In America, "manga" primarily refers to the Japanese-originated comic books widely translated and distributed across the country, gaining a substantial following. This surge in popularity began in the late 20th century and has grown exponentially, influencing the style and substance of American graphic novels and comics. American manga includes translations of Japanese works and original English-language comics that are heavily inspired by the Japanese manga style, known as "OEL Manga" (Original English Language Manga). These works maintain many traditional manga conventions regarding art style, panel layout, and storytelling techniques while often incorporating Western themes and sensibilities. Manga's appeal among American audiences has fostered a vibrant fan culture, evident in the proliferation of anime conventions, cosplay, and fan art communities, as well as the incorporation of manga into academic and library collections nationwide.