It’s a Japanese art form. It has swept the United States and become quite popular among teens and young adults. And it has inspired a local teen to incorporate the art form in her drawings, many of which were recently put on display at the Brown Library.

Manga, the art form, is prevalent in graphic novels, similar to comic books, and has become very popular among participants in Brown Library’s teen reading program, according to Elizabeth Tankard, library assistant.

Alyssa Tankard, a 14-year-old Washington resident, student at Bear Grass Charter School and teen reading program participant recently submitted a series of Manga drawings that were put on display Nov. 2 at the library. Her work will be on exhibit until the end of the year.

Alyssa used colored pencils, pencils and sharpie markers to create the drawings, which feature characters from “Bleach,” a graphic novel turned television show. Depending on the medium used, each drawing takes anywhere from six to 15 hours, Alyssa Tankard said.

“(Manga) is interesting,” Alyssa Tankard said. “It’s really become popular in America and around here, especially their graphic novels. (Drawing) just fascinated me. It’s just creative, and I just like doing it. I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember. It’s a good pastime and hobby of mine. I just like to do it.”

Alyssa said in addition to drawing, she likes reading and writing, both of which are big components of a creative mind. “Bleach” follows the story of a young teenage boy who suddenly finds himself with some grim responsibilities. The main character is about 14 or 15 years old when the series starts, something that Elizabeth Tankard says is easily relatable for a lot of the participants in the teen reading program.

“I think (Alyssa) coming here, we did the anime marathon, and we have a ton of graphic novels, which have been doing really well in getting a lot of people in (the library),” Elizabeth Tankard said. “We’ve provided the inspiration.”

According to Elizabeth Tankard, the library provides the opportunity for area artists — children, teens and adults — to display their work, which is how Alyssa came to have her collection of drawings displayed at the library.

“A friend of mine had done it, and they had put their art on display here and they knew I was drawing stuff and they thought I should put it on display (at the library),” Alyssa Tankard said. “I asked Mr. Terry (Rollins), and he said, ‘Yes.’”

“She’s improved (in drawing) a lot,” said Lisa Tankard, Alyssa’s mother. “She always has pictures she’s done back when she was younger and a few paintings. She’ll typically spend three to four hours a week drawing. The library has impacted her a great deal. They have a good collection (of books) for children and young adults. ‘Bleach’ and other anime, a lot of kids really like it, and (library staff members) are very encouraging in her doing this.”