The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
A light novel about a tunnel that grants wishes at a cost.
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is a Japanese light novel written by Mei Hachimoku and illustrated by Kukka, published by Shogakukan under its Gagaga Bunko imprint in July 2019. The story, set in a fictional Japanese city near Kasaki Station, follows reclusive high school boy Kaoru Touno and selfish girl Anzu Hanashiro as they explore the mysterious Urashima Tunnel, a passage said to grant wishes at a cost. The work has been adapted into a manga series and an anime film, gaining international recognition.
Quick Facts
- Ja Romaji
- Natsu e no Tonneru, Sayonara no Deguchi
- Genre
- Romance · Science fiction
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The light novel was released on July 18, 2019, by Shogakukan under its Gagaga Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation, titled The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes: Ultramarine and illustrated by Koudon, was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Monthly Sunday Gene-X from July 2020 to November 2021, with its chapters collected in four tankōbon volumes. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment, with the English light novel released on May 17, 2022, and the first manga volume on July 26, 2022.
Reader's Guide
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is significant as a multi-media franchise that explores themes of loss, time, and wish fulfillment through the lens of a supernatural tunnel. The story's central conceit—the Urashima Tunnel, which grants wishes but distorts time—draws on Japanese folklore, while its focus on teenage protagonists dealing with trauma and ambition resonates with young adult audiences. The anime film adaptation, produced by CLAP and directed by Tomohisa Taguchi, premiered in September 2022 and won the Paul Grimault Award at the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Critical reception was generally positive, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 reviews, though some critics noted the plot's simplicity. The work's legacy includes expanding the reach of the original light novel through manga and film, and it has been licensed for distribution in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta.
Did You Know?
- The light novel was published by Shogakukan under its Gagaga Bunko imprint on July 18, 2019.
- The anime film was nominated for the Contrechamp award at the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival but did not win the Paul Grimault Award.
- The film's theme song is 'Finale' by Eill.
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