4-koma

4-koma is a style of comic originating in Japan. It’s called such because the layout consists of 4 equal sized panels. Originally, they were used for gag/comedy comic strips, although now there are more slice-of-life genre comics being done in this style.

As stolen from Wikipedia:

Traditionally, yonkoma follow a structure known as kishōtenketsu. This word is a compound formed from the following Japanese kanji characters:

  • Ki (起): The first panel forms the basis of the story; it sets the scene.
  • Shō (承): The second panel develops upon the foundation of the story laid down in the first panel.
  • Ten (転): The third panel is the climax, in which an unforeseen development occurs.
  • Ketsu (結): The fourth panel is the conclusion, in which the effects of the third panel are seen.
Azumanga Daioh by Kihohiko Azuma

The layout of our instruction guide project is also a 4-koma!

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