is a monthly ''shōjo'' manga magazine published by Kodansha in Japan. First issued in December 1954, it is a long-running magazine with over 60 years of manga publication history. Notable titles serialized in Nakayoshi include '' Princess Knight'', ''

Candy Candy is a Japanese series created by Kyoko Mizuki. The main character, Candice "Candy" White Ardley is a blonde girl with freckles, large emerald green eyes and long hair, worn in pigtails with bows. ''Candy Candy'' first appeared as a man ...

'', '' Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon'' and ''

Cardcaptor Sakura , abbreviated as ''CCS'', is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp. Serialized monthly in the ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from May 1996 to June 2000, it was also published in 12 ''tankōbon'' ...

''. The target demographic for ''Nakayoshi'' (like '' Ribon'' and '' Ciao'') is teenage girls. Roughly the size of a

phone book A telephone is a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be easily heard directly. A telephone converts sound, typically and most efficiently the human voice, into ele ...

(hence the term "phone book manga"), the magazine generally comes with ''furoku'', or small gifts, such as pop-out figures, games, small bags, posters, stickers, and so on. The ''furoku'' is an attempt to encourage girls to buy their own copies of the magazine rather than just share with a friend. It is one of the best-selling ''shōjo'' manga magazines, having sold over 400million copies since 1978. In the mid-1990s, ''Nakayoshi'' retailed for 400 yen and had an average of 448 pages. The estimated average circulation of ''Nakayoshi'' at this time was 1,800,000. Its circulation peaked at 2,100,000 in 1993. In 2007, its circulation was 400,000.Japan Magazine Publishers Association ''Magazine Data 2007''
. During the 1990s, then editor-in-chief, Yoshio Irie attempted to move the magazine away from "first love" stories and introduced several fantasy manga such as ''Sailor Moon''. During that period, ''Nakayoshi'' pursued a "

media-mix A media franchise, also known as a multimedia franchise, is a collection of related Media (communication), media in which several derivative works have been produced from an original creative work of fiction, such as a film, a work of literature, a ...

" campaign, which involved close coordination of the magazine,

anime is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...

productions based on the manga, and character merchandising. ''Nakayoshi'' is also published on the 6th of each month.

Serializations

Current

* '' Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card'' (2016–present) * '' Delicious Party Pretty Cure'' (2022–present) * '' Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Aqua'' (2021-present)

Past

1954–1979

* '' Princess Knight'' (1958) * '' Angel's Hill'' (1960–1961) * ''

Sarutobi Ecchan known in some countries as ''Hela Supergirl'', is a Japanese manga series by Shotaro Ishinomori. It was originally named , but was changed in 1971 when Toei Animation adapted it into an anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn a ...

'' (1971) * ''

'' (1975–1979) * ''

Ohayō! Spank is a Japanese shōjo manga written by Shun'ichi Yukimuro and drawn by Shizue Takanashi. The series has been adapted as an anime television series, broadcast in Japan from 1981 to 1982 for 66 episodes, and a theatrical movie released in 1982 ...

'' (1979–1982)

1980–1989

* '' Aoi-chan Panic!'' (1983–1984) * '' Attacker You!'' (1984–1985) * ''

Anmitsu Hime Anmitsu (, rarely ) is a Japanese dessert that dates to the Meiji era. It is made of small cubes of agar jelly, a white translucent jelly made from red algae. The agar is dissolved with water (or fruit juice such as apple juice) to make the jell ...

'' (1986–1987) * '' Goldfish Warning!'' (1989–1993)

1990–1999

* '' Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon'' (1991–1997) * ''

Miracle Girls is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Nami Akimoto. It was adapted into an anime series by Japan Taps in 1993. Tokyopop licensed the manga for English release in North America. Plot Tomomi and Mikage Matsunaga are identical twins ...

'' (1991–1994) * ''

Azuki-chan is a manga series about a young schoolgirl named Azusa Noyama, nicknamed Azuki-chan because when she was in first grade, Ken Takayanagi, a boy in her class, accidentally reads her name, "Azusa(あずさ)", as "Azuki(あずき)". Originall ...

'' (1993–1997) * ''

Magic Knight Rayearth is a Japanese manga series created by Clamp. Appearing as a serial in the manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from the November 1993 issue to the February 1995 issue, the chapters of ''Magic Knight Rayearth'' were collected into three bound volum ...

'' (1993–1996) * ''

Saint Tail is a manga and anime series. Originally a twenty-four part manga by Megumi Tachikawa, the story was adapted into an anime television series by producer Tokyo Movie Shinsha, with forty-three episodes and one short, broadcast by ABC. Tokyopop ...

'' (1995–1996) * ''

'' (1996–2000) * '' Delicious!'' (1996–1999) * '' Dream Saga'' (1997–1999) * ''

Yume no Crayon Oukoku is a Japanese seventy-episode anime television series created by Toei Animation and broadcast from 1997 to 1999. It was based on the novel series by Reizo Fukunaga, and was adapted into a manga by Michiru Kataoka and serialized in '' Nakay ...

'' (1997–1998) * '' Cyber Team in Akihabara: PataPi'' (1998) * ''

UFO Baby is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mika Kawamura. The manga was serialized by Kodansha in ''Nakayoshi'' from February 1998 to March 2002, and the chapters were collected into 9 ''tankōbon'' volumes. It was adapted into ...

'' (1998–2002) * '' Ghost Hunt'' (1998–2010) * ''

Super Doll Licca-chan is a Japanese anime television series which ran on TV Tokyo in 1998–1999. Kodansha also serialized a manga based on the anime series in its monthly manga magazine ''Nakayoshi''. The story follows an ordinary elementary school girl named ...

'' (1998–1999)

2000–2009

* ''

Ojamajo Doremi , alternatively titled ''Magical DoReMi'' in English, is a Japanese magical girl anime television series created by Toei Animation. It focuses on a group of elementary school girls, led by Doremi Harukaze, who become witch apprent ...

'' (2000) * ''

Ultra Cute is a Japanese manga artist from Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture. She wrote the manga series ''Miracle Girls'', '' Loving You'', and '' Ultra Cute''. ''Loving You'' won the Nakayoshi Best New Artist Award.Tokyo Mew Mew is a Japanese manga series created and written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi. It was originally serialized in Kodansha's ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from September 2000 to February 2003, with its chapters co ...

'' (2000–2003) * '' Zodiac P.I.'' (2001–2003) * ''

Mōtto! Ojamajo Doremi is the third season of ''Ojamajo Doremi''. The series was directed by Takuya Igarashi and produced by Toei Animation. It is a direct sequel to the previous series, '' Ojamajo Doremi Sharp'' and was broadcast on TV Asahi JOEX-DTV (channel 5 ...

'' (2001) * '' Instant Teen: Just Add Nuts'' (2001–2002) * '' Musume Monogatari: Morning Musume Official Story'' (2001–2004) * '' Shin Dā! Dā! Dā!'' (2002) * ''

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is a ''shōjo'' manga and anime series created by Michiko Yokote, with artwork by Pink Hanamori. The manga was originally published in the monthly shōjo manga anthology ''Nakayoshi''. There are 32 chapters published (including two spec ...

'' (2002–2005) * ''

Mamotte! Lollipop is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by . It was serialized in the magazine ''Nakayoshi'' and published by Kodansha in Japan between February 2003 and July 2005. The story revolves around female protagonist Nina Yamada, ...

'' (2002–2005) * '' Koinu Dan no Monogatari'' (2002) * ''

Kamichama Karin is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Koge-Donbo about a seventh grade girl named Karin who finds out that she can transform into a goddess. The series began as a manga first serialized in January 2003. Kamichama Karin was serialized ...

'' (2003–2005) * '' Ashita no Nadja'' (2003) * ''

Futari wa Pretty Cure , known as simply ''Pretty Cure'' outside Japan, is a Japanese magical girl anime series produced by Toei Animation and broadcast across Japan on ANN for 97 episodes. It is the first series in the ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries created by Izu ...

'' (2004–2005) * ''

Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart , known as simply ''Pretty Cure'' outside Japan, is a Japanese magical girl anime series produced by Toei Animation and broadcast across Japan on ANN for 97 episodes. It is the first series in the ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries created by Iz ...

'' (2005–2006) * ''

Cherry Juice Cherry juice is a fruit juice consisting of the juice of cherries. It is consumed as a beverage and used as an ingredient in various foods, processed foods and beverages. It is also marketed as a health supplement. It is produced by hot- or co ...

'' (2004–2006) * ''

Pixie Pop is a ''shōjo'' manga created by Ema Toyama. The series was first published in 2004 by Kodansha. ''Pixie Pop'' was then later translated and released on 13 February 2007 by Tokyopop. The series lasted for three volumes and rated for 13 (T ...

'' (2004–2005) * ''

Kitchen Princess is a '' shōjo'' (targeted towards girls) cooking, romance manga series written by Miyuki Kobayashi and illustrated by Natsumi Andō. Appearing as a serial in the manga magazine '' Nakayoshi'' from the September 2004 issue to the October ...

'' (2004–2008) * ''

Sugar Sugar Rune or Sugar² Rune is a Japanese magical girl manga series written and illustrated by Moyoco Anno and serialized in the ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from September 2003 to May 2007. The series was collected into eight volumes publi ...

'' (2004–2007) * ''

Kedamono Damono is a Japanese manga series written by Haruka Fukushima. It was serialized in the ''shōjo'' manga magazine '' Nakayoshi'' from 2004 to 2007. All three volumes have been released in North America by Tokyopop Tokyopop (styled TOKYOPOP; fo ...

'' (2004-2007) * ''

Hell Girl , also known as ''Jigoku Shōjo: Girl from Hell'', is a Japanese anime series conceptualized by Hiroshi Watanabe and produced by SKY Perfect Well Think, Tokyo MX, Wakasa Seikatsu, Fujishoji, Aniplex and Studio Deen. It is directed ...

'' (2005–2008) * ''

Shugo Chara! , also known as ''My Guardian Characters'', is a Japanese ''shōjo'' manga series created by the manga author duo, Peach-Pit. The story centers on elementary school girl Amu Hinamori, whose popular exterior, referred to as "cool and spicy ...

'' (2005–2010) * ''

Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star , often shortened simply to ''PreCure Splash Star'', is a magical girl anime series produced by Toei Animation, and aired on TV Asahi between February 5, 2006 and January 28, 2007. It is the third series in Izumi Todo's ''Pretty Cure'' met ...

'' (2006–2007) * '' Modotte! Mamotte! Lollipop'' (2006–2007) * '' Okko's Inn'' (2006–2012) * '' Kamichama Karin Chu'' (2007–2008) * ''

Yes! PreCure 5 is a Japanese anime series and the fourth installment in Izumi Todo's ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries produced by Toei Animation, featuring the third generation of Cures. The series aired on TV Asahi between February 2007 and January 2008 and ...

'' (2007–2008) * '' Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!'' (2008–2009) * ''

I Am Here! is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Ema Tōyama. The series was serialized in the shōjo manga magazine, ''Nakayoshi''. The series ended with 5 volumes released by Kodansha under the imprint, ''Kodansha Comics''. It was announced in the ...

'' (2007–2009) * '' Shugo Chara-chan!'' (2008–2010) * ''

Fresh Pretty Cure! or ''Fresh PreCure!'', is a Japanese magical girl anime series and the sixth in the ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries by Izumi Todo, featuring the fourth generation of Cures. Produced by Toei Animation, the series was directed by Junji Shimizu (' ...

'' (2009–2010) * ''

Arisa Rosalba Pippa (born 20 August 1982), better known by her stage name Arisa, is an Italian singer and actress. Early life Arisa was born in Genoa, Italy. A week after her birth, her family moved back to their original hometown, Pignola, a villag ...

'' (2009–2012) * '' New Hell Girl'' (2009) * ''

Missions of Love is a '' shōjo'' manga series by Ema Tōyama. The plot centers around a junior high student named Yukina Himuro. While she is cold and withdrawn, she finds a big secret about Shigure, a guy who is hugely popular with the girls. In order to k ...

'' (2009–2012)

2010–2019

* '' HeartCatch PreCure!'' (2010–2011) * '' Shugo Chara! Encore!'' (2010) * '' Hell Girl R'' (2010–2013) * ''

Sabagebu! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hidekichi Matsumoto, began serialization in Kodansha's '' Nakayoshi'' magazine from December 2010. The final chapter was published in the magazine's January 2017 issue. An anime adaptatio ...

'' (2010–2016) * '' Suite PreCure'' (2011–2012) * '' Smile PreCure!'' (2012–2013) * '' DokiDoki! PreCure'' (2013–2014) * '' HappinessCharge PreCure!'' (2014–2015) * '' Fairy Tail: Blue Mistral'' (2014–2015) * '' Stella: Nana and the Magic English Words'' (2014-2016) * ''

Go! Princess PreCure , also known as ''Go! Princess Pretty Cure'', is a 2015 Japanese magical girl anime series produced by Toei Animation, and the twelfth installment to Izumi Todo's ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries, featuring the tenth generation of Cures. It is d ...

'' (2015–2016) * '' Hōzuki no Reitetsu: Shiro no Ashiato'' (2015–2020) * ''

Witchy PreCure! , also known as ''Maho Girls PreCure!'', is a 2016 Japanese anime television series by Toei Animation and the thirteenth installment in Izumi Todo's ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries, featuring the eleventh generation of Cures. The series, directed ...

'' (2016–2017) * '' Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode'' (2017–2018) * ''

Hug! Pretty Cure , simply known as ''Hugtto! PreCure'' is a Japanese magical girl anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the fifteenth series in the ''Pretty Cure'' franchise, released to celebrate its 15th anniversary. It is directed by Jun ...

'' (2018–2019) * ''

Star Twinkle PreCure is a Japanese magical girl anime series by Toei Animation. It is the sixteenth installment in the ''Pretty Cure'' franchise, and the last series released in the Heisei period. and the sixteenth installment of the franchise, featuring the four ...

'' (2019–2020) * '' Bacteria at Work!'' (2017–2020)

2020–

* ''

Healin' Good Pretty Cure is a Japanese magical girl anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the seventeenth installment of the ''Pretty Cure'' franchise and the first exclusive series in the Reiwa period. It premiered on ANN on February 2, 2020, suc ...

'' (2020–2021) * '' Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure'' (2021–2022)

Circulation

International versions

Indonesian language Indonesian ( ) is the official and national language of Indonesia. It is a standardized variety of Malay, an Austronesian language that has been used as a lingua franca in the multilingual Indonesian archipelago for centuries. Indonesia ...

version, ''Nakayoshi: Gress!'', is published monthly by

Elex Media Komputindo Elex Media Komputindo is a publishing company in Indonesia which publishes books, comics, magazines, novels and other print media. Established on January 15, 1985, Elex Media Komputindo is a subsidiary of Kompas Gramedia Group. Elex is headquart ...

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...

. The series has been canceled effectively in January 2017.

Related magazines

* ''

Bessatsu Friend , formerly known as , is a Japanese manga magazine published by Kodansha, aimed at teenage girls. It was originally conceived as a , or companion magazine, to ''Shōjo Friend'', which is no longer published. ''Bessatsu Friend'' is commonly kn ...

'' * '' Shōjo Friend'' (defunct)

References

External links

''Digi Naka''
Official Site

{{Kodansha manga magazines 1954 establishments in Japan Kodansha magazines Magazines established in 1954 Magazines published in Tokyo Monthly manga magazines published in Japan Shōjo manga magazines