View source for Yonkoma

{{Short description|Comic strip format}}
{{italics title}}
[[File:Yonkoma.gif|thumb|right|150px|Traditional ''yonkoma'' layout]]
{{Anime and manga}}
{{nihongo|'''''Yonkoma'' manga'''|4コマ漫画||"four cell [[manga]]" or '''4-''koma''''' for short}} is a [[comic strip]] format that generally consists of [[Gag cartoon|gag comic strips]] within four [[panel (comics)|panels]] of equal size ordered from top to bottom. They also sometimes run right-to-left horizontally or use a hybrid 2×2 style, depending on the layout requirements of the publication in which they appear. Although the word ''yonkoma'' comes from [[Japanese language|Japanese]], the style also exists outside Japan in other [[Asia]]n countries as well as in the [[English-speaking]] market, particularly in mid-20th century [[United States]] strips, where ''[[Peanuts]]'' popularized the format.<ref name="Walker">{{cite book|title=The comics: since 1945|first=Brian|last=Walker|year=2002|publisher=Harry N. Abrams, Inc.|location=New York}}</ref>

==Origin==
[[Rakuten Kitazawa]] (who wrote under the name Yasuji Kitazawa) produced the first ''yonkoma'' in 1902. Entitled ''Jiji Manga'', it was thought to have been influenced by the works of [[Frank Arthur Nankivell]] and of [[Frederick Burr Opper]].<ref name="Fischer">{{cite web|first=Carolin|last=Fischer |website=Mangaka.co.uk|url=http://www.mangaka.co.uk/?page=yonkoma|access-date=2009-10-29|archive-date=2010-07-20|title=Yonkoma Manga|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720205620/http://www.mangaka.co.uk/?page=yonkoma}}</ref>

==Structure==
Traditionally, ''yonkoma'' follow a structure known as ''[[kishōtenketsu]]''. This word is a compound formed from the following Japanese kanji characters:
*''Ki'' ({{lang|ja|起}}): The first panel forms the basis of the story; it sets the scene.
*''Shō'' ({{lang|ja|承}}): The second panel develops upon the foundation of the story laid down in the first panel.
*''Ten'' ({{lang|ja|転}}): The third panel is the climax, in which an unforeseen development occurs.
*''Ketsu'' ({{lang|ja|結}}): The fourth panel is the conclusion, in which the effects of the third panel are seen.<ref name="Fischer"/>

==Uses==
These comic strips appear in almost all types of publications in Japan, including [[manga]] magazines, [[graphic novel]]s, the comics section of [[newspaper]]s, game magazines, cooking magazines, and so forth. The plot often ends within the four panels; although some [[Serial (literature)|serial]] development may pass on to future installments, creating a more continuous story. Some ''yonkoma'' also tackle serious topics, though most do so with humor. Some manga occasionally use ''yonkoma'', usually at the end of a chapter or bound volume, as a non-canon joke to complement the story.

==See also==
{{Portal|Anime and manga}}
* ''[[Jo-ha-kyū]]'' – A type of three-act structure found in many traditional Japanese narrative forms

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Comics}}

[[Category:Yonkoma| ]]
[[Category:1902 introductions]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]