Who Are the Goodbye, Lara Characters?
Kinema Citrus’ original anime Goodbye, Lara (also known as Sayonara, Lara) reimagines Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid as a visually stunning, emotion-driven story about love, loss, and second chances. The Goodbye, Lara characters are far more than fairy-tale archetypes—each one carries hidden motivations, complex relationships, and a role in reshaping what “true love” really means. Whether you’re new to the series or looking for a deeper dive, this guide to the Goodbye, Lara characters will help you keep track of the key players and their evolving dynamics.
The story begins in 1777, where a mermaid princess named Lara falls for a human prince, only to be betrayed and turned into seafoam. She awakens centuries later in modern-day Shiga, where a punch-happy boxer named Mari becomes her unlikely lifeline. Because the prophecy that dooms Lara’s kingdom never specifies who her true love must be, the Goodbye, Lara characters constantly challenge the idea that “happily ever after” has to follow a traditional script.
Main Characters at a Glance
The heart of the anime lies in the relationship between Lara and Mari, but the supporting cast adds layers of humor, tragedy, and tension. The table below summarizes the most central Goodbye, Lara characters.
| Character | Role | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Lara | Mermaid princess, protagonist | Naive, impulsive, determined, desperately seeking true love to save her kingdom |
| Mari Otsu | High school boxer, deuteragonist | Brash, caring, fiercely protective; wears a cross necklace from her late mother |
| Grace / Gon-chan | Sea witch, Lara’s aunt | Manipulative yet not purely evil; in modern times lives as a tiny fish “pet” of Mari |
| Lisa | Lara’s older sister | Initially antagonistic, deeply traumatized by humans; struggles with her own survival |
| The Prince | 18th-century human royal | Appears charming but reveals cruel prejudice when he learns Lara’s true form |
| Luca | Modern-day boy | Identical to the prince; his appearance triggers major emotional fallout |
Lara: The Mermaid Princess Learning What Love Is
Lara is the emotional core of the Goodbye, Lara characters. As a mermaid princess, she’s been sheltered her entire life, told that humans are dangerous, and yet drawn to their world. After saving a prince, she gives up her voice (literally) for a chance at love, only to be rejected at swordpoint. Her failure triggers a magical catastrophe that freezes her family in enchanted clamshells and destroys her kingdom.
When she wakes up in 2026, Lara is a fish out of water—literally. She’s clumsy, overly trusting, and prone to comedic visual gags (like sweating tiny dead fish). But beneath the humor, she’s terrified. The prophecy says she must find true love, or her family will never wake up. The nuance of her journey is that she starts to question what “true love” even means—prompted by her deepening bond with Mari. Community discussions often highlight her straightforwardness: Lara says exactly what she feels, whether it’s about love, regret, or the taste of a hot chocolate shared in the rain.
Mari Otsu: The Boxer Who Punched Her Way Into Lara’s Story
If the Goodbye, Lara characters have a breakout star, it’s Mari Otsu. She’s a hot-headed boxer who literally catches Lara with a punch to the face when the mermaid falls from the sky. Mari is crude, no-nonsense, and perpetually annoyed by Lara’s antics—yet she can’t help but take care of her. She knows Lara is a mermaid, but she never treats her like a monster. Instead, she buys her hot chocolate, teaches her to drink it, and becomes the first human name Lara speaks: “Otsu Mari.”
Mari’s own backstory is quiet but significant. She wears a cross necklace handed down from her late mother, and she’s fiercely dedicated to becoming a professional boxer. Her relationship with Lara is loaded with romantic subtext—the anime’s direction often pans to Mari when the “light of true love” flickers inside Lara’s heart. Many fans theorize that Mari, not the prince, is the true love the prophecy refers to, making her one of the most important Goodbye, Lara characters to watch.
The Otsu Household: A Found Family for Lara
Lara’s integration into the human world would be impossible without the Otsu family. They provide warmth, comic relief, and a believable modern setting. Here’s a quick look at the key members.
| Family Member | Role | Notable Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshiya Otsu | Mari’s older brother | Shameless slacker, exam-hating gamer, wannabe Casanova |
| Makoto Otsu | Mari and Yoshiya’s father | Photography hobbyist; gifts Lara a camera she treasures |
| Ema Otsu | Grandmother | Church pastor, kind to children; unaware of Lara’s mermaid origins |
These Goodbye, Lara characters ground the story in everyday life. Makoto’s camera becomes a symbol of Lara’s new memories, while Yoshiya’s teasing lightens the mood. Ema’s role as a pastor also ties into the recurring religious imagery—Mari’s cross, the concept of “God’s love”—that runs parallel to the magical prophecy.
Merfolk, Witches, and Troubled Sisters
The mermaid side of the Goodbye, Lara characters is just as complex. The merfolk are long-lived, often tradition-bound, and now mostly trapped in forced sleep. Three figures stand out: King Rowan, the sea witch Grace, and Lara’s sister Lisa.
King Rowan
Lara’s father is the stern king who forbade contact with humans. After Lara’s death and the kingdom’s collapse, he’s forced to swallow his pride and beg Grace for help. Now he’s among the sleeping royals, and his fate hangs on Lara’s success.
Grace / Gon-Chan
Unlike the purely evil Ursula, Grace is morally ambiguous. She’s Lara’s aunt, and while she facilitates the initial tragedy, she doesn’t seem to wish Lara harm. In the modern era, she’s been reduced to a tiny fish in Mari’s care—a form of Animorphism that leaves her unable to do much except observe. Her past manipulations and her current helplessness make her one of the most intriguing Goodbye, Lara characters.
Lisa and Kota
Lisa is where the story takes a dark turn. She’s initially presented as a potentially happy reunion—Lara weeps with joy upon hearing her voice—but Lisa’s hatred for humanity runs deep. Captured by sailors and exhibited as a freak show attraction for years, Lisa was rescued by Kota, an anglerfish who took human form out of loyalty. Now both are living on borrowed time, using deteriorating artificial potions to stay human. Lisa’s Big Sister Instinct twists into a Knight Templar mindset: she’d rather kill Lara’s human friends than let her sister be hurt again. Kota, androgynous and deeply loyal, follows her lead.
Human Friends and Rivals
Lara’s modern life introduces her to a handful of human side characters who expand her understanding of love.
| Character | Connection to Main Cast | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Chio Nagahama | Mari’s boxing upperclassman | Initially demands respect, but grows to respect Mari after a sparring draw |
| Himeka Maibara | Friend Lara makes at school | Has a crush on childhood friend Ouji; Lara pushes her to confess, realizing love doesn’t always follow fairy-tale rules |
Himeka’s subplot is particularly important. Her name means “princess” and her crush’s name means “prince,” which makes Lara obsess over their “fated” love. But the real lesson is that confessing matters, even if the outcome isn’t a perfect fairy tale—a theme that circles back to Lara’s own journey.
The Prince, Luca, and the Fish Monolith
The human prince who betrayed Lara in 1777 is an Adaptational Jerkass—he draws his sword the moment he sees her tail. In the modern timeline, Lara meets Luca, a boy who looks exactly like the prince. His appearance triggers a transformation and a flood of unresolved trauma. Whether he’s a reincarnation, a descendant, or a magical echo remains a mystery, but his presence complicates Lara’s feelings for Mari.
Finally, the Fish Monolith is a bizarre, supernatural entity that erupts from the ocean when Mari tells Lara she likes her. It acts as an extension of Lara’s emotions, invisible to normal humans, and becomes dangerously protective. This entity blurs the line between blessing and curse, and it’s a wild card among the Goodbye, Lara characters.
How the Goodbye, Lara Characters Redefine True Love
What makes the Goodbye, Lara characters so compelling is how they collectively subvert the notion of romantic destiny. The prophecy only says “true love” — not marriage, not a prince, not even romance. Throughout the episodes, Lara learns that love can be the warmth of a shared hot chocolate, the support of a friend who pushes you to confess, or the fierce protectiveness of a boxer who never asks you to be anything other than yourself.
The visual storytelling reinforces this. The cross-shaped light that glows when Lara feels love appears not only with the prince, but also with Mari. The opening sequence and cell-shaded art style evoke classic romance anime, but the narrative keeps steering toward a relationship that breaks convention. Fans and community reports highlight how the biggest mistake the show could make would be a heteronormative fake-out, but as of the latest episodes, the direction remains refreshingly bold.
For more details on the series and to watch official trailers, visit the Goodbye, Lara official website (placeholder; use the real site if available).
FAQ About the Goodbye, Lara Characters
Who is the main character in Goodbye, Lara?
The protagonist is Lara, a mermaid princess who must find true love to save her kingdom. She wakes up in modern Japan after a failed romance in the 18th century.
Is Mari the true love in Goodbye, Lara?
The anime strongly hints at it. The prophecy never specifies a prince, and the “light of true love” repeatedly triggers around Mari. Many viewers believe the Goodbye, Lara characters are building toward a romantic resolution between the two girls.
What happened to Lara’s family?
After Lara’s death and the kingdom’s collapse, her father and sisters were put into an enchanted sleep by Grace. Only Lisa escaped, but she’s living on stolen time and harbors a deep grudge against humans.
Why is Grace a fish in the modern world?
Grace, the sea witch, has been transformed into a tiny fish (Gon-chan) that Mari unwittingly keeps as a pet. This Animorphism limits her power and adds a layer of dark comedy to the Goodbye, Lara characters.
Where can I watch Goodbye, Lara?
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll and other select platforms. Check the official Kinema Citrus channels for regional availability.