Made in Abyss Studio Reveals New Original Mermaid Anime Goodbye, Lara

goodbye lara anime
Credit: Screenshot at 1:56 via the Kinema Citrus YouTube Channel

goodbye lara anime
Credit: Screenshot at 1:56 via the Kinema Citrus YouTube Channel

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Kinema Citrus is known for its various anime adaptations, but now, the studio is working on an intriguing new original project. The studio recently revealed Goodbye, Lara, an upcoming original anime inspired by the iconic Hans Christian Andersen tale, The Little Mermaid.

That’s not to say it’s a straight-up adaptation of the classic story. Instead, it features a decidedly anime spin on the tale, as it features the mermaid Lara who finds herself in modern Japan.

Goodbye, Lara Promises to Be a Modern Retelling of The Little Mermaid — with a Twist

To mark the anime’s announcement, Kinema Citrus shared a special concept trailer for Goodbye, Lara, an anime that’s being produced for the studio’s 15th anniversary.

As a concept trailer, it likely won’t match the look of the final project entirely, but it still gives fans a good idea of what to expect. To be exact, it will feature an art style that’s a throwback to classic 80s and 90s anime.

For its story, the anime follows the mermaid named Lara who perishes but finds herself reborn in modern Japan 200 years later.

The new trailer also features English captions that detail the story:

In the oceanic abyss of the freezing north
There once was a kingdom where merfolk lived
One mermaid wanted to be loved by a human
A wish that was forbidden
The mermaid princess perished among the sea waves
After 200 years, in our time - she is born in Lake Biwa
The strange world of Japan
Reunion with the witch and her mightiest friend
What awaits her is a new ordeal
Goodbye, my mermaid days
Goodbye, my underseas world
Goodbye, my prince charming

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All You Need to Know about Kinema Citrus, the Goodbye, Lara Anime’s Studio

Many anime fans probably know about Kinema Citrus. If not, they should at least be familiar with the studio’s works.

The studio is best known for producing popular anime such as Made in Abyss, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and My Happy Marriage.

Given that most of their popular titles have a contemporary look, it’s interesting that the studio is going for a retro style for their upcoming original anime.

Meet the Goodbye, Lara Anime’s Staff

As the concept trailer is quite long for an announcement video, Kinema Citrus tapped veteran anime staff members to create it.

The anime is directed by Takushi Koide, a key animator in popular titles such as Bocchi the Rock! and Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress.

Koide is joined by animation director Shiori Tani (SSSS.Gridman), water effect artist Naoki Yoshibe (Attack on Titan), and music composer Alfredo Sirica (The Rising of the Shield Hero season 3).

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When Is the Goodbye, Lara Anime Getting Released? Our Predictions

While it’s a fairly long trailer, the concept video might not feature the final version of the clips that will be used in the anime.

For now, there’s no word yet on an official release date for Goodbye, Lara. Given how early into production it still is, chances are that we’ll need to wait until 2025 at the earliest before this anime is released.

Did the anime’s concept trailer get you interested in watching it once it eventually premieres? Let us know in the comments.

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