After Your Name and Suzume, this animated film will make you cry

Tunnel to Summer: a new wonder of Japanese animation

In recent years, Japanese animated cinema has given us some magnificent works. In 2016, Your name had left its mark. Its director, Makoto Shinkai, then proposed works almost as memorable Children of time (2019) e Suzume (2022). In all of his films, the author depicted high school students dealing with supernatural phenomena in works of remarkable poetry. If you liked these proposals we can only recommend you go and discover them Tunnel towards summerthis time directed by Tomohisa Taguchi, in theaters from June 5th.

Adapted from a light novelthen derived into manga consisting of 4 volumes, Tunnel towards summer follows Kaoru, a young high school student who has been living alone with his father ever since the death of his sister. A tragedy from which no one has recovered. Kaoru’s father abuses alcohol and takes it out on his son, while the boy blames himself for this tragedy. One day he finds out the mysterious Urashima tunnel which, according to legend, grants a wish to anyone who dares to cross it. A significant consequence, equivalent to a few seconds in this tunnel several hours in real life. Despite this, Kaoru will do everything to get to the end, encouraged by Anzu, a rookie in her class who also wants the tunnel to grant a wish.

A poetic work about mourning and the passage of time

Awarded the Paul Grimault Prize at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in 2023, Summer tunnel it’s a little gem that deals with both mourning (for Kaoru) and the desire to leave a mark on the world (for Anzu who dreams of becoming a mangaka). The film, however, is simpler and less virtuous than Tomohisa Taguchi’s cinema visually stunning, touched by the relationship that develops between these two teenagers, although Anzu is initially defensive and almost wild. An adolescent love that develops with delicacy and sweetness.

Then comes the concept of the tunnel which offers a reflection on the time and the difficulties of this young generation live in the present moment. The fault lies in the absence of loving family figures, for both. Lasting just 1 hour and 24 minutes, Tunnel towards summer it stands out for its simplicity and its ability to move, through these two adorable characters with whom we would stay a few more seconds in the tunnel.

Tunnel towards summer is available in theaters on June 5, 2024. Above is the trailer.

Source: Cine Serie

Ray

Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.