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Browse Nakayoshi's 60-Year History Through Its January Covers

Nakayoshi, a storied monthly shōjo magazine, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. This makes it the oldest extant manga magazine. To get a feel for how much it's changed and how it's shaped (and is shaped by) trends in girls' fashion and trends, browse its annual January covers, which you can now do at its Nostalgic Cover Search. Not only do the manga character designs change, but so does the font and cover design. For the first two decades, live models were used as the cover image rather than illustrations. And of course, the price rises — while the first issue cost 110 yen (89¢ by the current exchange rate, 31¢ by contemporary exchange rates), the magazine now costs 580 yen ($4.70).

1955

Nakayoshi began as a more general reading magazine; the cover advertises photos and picture stories inside. It also advertises Nakayoshi's trademark accessories, in this case a calendar and fortune book.

1968

Among the accessories this cover promises are a mink handbag, a New Year's manicure set, a pearl ring, a doll with changeable clothes, and even a "wedding dress for formal visits."

1970

1975

1982

1993

1996

1997

2004

By this millennium the magazine covers actually show the accessories.

2015

If you tweet one of these magazine covers and follow Nakayoshi's Twitter account, @nakayosi60th, you might be one of ten people to receive "special prizes." Those hit with extra curiosity or nostalgia that can read Japanese can also hang around the site to read excerpts from classic Nakayoshi manga, from familiar hits like Tokyo Mew Mew and Sailor Moon to more obscure titles like Ohayō! Spank and Yōkoso! Hohoemi Ryō e ("Welcome to Smile Dorm").

[Via Nijimen; Images from "Nakayoshi" Natsukashi Hyōshi Kensaku]