The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes

During a feverish summer in a quiet countryside, Kaoru Tono, a secluded teen with a haunted past, teams up with Anzu Hanashiro, whose public persona masks a more honest self. They hear rumors of the Urashima Tunnel, a tunnel that promises to grant desires but exacts a price. The pair decide to test the legend, drawn by their own longings and the lure of changing their lives. As their memories and present selves collide, they confront the gaps between who they appear to be and who they are inside. The film blends nostalgia with a soft science fiction edge, creating a dreamlike voyage without heavy action. Its pacing balances quiet character moments with hints of wider possibilities.

Directed by Mei Hachimoku and Tomohisa Taguchi, this 2022 animated drama derives from an original story by its creators. The film showcases a restrained, atmospheric approach to fantasy and romance.

Reviewers note the movie's quiet mood and its thoughtful take on memory and desire. The narrative treats nostalgia not as escape but as a test of character, asking how far a wish made in youth can shape the someone you become. The performances feel measured and quietly hopeful throughout too.