I saw this at Kuriousity this morning but wanted to hold off on posting until I could check it out. Unfortunately, it’s true: The July issue of Shojo Beat will be the last. Here’s what Evelyn Dubocq, Viz Senior Director of Public Relations, had to say:
Yes, the final issue of Shojo Beat magazine will be the July 2009 issue which is on newsstands June 16th.
We are very proud of the past issues of Shojo Beat magazine and the efforts of the entire team. The magazine developed quite a fan base but unfortunately in today’s difficult economic climate we felt the need to place our resources elsewhere at this time. Of course all of our great shojo manga titles previously serialized in Shojo Beat magazine will still be published and available as graphic novels under the Shojo Beat imprint from VIZ Media.
Each Shojo Beat Subscriber will be receiving a free copy of the August issue of Shonen Jump magazine with the pertinent information on what their subscription/refund options will be. Subscribers and fans of shojo manga can get the latest information on all new Shojo Beat titles and news by visiting www.shojobeat.com.
Disclaimer: I wrote a couple of freelance articles for Shojo Beat last year. They paid well and were great to work with. Beyond that, I thought they produced a quality magazine that respected its audience’s intelligence. Before I was a freelancer, I was a reader, and I’m going to miss it.
it is very sad that its coming to an end, but relived that the titles are still going to be available
It is dissapointing and a tough decision for VIZ to make. I hope they mean what they say and don’t begin cutting back on publishing any volumes of manga (Shojo or otherwise).
A genuine shame, but I agree that it’s positive news its series will keep going. I wonder what the sales figures were like towards the end…
u know, i went to go renew my subscription and i thought it was odd when the links to resubscribe did work. i’m very depressed. this blows. honestly.
Ah, how disappointing — I had heard about this via LiveJournal yesterday. I was hoping it was just another unfounded rumor.
As a subscriber, I’m glad to see there will be a refund option. Instead of subscribing to Shonen Jump, I’d like to buy a volume or two of a Shojo Beat imprint instead. I loved the series this magazine carried and am sad to see it leaving the magazine rack.
[...] been a subscriber to Shojo Beat, but I was definitely among those who were sad to hear that the July 2008 issue would be its last. I’ve read the magazine off and on at the library for the past three years, and I’ve [...]