koma

Koma is a term with multiple meanings in Japanese and related contexts. In Shogi, the traditional Japanese chess game, koma (駒) are the individual pieces that players move on a 9-by-9 board. Each koma has a specific movement pattern, and when captured, a piece can be dropped back onto the board by the capturing player. Some koma may be promoted to stronger forms when they enter or move within the opponent’s territory. The complete set of pieces used in a game is referred to simply as the koma.

In Japanese manga and animation, koma (コマ) denotes a single panel or frame of a page or screen. Panels are the basic units of storytelling in a sequence, and their size, shape, and arrangement affect pacing, composition, and narrative flow. A page or scene is typically composed of multiple koma, and transitions between panels guide the reader through the story.

Beyond these core uses, the spelling koma appears in other languages with different meanings. In German, for example, Koma is the word for coma, the medical condition of prolonged unconsciousness. As a proper noun, koma can also appear as a surname or place name in various languages. The term’s exact meaning is usually clear from context, since it spans distinct domains such as board games, visual storytelling, and language.