Luffy vs. Katakuri and the Art of Paneling

One Piece's paneling is fantastic and underrated. But what exactly is good paneling? What makes a scene well-paneled, beyond just nice-looking wide shots? To answer that question, let's take Chapter 895 from Luffy vs. Katakuri, the best fight in One Piece, and use it to break down the Eight Rules of Paneling - eight principles for how paneling works, and why you should care about them.
This video was edited by McIce.
Patreon: / werb
Channel Memberships: Look above this lmao
Twitter: / werbreadsmanga
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/werbreadsman...
Thumbnail Artist: / mcice_draws
0:00 Intro
1:11 Rule 1
2:39 Chapter Recap
3:50 Rule 2
5:28 Rule 3
7:09 Rule 4
10:17 Rule 5
12:03 Rule 6a
14:49 Rule 6b
18:11 Rule 6c
19:20 Rule 6d
22:25 Rule 7
25:06 Rule 8
28:50 some yapping
29:43 Finale
31:34 Outro
This video is a transformative analysis of the piece of media in question. This video is not a replacement for reading One Piece, and removes nearly all dialogue in order to be unusable as such. Please recognize this video's nature as fair use.
MUSIC CREDITS:
Gerudo Valley from Ocarina of Time
Forsaken City - Sever the Skyline Mix from Celeste
Battle! Lorekeeper Zinnia: Arrangement by Zame • Battle! Lorekeeper Zin...
Beyond the Heart from Celeste: Farewell
Field of Hopes and Dreams from Deltarune Chapter 1
Battle! Lake Guardians: Remaster by Zame • Battle! Lake Guardians...
Stickerbrush Symphony from Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Dark World from Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Greenpath from Hollow Knight
Through the Sea of Time: Remastered by Zame • Through the Sea of Tim...
Dialga's Fight to the Finish: Remaster by Zame • Dialga's Fight to the ...
It's Raining Somewhere Else from Undertale
I really hope this video does well.

[@Werb]

I forgot to tell people to subscribe in the video. Uh please do that. Thanks. I really care about this video and I want more people to find it and enjoy it.

[@primesonic4459]

But what if I'm already subscribed ... 🤔

[@SuperAgentWashington]

@@primesonic4459 make a second account

[@Ashgrey0]

Tell them to share it to their friends as well! Your content is just waiting to blow up, it just needs traction

[@metaknight3116]

Could you do Luffy VS Lucci next

[@Bluey2600]

consider it done 🫡 this video rocked, and i loved your one on the bellamy fight too

[@Cook_A_Burra]

I didn't realize how much thought goes into paneling that I just took for granted as I read

[@Werb]

it's fun to think about it, but just having fun reading without worrying about how it works is fine too

[@jacksonreynolds7433]

You shouldn't feel bad. The reason these things work is they make the art and story flow subconsciously. You're almost not supposed to notice. You're being lead on a ride

[@RDKelly12]

I can appreciate oda's really excellent paneling because I've also read some manga with terrible paneling

[@saint037]

​@@RDKelly12I need to see this so I can know if I'm doing it and should stop😂 since, I'm tryna be an artist, I gotta know how to spot this stuff and that means sacrificing the subconscious ride.... except with One Piece... there's no avoiding getting consumed by this world

[@otterfire4712]

One of my favorite transitions I discovered in reading One Piece that I was proud of discovering was when Luffy was talking with Zoro for the first time. After Luffy agreed to get Zoro's swords, he walks off and in the manga, Luffy walks to the left at the bottom of the page, prompting the reader to turn the page. It absolutely floored me the brilliance of such a simple transition.

[@sakura5sango6]

Learning this "tools" and being able to apply/recognize them feels so great, tbh! ✨✨

[@HimanshuKupalSEC-A]

??? The reader would've turned the page anyway 🤡

[@otterfire4712]

@@HimanshuKupalSEC-A Luffy could have walked to the right and the flow of the manga would have been off. Having him walking to the next page enhances the reading experience

[@ThisHandleIsntAvailabe99]

​@@HimanshuKupalSEC-A say your a powerscaler without saying your a powerscaler:

[@citamllidvm6865]

This channel is criminally underrated at this point

[@gothgrrl8711]

always has been

[@buggman6086]

@SLOKO98we really do though. This has gotta be the best video essay I have ever seen on this platform.

[@saint037]

channel so good that I wanna retire my secret channel because I feel out of my depth😭🤌

[@yazid6024]

Stretch arm for line and armament haki for contrasts Man oda is truly a genius on simplicity

[@Werb]

how much i liked haki as a power system increased heavily when i realized this

[@sakura5sango6]

I love how that resonates so damn well with Asia's art, particularly zen art!! I learned this year in class that Ukiyo-e (very famous art pieces of Japan a good few years ago) valued the importance of light lines and simplicity of colors and lines, and I can totally see now that manga's style has inherited so many rules of it. It's really, really cool

[@Gearmond]

"Rules are just tools" and I knew I was in for a Serious Video. Great breakdown

[@Werb]

i did not want anyone thinking that i was laying out objective rules. that would be wack.

[@jikan114]

Arguably one of the best art analyses I've ever seen in my life. You can learn literal years of art theory within this one single video. I'll be recommending it to everyone I can, fans of One Piece or not.

[@fireblaze998]

Yes please. I rarely hate ppl appreciating the paneling in manga and how important it is to the story. Page turns are also extremely helpful to impact in these scenes. It’s real nice to hear that break down cuz it’s one of my favourite things about this medium.

[@zetaroko5398]

I thought I was going to hear some shallow praises and basic panelling stuff I already knew, but I genuinely learned a lot with this video. Your script is sharp and ties everything together very nicely, and the editing helps a lot in visualizing what you're saying! Thanks for recommending me this, algorithm

[@Werb]

i started the channel cause i wanted to do better than the usual kinds of shallow paneling analysis, yeah. and i appreciate the praise of the script. the editing is what grabs everyone's attention, and for good reason cause McIce did an incredible job, but i also spent a looooong time on refining the script.

[@lordlook]

Paneling and visual stroytelling is such an underappreciated aspect of One Piece and I’m so glad you’re talking about it! This video was truly enlightening and I wanna reread my favorite OP fights now with these rules in mind. I hope you get the recognition you deserve for your hard work!

[@hakimalam7753]

My favorite panel from this chapter was when Katakuri realized what's going on , we can feel the time stopped

[@Werb]

it would be my favorite too if the big panel on the final page wasn't such a culmination of everything

[@hermanrichardsen2]

I gotta be honest, I did not click on this video with a favorable mindset, but man was my expectations subverted. I discovered this channel today, and I've binged all the videos dissecting previous fights. What a competent way of analyzing that just oozes quality. If you ever get the time, I would love to see an analysis of the Luffy v. Blueno fight. There's just visually something about that fight, and the way it presents Gear 2nd that has had me captured ever since I read it as a kid, and I cannot put my finger on what it is that makes it so great for me. Keep making amazing videos, I will be here for every single one you'll drop in the future

[@Werb]

Luffy vs. Blueno has a special place in my heart. I couldn't tell you it has writing or themes on the level of many other fights, but I'm the same as you - experiencing Gear 2 for the first time changed me, when I was younger. It's a fight I'll absolutely tackle someday.

[@orbboom6119]

Damn bro, just like Oda, you really stepped up with the editing on this one, clean editing. Edit: oh lol well props to mcice he did great And yeah this is definitely one of the best chapters Oda ever did, really feels like the culmination of decades worth of experience drawing manga, he has the science of it down.

[@puffthepirate1528]

This lived up to the hype. Easily the best One Piece Video I’ve watched in a good while.

[@sage5616]

Thank you sm this is gold for people interested in creating manga

[@sakura5sango6]

Really, many people has told you already, but a massive THANK YOU for helping us understanding and valuing even more Odacchi 🙏🏽. People already love him for many things, and yet there is something else to discover about him. This is insane. Also, Werb, thanks for all the effort put into this video and every one you make. Seriously, not only you seem like a nice and funny person (at least to me), I also admire how you're able to analyze "Oda 's language" and explain it in an easy way to understand ✨🌸😊

[@druser6613]

This was even better than I expected.

[@schmae3503]

Absolutely fantastic video. Love it when one of my favorite parts of the story gets analyzed tbh.

[@Drill.n.DropOut_2468]

This fight is my favorite fight of all time tbh. It's the only fight that I can rewatch again and again without being bored of it. The whole build up, the Snake Man, the powerful attacks, and the contrast between Katakuri and Luffy... You just said all that I love with this fight. I just can't wait to see Katakuri fighting again. Thank you for this video man. It was insane ✨

[@georgehart1]

Woah dude you just gave me a whole new appreciation for my favorite fight in OP

[@elianramos918]

As someone who'd like to make a comic, I find great solace and appreciation for your content as it allows me to visualize aspects of my medium that will greatly increase the quality of my own product whilst also increasing my understanding and perceived value of works of others, for this I thank you

[@nathanmir4307]

This might be the best video ever

[@user-mw3vt7fq1g]

One of the greatest one piece essays I’ve seen🏆

[@paulmaertens6435]

Your anlysis are so interesting ! I love that this video re-explained a lot of things I learned through your previous videos, it's like an actual masterclass. I'm really gonna end up reading Scott McCloud if you continue like this. Also there is so much to unpack in that fight, in every aspect of it, oda is really too good.

[@thetacoboat]

Mcice did SUCH a good job editing this video. Shoutouts to you! Absolutely superb! And as for you, Werb, the analysis was incredible, and as much as I have gushed about and analyzed this fight on my own, you still managed to present me new perspectives and reasons as to why I love it so damn much. Keep up the good work.

[@tameemalaskri]

Wonderful work, one of the most enjoyable and distinctive excerpts from One Piece

[@shadownight3030]

I'm only 1min in but the editing on the vid is amazing it really shows the time put in this video right of the bat ( motion design isn't as easy and not as fast as it appear to do (I would know) so congrats to the editor !!! )

[@maxwellermeav]

Genuinely one of the best videos I've seen on panelling, it teaches you a lot of different techniques and deepends appreciation for yhe source material. Hope you keep making analytical videos like this.

[@joacoloco]

This video is WILD, man! Absolutely stunning, I loved the way you explained such complex topics of panelling, making them easy to understand. Also, now I love Luffy vs Katakuri even more! Hope you receive the support you deserve, and congrats for the great video!

[@SahiriVLR]

I learned more with 2 minutes of this video than in 3 years of highschool

[@Werb]

u should prolly pay more attention in high school they actually have some important shit to say. but glad you got a lot out of the video.

[@daymare0]

When I first read whole cake I felt that it was my favorite arc but I wasn't sure why. I know understand more of the narrative and story because of melontee, and now I understand why this fight is my favorite in all of one piece. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you for making me fall in love with this fight again. What you are doing is invaluable to the one piece community. Much love.

[@purplesky2369]

werb and melontee are carrying one piece content and absolutely running with it too

[@Werb]

tbh i think Morj is underrated for this stuff these days. a lot of people just expect chapter reviews and theories from him now, but he was the one who first made thematic analysis of one piece BIG on youtube. his video on the themes of Whole Cake Island changed the game when it first came out; so much of the community was considering it a weaker arc, and Morj came out and made it clear just how thematically rich and well-designed it was. the video might be five years old now but it's absolutely worth going back to. Craftsdwarf doesn't post that often and doesn't post only about OP, but a lot of his older videos on OP dig pretty deep into it in cool ways too. though i sometimes disagree with how he looks at it, he brings a great perspective.

[@daymare0]

@@Werb hm got it, I check them out

[@purplesky2369]

@@Werb I'll check out crafts :o I know of morj more as a theory guy but it might be worth looking back on his older content. I don't mean to knock their content, but I think that yours is really creative and quality (: keep it up please

[@delfinbalor9959]

¡¡WOW!! I haven't read the manga before and i was expecting the final panel would be a masterclass of all the rules in the video with an ultra epic panel, but instead oda just leave that panel to your imagination, and you can see it easily in your mind thanks to the previous panels. Its just amazing

[@MrRobot-xs5jf]

This is gonna be a good one

[@KaveMan_]

this is some of the best editing I've ever seen on youtube, kudos to McIce

[@ahmedislam1801]

Bro, this is so good! Why doesn't this have more views. I hope you go viral and shit

[@itsCalamari]

I know this video has only been out for 2 days, but it's still criminally underrated

[@beeegman]

This was an amazing video and the topic itself is very interesting but this is the first time i realized Luffy never has a thought bubble, that's so cool

[@legomyeggostudios]

Great video! ❤

[@sirsiver]

What a great analysis, i've bought all the manga collection and just a few days ago i finished whole cake island, reading this capter was beautiful but now i can finally give a tecnical explanation of why it felt great! I'll re read the chapter again while keeping in mind what i've learned from this video later, thank you!

[@Emancy3]

The editing here is God Tier 😍🤯🤯🔥🔥

[@IceLaic]

That was genuinely a fantastic video!! Glad I took the time to watch something a little less standard for me.

[@Jer.X]

The animations look amazing💯

[@suspiciousastronaut4743]

I’ve never watched or even heard anything about paneling and shit, mainly bc I don’t read manga (I prefer anime), but this video was still really intriguing. The topic had me hooked, and the simplistic yet easy-to-follow editing style helped with that, plus the background music was a nice cherry on top (W for putting the music in the description btw). This video was overall really nice to watch, keep it up 👍

[@nonolridhoi7296]

From someone here from the start, I objectively think that this video is the best (even if my favorite one stays franky vs nero because it made me realise so much). Truly the BEST🧡

[@aleeeeee083]

this was crazy, never thought there was this much behind paneling

[@ericwitney5086]

manga theory is such a wonderful topic. thank you for making it so digestable and clear! i love the color coating.

[@metaknight3116]

To quote a certain Count,” I’ve been looking forward to this.”

[@goingoblin]

Dayum boye. This is some fine editing and writing!

[@vincenzodestefano5011]

Criminally underrated channel, you got a new subscription ❤

[@someonesomewhere8265]

Favorite one piece youtuber hands down

[@sakanagakyoko]

This is my fav one piece battle! I only experienced this battle animated but this was an awesome enjoyable analysis

[@perrytheplatypus2249]

I thought this was done by like a million + subscriber channel the quality of your vids are amazing keep it up definitely one of the best anime KZbinrs right now

[@marackusha4962]

Insta like

[@marackusha4962]

wow, absolute fantastic work!

[@nineninesixteensixteen9955]

this is why i'm on youtube merci werb.

[@andyzhang7890]

Only a few minutes in and this is a phenomenal video. As a mnagaka myself One piece was the first time I felt truly captivated by comic panelling… Oda is absolutely brilliant and has one of the most fun reading experiences in manga.

[@nomrom8905]

Can i know the name of your manga? I too wanna be an comic artist but my art isn't good enough so trying to learn as much i can.

[@AkahigeNoAmo]

your teasing the last few weeks let us eat this delicious meal ... anyways, was thinking you stepped up your editing with this one, but that explanation at the end explained it! now, when I start my next reread, I have another dimension to pay attention to - thank you very much !!!

[@alfons1705]

I think the one that come close to this, is the luffy vs crocodile. I thought that fight was incredibly well written and well drawn.

[@NickGNight]

I only just started watching the video and you've already gained a new sub. Great job on everything here

[@StarFounde7]

there were so many songs in this video that i recognized! you have an amazing taste in video game music

[@sintreasy]

This is awesome, great video

[@inigo137]

This channel is like taking a course on comics/manga and art itself better than most courses to be honest

[@primesonic4459]

Oh yeah. This is amazing. Please tell me you are planning to do this for all the Major fights at least 🙏

[@Werb]

I hope to cover every major fight eventually, yeah. I don't know what format those videos will take, because the Rules-based structure I took for this video probably can't be repeated, but I'll figure something out.

[@primesonic4459]

@Werb How about something like 'Panel to Scene' comparison? You can compare how the intricacies of the Pannels are translated directly into the Anime or maybe the differences between them due to the very nature of the medium

[@Werb]

@@primesonic4459 the problem with that is i would have to watch the anime lol In all seriousness, that's not a bad idea, at least for one fight. I'd have to do research on which fight has an adaptation that most exemplifies what I think can be lost when moving from manga to anime. Could be interesting.

[@primesonic4459]

@@Werb hay as long as you have fun doing it 👍

[@bismuth2966]

wildly superb video, this had me excited for days

[@impyasad]

A top 3 favorite fight in all of anime/ manga for me, you did an amazing job with this video

[@rcookie5128]

First time on this channel, the name Werb = Weeb + Nerd is simple but effective, just like this video. Edit: This was REALLY good. Professional and fun at the same time! Even the background music tunes chosen were pristine! Hollow Knight, Undertale, and the likes~

[@trgabrielgf]

Incredible video Werb! You explained all your points flawlessly and made them very easily understandable. I knew I was right in believing in you right from the first video I watched on your channel!

[@flyffluver]

Holy fuck, your channel and analysis is amazing. Thanks for all the work you do. Def going to sub to your patreon!

[@Klabe020]

I really like this analysis a looot, one of the best one piece videos I ever seen!

[@simonegaydou5827]

Wow! This video is a masterpiece!

[@thomaschambers6709]

This was a fun video to watch, it makes me want to reread my favorite fights

[@praetoris]

Awesome production value

[@zyke612]

i love this video so much. your effort shines through every second. please make more content

[@emiliofahr504]

Awesome analysis. Awesome video. It's videos like this that make me love my favorite series more and more.

[@dougbabb1285]

Excellent analysis and breakdown, there's a reason why I read one piece rather than watch it and you absolutely nailed it.

[@AutumnOwlex]

Oh hell yeah

[@kudosbm]

what a great video, the love you have for this chapter pours out and makes me want to draw rn

[@cruiser332]

I found a whole new respect for mangaka for a thing I never paid attention to

[@alextihor1190]

Youre awesome dude, these are so enlightening and interesting. Your videos give me more content from each chapter so I look forward to them weekly :D Congrats on 10k views, although you deserve way more.

[@tankmaster6062]

Theres so much to the final panels but one thing that stood out to me is how luffy was framed beneath Katakuri. Katakuri on the right was the first thing i see, but while looking at him, you can't avoid seeing his massive overwhelming attack Spikes represent Katakuri's personality like you mentioned and it also just looks painful to be hit by Beneath that massive attack is luffy, tiny in comparison. But however small luffy is he makes a big impact The arm that stretches around shows how no matter the danger ahead of him, he keeps pushing forwards. Thats why we finish with his attack leading into Katakuri His fist isn't even clenched full because of his exhaustion in this fight, same as Katakuri's posture shows how desperate he is for this attack to finish luffy But despite that, the Punch is framed with a fair bit of distance to go however it feels fast and like its gonna hit just as hard as Katakuri's attack I think it feels so powerful (to me) because the punch is lined up with how a punch is thrown when luffy punches full power (like the celestial dragon) even with the redirections of g4, it still finishes almost perfectly in line with the shoulder They don't even try to dodge either attack because they know they cannot, this is the final push they can both give. I think to an even larger scale, this reflects a ton about their personality's, And even luffy's role in the story Katakuri is spikey and towers over everyone being the embodiment of power and perfection to his siblings, he crushes anything that is a problem and never lets his true feelings show. Luffy is the underdog, easily squished and small in comparison. but he never gives up and always goes straight for the villain whenever he can In the story, Luffy is one man. Hes short and not scary at all. But depsite that, luffy's actions speak for him, even being small he makes such a big impact on people (him saving people, inspiring others and creating a crew. He changes the world every time he acts and the world government see him as a massive threat) Just my interpretation anyway ^^ (you've made me realise just how much thought is behind the panels oda draws and it realy shows just how good he is)

[@ylb.animation]

one of the most amazing video analysis I've ever seen. you did such a great job

[@juaneortiz]

Amazing content, Werb!

[@icebluo]

I really love your videos, please keep it going. They're great!!

[@feliperodrigues5437]

Banger video.

[@dante2575]

This video is amazing, thank you for making it. Subbed!

[@simeon9506]

Very glad to see such a breakdown of the manga. Anime largely overshadows them but I’ve often preferred manga such as Ranma 1/2, One Piece, and Dragon Ball over their anime counterparts.

[@Ty-cx5zj]

Love videos that remind me how much of a genius rare talent oda is

[@lagmion4061]

Absolutely amazing work, dude! I added it to my fav videos list!

[@VenomX27]

W video this is appreciated 🙏

[@oliverbrooks3088]

amazing video bro I love the editing

[@andreapaolavilarino5246]

excellent video, was fully entertaining and interesting. Keep it up!

[@dentroundalek1498]

Very good and well explained video! I really appreciated 💪💪💪

[@Rastamuffin3]

Amazing video. Thank you!

[@gdogmcsquizzlegb5932]

So insightful, so well thought out, so well displayed and presented. Thank you for making this video and sharing it.

[@ChilltheImpaler]

The title is all I need to thumbs this up

[@fede230]

Excellent content dude

[@austynkozak4073]

Great... Now im gonna analyze every single chapter relentlessly

[@GilangRamadhan-tc3zk]

incridible work, dude

[@srdjanskoric1154]

22:50 anybody else recognized that great OST, ah good times

[@DeeDolp]

Incredible video you deserve more subs

[@NosferatuVictor]

Amazing job man