Anime studio Kinema Citrus has officially announced its next original project titled Goodbye, Lara, a mermaid themed series set to premiere in 2026. In celebration of the studio’s 15th anniversary, the announcement came with a visually stunning teaser visual and a short trailer that immediately drew attention for its emotionally rich premise and atmospheric design.
Set around the mysterious Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Goodbye, Lara tells the tale of a mermaid who once sacrificed everything for love. Two hundred years ago, Lara fell in love with a human prince and, in the spirit of the original fairytale, turned into sea foam after her heartbreak. Now, in a poetic twist of fate, she is reincarnated as a human. The story picks up as Lara navigates a new life in modern times, bearing the silent weight of a love long lost and memories that return to her like fragments from another world.
The anime features Hana Hishikawa in the lead role, voicing Lara with a tone that captures both innocence and melancholy. The teaser visual reveals a soft and surreal character design by Shiori Tani, which gives the protagonist a fragile elegance that matches the tone of the series. From her posture to the gentle hues surrounding her, Lara already appears like a character born of memory and longing.
Directed by Takushi Koide and scripted by Anna Kawahara, Goodbye, Lara promises to be a lyrical exploration of love, loss, and rebirth. Music will be composed by yuma yamaguchi, whose compositions are expected to play a major role in conveying the emotional layers of the narrative. The series appears to blend fantasy and realism, rooted not only in magical themes but also in a real geographic setting that adds a grounded intimacy to Lara’s reincarnation.
The project had first been announced at Anime Central in May 2024, but this new trailer marks the first major look at what the anime will actually feel like. The visuals focus on serene landscapes and water motifs, hinting at the deep thematic connection between memory, identity, and nature.
Kinema Citrus is already known for storytelling that goes beyond conventional genre boundaries. From the emotional gravity of Made in Abyss to the quiet romance of My Happy Marriage, the studio has built a reputation for powerful character driven narratives. Goodbye, Lara looks to be in the same tradition, carrying forward the studio’s legacy of visual beauty and emotional resonance.
As the studio continues to grow, its 15th anniversary is shaping into a turning point marked by creative ambition. With Goodbye, Lara, Kinema Citrus is not only honoring its past but also pushing into new territory. This is not a retelling of a classic fairytale, but a reflection on what happens after the end, when myths resurface in the form of memory and second chances.
The anime is set to arrive in 2026, with more details expected in the coming months. For now, the teaser visual and trailer have set a tone that is as mysterious as it is moving, inviting fans into a world where the past and present ripple together like light across a quiet lake.
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