
When ''Shojo Beat'' launched, it had a circulation of 20,000.<ref name="HappyBirthday">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-05-14/viz-media-happy-birthday-shojo-beat-magazine |title=Viz Media Happy Birthday Shojo Beat Magazine |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=May 14, 2007 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229104348/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-05-14/viz-media-happy-birthday-shojo-beat-magazine |archive-date=February 29, 2008 }}</ref> In 2006, its average circulation had increased to 35,000, of which 41% were distributed through subscriptions, and the rest sold in newsstands and stores.<ref name="Viz2007PK">{{cite press release |url=http://www.shojobeat.com/mediakit/SB_Media_Kit_200701.pdf |title=Shojo Beat Media Kit (January 2007) |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |date=January 2007 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203101625/http://www.shojobeat.com/mediakit/SB_Media_Kit_200701.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2008 }}</ref> In 2007, the circulation grew to 38,000, and subscriptions increased to 51%.<ref name="Viz2008PK">{{cite press release |url=http://www.shojobeat.com/mediakit/SB_Media_Kit_2008.pdf |title=Shojo Beat Media Kit (January 2008) |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |date=January 2008 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401201804/http://www.shojobeat.com/mediakit/SB_Media_Kit_2008.pdf |archive-date=April 1, 2008 }}</ref> The magazine's audience was overwhelmingly female, comprising 91% of its readers. Targeted towards "young women", ''Shojo Beat''{{'}}s "core audience" was between the ages of 13 and 19 and made up 61% of its readers; 47% of readers were 12–17 and 45% were 18–34.<ref name="Viz2008PK" />

==Reception==
''Shojo Beat'' was nominated for a 2008 [[Anime Expo#Organizational structure|Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Award]] in the category of "Best Publication", but lost to Japan's ''[[Newtype]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-03-27/society-for-the-promotion-of-japanese-animation-announces-spja-industry-award-finalists-at-tokyo-international-anime-fair |title=Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Announces SPJA Industry Award Finalists at Tokyo International Anime Fair |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=March 27, 2008 |access-date=July 4, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903091144/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-03-27/society-for-the-promotion-of-japanese-animation-announces-spja-industry-award-finalists-at-tokyo-international-anime-fair |archive-date=September 3, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-07-04/anime-expo-2008-announces-the-2008-spja-award-winners |title=Anime Expo 2008 Announces the 2008 SPJA Award Winners |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=July 4, 2008 |access-date=July 4, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727063534/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-07-04/anime-expo-2008-announces-the-2008-spja-award-winners |archive-date=July 27, 2009 }}</ref>

In reviewing the premiere release of ''Shojo Beat'', ''[[IGN]]''{{'s}} [[Jessica Chobot]] sharply criticized the magazine. She felt it looked and read "like a teenie-bopper magazine" and referred to the issue's cover as a "bright, hot-pink, migraine-inducing, bubble-lettered spectacle". She considered the contents boring, and disagreed with Viz's selection of series, noting, "it's as if Viz had taken everything from their backed-up reject pile and tried to pull one over on the female populace. 90% of what I was reading was either poorly drawn or poorly written (more often than not, it was both)."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/632/632083p1.html |title=Shojo Beat: The Verdict |first=Jessica |author-link=Jessica Chobot |last=Chabot |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=July 5, 2005 |access-date=September 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205184730/http://comics.ign.com/articles/632/632083p1.html |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}</ref> ''Comic World News''{{'}} David Welsh disagreed, as he felt that the magazine had several good series, with ''Nana'', ''[[Absolute Boyfriend]]'' and ''[[Crimson Hero]]'' as his version of the top three series of the initial issue.<ref>{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=David|date=February 14, 2008|title=Title Pun Shortage Strikes Manga Columnist|url=http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?column=flipped&page=26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214070659/http://comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?column=flipped&page=26|archive-date=December 14, 2010|access-date=September 30, 2008|work=Comic World News}}</ref> Greg McElhatton, co-founder of ''[[Wizard: The Guide to Comics]]'' and former reviewer for iComics.com, praised the magazine's mainstream appearance, calling it a "smart" decision, as it would draw in its target audience by visually showing them that it's a magazine for teenage girls. While he felt that two of the manga titles in the premiere issue had weak openings, he found that the magazine was "off to a good, if not great start".<ref>{{cite web|last=McElhatton|first=Greg|date=June 15, 2005|title=Shojo Beat Vol. 1, Issue 1|url=http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2005/06/15/shojo-beat-vol-1-issue-1/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922142233/http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2005/06/15/shojo-beat-vol-1-issue-1/|archive-date=September 22, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2008|website=Read About Comics}}</ref>

After its cancellation, ''[[Publishers Weekly]]''{{'}}s [[Heidi MacDonald]] reported that the common response she saw from fans was that "everyone liked it but nobody paid for it". She noted that many fans expressed sorrow over the magazine's demise while indicating that they did not subscribe to it.<ref name="Publishers Weekly Demise">{{cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Heidi|author-link=Heidi MacDonald|date=May 20, 2009|title=Shojo Beat cancellation reax|url=http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/20/shojo-beat-cancellation-reax/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527125740/http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/20/shojo-beat-cancellation-reax/ <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=May 27, 2009|access-date=May 21, 2009|work=[[Publishers Weekly|Publishers Weekly: The Beat]]}}</ref> Katherine Dacey, the former senior manga editor for [[PopCultureShock]], remarked that the magazine had offered "just the right mixture of new stories, continuing series, and articles" and praised it for having a "funky, [[DIY]] vibe".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mangacritic.com/?p=542 |title=R.I.P. Shojo Beat |first=Katherine |last=Dacey |work=The Manga Critic |publisher=Manga Bookshelf |date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=October 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526090715/http://mangacritic.com/?p=542 |archive-date=May 26, 2009 }}</ref> The staff of the ''[[School Library Journal]]'' called the magazine "one of a kind" and felt that its loss would leave a void for female fans, a generally under-acknowledged group of comic and manga readers. Staff member Brigid Alverson felt ''Shojo Beat'' was a great overall package that "featured intelligent articles that allowed the reader to be enthusiastic about Japanese pop culture without being geeky" making it distinct from other magazines for girls that were normally "filled with brainless celebrity stories or service articles tied to commercial products". Other participants praised the magazine's fashion articles for its educational articles on Japanese culture and for featuring girls of a variety of [[Body shape|body type]]s wearing affordable fashions. Two staffers questioned Viz's decision to drop the magazine and wondered if the company had unrealistically expected the magazine to have the same circulation numbers as ''Shonen Jump''.<ref name="SLJ">{{cite web |url=http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/540000654/post/1810044981.html |title=Roundtable: Farewell to Shojo Beat |first1=Brigid |last1=Alverson |work=[[School Library Journal]] |publisher=[[Reed Business Information]] |date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605091053/http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/540000654/post/1810044981.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=June 5, 2009 }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Anime and manga
}}
* [[List of manga magazines published outside of Japan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20101129064059/http://www.shojobeat.com/|Archive of the official website}} at the [[Wayback Machine]]
* {{Official website|https://www.viz.com/shojo-beat|Official publishing imprint website}}
* {{Anime News Network|magazine|4991}}

{{Viz Media}}

[[Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Anime and manga magazines]]
[[Category:Defunct magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 2005]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Magazines published in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Shōjo manga]]
[[Category:Viz Media]]