Summary
Modern spins on classic fairy talescan 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 OriginalThe 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’sThe Little Mermaid,Goodbye Larais 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.
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 classicWaltz of the Flowers from Act II ofThe Nutcrackerduring 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 Larapresents 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 likeSailor MoonorRevolutionary 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 givenGame Rant’s coverage of other pre-animated marketingin 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 successUnder the Dog, an animation director onThe Rising of the Shield Hero, and the assistant director onTomohiro Furukawa’s 2018 masterpiece,Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight. With the mention ofRevuealone, it’s no surprise to see someone of his talent directing something as vibrant asGoodbye Lara.
Shiori Tani, a collaborator of Koide’s, joins the team as the character designer. The two of them worked together onMy Happy Marriagejust last year. Tani was also a key animator on theMade in Abyssseries and the character designer and animation director for theStar Wars Visionsepisode titled “The Village Bride.” Additionally, they’re a frequent contributor atStudio Trigger on projects likeGridman,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 Laramight 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 andNinja Skooler- the other project announced at the panel - it’s nice to see Kinema Citrustake a gamble on two original IPs, and with any luck, it’ll pay off beautifully.
