Bread crumbs = Panko ?

Yes and no. "Bread crumbs" is a broader term to indicate bread crumbs in general and Panko is a type of bread crumbs. Panko is a lot coarser than standard bread crumbs. It creates crunchier texture especially when it's deep fried. We use panko when we make Tonkatsu (Japaneee pork cutlet) for the super crunchy texture. Standard western bread crumbs are also available in Japan, sold as "hosome" meaning finely crumbed and we don't use it to make Tonkatsu. Tonkatsu has to be breaded with panko.