The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is heading to cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 14th July 2023. The film will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. To book your tickets now, head on over to http://tunneltosummerfilm.co.uk/ for more information.
Synopsis
One summer morning before school, Kaoru hears an unsettling rumour – of a mysterious tunnel that can grant any wish to those who enter it, but ages them dramatically in exchange. At first, he writes it off as nothing more than an urban legend, but that very night, he happens upon the same passage: the Urashima Tunnel. As he stands before its gaping maw, a thought occurs to him: if this tunnel truly does have the power to grant any wish, could he use it to bring his younger sister back from her untimely death five years prior?
Yet when he returns to explore the tunnel the next day, he finds he’s been followed by the new girl in class: a total enigma by the name of Anzu. She takes an interest in Kaoru, and they agree to work together to investigate the time-twisting tunnel and uncover its mysteries. Together, they might achieve their deepest desires…but are they prepared for what it may cost them?
Review
The ability to travel through time is something that transcends all media formats and mediums. You might say it’s quite literally timeless. The fascinating thing about time-bending narratives is that there are many ways to approach time as a concept, from Interstellar to Re:Zero. It may be a repetitive sub-genre in film, but there are always subtle differences that spark life into this very familiar narrative. The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes incorporates some of the best and most daunting notions of time travel and works them in a way that feels fresh and unique.
That’s what The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes excels at. It approaches time in a fascinating way that keeps you thinking constantly about the imminent repercussions. Not only that, but the film uses a visual aid that acts as a point of travel, which also adds a beautiful flare that completely separates it from other time travelling stories. The introduction of the Urashima Tunnel is, in a way, a beautiful curse. There’s something about it that captures you from a visual standpoint, but also from a perspective of natural curiosity. If there was something that you deeply desired, would you be prepared to sacrifice time in order to obtain it? It’s an interesting question, but it’s this concept that establishes the relationship between Kaoru and Anzu, and sets them on a path to conquer time for their own personal, and to an extent, selfish ambitions.
Kaoru and Anzu are two completely different characters, yet the bond they form, despite being motivated by their goals, is rather wholesome. It blossoms and gradually transforms as their research intensifies. One of the best things this film does is utilize a very minimal cast. The focus is entirely on Kaoru and Anzu which allows you to quickly bond with them. They are both quiet and reserved, but it quickly becomes clear that there is more to them than meets the eye. There’s a sadness to them, almost as though they’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, but they use that pain as a boost and as a link that binds them together. In terms of their own goals, Kaoru is plagued by guilt over the loss of his sister, while Anzu is trying to rectify a mistake that has torn her family apart. They are both incredibly sweet characters who don’t deserve the pain they bear which makes this film even more painful to watch because you know that things are going to go wrong… And they do.
Unfortunately, when things do go south it doesn’t quite pack a full punch. While Kaoru and Anzu’s relationship is the primary focus in this film, it doesn’t quite reach its full potential due to the short runtime. Clocking in at just 1 hour and 20 minutes, The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes stumbles to tell a fully fledged story. The film does an outstanding job at exploring the mystery of the Urashima Tunnel, but there are so many things that feel unfinished, unresolved and unexplored. In a way, it doesn’t hinder the film too much because it nails what it sets out to do, but it felt like it had so much more to offer in terms of exploring the aftermath of visiting the Tunnel and expanding on Kaoru and Anzu’s relationship.
While it does tackle deep themes of loss, regret, love and this idea of wasted time, they don’t feel as powerful because the time we spend dealing with these emotions and concepts is quite minimal. Having said that though, there are still so many sweet and tender moments that really show you how these characters have evolved purely because of their bond. Anzu comes across very mysterious and quite brooding, but behind that facade is a shy yet creative girl fueled by her passion for stories. For Kaoru, he comes across very timid and private, but as he opens up he reveals a more tender and compassionate side- a side that is very much hidden from everyone else.
The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is beautifully animated by CLAP Studio, who previously worked on Pompo: The Cinephile. It doesn’t set out to do anything too incredibly ambitious, but there’s a really nice use of colours that both evoke the inner turmoil consuming Kaoru and Anzu, and the magic that awaits inside the Urashima Tunnel. The character designs are great, but what truly sets them apart is that they both have their own little idiosyncrasies, little traits that accentuate their personalities and that really bring them to life.
Verdict
The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is a wonderfully touching and captivating story of grief, regret and love. With an incredibly cool and even scary supernatural twist thrown into the mix, this film will leave you pondering whether you’d give up time for something you truly want… Or think you want. Filled with fantastic animation and delighful characters that carry the story brilliantly, The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is a must-see for any anime fan who loves a heartwarming and magical story. The only thing that drags this film down is its short runtime, but then again… This entire film is about how precious time is, so perhaps that’s the point.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Will you be checking out The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes when it arrives on the big screen? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget, you can catch up on more anime goodness right here.
