Kamome Shirahama, the acclaimed manga artist behind the fantasy masterpiece Witch Hat Atelier, recently took to social media to share a breathtaking piece of fanart dedicated to the original summer anime series Goodbye, Lara. Her illustration offers a distinctive, magical perspective on the show's titular mermaid princess.
Alongside the artwork shared on X, Shirahama expressed her appreciation for the series while playfully reacting to its emotional weight. She highlighted her fascination with the walrus-like monster form of the character Grace and joked about the show's ominous title, remarking, "If possible, I’d appreciate it if there were no goodbyes."
Goodbye, Lara centers on the tragic yet compelling journey of its mermaid protagonist as she attempts to secure true love with a human in modern-day Shiga, Japan. This quest follows an earlier, failed reincarnation cycle that resulted in her untimely death and the gradual decline of her entire underwater civilization. Produced by Kinema Citrus and directed by Takushi Koide—known for his extensive work on Revue Starlight—the 12-episode anime series began broadcasting on July 5, with international streaming handled by Crunchyroll.
As the series approaches its conclusion, the broader multimedia project continues to expand, with a dedicated light novel adaptation scheduled to launch on October 9. Shirahama's artistic endorsement underscores the strong creative cross-pollination within the contemporary manga and anime community, bringing even more attention to the atmospheric production.
