The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes

I'll keep it short. I read the light novel and honestly this was a REALLY disappointing adaptation. Scenes were changed, entire CHARACTERS were basically cut out and had no screentime, and even the entire MAIN THEME OF THE BOOK WAS COMPLETELY GONE! Please I beg of you just read the light novel and not this movie, it really doesn't do the source material justice... The only plus is the art and animation and even that doesn't matter because what ISN'T eye candy nowadays. I also didn't like the voice acting, everyone sounded like a robot and spoke quickerthan a Monogatari character. The Movie is so short so everything feels so unnaturally paced. I feel insulted watching this...

This is a fantastic story for which the audience's response embodies the key messages of the movie itself. To begin with the elementary components, the fine-tuned visuals are nothing less than awe-striking, with the color tones perfectly corresponding with the auras of various significant locations in the movie. From the tranquil environment of Niizaki to the stunning interior of the Urashima tunnel, the shift in visual portrayals of different atmospheres gives the viewer an almost otherworldly experience that wholly flourishes the beauty and surrealness of magical realism. On the topic of magical realism, the concept of the dilation of time and space has been afrequently-visited one, but the unique role of the Urashima tunnel is revealed to be very different from what the tunnel seems to offer at first: instead of satisfying one's desires in exchange for their lifetime, Urashima tunnel is instead a final destination for those trapped by the past to regress into their longings and give up on moving forward with the world. This gradual revelation in combination with the occasional introspective conversations between Tono and Hanashiro is not only a propellant for character development but also a telling reminder of the passing of time - that the past is unchangeable, and that attempting to change it will only result in one losing the present as well. This seemingly unreal element does not detach itself from the fabric of reality but instead evokes the viewer to reflect on their own stories and regrets. Such is the epitome of magical realism. --- Spoiler Warning --- At last, the bittersweet reunion between Tono and Hanashiro that concludes the movie leaves a lasting tension in the viewer's heart as "Finale" by eill plays at the end. Although Hanashiro, now 22, has already spent 5 years without Tono, and the two now face a world far ahead of them, the couple's indestructible bond still calls for the viewer to hope that they will overcome any future difficulties together. Although they couldn't spend every moment next to each other, their fighting spirit - the sheer defiance to forget everything else and pursue each other - is something both beyond the logical grasp yet truly admirable. Come to think of it, time passed by very quickly both when I was watching the movie and when I am writing this review. Perhaps this movie has the Urashima tunnel effect too! Of course, this fantastic story of a young couple's love that excelled beyond space and time is unlikely to happen in reality, but in these few hours, I was able to forget about the toils, frustrations, and restraints of reality and wholly immerse in the blooming emotions of this tunnel to summer. For that, I am truly grateful to have come across this movie. Thank you for reading my thoughts on this amazing movie! I sincerely hope you enjoyed it as well.

Read the Light novel or wait for the anime adaptation? Yes, that question was asked as a topic on 1/7/2022 Well, I'm glad I read the LN first....the amazing artwork by Kukka was what drew me in initially So, alot of big scenes in the LN were cut....alot of these bits were what made the LN award winning in the first place, and thus landed an anime adaptation...only to be cut out? Now it feels like and ordinary rom-com story....why??? Here's what made the LN such a delight to read: The unresolved grief and regret of Kaoru is more superficial in the movie. Does not feel that big of a deal,he should go and waste 13 years of his life to chase. In the LN Karen literally had to force him to leave lol. Karen part also seems toned down, in how she treated him when he went to see her...it is more touching in the LN. More character development and conflict between Koharu....in the movie, why even add her at all. Kaoru's dad, and their relationship, his grief and motivation to move on is not explored, and the ending too, where they visit his old house, where dad left Karen's belongings in a box, that Kaoru hid away from his dad, has been cut...this was a huge part of the LN which helped with Kaoru's closure. You then knew dad was suffering too, and finally just had to move on, but when he left the house, and the house deteriorated over the 5 years, dad even found the box, but never threw it out...it was one of the most touching scene in the LN....This isnt a spoiler as its not in the movie.