* Early Inspiration: Takeuchi was heavily influenced by manga artists like Osamu Tezuka (creator of Astro Boy). She also enjoyed shojo manga (manga aimed at young girls). This early exposure to manga likely shaped her style and storytelling.
* First Published Work: While we don't know what her very first manga looked like, her first published work was a short story called *Love Call* in the magazine *Ribon* in 1986. This story was later collected in the anthology *Takeuchi Naoko Short Stories*.
* Evolution of Style: Throughout her career, Takeuchi's art style evolved from a more traditional shojo style to her distinctive style in Sailor Moon, characterized by dynamic poses, expressive characters, and detailed backgrounds.
While we may not have a visual record of her very first manga, we can see how her passion for manga and early influences helped shape her into the iconic artist she became.
If you are interested in learning more about Naoko Takeuchi's early works, I recommend checking out:
* "Takeuchi Naoko Short Stories": This anthology collects some of Takeuchi's early works, including *Love Call*.
* Interviews and articles about Naoko Takeuchi: Some interviews and articles might provide insights into her artistic journey and her early inspirations.