The animation planning and production company Kinema Citrus, known for works such as "My Happy Marriage" and "Made in Abyss," announced the production of two completely original animations, "Goodbye Lala" and "Ninja Skooler," at the "ACEN (Anime Central)" event held in Chicago on the 19th local time.

Kinema Citrus was established in 2008 with the philosophy of "creating films that contain timeless values that will remain for 100 years." Over the past 16 years, they have worked on numerous anime, including "My Happy Marriage," "Made in Abyss," "Revue Starlight," "The Rising of the Shield Hero," "Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress," "SHOW BY ROCK!! STARS!!," "Yuyushiki," "Barakamon," and "Tokyo Magnitude 8.0." They are now taking a new step forward by producing two completely original animations.

"Goodbye Lala" is an original story (created by Kinema Citrus) where "The Little Mermaid" is reborn in modern Japan. Animator and director Takushi Koide, who is affiliated with the company, will be making his directorial debut. Director Koide expressed his enthusiasm: "'Goodbye Lala' is a handcrafted anime. It is an original anime that Kinema Citrus is presenting anew. Is it savage? Is it delicate? Is it nostalgic or fresh? We move our hands without knowing. Together with wonderful staff, we will create it with all our hearts!"

Character design is by Shiori Tani, who has experience as a prop designer for "Revue Starlight," animation director for "Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun," and character designer for "Star Wars: Visions The Village Bride."

The other work, "Ninja Skooler," is a story about ninjas living in an alternate Edo period (planned and created by Kinema Citrus/breccia). It marks the directorial debut of Shunsuke Takarai, who has worked as a director on "Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun," eyecatch creation for "Mob Psycho 100" seasons 2-3 as part of the video production unit "Kenja," and directed and edited the music video for "non-reflection" (Aiobahn feat. Yui Makino).

Director Takarai commented, "I am very humbled to be directing my first original work...! I will do my best to depict a world that is both similar to ours and slightly different, alongside the child protagonists."

Character design is handled by Hami, who debuted as a manga artist in 2011 and has worked on the manga adaptation of the "Sound! Euphonium" series (original work by Ayano Takeda).

In conjunction with the production announcement, teaser visuals for both works were released, as well as a pilot film for "Goodbye Lala" and a promotional video for "Ninja Skooler."

Source : ORICON NEWS