by The original TV anime Sayonara Lala officially premiered on July 5, 2026, and its very first episode has already become one of the most talked-about anime debuts of the Summer 2026 season.
At first glance, the series appears to be a faithful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. However, when viewers think they know where the story is headed, the anime delivers an unexpected twist that completely changes everything.
A mermaid princess who vanished into sea foam over 200 years ago suddenly awakens in modern-day Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, setting the stage for an original fantasy unlike anything fans expected.
Social media immediately exploded with reactions such as:
- “I thought I was watching The Little Mermaid, but it’s actually a Shiga anime!”
- “A mermaid appears at Lake Biwa?!”
- “That twist completely caught me off guard!”
- “One of the strongest first episodes of Summer 2026.”
A Beautiful Original Anime from Kinema Citrus
Sayonara Lala is an entirely original television anime created by Kinema Citrus, the acclaimed animation studio behind hit series including:
- Made in Abyss
- The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight
The series marks the directorial debut of Takafumi Koide, who previously worked on My Happy Marriage and Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun.
Ever since its beautifully animated pilot film was released in May 2024, anime fans have eagerly awaited the full television series.
Ahead of the premiere, Director Koide shared his excitement on social media:
“It’s been two years since the pilot film premiered and even longer since this project first began. I’m incredibly happy that the day has finally arrived when we can share this story with everyone.”
Episode 1 Begins Like a Classic Fairy Tale
The episode opens with the words:
“Kinema Citrus 15th Anniversary Project.”
The very first image shows an unusual photograph of two girls.
One has black hair and proudly wears a sports medal while holding a trophy.
Beside her stands a cheerful red-haired girl holding a certificate.
Behind them appear two surprising words:
Shiga Prefecture
Boxing
At this point, viewers have no idea how these modern elements connect to the fairy tale that follows.
Meet Lala, the Mermaid Princess
The story then shifts back to 1777, deep beneath the sea.
Lala is introduced as the sixth princess of the Sea Kingdom, raised lovingly by the Sea King and her older sisters.
As a young child, she discovers a discarded human doll lying on the ocean floor.
Although her sister immediately warns:
“That’s a human object. Throw it away.”
Lala cannot hide her fascination with the mysterious world above the sea.
Many viewers instantly noticed the similarities to Andersen’s classic story, posting comments like:
- “This really feels like The Little Mermaid.”
- “The old-school animation style is gorgeous.”
- “This original anime already looks promising.”
Curiosity Leads to Forbidden Love
Several years later, Lala officially becomes a royal princess and receives a ceremonial ring marking her coming of age.
She is now allowed to explore deeper parts of the ocean—but receives one absolute rule:
Never approach the human world.
Humans, according to the Sea King, are dangerous and cursed.
However, fate intervenes.
A human ship catches fire, and its cargo sinks into the ocean.
Among the debris is a handsome young prince.
Unable to ignore someone in danger, Lala saves him.
Fans immediately recognized the fairy tale inspiration:
- “The prince literally falls from the sky!”
- “This scene reminds me of Castle in the Sky.”
- “It’s almost exactly like The Little Mermaid.”
The Mermaid’s Forbidden Choice
Lala secretly returns to the palace after rescuing the prince.
Her father soon discovers traces of sand from the human world in her room.
When questioned, Lala innocently asks:
“Are humans really such terrible creatures?”
As punishment, she is forbidden from leaving the palace.
During her confinement, her mysterious aunt Grace, a powerful sea witch, appears.
Grace offers Lala a magical potion capable of transforming her into a human.
But every wish comes with a price.
Lala must surrender her beautiful singing voice.
And unless she finds true love before the spell ends, she will disappear forever as sea foam.
Everything Changes
For much of the episode, the anime closely follows the structure of The Little Mermaid.
Lala becomes human.
She reunites with the prince.
They fall in love.
Yet tragedy strikes.
Unable to overcome fate, Lala dissolves into sea foam.
Many viewers assumed the episode would end exactly like Andersen’s famous story.
Instead…
The anime completely changes direction.
A Mermaid Reborn 200 Years Later
Lala suddenly awakens.
Confused, she wonders:
“Wasn’t I dead?”
Grace reveals an astonishing truth.
The Sea Kingdom has fallen.
Its inhabitants—including Lala’s beloved family—have been placed into an endless magical sleep.
Only Lala can save them.
To begin that journey, she must overcome an even greater trial than before.
Determined to rescue everyone, Lala shatters a magical mirror.
A torrent of water erupts.
She is thrown through time itself.
Welcome to Modern-Day Shiga Prefecture
Lala suddenly finds herself soaring through the sky.
When she lands…
It is no longer the eighteenth century.
She has arrived in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, in the year 2026, near Japan’s famous Lake Biwa.
There she meets Mari Otsu, a high school girl wearing boxing gloves.
The meeting instantly became one of the season’s most memorable anime moments.
Fans flooded social media with reactions:
- “A girl literally falls from the sky!”
- “So this is where the real story begins.”
- “The two girls finally meet!”
- “The Shiga setting completely surprised me.”
- “This feels like The Little Mermaid after reincarnation.”
- “An incredibly creative twist.”
Internet Reactions to Episode 1
The premiere generated overwhelming praise online.
Popular reactions included:
- “This was far more original than I expected.”
- “Beautiful animation from beginning to end.”
- “The direction is outstanding.”
- “The twist completely caught me off guard.”
- “One of the best original anime premieres this year.”
- “I need Episode 2 immediately.”
Many viewers praised how the series carefully builds expectations before delivering a dramatic plot twist that transforms the familiar fairy tale into something entirely new.
Cast and Staff Comments
Voice actress Nana Kawaishi, who plays Mari Otsu, thanked viewers after the broadcast:
“I hope everyone was able to witness the meeting between Lala and Mari. I would be very happy if you continue watching over their journey.”
Meanwhile, songwriter Yoshiki Mizuno of Ikimonogakari, who wrote the opening theme “Sayonara Lala,” explained the inspiration behind the song:
“Choosing your own path, embracing encounters, facing destiny, and even saying goodbye—these emotions inspired this song. We hope viewers experience the music together with Lala’s story.”
Music That Complements the Story
Episode 1 ends with Ikimonogakari’s emotional song “Sayonara Lala,” which serves as the episode’s ending theme before becoming the regular opening from Episode 2 onward.
The official ending theme for the series is:
“Hearts Glow” performed by Hana Hope
The music beautifully captures both the melancholy and hope that define Lala’s journey.
Early Praise from the Anime Industry
Manga artist Akihito Tsukushi (Made in Abyss) attended an advance screening of Episode 1.
He later revealed that he had also seen the opening sequence for Episode 2 and commented:
“It was so emotionally powerful that I cried. I truly believe this series is about to take viewers on an unforgettable adventure.”
His comments have only increased anticipation for the episodes ahead.
Broadcast & Streaming Information
TV Broadcast
- TOKYO MX: Sundays at 12:30 AM
- BS Asahi: Sundays at 1:30 AM
- AT-X: Mondays at 9:30 PM
- Yomiuri TV: Mondays at 1:59 AM
Streaming
Episodes are released simultaneously with the Japanese television broadcast on multiple streaming platforms.
Main Staff
- Original Work: Kinema Citrus
- Director: Takafumi Koide
- Series Composition: Anna Kawahara
- Character Design: Shiori Tani
- Art Director: Mari Fujino (Studio Pablo)
- Music: Yuma Yamaguchi
- Animation Production: Kinema Citrus
Main Voice Cast
- Lala: Kana Hishikawa
- Mari Otsu: Nana Kawaishi
- Grace: Rika Fukami
- Luka: Ayumu Murase
- Shoya Otsu: Tomoyuki Ohno
- Makoto Otsu: Mitsuaki Madono
- Man Otsue: Nanae Sumitomo
- Rowan: Masaki Terasoma
- Lisa: Minami Tsuda
- Kota: Kazuomi Yamamoto
Final Thoughts
Episode 1 of Sayonara Lala is one of the most surprising anime premieres of Summer 2026. What initially looks like a traditional adaptation of The Little Mermaid evolves into a completely original fantasy adventure set in modern-day Shiga Prefecture, blending folklore, mystery, emotional drama, and stunning animation.
The unexpected meeting between Lala and Mari marks the true beginning of the story, leaving viewers eager to discover how a centuries-old mermaid princess will adapt to modern Japan while searching for a way to save her family.
If the premiere is any indication, Sayonara Lala has the potential to become one of the standout original anime series of 2026.
