Best Manga Panels (Explained)

Almost everyone who has read Mangas claims to have been amazed by their artwork. Some panels are so iconic because of not only the scene in them but also because of the artwork they have. This leads to such panels becoming etched into the viewers’ memories.

The art style and creative drawings of a Mangaka are extremely crucial for the success and popularity of a certain Manga. There are many panels that have been admired by the fans and have also gone on to be acclaimed as artworks.

Many Mangas has been appraised due to either their storylines or their creative drawings. However, there are a few that simply stand out because of how they’ve left an imprint in the memories of the readers.

If you’re curious to know what these outstanding panels are, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll be sharing with you the most influential Manga panels from various series that almost every Anime fan knows about.

So let’s dive right in!

What exactly is anime?

Anime is a subgenre of Japanese animation that is either produced or influenced by it. It is the Japanese word for cartoon or animation, and it refers to all cartoons, regardless of nationality.

Dramatic closeups and zooms, rich lighting, and vibrant colors all contribute to the emotional atmosphere of the anime. Aside from its distinct visual style, anime has captivated audiences with its rich characters and intriguing plotlines.

What exactly is a panel in a manga?

Unlike storybooks and novels, where images are exhibited on separate pages, manga is divided into panels.

The panels in a manga are essentially what gives the manga structure. Panels are like frames in which characters and their dialogues are depicted, and the number of panels per page is determined by the manga’s order.

What are some of the best Panels from Mangas?

Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto

Those who read Manga become obsessed with their designs. They love the way the characters are drawn as well as the way they’re portrayed.

Although there are many, I’m sharing with you a few of the best panels from renowned Manga series that have had a great influence on a lot of readers.

Here’s a table of some of the best manga panels:

Manga SeriesPanel Description
Naruto Naruto is a shonen manga series which was written by the mangaka, Masashi Kishimoto.
It’s one of the most popular manga series in the world. As it has over 700 episodes,
it’s filled with numerous iconic moments which are worth noting.
The panel of Itachi and Sasuke’s final goodbye is one of the most loved panels by Naruto fans. It shows their final goodbye after Itachi is reanimated within the Great War.
One Punch ManThe panel in which Saitama reveals the secret to his powers is an iconic one from the series. Saitama is the cool-headed hero who was able to take down giant enemies with just one punch. He practiced a routine for three years after leaving his corporate job which led him to become the One Punch Man. The routine in the panel included various exercises.
Attack on TitanAttack on Titan is another famous, best-selling manga written by Hajime Isayama.
The panel where Eren Yeager unleashes the colossal titans from the walls in order to save the Eldiens is the most loved one by the fans. Just by the looks of it, it was able to depict pure horror.
Death Note Death Note, written by Tsugumi Ohba, is a supernatural manga that is quite popular.
The panel in which the chief investigator of Kira’s case, L, confronts Light Yagami is legendary. Light holds the death note which can kill anyone by writing their name on it.
Hunter X Hunter Hunter X Hunter is is written by Yoshihiro Togashi. It revolves around the protagonist Gon Freecss, who wants to follow in the footsteps of his Hunter father. The panel where the first interaction between Gon and Killua can be seen is quite popular in the manga fandom. In this scene, the two of them discuss their future goals with each other. It’s regarded as one of the most wholesome panels in the entire Hunter X Hunter manga.
These are just a few of the many legendary Manga panels.

Which Mangaka has the best art?

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

One of the main factors behind a Manga’s success is the work and art of the Mangaka. It plays such an important role in influencing the way the story turns out.

To be able to depict emotions through creative drawings is absolutely insane!

There are several Mangakas out there working across all genres. However, there are a few that absolutely stand out and are famous for their creations.

Let’s take a look at a few of these mangakas and their famous works:

  • Katsuhiro Otomo
    Otomo is famously known for producing the Akira Manga published in 1982. Many people regard Akira as one of the best Mangas to be ever written. This is because of the way it takes a modern approach to dialogue, storyline, as well as characters. This story has also won numerous awards. The Manga is praised for showcasing beautiful backgrounds and panoramic views from Neo-Tokyo.
  • Hiroya Oku
    This Mangaka is popular for creating one of the best bloody sci-fi action stories in the history of Manga. He created Gantz which is visually described as a work of art. This is because Oku managed to create a seamless look throughout the world using 3D renders. His attention to detail is highly praised by the fans. He is known for his technical mastery.
  • Makoto Yukimura
    He managed to create a gory Manga known as Vinland Saga. This Manga is highly precise and is known for its realism. He was so dedicated to the work that he converted his weekly edition to monthly to be able to add as much detail as he could. This led to the creation of the most intricate work which bagged the 2009 Grand prize in the Japan media arts festival.
  • Yusuke Murata
    He is the Mangaka for the famous Manga series, One Punch Man. Its genre is comedic action. Murata was able to feature detailed art and sharp drawings in his work. He’s regarded as a pillar of the new generation of Japanese artists. This is because of his amazing work with lines, colors, and unique techniques. His success has provided him the opportunity to collaborate with big projects like Marvel and Pokémon.
Attack on Titan Manga by Hajime Isayama

How do you make a good Manga Panel?

If you’re a Manga fan then you’ve definitely come across many Manga panels and have been inspired by them. Many people become passionate about creating their own Manga panel.

The style of Manga art is comparatively more minimal than other types of comics. The key to creating the best Manga art is to never use multiple strokes to depict something which can be done within just a single one.

If you’re looking to create an authentic Manga comic strip, then I’m here to help you out. The number one rule of creating the best manga panel is by pacing yourself.

You need to remember that Mangas flow faster than other comics. You should be aiming for a maximum of three speech bubbles for everybody. You should also remember that Manga spreads across pages and has fewer panels per page.

Secondly, you should have a certain reading direction. Traditionally, the Japanese read vertically which means from top to bottom.

Therefore, most Mangas are read from the top right corner and finish at the bottom left. However, if you’re writing in English, then you don’t need to focus on this so much. It’s up to you which direction you want!

Don’t forget to group your panels. Most Mangas have different sizes and shapes of panels. They keep varying from page to page.

As there aren’t any arrows or numbering, you must group panels clearly so that the reader can understand how the story flows.

Moreover, you can also showcase different viewpoints to give it a more cinematic feel. Plus try to match the background to the mood.

How many Panels should a Manga page have?

It’s suggested that one Manga page should have about eight panels. Usually, a Manga page template has a 2×4 grid. It consists of four rows and two panels.

You may keep panels of different sizes. However, an average page has panels between six and eight. The page sizes may also vary accordingly.

It should also be noted that having too many panels with small text isn’t great. This is because it makes it hard for the readers to focus on what is being said. Therefore, the key is to keep it minimal.

Manga is typically created in black and white, unlike other comics focusing more on color. Additionally, it’s also read from top to bottom and right to left.

Here’s a video giving tips for the best composition of Manga pages:

How to make better Manga pages

Final Thoughts

The above discussion can be summed up as:

  • There are many Manga panels out there that have been imprinted into the memories of Manga fans. These include the One Punch Man Manga panel in which Saitama reveals the secret to his powers.
  • A Manga’s success is related to the artwork created by the Mangaka. There are several important Mangakas in every genre. Some of the most famous ones include Makoto Yukimura and Yusuke Murata.
  • There are a few tips and tricks to making the best Manga panels. The key is to keep it minimal and have a specific reading direction.
  • One should have a total of 8 panels on a single Manga page. However, the page sizes may vary according to how you want them.

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