Kinema Citrus’ Mermaid Anime ‘Goodbye Lara’ Looks Incredible

Summary

Goodbye Lara is a colorful reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in modern-day Japan, showcasing a vibrant shoujo sensibility.
Directed by Takushi Koide and designed by Shiori Tani, the series promises charming animation with the potential to be a season standout.
With an eccentric witch roommate and unique premise, Goodbye Lara has the makings of a delightful fantasy romance to watch out for.

Modern spins on classic fairy tales can be a dime a dozen if the artists behind them don't have some unique hook or, at the very least, the creative spirit needed to breathe life into a familiar story. A lot of writers will opt for a darker spin like WIT Studio's Netflix Original The Grimm Variations, but Kinema Citrus' new series, Goodbye Lara, is a colorful reimagining of a beloved fish out of water story.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, Goodbye Lara is a fantasy romance about a mermaid reborn in Lake Biwa in Japan, who has to adjust to human society. It was one of two original projects announced by Kinema Citrus during their panel at Anime Central on Saturday, May 18, and it came accompanied by a concept trailer to show what the final project aims to achieve.

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By Rei Penber

What is Goodbye Lara About?

The preview begins with the tale of a kingdom of merfolk from long ago, and one mermaid with bright red hair who wished to be loved by a human. Unfortunately, this wish was forbidden, and the mermaid perished soon after. But then, 200 years later, she is reborn in the middle of Lake Biwa in modern-day central Japan, thrust into a world she doesn't understand.

No dialog accompanies the preview - there's only music, most notably the classic Waltz of the Flowers from Act II of The Nutcracker during the latter half. The mermaid is shown utterly flabbergasted by modern society, but the premise quickly becomes clear. She is reunited with a witch, presumably one from her past, and her "mightiest friend"; a dagger in the shape of a fish, the maw of which opens to unleash what looks like a powerful spirit.

What Makes This Show Stand Out

Goodbye Lara presents itself as the daily life of a mermaid trying to move on from the life she left behind, accompanied by her eccentric witch roommate and a colorful cast of supporting characters. The presentation is no doubt its most killer quality, channeling a nostalgic shoujo sensibility that brings to mind classics like Sailor Moon or Revolutionary Girl Utena. Yet it strikes a fine balance between its classic feel and its modern staging that will be interesting to see in its final form.

Goodbye Lara finds a perfect balance between classic and modern touch!

This is only a concept trailer, mind you, and given The Best War Games's coverage of other pre-animated marketing in the past, it's only fair to encourage interested viewers to manage expectations. As of the time of writing, there is no word on when this series will air. With that said, if the finished product can match the quality seen here, it will be the talk of the season without question. It's hard not to be dazzled by such charming and lively animation, especially a work as inspired as this.

The Team Behind Goodbye Lara

Takushi Koide is an animator, storyboard artist, and director who has worked with Kinema Citrus for years now. He was an animator on the Kickstarter success Under the Dog, an animation director on The Rising of the Shield Hero, and the assistant director on Tomohiro Furukawa's 2018 masterpiece, Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight. With the mention of Revue alone, it's no surprise to see someone of his talent directing something as vibrant as Goodbye Lara.

Shiori Tani, a collaborator of Koide's, joins the team as the character designer. The two of them worked together on My Happy Marriage just last year. Tani was also a key animator on the Made in Abyss series and the character designer and animation director for the Star Wars Visions episode titled "The Village Bride." Additionally, they're a frequent contributor at Studio Trigger on projects like Gridman, Dynazenon, Promare, and much more.

As for the Rest of the Staff

A full staff list was provided in the description of the concept trailer linked above, but keep in mind this likely only pertains to the trailer itself. It may not fully reflect the creative team behind the show, but there is bound to be overlap, so the list is worth taking a look at. For now, Koide and Tani are confirmed. Sakuga enthusiasts who have followed their work know they are each quite talented and their helming a project of their own - and an original work at that - is a super exciting opportunity.

Goodbye Lara might only exist as a "concept" at the moment, but that concept already shows staggering potential and - if nothing else - looks like an absolute delight. Between this and Ninja Skooler - the other project announced at the panel - it's nice to see Kinema Citrus take a gamble on two original IPs, and with any luck, it'll pay off beautifully.