The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is a 2022 anime film based on the light novel by Mei Hachimoku and illustrated by Kukka. The story mixes time travel, personal struggles, and romance, creating a heartfelt and touching narrative.
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is a beautifully animated and emotionally deep film about loss, healing, and moving forward. It’s a quiet, bittersweet story that reminds us we can’t always fix the past, but we can learn to live with it and move on.
If you enjoy anime that focuses on emotions and relationships, this film is a must-watch. For those looking for something heartfelt and introspective, “The Tunnel to Summer” is a journey worth taking.
Story Summary
The film takes place in a quiet town where Kaoru Touno, a high school student, lives. Kaoru is struggling with the loss of his sister Karen and the difficulties of his home life. One day, he stumbles upon a mysterious Urashima Tunnel, which is rumored to grant wishes but with a cost. Inside the tunnel, time works differently—what feels like a few minutes inside can be days or even years in the real world.
Kaoru meets Anzu Hanashiro, a new transfer student, who also has her own troubles. She dreams of becoming a successful manga artist, but her relationship with her family is strained. They decide to work together to explore the tunnel, hoping to fulfill their wishes—Kaoru wants to bring back his sister, and Anzu wants to achieve her dream.
As they go deeper into the tunnel, they realize that it doesn’t exactly grant wishes. Instead, it restores what was lost, but at the cost of time passing in the real world. Their journey becomes about more than their wishes; it’s about understanding loss and finding a way to move on.
Animation and Visuals
The animation, created by CLAP studio, is beautiful and adds a dreamlike feeling to the story. The scenes inside the tunnel are especially well done, making it feel magical and strange. Though the animation isn’t the most action-packed, it’s very emotional, especially during important moments between Kaoru and Anzu.
The characters are drawn with simple but expressive designs, capturing the small, emotional moments that make the story feel personal. The care taken in these scenes helps bring out the depth of the characters’ emotions.
Themes and Emotions
The main theme of the film is about dealing with loss and learning to move forward. Both Kaoru and Anzu have been hurt by their pasts—Kaoru by the death of his sister and Anzu by her broken family relationships. The tunnel represents the temptation to hold on to the past, even when it means sacrificing your future.
The pacing of the film might feel slow to some viewers, but this slow pace allows the characters’ emotions and growth to be fully explored. The story takes its time showing how Kaoru and Anzu help each other heal from their pasts, making their relationship feel genuine and meaningful.
One of the film’s strongest messages is that true healing doesn’t come from undoing the past but from accepting it. Kaoru’s journey through the tunnel, his conversations with his sister, and his final decision to move on all highlight this important lesson.
To Be Honest
I found The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes to be a deeply touching film. Its exploration of loss, regret, and the desire to bring back what is lost resonated with me. Kaoru and Anzu’s journey is not just about getting what they want; it’s about learning to let go and finding peace in what they have.
However, the film might not be for everyone. The pacing is slow, and those looking for more action or dramatic twists might find it lacking. But for people who enjoy character-driven stories filled with emotion, this film offers a rewarding experience. I was drawn into Kaoru and Anzu’s relationship and cared about both their individual stories and their connection as a pair.
