by James Perkins

Adapted from a light novel of the same name, The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is the latest anime to hit Western shores courtesy of our friends at Anime Limited.

In this adolescent tale, Karou is at his lowest point after the accidental death of his sister and his parent’s divorce. One day, he hears a rumour about the Urashima Tunnel, where your wishes will be granted at the cost of time passing at a different rate. He has a chance bonding experience with classmate Anzu, and when they discover that it’s the tunnel is real, the two learn not only a lot about each other but also about themselves and must decide whether their ‘wishes’ are worth the sacrifice.

What makes this particular sci-fi romance stand out amongst its peers is that although it may seem pretty basic on the surface, it really fleshes out the ideas that it has with a lot of relatable and real core moments and characteristics. We’ve all had trouble dealing with grief in some fashion, and the thought of wishing something or someone back has definitely crossed our minds, regardless of the cost. This film also approaches these topics in a sensitive manner and an outcome that really makes you think – although loss is tough to live with, we must move on and make those moments we had with someone count for as much as possible.

The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is a beautiful tale of love, grief and positive thinking that will lift spirits and prove that although moving on is difficult, it is a part of life that makes us stronger. With gorgeous visuals and music, it’s a film that must be seen on the big screen.

The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is out now in select UK cinemas.