Tunnel to Summer, Exit to Goodbye: A moving story and its evaluation

"Tunnel to Summer, Exit to Say Goodbye" - A story of nostalgia and fast-paced summer

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Light novel

■ Release date

September 9, 2022

■Distribution company

・Distribution: Pony Canyon

■Frequencies

83 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Original work: ^{The Tunnel to Yamemeka, the Exit to Goodbye, Shogakukan}

■ Director

・Director: Tomohisa Taguchi

■ Production

・Animation production: CLAP
Produced by: "Summer Tunnel, Goodbye Exit" Film Production Committee

■Works

Ⓒ2022 Yamememe, Shogakukan / "Tunnel to Summer, Exit to Goodbye" Film Production Committee

■ Story

Urashima Tunnel - If you enter this tunnel, you can get anything you want. However, in exchange...

Kaoru Tono, who appears to have an elusive personality but is emotionally scarred by a past accident, and Anzu Hanashiro, who appears strong-willed but is troubled by the difference between her ideal self and the reality she has. The two form a cooperative relationship to investigate the mysterious tunnel and get what they want.

This is an unforgettable story of nostalgia and speed that takes place in a remote rural area over a summer.

■Explanation

I'm going to see you from that day.

The novel "Tunnel into Summer, Exit of Goodbye" (published by Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko), by Yame Mei, whose debut work won both the Gagaga Award and the Special Jury Award at the 13th Shogakukan Light Novel Awards, will be released as an animated film on September 9, 2022.

The animated film "Tunnel into Summer, Exit to Goodbye" is directed by animation director Tomohisa Taguchi, who is renowned for his visual expression (Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION Kizuna (20), Akudama Drive) with original character designs and original illustrations by Kukka (character designs for D_CIDE TRAUMEREI), known for his detailed and dramatic illustrations, and produced by the up-and-coming production company CLAP, whose works include "Pompo-san the Movie Lover" (21).

■Cast

・Kaoru Tono/Yoshi Suzuka/Anzu Hanashiro/Marie Iitoyo/Shohei Kaga/Yu Hatanaka/Koharu Kawasaki/Arisa Komiya/Teacher Hamamoto/Haruka Terui/Kaoru's father/Rikiya Koyama/Karen Tono/Seiran Kobayashi

■ Main staff

・Original work: "Tunnel to Summer, Exit to Goodbye" by Yameme Mei (published by Shogakukan's "Gagaga Bunko")
・Original illustrations, character design: Kukka ・Director, script, storyboard, direction: Taguchi Tomohisa ・Character design, chief animation director: Yabuki Tomomi ・Animation directors: Tachikawa Seiji, Yabuki Tomomi, Hasegawa Toruo, Kato Yasuhisa ・Prop design: Inadome Kazumi ・Direction: Miyake Kanji ・Color design: Goda Saori ・Art setting: Tsunagashira Eiko (Kusanagi)
・Art board/Daiki Kuribayashi (Kusanagi)
・Art director: Yuki Hatakeyama (Kusanagi)
・Director of photography: Hoshimei Takumi ・CG director: Saito Tsukasa (chiptune)
・Editor: Akinori Mishima ・Music: Harumi Fuki ・Sound Director: Satoki Iida ・Sound Production: Studio Mouse ・Sound Production Manager: Kana Uzawa ・Set Production: Shingo Nishikawa ・Production: Akinosuke Kanazawa, Keijiro Taguchi, Makiko Mameda ・Production Producer: Ryoichiro Matsuo ・Animation Production: CLAP
Distribution: Pony Canyon Production: "Summer Tunnel, Goodbye Exit" Film Production Committee

■ Main Characters

・KAORU TONO
A high school sophomore in a rural town. He lives with his father. He is conflicted inside due to an incident in his childhood. By chance, he learns of the existence of the Urashima Tunnel, which is said to grant wishes.
・Anzu Hanashiro
A transfer student from Tokyo. Beautiful and intelligent. On the first day of her transfer, she becomes an outsider in class, but after a certain incident, she and Kaoru form a cooperative relationship to explore the Urashima Tunnel.
・Shohei Kaga
Kaoru's friend in the same class.
・KOHARU KAWASAKI
A student in the same class. He has his eye on Anzu.
・Mr. Hamamoto
Class homeroom teacher.
・Kaoru's Father
Kaoru's father.
・KAREN TONO
Kaoru's younger sister.

■ Theme songs and music

・TM1
・Finale.
Lyrics by eill
・Composer/eill, Ryo'LEFTY'Miyata
・Song: eill

・IN1
・Pre-Romance ・Lyrics by eill
・Composer/eill, Ryo'LEFTY'Miyata
・Song: eill

■ Review

"Tunnel into Summer, Exit of Goodbye" is a theatrical animation directed by Tomohisa Taguchi, based on the light novel of the same name by Yameme Mei. This work skillfully depicts the nostalgia of youth and the sense of adventure, making it a work that deeply moves the audience.

The story is set in a high school in a rural town. The protagonist, Tono Kaoru, learns of a mysterious place called the Urashima Tunnel, despite the trauma of his childhood. Meanwhile, Hanashiro Anzu, who transferred from Tokyo, is beautiful and intelligent, but is troubled by the gap between her ideal self and her reality. The two decide to cooperate in order to investigate the Urashima Tunnel and make their wishes come true.

The appeal of this film lies above all in its storytelling. Director Taguchi Tomohisa has skillfully blended the bittersweetness of youth with the thrill of adventure, drawing the audience into the world of the story. In particular, the depiction of the Urashima Tunnel is extremely impressive, skillfully depicting the boundary between reality and fantasy. The characters' psychological portrayals are also detailed, allowing the audience to feel the emotions of Kaoru and Anzu in a realistic way.

The cast is also superb. Suzuka Hiroshi, who plays Tono Kaoru, carefully portrays the delicate emotions of a traumatized young man, drawing out the audience's sympathy. Meanwhile, Iitoyo Marie, who plays Hanashiro Anzu, charmingly plays a character who combines strength and vulnerability. Hatano Yu, who plays Kaga Shohei, and Komiya Arisa, who plays Kawasaki Koharu, also bring their characters to life, adding depth to the story.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The theme songs "Finale." and "Pre-Romance" by eill express the rich emotions of the story and move the audience's hearts. "Finale." in particular will leave a strong impression on the audience as it plays at the climax of the story.

The technical skills of CLAP, the animation production company, are also not to be missed. The character designs, background art, and use of CG all create a consistent and beautiful visual. In particular, the scene in the Urashima Tunnel will captivate the audience with its fantastical colors and movements.

This work is an unforgettable story of a summer that depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the thrill of adventure. The audience will be able to look back on their own youth along with the growth of Kaoru and Anzu. We hope you will experience this moving story at the theater.

■Recommendation

"Tunnel to Summer, Exit to Goodbye" is a work that I would like to recommend to anyone who loves youth animation. It is especially a must-see for those who are looking for the bittersweetness of youth and the thrill of adventure. It is also recommended for those who want to enjoy beautiful visuals and music.

After watching this film, we also recommend "Your Name" and "Weathering with You," which also depict the youthful emotions and thrills of adventure, and will deeply move the audience. Also, be sure to check out director Taguchi Tomohisa's other works, "Digimon Adventure: LAST EVOLUTION Kizuna" and "Akudama Drive," which show his talent for visual expression.

I also recommend the original novel, "Tunnel to Summer, Exit to Goodbye." You'll be able to get a deeper insight into the characters' inner lives and the detailed descriptions that weren't shown in the anime. Many of Yamememe's other works also depict stories of youth, so if you're interested, be sure to read them.

Finally, when you watch this film, please enjoy it on a big screen with high quality sound at the theater. You will be able to feel the fantastical scenes of the Urashima Tunnel and the emotion of the theme song to the fullest. "Tunnel into Summer, Exit of Goodbye" is an unforgettable story of a summer that depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the thrill of adventure. Please experience this moving story at the theater.