»Sayonara Lala«: Opener with Traditional Cel Animation Released

The production team of the currently airing TV series »Sayonara Lala« has released the opening for the anime adaptation. The roughly 90-second sequence stands out through the use of hand-painted cel animation – an extremely rare technique today that lends a warm, nostalgic touch to the standard digital production. The images were transferred onto transparent sheets and hand-colored, creating a soft, almost pastel-like look. Additionally, the opening and ending credits have been handwritten by the individual staff members, underscoring the team's personal connection to the project.

The animated opening sequence is accompanied by the specially composed title song »Sayonara Lala« by the Japanese band Ikimonogakari. At the center is the reborn mermaid Lala, who appears at Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture 200 years after her tragic fate to find true love. There, she meets the boxing student Mari Otsu, her family, and the mysterious boy Luca, who bears a striking resemblance to the prince from Lala's past.

»Sayonara Lala« is an original anime by Studio Kinema Citrus, which gained international recognition with works such as »Made in Abyss«, »The Rising of the Shield Hero«, and »My Happy Marriage«. The series was created for the studio's 15th anniversary. The director is Takushi Koide, who himself hails from Shiga and makes his debut as chief director with this project. The series composition is by Anna Kawahara, and the character design is by Shiori Tani.

The main roles are voiced by Hana Hishikawa (Lala), Nana Kawaishi (Mari Otsu), Rika Fukami (Grace), and Ayumu Murase (Luca). The first broadcast began on July 5, 2026, on Tokyo MX as well as on BS Asahi, ytv, and AT-X. Internationally, the anime is offered via simulcast on Crunchyroll, among others.

In addition to the traditional cel animation, the opening sequence also impresses with detailed backgrounds that show real locations from Shiga, such as the renowned patisserie »Andeken«. Thus, the team achieves a symbiosis of modern animation style and traditional craftsmanship, perfectly showcasing the fairy-tale title.