Panel Layout & Flow
📋 What it is
Panels are arranged to guide the reader’s eye in the right order; manga is traditionally read right-to-left.
🗣️ Coach says
Manga is storytelling through boxes. The size, shape and order of panels control the pace — big panels slow a dramatic moment, small ones speed action along. And the eye is led in order (manga: right-to-left). Layout IS the rhythm.
🧠 Memory hook
Panels control pace + order. Big = slow drama, small = fast action.
😂 Giggle
What did the speech bubble say to the thought bubble?
"You're so cloudy — I always pop right out and say what I mean!"
😲 Whoa!
Traditional manga is read right-to-left, top-to-bottom — the opposite direction to English books.
✅ Quick check: How does the size of a panel affect a manga’s storytelling?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Big panels slow down and emphasise a dramatic moment; small, quick panels speed up action — panel size controls the pace.
Panel layout is how a manga artist controls rhythm and reading order.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Look at a comic page and notice which panel your eye goes to first, and why.