There are two basic bonsai styles: classic (koten) and the informal or ‘comic’ (bunjin). With the classic style of bonsai the trunk is the widest and gets narrower towards the top of the tree. With the comic style it is the exact opposite, the trunk is larger at the top and gets smaller towards the bottom. The comic style is harder to accomplish and takes time, patience and a mastering of the bonsai style. Most of the bonsai that you see are the classic style as it is easier to maintain and to take care of.