Highlights from the Sayonara Lala Special Stage at AnimeJapan 2026
The atmosphere at Tokyo Big Sight was absolutely electric today, March 28th, as fans gathered for the highly anticipated event stage of the upcoming TV anime, Sayonara Lala. Held during the massive AnimeJapan 2026 convention in Tokyo, the presentation brought together the main stars and the creative vision behind this original project. Taking the stage to a roar of applause were Kana Hishikawa, who voices the lead character Lala, Nana Kawaishi, who plays the role of Mari Otsu, and Ayumu Murase, the voice of Luka. They were joined by the series director, Takashi Koide, to share fresh insights into what is quickly becoming a captivating anime phenomenon for the summer season.
From left to right on the stage, we had Ayumu Murase (Luka), Kana Hishikawa (Lala), Director Takashi Koide, Nana Kawaishi (Mari Otsu), and the wonderful Sayuri Matsui who handled the hosting duties for the session. The chemistry between the cast was quite evident as they discussed their characters and the unique production style that sets this show apart from typical modern releases.
Table of contents
- What is "Goodbye Lala"
- I wanted to draw the texture of a local supermarket or convenience store
- Kana Hishikawa is deeply moved by the nostalgic cel-style footage of the main story
- Image/video gallery (4 items in total)
- TV anime "Sayonara Lala"
A Modern Reimagining: What is Goodbye Lala?
For those who are just hearing about it, Goodbye Lala (or Sayonara Lala) is an original anime by Kinema Citrus, created to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The story is quite a unique take on Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Little Mermaid." Instead of just a tragic ending, we see the mermaid princess Lara being reborn 200 years later in modern-day Shiga Prefecture. Specifically, she finds herself at Lake Biwa, trying to understand a world filled with smartphones and convenience stores while searching for true love. It’s this mix of fantasy and grounded reality that makes Goodbye, Lara a must-watch for fans who appreciate character-driven storytelling.
Capturing the Realism of Shiga: Supermarkets and Local Textures
During the talk, Director Takashi Koide shared some very interesting details about the art direction. Since Shiga Prefecture is his own hometown, he was very particular about how the environment was portrayed. He mentioned that he really wanted to draw the specific "texture" of local supermarkets and corner shops to make the setting feel authentic. He feels that when a supernatural character like a mermaid is placed in such a mundane, realistic background, the contrast creates a very special kind of magic. The audience could really feel his passion for his roots as he spoke about the importance of getting the local vibe just right.
Emotional Reactions to the Cel-Style Animation
The highlight of the event was definitely when they showed some new footage from the main story. Kana Hishikawa was visibly emotional and almost speechless after viewing the clips. She explained that she was "deeply moved" by the nostalgic cel-style look of the animation. Even though it is a new production for 2026, the staff is using techniques that give the visuals a warm, hand-painted feel reminiscent of older classics. This artistic choice really resonated with the cast, especially Nana Kawaishi and Ayumu Murase, who praised the staff for the hard work put into every frame. The "Goodbye Lara" TV anime is scheduled to premiere in July 2026, and after seeing today's presentation, the wait feels even longer!
