<p><strong>4koma</strong> (pronounced <strong>yonkoma</strong>) is a Japanese word meaning "4-panel"<sup>1</sup>, and refers to a type of manga which is formatted as a series of four vertically-stacked panels. This term is used in contrast with "regular" (non-4koma) manga, which do not typically adhere to a rigid panel structure.<sup>2</sup></p>

<p>Here is an example from one very long-running (and famous in Japan) 4koma manga, <em>Sazae-san</em>:<sup>3</sup></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/x2634.jpg" alt="Sazae-san 4koma strip from July 4, 1962"></p>

<p>Some of the most famous 4koma manga among Western audiences are <em>Azumanga Daioh</em>, <em>Lucky Star</em>, <em>Hetalia</em>, and <em>K-ON</em>. As this list suggests, the 4koma format is heavily populated by gag comedy manga. </p>

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<p><sup>1</sup> from 四 <em>yon</em> "four" + 齣 <em>koma</em> "scene, frame, panel"; usually written 四コマ today.</p>

<p><sup>2</sup> Think of 4koma as being sort of like your bog-standard weekday newspaper cartoons (at least in the US) in that sense - 3 or 4 panels, and no real freedom as to how to use the space available.</p>

<p><sup>3</sup> Note that most 4koma these days have narrower panels (usually square), allowing two 4koma to be printed side-by-side on paper with a standard A or B aspect ratio</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-24T23:15:11.350Z
2015-08-15T17:30:18.930Z
2015-08-15T17:30:18.930Z
senshin
<p>I know the term 4koma only from the <em>.hack</em> series, in which it normally relates to the parody manga <em>.hack//4koma</em>, and it's also the title of the bonus videos unlocked in <em>.hack//G.U.</em> on the desktop.</p>

<p>However, I have seen the term 4koma used in other places, so I am wondering if the term 4koma is a generic term used to describe something, and if so, what it actually means.</p>

<terminology>
Is the term 4koma a generic term?
# Is the term 4koma a generic term?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-10-24
I know the term 4koma only from the *.hack* series, in which it normally relates to the parody manga *.hack//4koma*, and it's also the title of the bonus videos unlocked in *.hack//G.U.* on the desktop.

However, I have seen the term 4koma used in other places, so I am wondering if the term 4koma is a generic term used to describe something, and if so, what it actually means.
**Tags:** terminology
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## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2013-10-24. Score: 8 | Accepted answer
**4koma** (pronounced **yonkoma**) is a Japanese word meaning "4-panel"1, and refers to a type of manga which is formatted as a series of four vertically-stacked panels. This term is used in contrast with "regular" (non-4koma) manga, which do not typically adhere to a rigid panel structure.2

Here is an example from one very long-running (and famous in Japan) 4koma manga, *Sazae-san*:3

![Sazae-san 4koma strip from July 4, 1962](https://i.sstatic.net/x2634.jpg)

Some of the most famous 4koma manga among Western audiences are *Azumanga Daioh*, *Lucky Star*, *Hetalia*, and *K-ON*. As this list suggests, the 4koma format is heavily populated by gag comedy manga.

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1 from 四 *yon* "four" + 齣 *koma* "scene, frame, panel"; usually written 四コマ today.

2 Think of 4koma as being sort of like your bog-standard weekday newspaper cartoons (at least in the US) in that sense - 3 or 4 panels, and no real freedom as to how to use the space available.

3 Note that most 4koma these days have narrower panels (usually square), allowing two 4koma to be printed side-by-side on paper with a standard A or B aspect ratio
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