The term "Gantz" comes from the manga series "Gantz," which was first published in 2000. The series follows a group of people forced to participate in a mysterious game where they hunt down and kill alien beings. The manga's unique storytelling style, characterized by its use of non-linear narrative and unconventional panel layouts, has inspired a new generation of creators to experiment with Gantz panels.
Perhaps the most brilliant use of the panel in Gantz is the use of the "talking head" scene during high-stakes missions. gantz panels
Hiroya Oku’s Gantz is a manga that is frequently discussed for its nihilism, its graphic violence, or its bizarre sci-fi concepts. But the true engine of the series' oppressive atmosphere lies in the construction of its pages. Oku didn’t just draw a story; he engineered a visual experience that simulates the feeling of being trapped in a dark room with something that wants to kill you. The term "Gantz" comes from the manga series
Conversely, when the action explodes, Oku shifts to chaotic, overlapping panels or massive splash pages that break the boundaries of the page. The transition from rigid, geometric order to chaotic, boundary-breaking violence mirrors the psychological snap of the characters going from confused civilians to ruthless killers. Perhaps the most brilliant use of the panel
One of Oku’s trademarks is tracing/photobashing real locations (Shinjuku, the subway, apartments) and then dropping his hand-drawn, slightly loose characters into them. The result? An uncanny valley effect. The world feels hyper-real, but the people inside it are panicking, bleeding, and dying messily. That disconnect is terrifying .