What is Violet Evergarden?
Violet Evergarden is based on the manga created by Kana Akatsuki and Akkiko Takase. The manga was published in December 25, 2015 and ended around March 27, 2020. The plot is about a young girl named Violet Evergraden, who is a former child solider and an orphan that isolate herself from emotions. Violet is named after a flower from her caretaker Gilbert Bougainvillea, who is always in the military as Major. After war, Violet is picked up by Claudia Hodgins, who is a friend of Gilbert and business owner of postal company. Violet is hired by Hodgins to be an “Auto Memory Doll” employee and questions about how to love and express feeling towards others. Throughout the series, Violet goes to school to become a full-fledged Auto Memory Doll and meets her first client Luculia Mariborough.
Luculia parents died in the war and lives her brother Spencer. Violet writes a letter to Luculia’s brother and two reconcile. Next client is a princess named Charlotte Abelfreyja Drossel who want to confess her feelings to Prince Damian. Afterwards, helped Leon Stephanotis in writing a manuscript at Shahar Observatorr. Next up, a novelist/playwriter named Oscar Webster, his daughter died from illness and Violent helps him move on. Violent helps a mother with an illness to write a letter to her daughter Anne Magnolia. Her client Clara died after, Violet leave the village and watching over Anne. Lastly, Aiden Field, a wounded solider that misses his childhood friend Amy Barttett. In the series, Violet had trouble writing letter for individuals which certain characters question her.
Is Violet Evergarden a Robot?
She has trouble expressing emotion and always follows order like a solider. While her time at Postal company, Violet spends time with her co-workers like Iris Cannary, who lives in a rural village of Kazaly. In episode 4, Iris family threw her a birthday and later on revealed that she has rejected by childhood friend. Which cause a rift between Iris and her family, later on Violet helps her reconcile with her loved ones. Even Violet was given order from Iris not to invite her childhood friend but her mother is the client. I would say Violet sometimes disobey orders and have a mindset of a solider. Before using a typewriter, Violet removes her gloves to reveal a prosthetic arms which reminds me of Fullmetal Alchemist Automail. We didn’t know how did she get those metal arms in the series that’s another things that left out.
Violet is a closed book and sometimes keep her emotions to herself. Violet has excellent combat abilities and answer is how did she learn to fight. Gilbert probably taught her how to fight also learning how to read and write. Violet Evergarden remains emotionless but some express sadness and happiness during last episode. Other look at her as a weapon like Gilbert’s older brother Dietfrield but changes his mind in episode 13. Deep down inside, Violet is not a weapon nor robot but someone who struggles with emotions along with society. Like Hodgins told her that Violet is burning inside because her backstory which scars her for life. Violet has seen sadness and death around her. She rarely express anger and hostile towards others. I don’t know she has PTSD after war and finding out that Gilbert has passed away in episode 7 and 8.
Thoughts on Violet Evergarden?
Violet Evergreen confront Gilbert living family to learn the truth and find closure. In my opinion, I think Violet Evergreen is one of the saddest anime I ever watched. Even anime is 13 episodes along with side story OVA along with a 2020 movie. Kyoto Animation did amazing job with making the series a masterpiece. I like outline and shading in characters hair especially female characters. English Dub voice cast gave it their all like Ericka Harkacher who nailed the role as Violet. Each character have development and point of view on what is their purpose. Soundtrack makes a fresh take on war and lightheartedness with a gear shift. There is a message that letters are made from hearts and emotions of people. Sometimes memories as well, which people can treasure them until their torch light is gone. Even anime is all about war but letters can make peace.
During episode 12, Auto Memory Dolls where on a mission to stop the war but others wanted to keep it going. I have watched “The Glassworker” which movie revolves around war. Feel free to check out the article. Anyways, Violet Evergarden has touch the hearts of anime fans and won an award for best animation from IGN along with Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The series is very short and not for younger audience due to blood. Kyoto animation known for Kanon, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star and K-On brought down the house. There was a Kyoto animation fire attack in 2019 but I am glad that studio is back. Other than that, I really recommend watching this series and put yourself in the shoe of Violet.
Closing
Is Violet a robot or human being? Only you the reader or viewer will answer that question. Before, I ended this article, my favorite episode is 10 due to Anne mother passed away. It was the best written and direction of an episode I ever watched. I have to say that people who are closed to me passed away and how children deal with death. Feel free to watch that episode it is amazing, that being said, Violet Evergreen is available to watch on Netflix. What are your thoughts on Violet Evergarden, let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading this blogpost and see you in the next one from yours truly.
