Kinema Citrus' original anime Goodbye, Lara kicked off this summer with a deliberate choice to highlight hand-drawn artistry. The series, which debuted July 6 on Tokyo MX and began streaming on Crunchyroll, features cel-animation in its opening sequence—a decision director Takushi Koide wanted viewers to notice.

"Please be sure to watch this gentle and heartwarming video, which features some original cel animation shots and handwritten credits," the series announced on social media. During his appearance at Anime Expo, Koide spoke directly about this approach. "It's traditional, but I still see the potential of hand-drawn animation," he explained, signaling a broader vision for the series beyond typical digital production methods.

The anime's opening theme, "Sayonara Lara," is performed by J-pop band Ikimono-gakari.

Goodbye, Lara adapts a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. The plot follows a mermaid who makes a forbidden wish to be loved by a human. After her death, she's reborn 200 years later in modern-day Japan in Lake Biwa, where she must navigate an entirely new world as a human. The setting carries personal significance for Koide, as Lake Biwa is located in Shiga prefecture, his hometown.

The series aired across multiple Japanese networks—Tokyo MX, BS Asahi, YTV, and AT-X—following its May 15 premiere at Anime Central. Crunchyroll is streaming the series with simultaneous availability as new episodes air.

Koide's emphasis on hand-drawn animation reflects a growing appreciation for traditional techniques within the industry. While digital animation dominates modern productions, studios continue to explore how cel-animation can bring distinct visual character to specific projects. For Goodbye, Lara, that choice appears intentional—matching the series' gentle, heartwarming tone with animation methods that emphasize craft and artistic intention.