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.

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