The summer 2026 anime Sayonara Lala has released the synopsis and advance scene cuts for its first episode, “Mermaid Princess Lala,” which begins airing on July 5, 2026. The original TV anime is produced by Kinema Citrus as part of the studio’s 15th anniversary project.
Sayonara Lala is an original television anime from Kinema Citrus, the studio behind hits such as Made in Abyss, My Happy Marriage, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and Revue Starlight. The story is based on the fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” and follows the mermaid princess Lala, who revives in Lake Biwa 200 years after her tragic end.
Director Koide Takushi, a native of Shiga Prefecture, makes his directorial debut with this series. The cast includes Hishikawa Hana as Lala, Kawashima Nana as Otsu Mari, Fukami Rika as Grace, Murase Ayumu as Luca, Oono Tomotaka as Otsu Shoya, Madono Mitsuaki as Otsu Makoto, Sumitomo Nanae as Otsu Ema, Terasoma Masaki as Rowan, Tsuuda Minami as Lisa, and Yamamoto Kazuomi as Kota.
Once upon a time, there was a mermaid princess named Lala. Raised with love by her father, the king of the sea, and her sisters, Lala one day fell in forbidden love with a human prince on land. Despite the taboo, Lala took a potion from the witch Grace, transformed into a human, and set off to the surface. However, the potion came with a curse: if she did not find “true love,” she would turn into foam. Lala’s wish was not granted, and she disappeared into the sea as bubbles. Two hundred years later, the mermaid princess Lala revives in Lake Biwa, determined to find true love this time.
Episode 1 “Mermaid Princess Lala” Synopsis
Lala, the mermaid princess born to her father the sea king, one day falls in love with a human living on land.
But this love is forbidden, breaking the laws of the mermaid world.
The first episode “Mermaid Princess Lala” of the summer anime Sayonara Lala will air on July 5 (Sunday) on TOKYO MX and other channels.
Broadcast Information
Starting July 5, every Sunday at 24:30 on TOKYO MX
BS Asahi: Starting July 5, every Sunday at 25:30
Yomiuri TV: Starting July 6, every Monday at 25:59
AT-X: Starting July 6, every Monday at 21:30 (Repeat: Wed 9:30, Fri 15:30)
*Broadcast times are subject to change.
Simultaneous streaming on various platforms from July 5 at 24:30.
Staff
| Original Work | Kinema Citrus |
| Director | Koide Takushi |
| Series Composition | Kawahara Anna |
| Character Design | Tani Shiori |
| Art Director | Fujino Mari (Studio Pablo) |
| Color Design | Aizawa Rika |
| Photography Director | Izumida Kazuhito (T2studio) |
| Editing | Kurosawa Masayuki |
| Graphic Design | Hama Yuto, Yamaguchi Masao |
| Deep Sea Image | MON |
| Water Artist | Yoshinabe Naoki |
| Sound Director | Yamada Akira |
| Music | yuma yamaguchi |
| Music Production | KADOKAWA |
| Senior Producer | Ogasawara Munenori |
| Team Producer | Ishikawa Shouki |
| Creative Producer | Moriyama Natsuki |
| Animation Production | Kinema Citrus |
Theme Songs
Opening Theme: “Sayonara Lala” by Ikimonogakari
Vocal: Yoshikioka Shie
Lyrics and Music: Mizuno Yoshiki
Arrangement: Kameda Seiji
(EPIC Records Japan)
Ending Theme: “Hearts Glow” by Hana Hope
Lyrics: Hana Hope, Konishi Yuko
Music: Hana Hope, K E I_H A Y A S H I
Arrangement: David Baron
(Sony Music Labels)
Cast
| Lala | Hishikawa Hana |
| Otsu Mari | Kawashima Nana |
| Grace | Fukami Rika |
| Luca | Murase Ayumu |
| Otsu Shoya | Oono Tomotaka |
| Otsu Makoto | Madono Mitsuaki |
| Otsu Ema | Sumitomo Nanae |
| Rowan | Terasoma Masaki |
| Lisa | Tsuuda Minami |
| Kota | Yamamoto Kazuomi |
© Kinema Citrus / “Sayonara Lala” Production Committee
