by The creative team behind the original TV anime Goodbye, Lala (Sayonara Lala) has shared new insights into the making of the series’ emotional opening theme. A special conversation between director Takashi Koide and Yoshiki Mizuno, the songwriter from the popular Japanese music duo Ikimonogakari, has been released on YouTube, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at the anime’s creative process.
The discussion explores how the opening song was developed, the themes that inspired its lyrics, and how music became an essential part of expressing the anime’s emotional story.
A Collaboration Built on Open Communication
During the conversation, Director Takashi Koide revealed that the production team faced many uncertainties in the early stages of developing Goodbye, Lala.
According to Koide, the project was still taking shape, and many important decisions—including the music, animation style, and overall direction—had yet to be finalized.
“I was full of anxiety because we didn’t know how the anime would turn out, how we would approach the music, or what kind of opening theme it should have,” Koide explained.
To overcome those challenges, the team held numerous meetings with Yoshiki Mizuno before the anime had fully taken form.
Mizuno believes those early conversations became the foundation of the collaboration.
“It was important that I could hear the director’s thoughts while everything was still in its raw form. We were able to share that sense of uncertainty and creative chaos before the work was born,” he said.
Rather than simply writing a song to fit a completed anime, Mizuno became involved while the story itself was still evolving.
Creating an Opening Theme That Reflects the Soul of the Anime
Koide praised Mizuno for understanding the emotional core of the series rather than simply trying to match its surface elements.
He explained that there is an important difference between creating something that merely “fits” an anime and creating something that genuinely resonates with it.
“Trying to match something can make it feel smaller. But when two creators truly understand each other’s vision, the possibilities become much greater,” Koide said.
For the director, an opening theme should capture the entire spirit of a series in just a few minutes.
He expressed his gratitude to Mizuno for sharing the same creative direction and for transforming those ideas into music that perfectly represented the world of Goodbye, Lala.
The Song Gave Life to the Anime
Koide also recalled the emotional moment when he first listened to the completed opening theme.
He admitted that hearing the song made him realize the project had truly become a living anime.
“When I heard the opening for the first time, I thought, ‘It’s finally become an anime.’ The song perfectly captured the atmosphere of Lala’s story.”
He added that the production team had been experimenting with a visual style that differs from many other anime series.
Because the staff constantly questioned whether they were heading in the right direction, the completed opening theme became a source of encouragement throughout production.
Yoshiki Mizuno Explains the Meaning Behind the Lyrics
Mizuno revealed that one of the central themes of the opening song comes directly from Lala’s personal journey.
The protagonist, originally a mermaid, must confront her identity and accept painful truths before moving forward.
“There’s an emotional narrative where Lala cannot continue unless she somehow lets go of being a mermaid,” Mizuno explained.
He wanted the song to capture the emotional struggle of accepting change while continuing to search for one’s place in the world.
Goodbye, Lala Is More Than a Mermaid Story
During the interview, Koide emphasized that Goodbye, Lala should not simply be viewed as another adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Instead, he believes the story explores much deeper themes.
“The Little Mermaid may be a fairy tale about a mermaid, but at its heart, it’s really a story about human beings and what it means to exist.”
The anime uses fantasy elements to examine identity, loneliness, personal growth, and the emotional challenges of saying goodbye to people and memories.
Saying Goodbye in the Modern World
Mizuno also reflected on how the anime’s themes relate to modern society.
He noted that in today’s world, where people remain constantly connected through social media, saying a true goodbye has become surprisingly difficult.
“Living your own life is not easy. In a society where we’re always connected, having a genuine farewell is incredibly difficult.”
He explained that this realization became one of the key inspirations behind the lyrics of the opening theme.
Rather than focusing only on sadness, the song expresses the courage required to move forward and embrace life’s inevitable changes.
About Goodbye, Lala
Goodbye, Lala is an original television anime produced to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Kinema Citrus, the acclaimed animation studio known for visually distinctive works and emotionally rich storytelling.
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, the anime reimagines the story in modern-day Japan.
The series follows Lala, a mermaid who is mysteriously revived 200 years later in present-day Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. As she awakens in an unfamiliar world, she begins a journey filled with self-discovery, new relationships, and emotional challenges that blur the line between fantasy and reality.
Staff and Cast
The anime features an experienced creative team, including:
- Director: Takashi Koide
- Series Composition: Anna Kawahara
- Character Design: Shiori Tani
- Animation Studio: Kinema Citrus
Main voice cast:
- Kana Hishikawa as Lala
- Nana Kawaishi as Mari Otsu
Additional cast members contribute to the series’ emotionally driven narrative as the story continues to unfold.
Currently Airing
Goodbye, Lala is currently broadcasting on TOKYO MX and other television networks across Japan.
With its original story, beautiful animation, emotional soundtrack, and thoughtful exploration of identity and human relationships, the series has quickly attracted attention as one of the standout original anime of the Summer 2026 season.
The newly released conversation between Takashi Koide and Yoshiki Mizuno offers fans a deeper appreciation of the creative passion behind the series, highlighting how close collaboration between animation and music helped shape the emotional heart of Goodbye, Lala.
