This New Anime With 8.0 on IMDb Is a Reimagining of 'The Little Mermaid' You Can't Miss
It is a strikingly beautiful, profound, and touching story of coming of age.
The anime series Goodbye, Lara, a fresh take on the classic mermaid fairy tale, was recently released. Director Takushi Koide crafted a story that deconstructs the entire mermaid genre.
Drawing inspiration from the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai, the title offers viewers more than just a fairy tale, it presents a profound reflection on growing up and the search for self-identity.
What Is 'Goodbye, Lara' About?
Lara is a princess of the underwater world. She was raised by stern yet fair parents who forbade her from approaching humans. However, this only fueled the curious mermaid's curiosity.
Her aunt, a sorceress banished from the kingdom by Lara's father, offers to help her gain legs. She gives Lara a potion and a warning: Lara must find true love before she turns into sea foam.
Lara fails to do so in time, resulting in the death of herself and her entire family. Miraculously, she is reborn two hundred years later in the modern world – she ventures onto land once more to find her soulmate.
'Goodbye, Lara' Portrays Growing up as Stepping Out of a Fairy Tale
The defining feature of Goodbye, Lara is its rejection of familiar tropes: Lara is a rebel emboldened by restrictions, yet bewildered by the real world.
She undergoes a process of emancipation, learning to live alone, make her own decisions, and take responsibility. However, ingrained stereotypes hold her back – the idea that everything is fine and all that's missing is a Prince Charming.
On her journey, though, she is forced to reevaluate her values. The director draws a parallel: stepping out of the fairy-tale world is akin to growing up. We leave behind familiar, comfortable surroundings to enter a harsh world that we do not fully understand.
'Goodbye, Lara' Is Clearly Inspired by the Works of Makoto Shinkai and Hayao Miyazaki
Director Takushi Koide clearly drew inspiration from the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai. His anime features a simple yet detailed art style with plenty of breathing room in the frame, vibrant colors, and melancholic music.
Like the main characters of Princess Mononoke and Your Name, Lara seeks love and freedom. Koide eschewed visual gags aimed at younger audiences in order to craft an authentic story.
Goodbye, Lara tackles mature topics, with Lara navigating one personal crisis after another.
Where to Watch 'Goodbye, Lara'?
Goodbye, Lara is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
