The Tunnel To Summer, The Exit Of Goodbyes (Natsu e no Tonneru, Sayonara no Deguchi; 夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口) is an upcoming sci-fi romance anime film centred on 2 high school protagonists, Kaoru Tono and Anzu Hanashiro.
Image credit: 八目迷・小学館／映画『夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口』製作委員会
The film is adapted from Mei Hachimoku’s debut light novel, whose manuscript was first submitted through the 13th Shogakukan Light Novel Awards in 2019.
There, Mei Hachimoku clinched both the Gagaga Award and the Judges’ Choice Award. Since there were no Grand Prize awardees that year, the Gagaga Award was essentially the most prestigious award.
In the film, Kaoru Tono sees hope of reviving his dead sister after chancing upon the Urashima Tunnel, which is said to grant wishes in exchange for a part of your lifespan.
Image credit: 八目迷・小学館／映画『夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口』製作委員会
He is joined by Anzu Hanashiro, his new classmate who offers to explore the tunnel together. However, the duo gradually get closer – intimate enough for their classmates to notice.
Interior of Urashima Tunnel.
Image credit: 八目迷・小学館／映画『夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口』製作委員会
The 2nd trailer for the anime film dropped on 16th August 2022 via Anime PONY CANYON’s Youtube channel, revealing the anime film’s theme song, Finale, by Japanese singer eill.
Japanese singer eill.
Image adapted from: @natsuton_anime
According to her, the song title was inspired by the 2 protagonists’ eventual openness with each other.
Watch the 2nd trailer here:
Video credit: ぽにきゃん-Anime PONY CANYON
Compared to the 1st trailer, it’s 30 seconds longer and shows more of Kaoru’s backstory and hesitation towards entering the tunnel.
Watch the 1st trailer here:
Video credit: ぽにきゃん-Anime PONY CANYON
Additionally, the new trailer hints at a bittersweet romance between the 2 protagonists by mixing romantic scenes with snippets of arguments and separation.
The Tunnel To Summer, The Exit Of Goodbyes is a CLAP Studio production directed by Tomohisa Taguchi, who will also be handling the upcoming Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime series.
Director Tomohisa Taguchi.
Image adapted from: AniDB
Anzu Hanashiro will be voiced by 24-year-old actress and model Marie Iitoyo, who previously starred in the live-action special of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day as Chiriko Tsurumi.
Meanwhile, Kaoru Tono will be voiced by Oji Suzuka, who plays Ryuji Nagaya in Roppongi Class, the Japanese drama adaptation of Itaewon Class.
(Left to right) Marie Iitoyo and Oji Suzuka.
Image credit: @natsuton_anime
From 18th August 2022 to 30th September 2022, those living in Japan are eligible to participate in an ongoing lucky draw to win merch. All you have to do is share your thoughts about the anime film in 64 Japanese characters or less. However, those who enter the draw using their Twitter accounts have double the chances of winning.
Lucky draw participants cannot choose a preferred prize.
Image credit: 八目迷・小学館／映画『夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口』製作委員会
Currently, there are over 17,000 entries – you can check the updated number of participants here. 30 winners will be directly contacted by the management through email, and the notice is non-transferable.
As for the prizes, there are up to 5 winners for scripts autographed by the cast, 10 for a cast-autographed poster, and 15 for a custom designed clear poster.
The Tunnel To Summer, The Exit Of Goodbyes will begin airing across movie theatres in Japan from 9th September 2022 onwards. You can either purchase your ticket on-site or online through their official ticketing website.
While there’s no news about the anime film’s international release yet, with enough hype, we’re sure that fans outside of Japan will soon be treated to the mind-bogging plot too.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @natsuton_anime
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