Anime Film ● Review: The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
- Very Average Joe
- Dec 28, 2025
- 3 min read
English Title: The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
Japanese Title: 夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口
Director(s): Taguchi Tomohisa
Screenwriter(s): Taguchi Tomohisa
Studio: CLAP
Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 23m
Starring: Suzuka Ouji, Iitoyo Marie
My Verdict: Slice-of-life fantasy romance and coming-of-age story. Moderately arty, mostly looks great. Short and simple, but too simple.
● Based on the light novel of the same name by Hachimoku Mei that was first published in 2019, this slice-of-life fantasy romance revolves around the urban legend of a tunnel that grants wishes to anyone who enters, but at a price.
● I have not read the light novel so this review is of the film only.
● Set in 2005, Touno Kaoru is a high school student in a rural coastal town. His father is a bit of a drunk and his mother is not in the picture. This is in large part due to the passing of his younger sister, Karen. One day, he meets a girl named Hanashiro Anzu at the train station who is actually a new student transferring in.
● One night, Touno discovers the “Urashima Tunnel” which is obviously not normal. He returns home, only realizing after that time passes differently when in the tunnel. Hanashiro finds out about it and the two agree to secretly work together to test out the tunnel so they can have their wishes granted.
● Touno and Hanashiro spend a lot of time together and their friendship develops with romantic undertones.
● They also deal with their loss, insecurities and aspirations. These themes are central to the work, so there is also a coming-of-age aspect to it.
● Visually, it is mostly executed well. There is a little inconsistency in the linework of the characters. At times, the characters do not match the background and environment which can be mildly jarring. This is because the background and environment are beautifully rendered, although there are a few shots that are trying a little too hard to show off.
● The scene composition is moderately arty slice-of-life, alternating between close-ups of details or everyday objects and wider shots. There is a little bit of Shinkai Makoto in the approach.
● The performances are decent although the voices are arguably a little older than what one expects given the characters’ age. This is also perhaps due to the two main characters being the quiet and cool type, and therefore coming across as more mature (even if they are not).
● Time passing differently in the tunnel is obviously inspired by works like Interstellar (2014) or the earlier anime film Voices of a Distant Star (2002), which is by Shinkai.
● Since this film does take the moderately arty approach, it rightfully keeps it short and simple to avoid being a drag.
● However, whilst there is a strong focus on the main characters, it excludes other characters too much. In this regard, the story is not realistic enough. Although not totally neglected, one expects more questions when two high school students spend a lot of time together or even disappear for a period.
● On a related note, the ending is also a bit rushed. It lacks details and a denouement. Some elements need to be signposted better. Whilst I have not read the light novel, the film comes across as too abbreviated and simple. It is not bad but it could be better.
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