by Goodbye, Lala (Sayonara Lala), Kinema Citrus’ original anime created to celebrate the studio’s 15th anniversary, has captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and thoughtful artistic direction. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, the anime follows Lala, a mermaid princess who awakens in modern-day Lake Biwa after spending 200 years beneath the water.
While the animation, music, and story have received widespread praise, one of the production’s most distinctive strengths is its carefully crafted graphic design. Every visual element—from the title logo and promotional artwork to everyday objects appearing briefly on screen—was created with a unified artistic philosophy.
In a recent interview, graphic designer Yuto Hama shared the creative ideas behind the anime’s visual identity, explaining why he views Goodbye, Lala as “a story of the shoreline.”
Creating a Unified Visual World
Hama explained that his responsibilities extended far beyond designing the anime’s title logo.
Working alongside fellow graphic designer Mao Yamaguchi, he helped establish the visual language of the entire series.
His work included:
- The official title logo
- Key visuals and promotional posters
- Character visual designs
- Blu-ray package artwork
- Typography used throughout the anime
- On-screen captions and credits
- Product labels and packaging
- Everyday household items appearing in scenes
Rather than treating these elements separately, Hama said the goal was to ensure every graphic detail felt like it naturally belonged to the same world.
Even the Smallest Props Were Carefully Designed
One of the most fascinating aspects of Hama’s work is the attention paid to objects many viewers might only notice subconsciously.
Among the items he personally helped refine were:
- The cocoa can that Mari gives to Lala.
- The seasoning (furikake) packaging on the Otsu family’s dinner table.
- The cover design of a manga Shoya casually reads.
- Various printed labels and packaging that appear throughout the series.
These seemingly minor props help make the fictional world feel authentic and lived-in.
According to Hama, consistency across every visual element strengthens immersion and allows audiences to believe in the world without distraction.
A Modern Interpretation of The Little Mermaid
Although The Little Mermaid is one of the world’s best-known fairy tales, Hama believes Goodbye, Lala approaches its themes in a way that feels especially relevant today.
The anime follows Lala as she encounters modern society through her growing relationship with Mari and the people of Shiga Prefecture.
Rather than simply retelling a classic fairy tale, the story explores timeless themes through a contemporary lens, including:
- Identity
- Belonging
- Human connection
- Memory
- Change
- The relationship between fantasy and reality
For Hama, this gives the series emotional depth while allowing audiences to rediscover familiar ideas from a fresh perspective.
Where Fiction Meets Reality
One of the interview’s most memorable insights came when Hama described the anime as a meeting point between fiction and reality.
He explained that, on the surface, the story is about a fairy tale crossing time itself to arrive in the present day.
However, he believes something equally important happens in the opposite direction.
As viewers watch Lala experience the modern world with childlike curiosity and wonder, audiences themselves begin rediscovering the joy of fantasy and animation.
According to Hama, this exchange allows reality and fiction to inspire one another.
Rather than escaping reality, the anime encourages viewers to see everyday life with fresh eyes.
Rediscovering Why We Love Animation
Hama said one of the greatest appeals of Goodbye, Lala lies in its ability to remind audiences why they fell in love with animated storytelling in the first place.
He pointed to:
- Lala’s constantly changing expressions.
- Mari’s sincere and straightforward personality.
- Quiet emotional moments.
- Beautiful everyday scenery.
- Gentle interactions between characters.
Together, these elements capture a simple but powerful joy that often defines memorable animated works.
Instead of relying solely on dramatic action or spectacle, the anime finds beauty in ordinary moments and genuine human emotions.
Why He Calls It “A Story of the Shoreline”
Perhaps the most poetic part of Hama’s interview was his explanation of the phrase:
“Goodbye, Lala is a story of the shoreline.”
He explained that many of the anime’s central themes exist between two different worlds.
Examples include:
- Sea and land
- Mermaids and humans
- Lala and Mari
- Fantasy and reality
- Past and present
- Dreams and everyday life
Just as a shoreline connects the ocean and the land, the story exists in the space where different worlds meet.
Rather than emphasizing division, the anime celebrates the connections formed between seemingly opposite things.
The Philosophy Behind the Graphic Design
Hama also reflected on the traditional role of graphic design.
Normally, graphic design helps people understand information by creating clear distinctions.
Maps divide countries.
Signs separate directions.
Typography organizes language.
Logos identify brands.
In other words, graphic design often works by drawing clear boundaries.
However, Hama intentionally approached Goodbye, Lala differently.
The Shoreline Has No Fixed Border
According to Hama, real shorelines never remain still.
Waves continuously reshape the border between sea and land.
Because of this, there is no permanent line separating one from the other.
He believes the same idea applies to the themes explored in Goodbye, Lala.
Instead of presenting rigid divisions between:
- Humans and mermaids.
- Fantasy and reality.
- Happiness and sadness.
- Past and future.
the anime embraces the uncertainty and beauty found between them.
This philosophy influenced the series’ graphic design, encouraging softer transitions and visual harmony rather than rigid separation.
Attention to Detail Elevates the Series
One reason Goodbye, Lala has impressed viewers is the extraordinary care given to every aspect of its production.
From promotional materials to tiny household products visible for only a few seconds, every visual element contributes to a believable world.
This level of detail helps strengthen:
- World-building
- Visual consistency
- Emotional storytelling
- Audience immersion
It’s an approach that reflects Kinema Citrus’ reputation for producing visually rich and carefully crafted anime.
About Goodbye, Lala
Produced as the 15th anniversary original anime project by Kinema Citrus, Goodbye, Lala reimagines The Little Mermaid in a contemporary Japanese setting.
After sleeping beneath Lake Biwa for two centuries, mermaid princess Lala awakens in modern-day Shiga Prefecture, where she forms unexpected bonds with Mari and the people around her.
The anime blends fantasy, slice-of-life storytelling, emotional drama, and stunning visual artistry while exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the connection between fantasy and reality.
Final Thoughts
Yuto Hama’s interview offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic philosophy behind Goodbye, Lala. Far from simply designing logos or promotional artwork, he helped shape the anime’s entire visual identity—from major key visuals to everyday props that quietly enrich the world on screen.
His idea of the series as “a story of the shoreline” beautifully captures its central message: the most meaningful moments often occur where two different worlds meet. By blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality, humans and mermaids, and past and present, Goodbye, Lala delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience that reminds audiences why animation remains such a powerful form of storytelling.
With its meticulous design, heartfelt narrative, and thoughtful symbolism, Goodbye, Lala stands out as one of Kinema Citrus’ most artistically ambitious original anime projects, offering viewers an unforgettable journey across the ever-changing shoreline between imagination and reality.
