With summer comes summer romance, and what could be better than a summer romance with some sci-fi thrown in? A new trailer for the upcoming movie The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes, which is titled Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi in the original Japanese, was released on Monday, July 11.
The story revolves around Kaoru Tono, who one summer morning before the start of classes hears a rumor about an urban legend that piques his interest: there is a mysterious tunnel known as the Urashima Tunnel that can gives wishes to those who discover it and dare walk through it. The story is based on a light fiction by Mei Hachimoku with illustrations by Kukka, and afterward it was adapted into manga format illustrated by Koudon. However, individuals who go through the tunnel in order to fulfill their dreams must pay a price: they age and lose years of their lives. Although Kaoru initially finds it difficult to believe this unbelievable story, he suddenly realizes something when he comes across the alleged passage: He might be able to revive his younger sister Karen, who had passed away in an accident five years before.
But Kaoru didn’t anticipate being followed. Anzu Hanashiro, a mysterious new transfer student from his class, strikes up a deal with Kaoru to assist him in exploring the mystical route and learning its mysteries. What does Anzu require in return? Will they be able to obtain their dreams? And what price will they have to pay?
The deal-making scene in the teaser depicts Anzu and Kaoru standing in front of the Urashima tunnel and exchanging handshakes. With red and purple lights for when the two high school kids are stepping into the tunnel, there is a strong visual distinction between the environment outside and within. The theme song as performed by eill, who previously sang the finale for well-known anime series like Tokyo Revengers, is also featured in the teaser.
Marie Iitoyo, who plays Anzu; Oji Suzuka, who plays Kaoru; Tasuku Hatanaka, who plays Shohei Kaga, Kaoru’s classmate; Haruka Terui, who plays the homeroom teacher Hamamoto; Arisa Komiya, who plays Koharu Kawasaki; and Seiran Kobayashi, who plays Kaoru’s sister Karen, all have voices in the film. Ryouichirou Matsuo is the producer, Tomohisa Taguchi is the author and director, and Satoki Iida is in charge of the sound design.
On September 9, Japanese cinemas will host the nationwide premiere of The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes. The worldwide premiere’s scheduled date has not yet been made public.
The trailer is provided below.
