The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye

A schoolboy meets a schoolgirl on the railway station and gives her umbrella. You're right if you immidiately thought about love story, because that's how romances begin in recent anime. The "The Tunnel to Summer" is full of such cliches and you shold be ready for them while watching this anime like you are ready to the fact that there are little to no differences between fast foods' menus. The boy is your stereotypical male lead from modern anime: average in all aspects possible, anxious, whiny, hyper-reflective, impulsive, obsessive, self-absorbed, lacking common sense, intellectually and emotionally dull. In other words he is typical psychasthenic. The girl also matches current tropes - she is determined, rational and brave. Overall that's your another modern cliche with gender roles inversion. How refreshing indeed. The boy and the girl are in some way alike because both of them have problems with their parents and struggling to find a way out of their current situation. To cope the boy clinged to the past and the girl clinges to her dream of becoming mangaka.

That's where fantastic element comes into action. The boy finds a mysterious tunnel where you can find something that you lost in the past. The tunnel has a different time flow with hours there being years in the real world. So the boy and the girl begin to explore the tunnel in order to gain their wishes from it. The boy wants to ressurect his deceased sister while the girl wants to find in the tunnel a talent for manga that she thinks she is lacking (no logic here, since you can't find there something you didn't have - yet another clumsy sacrifice for the plot progression). In the process they fell in love with each other but since it's an anime they are unwilling to admit and reveal their feelings untill it's almost too late. The moral here is that you should not cling to the past but look into future. End of story. There are many plotholes and dumb acts in the process but overall that's it because this boring and tedious anime indeed ends abruptly.

The name "The Tunnel to Summer" is most probably a refference to Heinlein's "The Door into Summer" where the protagonist is trying to find a way out of the disastrous situation he stucked in. Heinlein's novel is also dealing with time shifts and a love which survives through years. But where in "The Door into Summer" the main character is actively searching for his "door into summer", putting all his efforts and ingenuity into this, the protagonist of "The Tunnel to Summer" is passively wasting his life and endagering his love by obsessively clinging to his past. Giving the tendency of anime protagonists to became more and more dumb and mentally disordered it's a good thing he realizes his problem after all. But really, he is not the best example to follow for the young adults. Heinlein's protagonist is much better suited for this role. Not to mention that "The Door into Summer" is a much more enthralling and imaginative read.

But "The Tunnel to Summer" has its pros. First of all it has great visual both in terms of drawing style and the animation. The main characters are aesthetically appealing and likable despite their density. Also this anime has positive moral message and happy ending, which is a great feat in the times of hypersentimental and decadent storytelling.

In my opinion, Tunnel to Summer is undeniably will be one of interesting best 2023 anime candidates to being considered.

Based on my experience, watching Tunnel to Summer without knowing storyline & its trailer would provide an exceptionally captivating experience and this will grow on you If have chances of finish reading its original Light Novel & Manga

Because the main storyline and key messages of both novel and anime is almost the same. The differences are in details + the novel kinda has semi-spinoff story.

Some examples of why the movie is worth spending time watching it :

• Great meaningful key messages
• Other than high quality animation & cinematography, I'm being blown away first time seeing tunnel's interior design and still nowadays curious about inspiration/reference why the tunnel looks like that. I'm really want to see interview from director!

• beyond expectations emotional drama scenes
• Great soundtracks that has its meaning matched with the storyline (Pre-Romance, Finale. & Katappo by eill)

The only downside until now I can think is the storytelling toward the end is quite accelerated to jump into the climax scene which is understandable But if your brain is not fast enough, you might overlooked some interesting detail of the movie.

( It's a bit similar to the feeling of just finished watching Neon Genesis Evangelion, but Tunnel to Summer is extremely much easier to understand❕)

The film is beautifully animated with muted colors that perfectly capture the film's melancholic atmosphere. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the voice acting is top-notch. The film's pacing is slow but deliberate, allowing the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the story.

The film's central message is that we should cherish the present moment and not dwell on the past. The tunnel represents the temptation to go back in time and change the past, but the film ultimately shows that this is a futile endeavor. The film also explores the power of first love and how it can help us to heal from past trauma.

Overall, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is a beautifully animated and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of grief, loss, and first love. The film is a must-see for fans of anime and coming-of-age stories.

Here are some of the things that make the film stand out:

The film's unique premise and setting.

The film's beautiful animation and muted colors.

The film's well-developed characters and relatable story.

The film's slow but deliberate pacing.

The film's central message about cherishing the present moment.

Here are some of the things that viewers might not like about the film:

The film's slow pacing.

The film's focus on melancholy themes.

The film's ambiguous ending.

Overall, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is a well-made and emotionally resonant film that is sure to resonate with viewers who are looking for a thoughtful and introspective anime film.

The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is an anime film that masterfully combines mystery, emotion, and stunning visuals into an unforgettable experience. Its unique storytelling hooks you right from the start, building tension and curiosity as the story unfolds.

Thrilling and Thought-Provoking The film keeps you on edge, with its intriguing premise and unpredictable twists that make you anticipate every moment. As you follow the characters, you can't help but root for them as they navigate their complex emotions and challenges.

Exceptional Animation The animation is breathtaking, enhancing the immersive experience with vivid visuals and stunning detail. It's a key aspect that keeps you engaged, complementing the film's deep emotional beats and thrilling moments.

Characters That Stay With You The characters are well-crafted, with personalities that make them easy to connect with. Their growth and choices leave a lasting impression, creating curiosity about what their lives might be like after the credits roll.

I have never watched another romance anime like this before. It really stand out from the crowd of pop-coloured kawaii anime movies out there.

Two high school students discover a tunnel where time bends and twists bizarrely and where your deepest wish can come true, although at a cost.

The animation is beautiful and the muted colours add to the atmosphere,realism and sincerity of the plot. The firework scene at the summer festival is beautiful. The movie is very heartfelt and sincere because of the simple plot and straightforward dialogue, not despite of them.

If you are looking for a romantic anime movie that doesn't have the traditional blockbuster style and plot to appeal to the masses but stays true to its own vision and style, this one is for you!