While writing other people’s emotions, she may have neglected her own. Violet Evergarden, the child
soldier turned Auto Memory Doll, writes letters that evoke the words her clients can’t. But when a
terminally ill boy requests her services for his family, her own feelings about love and loss
resurface. Now she must confront her past and the death of the Major.
(Source: Funimation)
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS "You don't need me anymore, so let's not meet" - when I heard that, my heart dropped like hers must've did. __Story: 10/10__ I liked the direction. The movie started from the perspective of the great granddaughter of one of Violet's clients, who became entranced after reading the letters much treasured throughout the years. We're shown the cruel reality of dolls being put out of business by advancements in technology, namely the telephone. However, this did not deter our temporary protagonist from travelling to the post office where it all took place, which has been turned into a museum. The film jumped to Violet's perspective at this point, after a brief recap. She had just delivered a song of praise for the seas, in a ceremony so formal I was worried she might be indoctrinated back into the army. Then just as suddenly, we're shown a flash of the life of a man on an unknown island. It looks post apocalyptic, I wasn't sure it was in the present. The hair and eyes of the male character looked familiar; where have I seen him before? You might already be able to guess his identity based on the trailer, but lots of questions arose. Why didn't he attempt to come back if he was alive? Did he lose his memory? Well, you'll have to watch to find out. __Character: 9/10__ Yulice's (not sure the English spelling) story was also bittersweet, and I liked how Violet's professionalism and weight she put together in their promise helped her make up her mind on giving up on the Major. The regret she shown was very admirable to say the least, as she realised the impossibility to fulfill his final request during the storm. I was afraid that Violet will never get to know that he was actually happy for her, but thankfully Iris relayed that to her later on. __Overall: 9.3/10__ I can't express my feelings in words now. All in all, the whole framing was so great, everyone was crying throughout the movie. My only qualm is how much Gilbert was romanticized in the anime series, but he is actually a shallow piece of sh** (pardon my language) in the movie. Luckily his brother and our dear Hodgins managed to bring him to his senses, else it might've been a sad ending. For that, the only category I won't be rating 10 is Character. __Afterthoughts__ I am glad that it was a wholesome happy ending, and I don't think there will be a second season given how perfectly the story ended. There were 2 different light novels that I received as a bonus present during the screening that illustrates the life of Violet after the ending of the movie that concludes whatever questions you may have. Let's hope they'll be distributed in overseas screenings as well.
~~~img600(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Violet_Evergarden_logo.svg/2319px-Violet_Evergarden_logo.svg.png)~~~ ~~~___CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS___~~~ __Note__: I watched this film when it premiered in the cinema, therefore I am unable to provide exact quotes. However, what I’d like to discuss are the key points that really touched my heart. ~~~__BACKGROUND__~~~ ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmhcKiGXUAA2bgN?format=jpg&name=small)~~~ In the anime, Violet Evergarden has grown from a human weapon to a writer who is able to convey the heart of her clients. However, even as the years had passed, she had never forgotten Gilbert and continues to hope for his return. Therefore, although Violet has grown, she has never truly forgotten, nor is it right to assume that she had moved on. This film, moreover highlights Violet’s struggle with losing a loved one from war. However, we don’t see a resolution of accepting loss. Instead, we saw the fruits of her hope when Gilbert was revealed to be alive. It is important to note that the film and the novel had done this reunion differently. I cannot measure which one is better. However, I did find this film’s new and original take quite satisfying and beautiful. __~~~YURITH (A Subplot)~~~__ ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eld7ARbU0AE7-i-?format=jpg&name=900x900)~~~ Yurith is a young sick boy who commissioned Violet to write letters for his family; so that once he passes, she can deliver the letters to those he left behind. This kind of plot is quite common in Violet Evergarden, but it never failed to tug at my heart strings. The emotions in Yurith’s voice and his earnest love for his family was so real, that it hurts. What really made me cry was the scene when he made a call to his best friend and apologised for pushing him away. Yurith’s voice cracked as if it took everything for him to even speak, but the love conveyed through that telephone call, speaking of friendships which surpasses once’s lifetime was so sincere and comforting. ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eld7AR7VgAAKvJU?format=jpg&name=900x900)~~~ Next was when his family read his letters soon after he passes away. Watching the pained cries of his mother and the silent tears that his father can no longer hold as they read his letter; _~~~‘I am glad to have been born your son.’~~~_ A simple yet warm statement, so kind and full of love. _~~~‘To my younger brother, please be doted by our parents on my behalf.’~~~_ Yurith pushed his parents and younger brother away when he was sick. But secretly, he longed to be doted for. To be loved and to be cared for by his parents. But because of his condition, it was easier for him to push everyone away to make it easier to accept his fate. To pass on the love that was meant for him to his younger brother was so kind and so reassuring. It allows his parents to (somewhat) let go of him and focus their affections on their youngest. That although Yurith is gone, his love lives on, and his parents’ love for him can be manifested through his younger brother. ~~~__GILBERT (main plot)__~~~ ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EnUuKPAUYAE-X42?format=jpg&name=900x900)~~~ The central plot revolves around Gilbert surviving the war after losing an eye and an arm. Gilbert lived in a far off island which gained independence after the war, working as a teacher. It was a peaceful life and none of his friends and family knew that he had survived. This is because Gilbert had ran away from his life due to the guilt and grief he felt by making Violet a weapon of war (which resulted her to lose her limbs). In the novel, this was completely different. Many of Gilbert’s friends and family knew he was alive. I cannot accurately explain this myself, but I’d like to provide you with the criticism of _u/lovingcrimson_ from [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/VioletEvergarden/comments/iwh3ty/violet_evergarden_the_movie_summary_this/ ) which explained the ideas conveyed in the novel of who Gilbert is supposed to be. (I don’t believe they have seen this film yet prior to this statement. Their opinions seem to be based on the rough (and incomplete) summary provided by someone who had watched it). ~~~__- Beginning of Quotation -__~~~ Here's the novel's translators words: _The deal with novel!Gilbert is that he looks around at everything he has, everything that had been burdening him and killing him on the inside all his life, and decides to make use of it for Violet’s sake. He continues being family head and working in the army, amassing money and connections in order to have every means possible to protect Violet should anything happen to her. And as it turns out, he does end up having to use those means, more than once, but he will keep this up for as long as he needs to, because he lives for her now. That’s what makes him worth all the blood, sweat, tears, mental sanity and even body parts that she gave away for his sake: he pays it back. Every cent._ 'This path KyoAni took also introduces plot holes. Without Gilberts protection, she had no one in the military ensuring that she wasn't reclaimed by them and used again as a weapon. As well, the honorable, worthy man for Violet was turned into a pathetic, hermit of a man deserving nothing more than the fate of dying alone in the place he fled to. KyoAni could've pulled this movie into a mega twist where Bert is both revealed as alive and that he had been behind the scenes all along, and then using the remainder of the movie to allow Violet and Bert to reconcile and come together culminating in the confession scene in the third novel chapter 6. It could've left it at that. It would've been beautiful to have seen the movie centering around Bert's past/path before they reunited, showing Bert working hard at keeping Violet safe from the shadows while trying to reconcile his own feelings and guilt. Unburdened by having her at his side, he's able to grow from a frontlines soldier into a masterful tactician, both militarily and in the civilian world. Climbing ranks, building connections, obtaining wealth, not for himself but for her. Watching from the shadows - knowing his direct presence would hurt her growth - but ever keeping an invisible shield over her from forces inconceivable to someone only used to seeing the immediate physical surroundings as a battlefield. Unlike Bert, who was raised in a prestigious family with military heritage, Violet is/was unaware of the political, socioeconomic and strategic dangers. That was part of the beauty of their relationship, the canon reason he disappeared, and would've pulled it all together.' ~~~__- End of Quotation -__~~~ With that being said, although I do agree that the novel had honoured Gilbert’s character with much more depth, I do not think that the film had made an utter mockery of him. In the film, Gilbert ran way due to his grief and guilt. ~~~_‘I wanted her to be able to be affectionate to cute things.’_~~~ ~~~img700(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/29/91/bf29916a230ef43f1f38202059585218.gif)~~~ His hope for her was to allow her to grow as a normal child. To see the world and appreciate the beauty of life. But because he needed her in battle, he lives in resentment for sacrificing her youth for his benefit (or well, the benefit of the country). As a result, he wanted to socially die. To be perceived as dead believing that it was better for everyone. Although this plotline has constricted his ‘true and original’ character, it was still very real and raw. This does not indicate that Gilbert did not love Violet or that he was a terrible man. Rather, it conveys Gilbert as a man who struggles from the trauma he has experienced from war. The regret of surviving while watching people around him die in both factions of the war; it is very human to run away from this. That is why I cannot hate how KyoAni changed Gilbert’s character. It did not undermine who he is, nor is it a reflection that he is selfish. Rather, _Gilbert is a result of the guilt and burdens born from war._ However, although Gilbert attempted to run away from the life he left behind. He was never forgotten. Violet, unwaveringly believed that he was alive. Hodgins, although many years had passed, remembers Gilbert’s handwriting and sought to trace him down. Dietfried, his brother, was unable to let go of his memory. Going so far as to lie to Violet about Gilbert’s hat (claiming that it was his) so that Violet wouldn’t take it as her own memorabilia. Although Gilbert tried to run away from his grief, he was so deeply loved. ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjseUFUVkAA_u9E.jpg)~~~ Regardless of the choices he made in war. Regardless of his cowardice and guilt, they all loved him and this finally reaches him when Violet wrote her last letter to him. ~~~_‘When you told me ‘I love you’, I realised that I wanted to say it back.’_~~~ ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkTJ6FcX0AMyyp_.jpg)~~~ ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/En0pcL0VgAYuKfH?format=jpg&name=900x900)~~~ Violet loves Gilbert. She chose to become a Doll and grew to become a person who aims to understand the feelings of others because of the love that Gilbert had given her. Violet wanted to understand Gilbert’s love, which had lead her to become who she is today. Therefore, although the film did not take the same route as the book, the effect that Gilbert had on her was still, very much, just the same. That because of him, she desired to become more than just a human weapon. Because of him, she wanted to know ‘love’. ~~~__‘Your voice is my guide.’__~~~ When Gilbert read this last part of the letter and the song, Michishirube / みちしるべ by 茅原実里 came on, I cried. It was so fitting. All the emotions I was keeping inside came rolling out and I was filled with the bittersweet tenderness of love. Gilbert’s voice was never just an order for Violet. It was her guide and protector. It shaped her to become who she is now. ~~~Regardless of everything I have done, _‘still…I love you. I want you by my side.’_~~~ ~~~img700(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EonrP1IVgAATwaO?format=jpg&name=900x900)~~~ ‘I love you.’ ‘Aishiteru’. 愛してる. To love someone so deeply, immeasurably, sincerely. When Gilbert finally expresses the desires of his heart, Violet was unable to express herself, _‘I…Major…’_. She repeatedly utters this as she cries, her fist clenched as she tried to will herself to speak, completely overwhelmed by Gilbert’s declaration. Moreover, Gilbert acknowledges that it may be selfish of him to still want her by his side. That after using her and running away, deep in his heart, he wanted her desperately. I thought this scene was so beautiful. It was so sweet and heartfelt. And most importantly, it was so wonderfully raw. What makes Violet Evergarden so charming is its ability to express honest emotions. I told myself I wasn’t going to cry in this film. But how can I not when the emotions punches right through your soul? I really enjoyed this film even if it took a different approach from the novel. The scenes were beautiful, the music fits in so well, and the conveyance of emotion was well done. I am satisfied.
# ~~~__Violet Evergarden The Movie(2020)__ __Kyoto Animation's__ first work in a long time, following the horrendous attack that took place last year. I was lucky enough to be able to see this on 10/12/20 in my local theaters. As a general thought, this movie served well enough as a closure to its massively successful prequel. # ~~~~~~Story - 8/10~~~~~~ I'd like to think that I'm crazy lenient for giving this category as high as I did. I did not think the story was any more special/different from the prequel.__ It's mostly the same as what you'd get from watching the original__. The only difference is the conclusion, and also the main reason of why I think I'm crazy. The conclusion (__very important clarification. I don't mean the end as in the legit last shot of the movie, I meant the moments leading up to it, meaning ~30mins before the end.__) SUCKED. It was mostly a waste of a time and threw away a very cool underlying narrative the show might have been trying to build over the course of the movie. Otherwise it's a pretty standard Violet Evergarden-esque story. Which is to say, __very good__. # ~~~~~~Characters - 7/10~~~~~~ This score looks more likely to me. I'm still on the fence on whether it was the characters that sucked or the ending that sucked. I chose to go with the former here where everything fell apart near the end. The whole movie was great as a whole, but character motivations were somewhat lost in the final act with many decisions leaving you confused as to why they would do that. # ~~~~~~Sound - 8/10~~~~~~ Really love the sound in this show. OST/BGM came on at the right times, were pleasant to listen to. Many atmospheric sounds. Only complain was that it got loud out of nowhere sometimes (2 times?) # ~~~~~~Animation - 10/10~~~~~~ It's KyoAni. What more do I gotta say. The __rain and water animation__ towards the end of the show were impeccable and more than on par with Kotonoha no Niwa's. # ~~~~~~Direction - 9/10~~~ Tempted to give this a 10 since I'm a total newb when it comes to recognizing directional talent. Character (re)introductions were done superbly well, there's use of the classic emphasis, but not overdone like in the __KNY movie__ and a very nice past/present type of storytelling as well, albeit cliché. It is a well directed movie that won't ever bore you, despite it being a really slow burn SoL. # ~~~Overall~~~ I liked this movie. The ending got me feeling all types of ehhhh but everything else was good. __The only other thing I'll mention is, and try not to let this affect your viewing experience, but pay close attention to the distance all the characters are apart from each other while speaking. It was funny as heck. __ I still don't know what score to give it though as I totally suck at giving movie scores due to my low count so why not you tell me what I should give it based on what I said.
~~~__(There will be some spoilers in this review. Most of them will be from the original anime series. When it comes to any major spoilers for the 2020 film, I’ll keep them stowed away in the spoiler tags. DO NOT click them if you want to avoid major plot points and developments from the film.)__~~~ ~~~img400(https://i.ibb.co/kyyksbx/covidsubmission.jpg)~~~ # ~~~_Violet Evergarden: The Movie_~~~ --- The original anime series of _Violet Evergarden_ was a memorable experience. It was thoroughly compelling for many viewers, judging by how well it's been received since its original 2018 airing. While illustrating issues such as coping with loss, the nature of love, the meaning of life, and self-forgiveness; _Violet Evergarden’s_ ability to capture the tragic experiences of daily life is almost second to none. The story is written in a way that allows for depth of character, not only in its protagonist, but in the rest of its cast as well. The beauty in its storytelling is demonstrated in how so many people, regardless of their position in life, are able to resonate with its themes. As the cool kids often say, Violet’s story honestly just _hits different_. Although I did enjoy the original series quite a bit, I must say that I wasn’t exactly gleaming with anticipation to watch the film. Me watching it, more-or-less, happened because I saw that it was showing at a movie theater close to me. Naturally, I decided that it was far too convenient for me not to make the trip to watch it. I’m glad that I made this decision. I had faith that the movie would be solid, but it exceeded my expectations by a wide margin. Kyoto Animation did an outstanding job with _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_. It executes its job as a sequel very well; its status as a theatrical motion picture does not deter its validity as a sequel in the slightest. # ~~~Story~~~ --- The way the film opens up is beyond what I would have imagined. As the screen lights up and the movie begins, there is a teenage girl sitting in the midst of a living room. She’s an unfamiliar face accompanied by her parents, whose conversing provides context on what exactly is taking place. The girl’s maternal grandmother has just passed away. After attending her funeral, the immediate family is gathered together in the living room of the deceased. There is some conflict in this scene. The young girl begins to lash into her mother about how she should’ve been there for her grandma. The daughter refuses to slow down, as she hits her with another massive blow by stating that the mother’s work takes priority over everything else--especially family. Everyone begins to get emotional, and the young girl continues to cut into her mother’s heart and talks about how much her grandmother missed her, “She loved you so much, Mom.” As a heavy-hearted mood develops within this opening scene, the mother replies to her daughter: “I know. She was always like that because she lost her mother at a young age.” Something about the aforementioned scene is peculiar. Seeing as how Violet Evergarden’s life takes place some time during the late 19th-early 20th century, the girl and her surroundings denote a different time entirely. The characters in this opening scene seem to be from the present-day and are most likely living in the 21st century. This is clarified when the young girl’s identity becomes known to the audience. Her mother calls her by name: “Daisy.” Daisy notices a box above her grandmother’s fireplace. She opens the box to find that it is filled with numerous letters. Her mother explains that they were for Daisy’s grandmother, Ann. Ann’s mother, Clara, hired an Auto Memory Doll to inscribe 50 letters, with the intention of Ann opening one on her birthday every year after she had passed away. As Daisy presses for more information, the narrative divulges into a different era—one that is more familiar to Violet Evergarden fans. When Violet shows up on screen for the first time, she is standing before an ocean dictating a speech she wrote for a local oceanic ceremony in Leiden. Her speech is as eloquent as can be; everyone in attendance is in complete awe of the beauty that emanates from her appearance and manner of speech. This time period of her life, the moment this scene takes place, is really close to where the original anime series departs during its final episode. In this respect, there is solid continual congruity. ~~~img(https://i.ibb.co/8Bms4mn/covid-leave-submission-details.png)~~~ Not long after the ceremony, Violet makes a visit to the cemetery. She leaves a bouquet on a grave, one which belongs to the mother of Gilbert, the man who taught her about “love.” After a talk with Gilbert’s brother Gottfried, and being told by him that she needs to “move on,” she resolves within herself to make it known that she _cannot_ and will never move on. No matter how long she lives, she’ll never reach that point. >”Forgetting is the hardest part.” -Violet This is the state of affairs Violet’s life is in. She’s caught at a stand-still, continually wondering how to come to terms with her life after losing Gilbert--regardless of the years that have passed since that day. The catalyst for the story, one of the key plot points that helps get the film’s ball rolling, takes place when a postal customer specifically requests Violet to come out to their address for an appointment. An atypical customer helps kindle the fire of the story. This is how _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ begins to unfold. #~~~Well No, but Actually Yes~~~ --- An interesting thing about the film is that it is not necessary to have prior knowledge to enjoy it. When it comes to sequels, especially ones that have stories of this caliber, it’s basically a given that the viewer _needs_ some context in order for there to be a fulfilling watching experience. Although I would say that watching the original _Violet Evergarden_ series first is preferable, it’s not vital. Honestly, _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ will be effective with audiences regardless of how familiar people are with the original work. I thought it was cool how the film maintained a sense of independence, despite being a faithful sequel that built upon the foundation of the original storyline. Throughout the movie, there are two or three transitions between the Violet narrative and the Daisy narrative. The titular character is the obvious focus for the film; the movie is a record of her journey of self-discovery, as she continues to grow and learn how to conduct herself in a world that is void of the man who taught her about love. Violet’s various attempts to cope with her life, in spite of what she has lost, has the potential to be a comfort and hope to many. #~~~Characters~~~ --- The titular protagonist is a phenomenally written character. From day one, it was as though the forces of the universe teamed up against Violet Evergarden. Orphaned from a young age, left all alone, she had no one to turn to. No one...that is...until she was taken in under the wing of Gilbert Bougainville, an army major who was one of the first people to ever express compassion toward her. Having endured almost an entire war by her companion’s side, the universe struck its gong again. With Gilbert being taken away from her while she became an amputee, tragedy after tragedy befalls her. _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ illustrates Violet’s attempts to cope with these various misfortunes, with flashbacks and nods back to her past, the movie constantly begs the question of when and how she’ll ever be able to accept the “freedom” she now has after escaping the circumstances that were responsible for these fateful events. ~~~img(https://i.ibb.co/3RKQRmL/269sgg.jpg)~~~ The way that Violet’s childlike innocence and genuine kindness remains intact, even in the face of the disasters that have taken place in her life, is mesmerizing. Whereas the original anime series deals with Violet’s successful attempts to break free from her self-inflicting slave-master relationship with the deceased Gilbert (i.e. her status as his “weapon”), this movie goes above and beyond that. By the conclusion of _Violet Evergarden_, the MC makes progress that is palpable for all of her peers. This movie properly fulfills Violet’s character arc in a timely manner. It demonstrates the progress she has made, in terms of emotional maturity and mental fortitude. She is no longer limited to the labeled box that those from her past tried to lump her into. This story shows how much Violet has grown as a person. She truly breaks away from the tendency to base her life on what others "command" her to do. >”I am doing this because I want to....” -Violet Dietfried Bougainville gets the proper day in court that he deserves. His portrayal in the original series is not a favorable one. So I was glad to see some character development in this movie, even if he is a bit of a _tsundere_. The film did a good job at exploring the different sides of his character, while also providing background on the circumstances that surrounded Dietfried and Gilbert’s family--specifically how they were treated by their father growing up. Although he doesn’t play a huge role in the film, he plays an integral one. I appreciated his arc. Claudia Hodgins and the rest of Violet’s coworkers are as faithful as ever. They are an incredible support system. The film doesn't create very many opportunities for Cattelya, Iris, Benedict, etc. to contribute to the main progression of the plot. When those chances do arise within the story though, they prove to be reliable friends, as they selflessly lend a helping hand to Violet in a time of need. On the other hand, Hodgins gets more screen time. His and Violet’s familial relationship is incredibly wholesome. It’s funny to see how basically all of Hodgins’s anxieties stem from his paternal affection for Violet. It’s one of the main sources of comedic relief within the film. He genuinely cares for her and always seems to be worrying about her, regardless of how capable and mature she has become. Daisy and her family play an important role in this film. Those that are familiar with the original anime series will recognize their relevance immediately once their identity becomes clear. Daisy’s great-grandmother was one of the pivotal moments in Violet’s career as an Auto Memory Doll. Violet learned a lot from that experience; it helped her to shape and prepare for what was to come later during her life. At any rate, Daisy’s insight and perspective enrichens the story by showing the impact one life can have on another. This side plot with her struggling to accurately display her affection for her parents acts as a microcosmic depiction of the overarching story. Daisy and her family’s existence within the narrative help further develop the themes of _Violet Evergarden: The Movie._ As I stated earlier, there is a character that makes for a drastic progression with the plot. Yurith phones the post office in order to get in touch with Violet. He’s a young kid, who’s sick and doesn’t have much time left to live. He wants her to write three letters that his mother, father, and brother may open after his passing. This is a nod back to the job that Violet did for Daisy’s great-grandmother, Clara, back in the original anime series. Yurith finds interactions with others tedious, as everyone around him seems to “hold back” and treat him a certain way due to his illness. He soon recognizes that Violet is different. Though she still maintains the same stoic approach, her emotional maturity is on a completely different level. No longer being the stone-cold “weapon” that others made her out to be as a child, Violet has a better grasp upon the feelings of the human heart. The two meet each other and exchange interactions that leave a deep impression upon one another. A pinky promise between the two has more of an impact upon their lives than one would imagine. ~!Who would’ve thought that the “Major” himself would make an appearance? After Hodgins stumbles upon a return-to-sender letter with familiar handwriting, he takes it to Dietfried who does some digging. Long story short, it turns out that the handwriting does indeed belong to Gilbert. Violet and Hodgins travel out of the country to go see him. The reason Gilbert hasn’t contacted anyone and has refrained from returning home is due to his own sense of guilt. He feels guilty and indebted to the people who nursed him back to health. He feels guilt toward his family and friends who he has yet to return to or contact. And he _definitely_ feels guilty when it comes to Violet--whom he feels that he has wronged most of all. Gilbert blames himself for everything that has gone wrong in the lives of those that he cares about. As a result of this self-deprecation, he is unable to see the world properly. Instead of opening up to Violet and Hodgins, he tells Hodgins to leave and refuses to allow Violet to interact with him. Due to his own warped hypothesis, Gilbert decides of his own accord that he is not good for her and that “she is better off without me.” Due to the guilt and trauma he maintains from his time in the war, he feels as though he is beyond the realm of forgiveness. This position is fundamentally flawed. Through these actions he takes, Gilbert accomplishes the exact opposite of what he wants to do. Instead of protecting those he cares about through isolating himself, he straight up hurts them--them being Violet. It takes an old man from the village talking to Gilbert for him to begin to realize just how wrong his approach was: >”You don’t have to bear those burdens on your own. In war, in life, everyone is a victim.” I can empathize with him to a certain extent, even though I have not gone through anything remotely similar as Gilbert. That’s what makes this film so great is that the characters are human. We can all relate to them and are able to see ourselves in them. !~ #~~~What This Movie Means to Me~~~ --- I honestly cried pretty hard while watching this. There are some intense scenes, ones which assaulted my tear ducts with haymakers. I saw someone say that this film “hits you right in the cry muscles.” That’s a great and fitting way to put it. I’m repeating what I stated earlier, but this movie completely exceeded my expectations. I don’t consider myself the most emotionally stable person, but this movie wrecked me. Although so many stories take similar creative liberties, in terms of developing similar themes, _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ hit way harder than most. If I were to attempt to capture the film’s thesis, I’d say that it’s a cliche: _Carpe Diem_. In layman’s terms, the story communicates a message of grabbing hold of the opportunities that we have in our lives. Although it is a cliche, it’s a cliche done right. This movie extends beyond the one-dimensional facades and shows us that, regardless of who we are or where we come from, “we are all victims in some way.” Each and every one of us has a past, but that does not mean we are not entitled to a future. We do not get to decide how others feel about us; we do not have the right to close ourselves off from those who love us, regardless of the circumstances. >"No man is an island..." If there is anything to be learned from this movie, it’s that we must use our time wisely and express our feelings while we still have the ability to do so. #~~~Quality~~~ --- The quality of the sound and picture for _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ was insane. I don’t consider myself the best judge when it comes to matters like this; mostly because I have very little idea about the logistics of animation. I’d call myself a caveman when it comes to matters like this. My conviction is something like, _if it looks good, it looks good!_ And trust me, this movie looks damn good. There were some stellar landscape shots throughout the course of the film. Two scenes come to mind when I think about it: one at the beginning and one at the end. Both of these scenes in question featured a letter being carried away by the wind. The scenery depicted in the midst of the lone piece(s) of paper gliding through the air is enough to make me pinch myself. The dichotomy between the 19th Century architecture and the 21st Century design between the scenes was well done. The KyoAni team did an amazing job. The music and sound was fantastic. There was a scene that stuck out for me where Violet stood outside the sensei’s house with Hodgins. A dog barked rather loud, and Violet sort of raised her head slightly in that direction. Directly after that, the kids in the yard began to laugh. I don’t know why, but this scene stook out for me. I was in awe of how natural it seemed. Also, the OST was explosive, in the sense that it completely reinforced the dramatic tone of relevant scenes. ~!I also liked how they employed the original ED in the movie. I don’t know if nostalgic is the right word to use, but it was _nostalgic_.!~ ~~~img(https://i.ibb.co/DkHqDmt/269sgg.jpg)~~~ Kyoto Animation deserves every ounce of praise that they get for _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_. They have my gratitude. #~~~Final Thoughts & TL;DR~~~ --- _Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ is a fantastic extension of the series that features a fulfilling conclusion to the titular protagonist’s character arc. This film builds upon the foundation that was laid by the original anime series, and it illustrates how far Violet has come. Her journey to becoming a complete individual with complex feelings, as she receives assistance by those who care for her along the way, is a memorable one. It helps that the film is acoustically and visually stunning. There is intent and purpose within every frame. Emotionally compelling, in every sense of the term. This movie will make you want to believe in love, if you don’t; and it will make you hold more firmly to love, if you do. Highly recommended.
~~~ #*Violet Evergarden* (VE) is a story about what it means to be human. webm(https://i.imgur.com/sFXWvdU.mp4) ~~~ Our titular protagonist starts off as a machine-like soldier, a weapon of war. When the war ends, she's hired to serve as a Doll - exemplary servants charged with crafting tailor-made letters for their clients. Violet's profession leads her to encounter people from various walks of life. She acts as a first-hand witness to her clients' humanity, watching as their desires and feelings gradually emerge. Violet's letters conveyed emotions to others, and those emotions reached her in turn. Her empathy blossoms, transforming the stoic Doll into a caring, resilient individual. Now that she's grown, *VE: The Movie* gives Violet the opportunity to write a letter of her own. This piece contains a **spoiler,** which will be tagged. Skip ahead to my spoiler-free **Tl;Dr** if you'd like to go in blind. *** ~~~ #Several years have passed between events from the TV series and the movie. webm(https://i.imgur.com/BDNX3dh.mp4) ~~~ This new Leiden is explored in greater detail with *[Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidou Shuki Ningyou](https://anilist.co/anime/109190/Violet-Evergarden-Gaiden-Eien-to-Jidou-Shuki-Ningyou/),* which may be worth your time if you're in need of more VE. The key takeaway of this story choice is that of changing times. Leiden is far from a fragile post-war state; a symbolic radio tower erected in the city center embodies the progress of the nation. Technology has advanced, and innovations such as the telegraph and telephone are relegating the Dolls to a bygone relic of history. Times are a' changing, but some are struggling to flow with the tide. ~~~ #"*Aishteru.*" webm(https://i.imgur.com/EjJSbri.mp4) ~~~ We all knew that the show would have to come back to The Major eventually. Teased at the end of the TV series, speculation surrounding his fate has circled the community. These questions have also lingered long in Violet's mind, and the lack of closure has kept her from moving on in life. Just as her writing ability has grown, so have the feelings welling up inside her. Violet's clients have earnestly demonstrated the meaning behind the Major's last words. But now that ignorance is long gone. All she has are letters unsent and feelings unrequited. In its first act, VE takes ample time to explore the concepts of survivor's guilt and loss. The TV series still threw our protagonist into combat skirmishes and was thus unable to explore this territory. Now that we're well into peacetime, I found these threads to be rather compelling. VE reflects on the ramifications and toll taken on survivors such as Violet, the Major's brother Dietfried, and... ~! the Major himself. Gilbert's inclusion is both simple and effective. Given how long fans have waited for answers, the explanation provided for his comeback may prove disappointing for some. Just like his return, Gilbert's plotline isn't engineered to pull big surprises, instead driving home an emotional gutpunch reminiscent of those we've come to expect from the franchise. !~ Spoilers aside, VE includes memorable callbacks to past adventures, highlighting a handful of important moments that impacted Violet's life. Coupled with this arc is one more Doll job Violet picks up on the side. We'll leave the finer details out of the picture for now, but let's just say this arc took several cues from the infamous Episode 10^^. ~~~ #Both story threads pose an important question: "Can we leave things unsaid?" webm(https://i.imgur.com/mAhTmWc.mp4) ~~~ Is it right to swallow our regrets and carry on? How VE articulates its response is a powerful, resonant highlight within the movie. While the film gives a clear answer to these questions, it doesn't antagonise the idea of staying silent. At various points in the story, our central characters arrive at a common conclusion. They each decide it's best to bottle up their emotions and leave their past behind. Doing so isn't always cowardice, sometimes keeping quiet is the right course of action. Things will sting momentarily, but people are conditioned to get by without a Happily Ever After. It's a storytelling approach that caught me off guard, and more so coming from KyoAni. ~~~ #I didn't want to think about the fire. img100%(https://cdn-japantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/n-kyoani-a-20191018.jpg) ~~~ I didn't want to be reminded of the arson incident that devastated Kyoto Animation. And yet, that was all that was on my mind as I headed into VE's final stretch. It dawned on me that this movie didn't need to get made. Just like countless anime IPs before, we might never have seen a conclusive ending to this story on our screens. And in this instance, no one would blame the creators; KyoAni suffered an unspeakable tragedy. In their shoes it would be understandable to throw in the towel and leave this tale unfinished. For all the fond memories and heartwarming stories this studio brought into the world, I was willing to accept that their time had come to an end. Surely, what we've already been given was enough. ~~~ #To leave things unfinished isn't wrong, but to speak our minds is far better! webm(https://i.imgur.com/bCx4tti.mp4) ~~~ Letting out the inner desires of our hearts is liberating, and seeking closure brings catharsis. Such is the message of VE, delivered uncompromisingly by KyoAni. Under trying circumstances, I anticipated some form of trade-off from the illustrious studio's gold standard. However, the film's visuals are as stunning as ever; I couldn't find a single frame where the art dropped below the quality that we've grown to know and love. Backgrounds and facial expressions alike look gorgeous on the big screen. A swooning soundtrack accentuates the highs and lows of an emotionally-charged script - one that demonstrates the value behind the feelings we share and the words we write. VE's lesson is about the importance of conveying messages of your heart while you have the chance. KyoAni certainly seized the opportunity to do so with this finale, and for that I'm grateful. *** ~~~ #**Tl;Dr**: img100%(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/845385613313310730/VE.Movie.2020.KNPSK.1080p.WEBRip.AAC2.0.x264-tG1R0-EditedByVNS.mkv_20210522_030837.009.png) ~~~ *Violet Evergarden: The Movie* brings definitive closure to this beloved series. Filled with memorable highlights from the TV season, VE still has a few more new stories to tell. The moving narrative, enhanced with the ever-sensational visuals and soundtrack, showcases the beauty in acknowledging the past that has shaped our present selves. VE also urges us to say what we need to say, while we still can. VE is a triumphant return for a hard-hit studio, a love letter from KyoAni to you. **7/10**~ ~~~ #STRAY RAMBLINGS (**SPOILERS**): ~~~ - ^Oh boy, do I have some hot takes about *Eternity.* It's by far my least favorite instalment of the show. Don't get me wrong, the main plot with the sisters was strong. However, it felt a lot like it'd function better as just another episode of the TV series. Instead it got stretched out, with a good 30 minutes of padding that involved a sightseeing tour around post-time-skip Leiden. Nothing really happens, which is why I feel that most moviegoers could do without watching this side story. VE thankfully seems to have learnt lessons from *Eternity,* since it too had a short A-plot that could have easily served as a regular episode. The workaround was to hand us a secondary arc, and we should probably talk about that for a bit… - ^^I found the various callbacks to Episode 10 rather amusing. It was as if the writers were admitting that they didn't know how to surpass that story. And for good reason too, Episode 10 is spectacular! VE's handful of Ep 10 references goes as far as to inspire a whole arc itself. But despite the similarities, I'm glad Yurith's arc felt like its own plotline. It tried a couple new things, and was a rare instance where the post-war innovation played a big role in moving the plot. Conceptually and thematically sound; the scene in the hospital had a damn good chance at leaving me in shambles. Hope you broke out the Kleenex for this one. - Another big Episode 10 reference came with the C-plot introduced at the beginning of the film. This wasn't super interesting IMO, the girl really didn't have a clear reasoning behind her globetrotting investigation. Just seems weird to be chasing after a stranger who wrote letters for your great-grandma, and grief didn't seem to be the motif since her character arc was about cherishing her parents. Anyways, it was sweet to hear about how Violet spent the rest of her days. - Shoutout to Yui Ishikawa, her VA performance made for really gripping moments as Violet! - I'll admit, the ending was unintentionally goofy with its length and soap. Still, it was tough keeping a huge grin off my face as the seaside scene kicked in. In a way it was symbolic; there wasn't any other way KyoAni were gonna end things, and I'll gladly take my running scene and trademark ugly-cry. - Didn't get to mention this earlier, but I really enjoyed what the writers did with Dietfried. He was a huge dick back in the main series, and is way more grounded here. Him and Violet each shared a deep connection with Gilbert, and their grief over his loss felt right. As far as secondary characters go in this film, he stood out the most. - **BEST GIRL**: Wouldn't be fair to pick Violet, so I'll simp for Cattleya instead. She's hot, seems smart too. ~~~ img100%(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/845385612172460042/VE.Movie.2020.KNPSK.1080p.WEBRip.AAC2.0.x264-tG1R0-EditedByVNS.mkv_20210522_031312.874.png) ~~~ *** From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for making it this far! Feels great to finally enjoy the Blu-rays, I've been looking forward to revisiting the film ever since I stepped out of the theatre. If you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other [reviews](https://anilist.co/user/An1meDweeb/reviews) for seasons past and present. I also frequently post writeups under my list updates, so definitely take a peek if you'd like to see me mald over anime as they hit the airwaves. Peace~ *** *First published at MyAnimeList on December 15, 2020. Edited for AniList.*
~~~ img430(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ae/50/ad/ae50add522a13207a30cb4d0d8955661.jpg)~~~ _I cannot express the feelings I felt while watching this movie directly, so here I write a letter, in fact a review, to unfurl the mark this movie left on my soul._ Let me tell you, straight off the bat, that Violet Evergarden isn't like one of those movies that boast a crappy, realistic and sad ending. It dared to bring forth the ending we all knew was impossible, but wished for deep within our hearts, and animated it with grand splendour. (Spoilers ahead) ___ Run Gilbert run! One of the most satisfying moments of anime ever, was Gilbert, standing near the cliff, weeping after reading Violet's letter. His brother, who had treated Violet merely as a weapon, was now here, standing before Gilbert, for the sake of Violet. All the years he had wanted to thank him culminated into this beautiful moment, where he made Gilbert realise where his heart truly belonged, and made him race to the one who yearned most for him. The way the film started was indeed a very pleasant surprise. Relating it deeply with one of the most emotional and heart-touching episodes of the Violet Evergarden series, it couldn't have been handled in a better way. Life is fleeting for everyone, none spared. It lies within us how we spend the few precious moments with those we cherish. Violet Evergarden, captured this delicate perspective, and shepherded it to us in various ways. ~~~img430(https://c4.wallpaperflare.com/wallpaper/923/685/115/violet-evergarden-anime-girls-violet-evergarden-anime-water-wallpaper-preview.jpg)~~~ A boy, who loved and adored his family and one true friend, but had no idea how to convey it, in desparation, lobbed to the telephone and called the Postal Company, despite his weak body, for the sake of thanking everyone who had been there for him. With little money to spare, he was ready to give up all of it, so that they could keep a part of him after he had crossed Death's door. Gilbert, in the aftermath of the war, realised how many lives he had led to their doom, and eventually got crushed by the overbearing guilt, enduring and suffering it alone in solitude. He blamed himself for Violet losing her arms, and made himself responsible for all the suffering Violet went through. He distanced himself from everyone he cared for, thinking it was for the best. But alas! Destiny did not see it the same way. However far apart fate separated him from those he loved, destiny pulled them together again. Violet and Dietfried, together, showed him that he didn't have to face the burden all alone, that it could be shared, because that was what bonds were truly capable of. A young lady, feeling a deep resentment because they hadn't visited their grandparent more often, let out her frustration towards her parents, despite knowing that her argument was half-baked. Following the steps of Violet Evergarden, she realised the importance of bonds and what love really signifies. In order to apologise and let them know how she truly felt, she sent them a letter with just a few words, but infinite meaning. Those words were "I love you." ~~~img430(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/650f91e2-f827-4c89-9885-3c43a7ed872b/ddgxlx3-2a95ae51-ddae-42ed-80af-8e2ce8dc8c17.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzY1MGY5MWUyLWY4MjctNGM4OS05ODg1LTNjNDNhN2VkODcyYlwvZGRneGx4My0yYTk1YWU1MS1kZGFlLTQyZWQtODBhZi04ZTJjZThkYzhjMTcucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.zLUq-U9NIRA6ByqpQgCXWz7b7PfSinFQvRPA_EI9V5Q)~~~ Capturing the essence of something so fragile and delicate- the concept of life and death itself, and animating it in such a way that it calls upon the very soul of the viewer, is candidly astonishing. Every scene from the beginning of the movie to the very end possessed great detail and precision. Kyoto animation really outdid themselves, and their passion that went into making the film was very evident. The vibrancy and life of every scene was stunning, beautifully drawn and animated to bring out the best. ~~~img440(https://c.tenor.com/2pOtYk17lmkAAAAd/anime-violet-evergarden.gif)~~~ _A splendid mixture of plot and sentiment, sprinkled with the right amount of comedy, animated down to the finest detail, is what I would summarise the Violet Evergarden movie in a few words. This was not just a film made to simply entertain, it was one which strove to make us realise what was important in life, and cherish moments that might never come by again._ ~~~img430(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f8/ee/a0/f8eea0e1d26e56509fed4f7ccee44596.jpg)~~~~~~~~~
img(https://i.imgur.com/gf4UStd.jpg) How can I review this other then starting with... Dear Kyoani, thank you for all you've done, the hard work the people behind the scene put into making this masterpiece happened. We know of the tragic attack on you and the life we won't see ever again. When watching this, we can see the love put into this by those who carry on the legacy of those who are gone. To see the love, the hard work, the care for it as you've always done. Truly I was taken in awe by the beauty presented in front of me. Thank you again, I hope you and everyone else continues to strive in all you do. We will not forget those who's live were lost as we continue to see them in the works you continue to produce for us fans. When I first started watching Violet Evergarden, I honestly didn't thought I would fall in love with this series. I watched the tv show thinking the first 2 episodes were kind of boring. But here we are, reaching the peak of greatness from which this all started. The conclusion to our journey as we wonder what is to become of this girl on her journey. After so much tear shed with Violet, we can finally shed tears of joy when we have reach the end. Not only for the movie, but for the production team too, to see their recovery, to see them finish the story they wanted to tell. We learn sympathy and empathy from Violet. The movie is a perfect send off, with a great amount of fan service in the sense that we wanted to see Violet happy and off course, the Major being alive. Now sometimes these type of film won't work and take away from the overall greatness of the series. Such a example of one is Code Geass and the movie Resurrection. Now I personally enjoyed Resurrection, but it couldn't capture the same feeling I had towards the end of Code Geass. Which I still believe is one of the greatest ending of all time and not only in anime, in all of movies and shows. Despite my doubts going into this movie, I was amazed by how well they did it with Violet that it gave us what we wanted in the way that didn't take away from the show but added more to it. We could've walked away without having this and be left satisfied but with this movie, we are left with wanting more but knowing we don't need more because it is a perfect conclusion. It is a beautiful work of art and truly am glad I got to see this masterpiece in theater. img(https://i.imgur.com/nQKoPbe.jpg) I'm not even gonna talk about the way they did a lot of scenes because you have to see it for yourself. The direction of the movie, the way they chose to zoom into subtle movement. There's so much love and care for these small details that truly made it so amazing. And we won't even talk about that side story...
The film follows our heroine Violet and the exploits of the CH Postal Company, in a similar format to the show and earlier film. Violet writes letters, we learn about the sad stories of her clients, the usual. The appearance of the major brings in a break to the routine of things, and becomes the focal point of the second half of the film. I was expecting a more in-depth exploration of Violet and the major’s relationship once he came into the picture, but sadly most of their relationship is presented as flashbacks in an effort to refresh our memories (and save on budget?). That’s not to say we didn’t get to learn plenty about the Major, he's not on screen for a huge amount but he did receive a fair amount of character development. The interactions with Violet’s ‘client’ and other character moments in the film aren’t hurried and generally presented at a good pace, as we now have a long runtime to proceed through them in a satisfactory manner. The overall ‘message’ the film presented (importance of spending time with loved ones etc.) was nothing new, but it worked. The art and animation were gorgeous. I think everyone knows the quality Kyoto commits to but wow, it really was impressive to watch. I don’t think there was a single frame that wasn’t lovely to look at. There were a number of times when I thought things could have moved on a bit faster, the pacing never dragged (and again, it was better than the TV show) but a couple of scenes lingered for a little too long. Several emotional scenes were for a lack of a better term, ham-fisted. Hell, the director may as well have shown a title card with ‘you can cry now!’. Subtlety goes a long way folks. I have two major complaints about this film. The first is that I didn't think the supporting cast's stories were wrapped up at all. A few were, but the ‘main’ supporting cast (the workers at the Postal Company) I mean what happened to them? There was no resolution, it’s the same for the characters introduced in 'Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll'. We get a full film that's dedicated solely to them and we don't even see them at all during the runtime of this. My main complaint with this film was at how overbearing the music was. My God. In every scene that was remotely emotional the grating score was so loud and overly dramatic it overpowered the dialogue and veered very close to removing all the impact of sensitive scenes. I didn't feel like I was watching a touching drama that made me want to cry, at times I thought I was watching a tacky melodrama. Someone should have told the composer/director: 'Hey, maybe we should tone this down a bit?'. I know it’s similar to how it is in the TV show, but in a feature length movie its brunt was far worse. Thankfully, at the most pivotal scene in the film the soundtrack was nowhere to be seen (at least). Complaints aside, I did enjoy the film and it wrapped up Violet's story well. I was also SO GLAD they didn't rush the ~!major’s and Violet’s reunion!~, and the whole thing ended up coming to a satisfying resolution. Violet Evergarden the movie isn’t perfect and the soundtrack can be BRUTAL at times but it is an improvement overall compared to the previous entries. I can’t recommend it as highly as other fans but yes, it is worth the watch. Fans won't be dissapointed. Oh, I forgot to mention: I was one of the lucky folks who watched this during its one day only run in Ireland in a 'packed' cinema. And by packed, I mean there was barely 20 other people there as that was the maximum allowed. Thanks Coronavirus!
I cried. Certainly. Witnessing such a love, how could I hold back my tear? Violet Evergarden the Television is one that made me do something like that, and for better or worse, the letters sent to the future self of someone is one of the most remarkable moments in anime history. No need to cry for silly plastic memories, you know? Anyway, let's get into the work for real. The Opening & The Point of View of Those Living I really like the idea of bringing those side characters onto the show. Violet Evergarden told the story within, with or behind those letters, and the opening of the movie did stay true to its nature. The purpose of letters is not only to communicate, but also to connect people, and how great that the living people were connected with those gone before through the memories laid within those pages. Even though the main storyline did got interrupted with what happened in that present, it was not that bad to significantly impact the enjoyment. What a pleasure to be able to see how people got connected, and what a creative way to end what had been started. Nevertheless, the point of view of the living people should have only been the opening and the conclusion of the work, instead of disrupting the progress of its major content. The Main Events I’ve always had myself satisfied with how things concluded in the TV series. The end there brought wishful and bright colours to the work, and there was that hopeful feeling that Violet Evergarden would definitely move on, in order to find her happiness, as well as you-know-what-she-is-seeking-for. However, the movie discarded them all. Once again, the disturbance was stirred up. Gilbert Bougainvillea’s survival was nothing strange, as it was shown in the original work. Nonetheless, as the prequel had managed to draw an even better final ceremony, while the special episode resonated the final notes of Let It Be, there was no need to bring him back to life. Two miracles in the same place just dissonate themselves, but well, the execution could salvage it… Hell no, as Gilbert Bougainvillea played an important part in this work, he should have had more screen time, not in the recollection of others, but for his actual actions, thoughts, as well as his resolution. I couldn’t see any clear development from the character, but let’s return to it later. The reenactment of a great episode from the TV series was certainly overshadowed by the opening and therefore became filler. Time, guys, for Major Bougainvillea. In cocnclusion, the movie should have been more focused on Gilbert Bougainvillea, since Violet Evergarden had shown her potential in the TV series and her necessity in the movie was only to discover the fact. The Characters Gilbert Bougainvillea was also a victim of war. That was certainly a fact and explained the reason behind his actions. However, I always respect how Captain Ben Affleck in Pearl Habour had the will to apologise his loved one, Kate Beckinsale for having left her, for having put her into sorrow, and spoke out how she had been his urge of surviving, as well as his resolution to repay her and his best friend, also a comrade in arms. That is to say, our Major Bougainvillea here was just a loser. Executive Squad, ready. Aim. Fire. As for what happened to Violet Evergarden, isn’t it a pain to see her once again agonise, and isn’t it a shame that she had to endured it for the sake of the mere like Dear Sir Major there? He was the first to show her affection, but certainly not the worthy one for hers. She deserved more for what she had been through. That’s why I have to say the movie was just something totally unnecessary, since the TV version had worked out an absolute satisfying epilogue for the greater good. Isn’t it a pity then? The Sounding and The Art It is too repetitive to say, but in short, the same staff behind the stage. There are reasons explaining why the movie was considered a success, but to me, the scriptwriter gave off the vibe of Makoto Shinki in disguise. It was not that bad, but kinda stretching too far from what had previously been. Not approved. Sometimes love just has to die. Alternative Conclusion: I now wish they had instead used the original end of the novel in the movie. Even though it would be contradicting to the pacifist Violet Evergarden had become, at least Major Bougainvillea could really do something there, and there would be more commotion than what was actually done.
Violet Evergarden se passa em um cenário ficcional pós guerra. A história nos apresenta Violet como uma garota que fora dada ao Major Gilbert Bouganvillea, por seu irmão Dietfried, para ser criada como uma arma para o combate no campo de batalha. Logo Violet se torna uma arma usada pelo exército, um soldado extremamente obediente, impiedosa, sanguinária, sendo vista por tantos como um mero objeto. img(https://i.imgur.com/1HjU4Ku.jpg) Crescendo em ambiente hostil, tendo apenas por ordem o extermínio dos inimigos, Violet, que não conhece sentimentos e não tem entendimento de emoções por não tê-los outrora recebidos de ninguém, torna-se um ser humano frio e sem coração. O que muda, pouco poucop, após receber os cuidados de Gilbert, o único que anceiava pela liberdade da garota. Passando 4 anos em combate, após ser gravimente ferida e ver seu querido atingido fatalmente, a guerra chega ao fim. Sendo dispensada do exército, por insistência do Major Boungavillea, agora só, carregando consigo as últimas palavras de Gilbert, um "Eu te amo", Violet procura nas Bonecas Autômatas de Automemórias um novo sentido a sua existência: descobrir o significado daquelas palavras. img(https://i.imgur.com/VGKut2Y.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/domLr4g.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/VxdGtxp.jpg) As “Bonecas de Automemórias” foram criadas com o propósito de escrever cartas ditadas pelo cliente e captar suas emoções. Foram inventadas por Doutor para trazer felicidade para sua enferma esposa. Agora, como uma profissão estabelecida, as “bonecas” são alugadas por todo tipo de clientes depois de seu serviço se tornar público. Encantada pelo trabalho das Autômatas, Violet Evergarden decide se tornar uma delas. A garota se torna rapidamente a “boneca” mais popular, deixando seus clientes maravilhados através suas cartas escritas. A trama é composta pela compilação de histórias curtas, de aquecer o coração, girando em torno da vida da Boneca de Automemórias enquanto ela atende diferentes clientes. Dona de uma beleza incomparável, loira, com olhos azuis cristalinos, Violet é a personificação de uma boneca, tanto pela sua esplêndida formosura, quanto pela frieza de seu comportamento. img(https://i.imgur.com/JTEErxc.jpg) Ao ser adquiria como um objeto sem valor, dada por "presente" para ser criada como arma mortal, sendo ensinada a ser uma soldado submissa, ainda criança, a garota nunca recebeu uma figura familiar, desconhecendo, assim, o significado de sentimentos e emoções. Servir ao Major Bouganvillea era o motivo de sua existência O major, que por sua vez, recusava-se a tratá-la como uma ferramenta. Gilbert é a primeira pessoa na vida de Violet a reconhecê-la como um ser humano, dando-lhe amor. A trama central de Violet Evergarden se passa na busca da garota por este amor perdido. img(https://i.imgur.com/eOPRNf6.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/M9G7kIM.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/ELaWYaz.jpg) Embora, tendo em sua volta pessoas que a amassem, como Claude Hodings, o ex Coronel das Forças Armadas, que foi a primeira figura paterna da garota, Violet não consegue ter preenchido o vazio deixado pela perda de Gilbert. img(https://i.imgur.com/3xEHExI.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/xyL66JE.jpg) Desde os primórdios da vida, a sobrevivência é o objetivo da existência dos seres vivos. Mas isto não o vale para os seres humanos. Animais buscam a sobrevivência por meio de instintos, humanos desenvolveram intelecto. Os instintos deram lugar a razão. Desde o surgimento da sociedade o ser humano possui um único objetivo de vida: a salvação. A salvação do corpo, da mente, do intelecto, da alma, da sua própria existência, de sua linhagem sanguínea e familiar, de seus bens, do seu legado. O ser humano anceia por ser salvo. Este desejo ardente ganhou expressão: nas artes, na música, na escrita, na ciência. Tudo o que o homem faz é para ser salvo da sua própria existência. E é exatamente por isto que ele está dispostos a tudo. Avanços evolutivos, legados históricos deixados para trás, apegos emocionais a coisas e pessoas, ou qualquer outra sentelha de esperança. Todos frutos da busca por salvação. img(https://i.imgur.com/BzAu0Q0.jpg) As pessoas buscam por alguém que as salvem A declaração de amor deixada por Gilbert foi a estrela-guia na vida de Violet. Buscar entender aquelas palavras e o sentimento por trás delas foi o fato gerador do crescimento e amadurecimento da Boneca de Memórias. É exultante acompanhar o desenvolvimento da garota. img(https://i.imgur.com/oV0bSvZ.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/wyqNYgc.jpg) Está é uma sublime história de amor e, sobretudo, da busca pela amadurecimento. img(https://i.imgur.com/Pr1pLCP.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/NRSSoXF.jpg)
___Spoilers Ahead!___ Violet Evergarden: The Movie is a film that I have waited seemingly an eternity for. After all the issues with Covid, and whatever else that caused it to take so long to be released on streaming, it finally arrived on Netflix for me to watch. I'll address the elephant in the room immediately. I did not like Violet and Gilbert's ending. The very reveal that Gilbert was alive was something I didn't like. Violet Evergarden to me was the story of Violet finally finding herself, finding a purpose outside of war, and moving on from Gilbert. Much of the anime was spent pretty much telling this story. Seeing her blossom and finally move on was so amazing. Of course, this only lasted until Gilbert was revealed to be alive at the end of the anime. Having made peace with the idea of Gilbert being alive, I welcomed this movie with open arms. I was completely open to them seeing each other again. That is, as long as they didn't end up together. The movie actually did this pretty well, up to a point. I thought everything was perfect until Gilbert decided to chase after Violet. They were already in a place where they could move on. They both knew that each other was alive and okay, and Violet was able to send her final letter to him. Violet and Gilbert do not work together. As part of each other's past, sure. As part of each other's future, no way. As the anime and movie kept reminding us, Gilbert used Violet, a child, as a weapon of war. Suffice to say, this is an extremely unhealthy relationship. This doesn't mean that any feelings between them weren't real, but there's just no way that they can end up together after that. Not to mention the fact that Gilbert was basically a father figure to Violet. I thought this was a perfect chance to show two people who meant a lot to one another and who still have feelings for each other accept that they couldn't be together. I don't know if I was wrong to think all this time that this was a story about moving on, but I can't help but feel extremely disappointed. Thankfully, this did not ruin the movie for me. Maybe it's due to the fact that I hadn't watched any entries to this franchise in a year (I think?). My feelings about Violet and Gilbert were not as strong as they once was. I also knew going into this movie that there was a possibility that they'd wind up together. That probably softened the blow for me. I was able to take the bad with the good, and damn it, there was a lot of good here. I feared that this movie would only focus on Violet and Gilbert and remove the franchise's greatest strength: Violet writing letters for others. Thankfully, it was fully present in this movie. The terminally ill boy, Yuris, provided parallels to what Violet was experiencing at the time. I was hoping that Yuris and Lucas's final conversation on the phone would also be mirrored in Violet and Gilbert's. In that they wouldn't see each other again. Obviously, that was not the case. Still, it must have been the beautiful climax of that story that had saved the movie for me. I loved their final conversation on the phone. Violet Evergarden has shown the importance writing letters, in which one can put their thoughts in order, especially ones that are impossible to convey in person. Of course, all forms of communication have their place in our lives. Sometimes we don't need to write a clear and cohesive letter to someone. Sometimes the words don't even matter. Sometimes just the act of talking to them. I think this is the genius of Yuris and Lucas's final conversation on the phone. Letters from beyond the grave are great and all, but they really needed to talk and get closure. It didn't even matter what they said to each other. To have Iris be the one to facilitate this is just the icing on the cake. Despite being such a minor character in this movie, she still managed to receive a satisfying end to her own arc. Earlier in the movie the telephone was shown to be the thing that would put the dolls out of business, but it was able to give a dying boy a chance to speak to his best friend again. I think this is an example of one of this movie's recurring themes: progress. The movie also shows Gilbert building a mechanism to help the farmers transport their harvest faster. Both are examples of technological progress. Despite the emphasis on old school letter-writing, I felt that this movie showed the importance of accepting new technologies and moving forward into the future. I thought this was supposed to mirror Violet moving on too. I was wrong, of course. I love the framing device of the girl from the future too. It showed just how much Violet helped so many people, and how great her influence was. After finding out about the letters her grandma received (the story from episode 10), and finding out more about Violet, Daisy also realizes how valuable writing letters is. Her deciding to write a letter herself was a perfect ending to the movie. It's also something I relate to, having recently started to write letters and having penpals. Online penpals, but still. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The story of Violet Evergarden is something that will stick with me for a long time. It's a story that has made me cry so many times, affirming that I do in fact have a heart. I guess I could just forget that Violet and Gilbert end up together. I'll just pretend that their story ended with Violet going back to Leiden, and Gilbert reading her final letter.
img220(https://i0.wp.com/anitrendz.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/vemovie_a2poster2-e1615544252776.jpg) Where do I even begin. This movie was beautiful in every aspect. I had very high hopes for this movie and I can tell you that it surpassed them. I love Violet Evergarden and the movie it tells. This movie is so fine tuned that it strikes a chord with whoever watches it. The love and attention of the staff at Kyoto Animation can be seen in this movie even after the Arson Attack in 2019. To all the people who lost their lives in that attack, I just want to say that they helped tell and adapt one of the most beaiftuful stories ever. The amount of dedication and skill that these people possessed is unmatched. I know that all of the people who passed away are in a better place and that their legacy is and will contiue to be carried on for many years to come. img220(https://static0.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Violet-Evergarden-Feature-Image.jpg) Plot: The plot was fantastic. The animators definitely know how to make the viewer cry. I tried to not cry during the movie but I couldn't help but let out at least one tear out. The plot follows Violet aftet the Main series. The movie shows Violet Evergarden and Former Lt. Colonel Hodgins going to an Island where they go to see if Gilbert is indeed alive after they recieve a letter back in Leiden that appears to have his handwriting on it. Alot of events trasnpire but we do see Violet and Gilbert reunite at the end and it was such a heart touching scene. img220(https://wherever-i-look.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Gilbert-Kiuchi-Hidenobu-Violet-Evergarden-The-Movie-2020.jpg) __Animation:__The animation is the best I have ever seen in my history of watching anime.There isn't really much to say here except that the animation is stunning all throughout the movie. All of the goregous animation just makes the story and the characters all the more beautiful. img220(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZDMyMjIwMTctM2IyYy00NjlhLTljYWYtODg0YjAyZGI3NTc4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzM3NDY3OTA@._V1_.jpg) __Sounctrack:__The soundtrack was fantastic. To the OST to Credits, everything was perfection. The songs add to the meloncholy yet happy ending. With studios like Kyoto Animation and movies movies like this, you can always count on the music to be extremely good. I would even dare say that the music was perfectly selected because the music perfectly matches the anime and what the lyrics say add on to the plot of this move. img220(https://images.mubicdn.net/images/film/241382/cache-457184-1610755194/image-w1280.jpg) __Voice Acting:__Even though I have only watched the movie in english dub, the VA was outstanding. I truly felt the emotion from the characters in my soul. The main job of a VA is to capture the essence of the character they are voicing and reciprocate it to the audience. I can say with confidence that the voice actors did just that and more. I will watch the movie in sub at a later date to compare but the movie in english is fanstastic and I am sure that the movie in japanese is just as good. img220(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMGM2MTc2MWEtOWZkYi00NGIyLTg3ZWYtZWM0ZDIzZmI4OTdmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzM3NDY3OTA@._V1_.jpg) __Final Thoughts:__I cannot reccomend this series enough. You just have to experience this movie for yourself and truly be taken into the goregous world of Violet Evergarden. The team at Kyoto Animation did an outstanding job with this movie and I just wanted to thank Kana Akutsuki for making Violet Evergarden and I also wanted to thank Akiko Takase for doing an amazing job illustrating this masterpiece. This movie and series have truly taken my breath away and this is a series that will forever be close to my heart.
Well I just wanted to share this important lesson that I got from the movie, so it won't be like the other reviews as I won't be nitpicking the details and placing some scores. [spoilers ahead btw] Say what you want while you can. For me, this was the main thing that the Violet Evergarden movie wanted to tell us. Although it may sound a bit cliche and generic for some, I believe this is still a necessary lesson that more people need to realize. Kyoto Animation creatively presents the said lesson with 3 such situations. 1) Daisy (grand-daughter of Ann, the girl who received 50 letters every year from her deceased mother): As the movie starts, Daisy is shown to be quite troubled with the passing of her grandmother. She is seemingly upset that her mother was not able to spend a lot of time with her grandmother (Ann) before she died and blamed her for often choosing work over family. However, she murmurs to herself that she knows that her parents are only doing this to support the family and that they truly love her and her grandmother. Having read and learned the story behind the letters her grandmother received, she then gets inspired to write her own letter as well which she addressed to her parents. In this, she thanks them and states that they love them which reassures her worried parents. In this situation, she was able to say what she wanted while she could, and will surely continue to do so for the rest of her life after learning its importance. 2) Yuris. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this was the heaviest scene in the movie and understandably so. As we know, Yuris has been sick for a long time and was beginning to feel that his time on Earth was almost up. However, he still could not express his real feelings to his family every time they visited. He then resorted to placing his feelings in a letter which will be given only after his death since he has decided that he will never have the courage to be able to tell them in person with the little time he had left. Unfortunately, he did not have the opportunity to create the last letter with Violet which was to be given to Lucas, but thanks to the growing telephone technology, he was able to express his real feelings in his final moments. In this situation, he was not able to say everything that he wanted to say, especially to his family. 3) Violet and Gilbert. Apart from Gilbert's supposed dying breath of "I love you", they were never able to tell each other what they truly felt. For Gilbert, it is seen that he is overcome with guilt by using Violet as a war weapon when instead, all he wanted was for her to live a normal life just like any other kid. Sadly, he did not have much choice since he promised his father to take over the military in place of his older brother, Dietfried. With this, he felt that he had robbed Violet of a normal life and turned her into a murderer instead. For that reason, he could not bring himself to show his face to her again and would rather live a normal life of his own which he had also long yearned for. Aside from the already heavy guilt of Violet, he also wanted to attempt to make up for the Escarte island families left behind by the soldiers that his army killed. As for Violet, she was only able to understand regular feelings and emotions after Major Gilbert "died". For this reason, she was not able to tell him how she felt while they were still together. Although she made her a soldier, she was still extremely grateful to him for accepting her and treating her like a human instead of leaving her to die. She was glad to have someone always look out for her. She was happy to have someone to stick beside to during extremely troubling times. In this situation, both of them were not able to express all of their feelings due to the supposed death of Gilbert. However, life gave them a second chance and they made the most out of it. Though in reality, second chances hardly every come by, so when they do, we should definitely grab the opportunity. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading!
This is my first review ever, and I'm glad it is this movie in particular. The movie dances gracefully as it threads between themes that almost everyone has gone through; making new friends, parting from old ones, accepting loss, and rising back again from it. Violet Evergarden the movie excels exactly where the show did; by constructing small yet significant moments between characters, the intimacy of them granting them both gravitas and familiarity. It carries on with the overarching theme of building your own identity, accepting oneself, challenging our own limitations, and understanding the meaning of emotion. Anyone with the tiniest bit of emotion will find themselves unable to resist a few tears, but not all tears are bad, happiness, love, and acceptance are positive emotions that Violet allows herself to experience, and with great mastery of sound and image, the studio manages to convey this to the audience in a way that's powerfully heartfelt and fleetingly subtle. After finishing the movie, and now a few months later I still find some strength to be gained from it, and overall gives a positive aftertaste instead of a bitter one. Much like the movie's parent studio, Violet rises from the ashes, from the pain, and takes on all this suffering and instead of letting it consume her, turns it back into the world in a wonderful way, filled with all sorts of joy and bringing a sense of peace to all. It's difficult to get over a lost love, difficult to know what is love in the first place, and while the show put emphasis on the journey having as much relevance as the destination, the movie gives a strong importance and value to the destination itself, it lends a strong closure to the character arc of Violet, and her emotional development. In the script department, the plot is solid, following Violet a moderate amount of time after the events of the show, it ties up several threads left open back in the original, brings back some characters, and also introduces new ones that seem to fit all too perfectly. Dialogue doesn't feel clunky or pompous, it isn't lecturing and instead follows an organic development of the plot and the character arcs. Sound wise, the soundtrack is an excellent ambience setter, but don't really shines on its own. Sound effects are good, and the composition has nice delicate themes that compliment everything on scene without substracting from it. The voice acting is solid just as in the original show. Animation wise, as you'd expect from the studio, the movie shines in a wonderful fluidity and set of visual effects, it's lush and adds exquisitely to the mix. All in all, Violet Evergarden delivers on the expectations set on it, and adds even more with heartfelt craft and serious passion going into every aspect of it.
Q: Is this a tearjerker movie? Can it make you cry like Clannad, Your Lie in April, etc.? Answer: Yeah! I cried a lot! I cried because of the true reason for disappointment! Violet Evergarden the movie is the "continuation" of the TV series but it is a sequel? Mostly in other sites, this movie is NOT a sequel but a spin-off story only. It was anticipated by many fans because of its ANIMATION and EMOTIONAL STORY, which I think it's right, I guess? It was a comeback movie from KyoAni, in which the studio rose from the damage of arson attack years ago. Q: Why did you give it a low score? The movie is beautiful and flawless. Let me tell you why I gave it a low score. Days ago, I bought the special limited edition of BluRay and I watched it like 2 times. The first watch was a good experience but after the second rewatches, I realized that there was something off and I gave it a low score. Story and Characters (1/10 - Story, 4/10- Characters): (Spoilers Ahead!!) We've seen the granddaughter of Ann in the beginning, as she wanted to discover the identity of Violet Evergarden. The story was just like the TV series and it was merely a flashback. We've seen again the ensemble cast of the series, especially the titular character and the members of the postal company. The story continues when Violet had a client named Yuris. He suffered from an illness and he was dying but he lack communication for his true feelings about his family. For me, the first part was good (that chapter) until the second part became a disaster. Why? GILBERT WAS REVIVED OUT OF NOWHERE! You know the premise of Violet Evergarden was she was a tool and before Gilbert died, he said the words, "I love you" but Violet didn't know the meaning. In the TV series, every episode built the character development of Violet, as she gradually learned the meaning of "I love you", and tbh she was one of the great character development. But damn... They literally told in the story that Gilbert was alive, JUST LIKE THAT! The author of Violet Evergarden be like: Gilbert.... Awaken!! You need to live for the sake of ViBert (Violet and Gilbert) shippers!! Everything that Violet's character development was built destroyed into ashes. Why did they do that? Because she deserved a happy ending? Bro... She was happy already in the series, as she was helping people. And that plot armor, how the heck did Gilbert survive from that blood loss? Usually in real life, many would have died because of that BLOOD LOSS but Gilbert didn't. Coming from a SoL show, huh? That part was so unrealistic. They should probably leave Gilbert dead. Gilbert was a scaredy-cat. Animation 5/10: It was okay, I guess? I expected that coming from KyoAni. But tbh I prefer the animation in TV series because the animation quality from the movie was exaggerated, especially the part when Gilbert and Violet are in the moonlight. Sound 7/10: It was great! As expected from Evan Call. The pieces were great and suitable for every scene from the movie. Overall: This movie is great if you want a happy ending between Gilbert and Violet. But judging objectively from the story, this movie was a huge disappointment. I really liked the TV series but the movie was a disaster. After telling Gilbert was alive, the story went a huge downhill. They forced the happy ending part by cheap writing, forced drama, forced plot, and those moments that the story doesn't deserve to be in the first place. This movie could be a 10/10 but NO. I literally cried because the series was fantastic and I had my hopes up for this movie to be one of the masterpieces, but I end up in huge disappointment.
~~~!DISCLAIMER! For me, this was a 10/10 movie, for _me._ Objectively, I would rate this no less than an 8/10, and I will explain both. __Summary__ Violet Evergarden is a series that is known to lovingly wring the hearts of all who watches, and the same can be said of its extras. The main storyline follows a young girl who lived her early years as a fighter, but now that she has no reason to fight, she writes letters for others. _Violet Evergarden: the Movie_ can be seen as either a spin-off or a sequel as it follows Violet's time after the series ended but told through the descendant of a past customer. The movie takes us through quite the whirlwind of emotions on its way to a good, solid ending. I'm not going to lie, I cried so much more than I thought I would.~~~ ~~~__Plot__~~~ Personal score: 9/10 Objective score: 7/10 There's an awful lot going on in this movie, a little bit more than could fit comfortably in just 2 hours and 20 minutes straight. There are three scenarios being played out, the sub-plot of Daisy Magnolia's quest, Yuris's inevitable death, and the reuniting of Violet with, surprise, Gilbert. Obviously, with this much happening, it's going to be difficult to fit everything together smoothly. This was one of the few things I think the movie struggled with and there could have been some improvements to the flow of the story. There was a clash between Yuris's story and Gilbert's that probably would have been better separated even if it meant undermining the importance of the reunion by some. All of this isn't to say that the plot was bad, it certainly wasn't, but it could've been better. What stood out and made the plot tie up together neatly was the emphasis on being able to convey your feelings to a person/people while you still can. Yuris wanted to leave his love for his family, Violet wanted more than anything to tell Gilbert her feelings, and even Daisy in the end wrote to her parents. It really delved deep into human emotions and a sense of connection that anyone could relate to. All of these resolutions were connected one after the other and made it all make sense in the end. ~~~__Character Development__~~~ Personal score: 10/10 Objective score: 9/10 Let me just say right now that Dietfried was the best character to change and grow throughout the entire movie and he has a significantly higher place in my heart than Gilbert. This can be both my personal opinion or the truth, you can choose. Not only did he grow as a person, but his role as a brother was also expanded more than ever. Gilbert, on the other hand, really went through the guilt grinder for quite a large portion of the movie. Yes, Gilbert was the most angering character. To me, this made him become more human and less like the idolized figure Violet often thought of him as. His guilt was expressed a bit in the main series, but the movie is really where we got to see Gilbert as himself and through his eyes. It doesn't really excuse him for making Violet stand in the rain for who knows how long and making her cry, but there's his explanation. For those who didn't understand his motives behind not visiting or leaving the island, please read the light novels or watch it again. We also got to see a lot of Claudia's (Hodgin's) emotions and protectiveness over Violet, as well as seeing him start to let go. I cried a little more when he turned to Violet and she wasn't there. Violet also grew into herself more, but since she's the main character and all, her development speaks for itself. ~~~__Animation and Music__~~~ Personal score: 10/10 Objective score: 10/10 KyoAni left my expectations in the dust. I spent a lot of time crying just because of how beautiful the art was, as well as the music. The art style changed just a bit, but it's barely noticeable, especially when everything else looks better than it ever could in real life. The sea waves under the moonlight? Done to absolute perfection. The music was also so amazingly composed to suit every emotion in the movie. If I hadn't cried before the end credits, I definitely would have upon hearing that song. ~~~__Overall Scores__~~~ ~~~Personal: 10/10 I thought that this was the perfect way to close the book on such a wonderful story. While I could have gone without watching the movie and still have been satisfied, this just made my heart a little more whole. I didn't find the plot confusing at all and I really appreciated that Daisy was Ann's granddaughter. The connections between people that lived past their time were really well portrayed. I loved this movie. Objective: 8/10 It's always going to be incredibly difficult to piece together three different stories, almost no one is going to get it 100% perfect. I think the producers struggled a lot with the plot and it showed enough to get a slew of interesting reviews. While there were a few more minor flaws, the plot stood out the most and made the most impact on scores. To understand the movie better, I suggest those who disliked it read the light novels or watch it again. A lot of things are explained that I see a lot of people look over and then complain about. ~!This is my second anime review ever. I wrote this at 1 in the morning. I feel like it's too much and at the same time not enough, but I still want to share my thoughts on what I thought was a great movie. I also think that some people really let the movie down by not taking the time to try to understand it. Just a reminder that fiction is just an accumulation of human emotions put into words, it can't be perfect.!~ ~~~
_~~~Spoilers are included ~~~_ ~~~img220(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZDM4ODg5YjAtYTQyMy00OWNmLWI1Y2MtOTFjYzk4ZTIwZjUwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzM3NDY3OTA@._V1_.jpg)~~~ With the delivery of the final letter, __we reach the conclusion to our heroine's cross-continental adventure for the ages. __Violet Evergarden's journey of self discovery and personal realization not only sets a monumental milestone for Kyoto Animation and the anime industry itself, but quite literally changed the lives of so many. The importance of her legacy is immediately made clear and it seals the wrapping of what already was an incredibly fitting character arc conclusion from the original show. Violet's made her impact on the world, and it's time for her to put personal matters to rest once and for all. Now, KyoAni is left with the task of being the deliver of the penultimate love letter for the series and its fans. __First, the structure of the letter must be carefully crafted. __No matter what, the presentation, direction, and animation you're getting into with a KyoAni work will always be incredible. The dreamlike landscape that is Leidenschaftlich feels re-imagined with a style that's more crisp and detailed than ever before (Despite the limited variety in locales). This works so smoothly with a refreshing directing perspective from series veteran Taichi Ishidate. Everything that happens on screen feels slow and meticulous, while highlighting landscapes, objects, and character movement to a much stronger degree than the show attempted. It creates a surreal experience that even when what's happening in the movie at that moment may not be of the same quality, my eyes were never bored with the visual perfection. ~~~img220(https://kenh14cdn.com/thumb_w/660/203336854389633024/2020/12/8/screen-shot-2020-12-08-at-22356-16073619701471293406710.png) ~~~ __We begin to write the letter. __Violet Evergarden: The Movie attempts to juggle numerous storylines at once that don't involve the protagonist herself. It's a foreign concept as the original show was always focused on Violet no matter what was happening, and it's evident in quality. Despite creating interesting parallels, the growing concern of technology and the replacement of the Doll position felt shallow; attempting to tie it into the incredibly solid episodic-like plotline surrounding Yuris was an even weaker blow. Yuris is proof that the writing team is still more than capable of creating plausible and emotionally grabbing plot lines, and it confuses me why they weren't able to devote this same attention to other parts of the film given the long running time. __We cross into the bulk content of the letter. __Shallow is unfortunately the crack that runs throughout this entire product, and eventually stumbles on the shock of the film - Gilbert. I don't think the writers were necessarily ready for the wave of questions that would need to be answered by signifying his existence and the weight that would come with it. I'm all for putting us into Gilbert's perspective and understanding his unknown motives - his reasoning for not returning stemming from self-hate is completely plausible and his relationship with his brother created depth from an otherwise basic (But effectively used) character for Violet to develop off of. Seemingly bringing him back from the dead throws accountability that was otherwise not necessary, and it's clear KyoAni wasn't prepared for this. It's not necessarily bad or unbelievable material, just the unseized potential and developing problems are incredibly disappointing. Leaving most of the true reasoning somewhat up for interpretation as the movie sailed to its conclusion before it could give us more of a taste of Gilbert's perspective is arguably its biggest flaw. It doesn't damage the original intent created from the character that the show set out, but most importantly it hurts what could have been the perfect conclusion for Violet's end. ~~~img220(https://i1.wp.com/kakuchopurei.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/violet_evergarden_5.png?resize=760%2C318&ssl=1)~~~ __We reach the climax of our letter. __In the middle of all the jumble that this film is, Violet is being thrown right around with it. Despite wanting more from her stories as the viewer, it's clear that Violet has reached her end in the position of a Doll. It's an uncomfortable realization to hit, but one that makes but all the sense. We all have our roles in life that only us can fulfill, but at the end of the day, who's there to help us? I've grappled with whether this realization is somewhat counterintuitive to the show's own conclusion, but I can get behind it. People grow up and change, and while the show still works incredibly well as it's own singular project, it's an avenue well worth taking. Violet's confusing and emotionally damaging journey to reach the ray of light at the end which makes up the core of the film is where it shines the brightest. Seeing her in such a vulnerable position towards the end of the movie yet still putting in all her effort is nothing short of perfect character development. Her accepting the reality that Gilbert didn't want to see her - it felt so incredibly real and challenging. Even if the other parts of the film aren't as well written or thought out, Violet is once again here to pick up the pieces and still offer something tangible and strong. It unfortunately is no where near enough to save the film's flaws, but it does the most important part of the original show justice, and with that I can be happy. ~~~img220(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMDkxOGE0NTMtODkxZC00NWJmLWI3OTAtMmMwYzMwYjllNGNhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzM3NDY3OTA@._V1_.jpg)~~~ __We preview our letter after completion to polish it up. __I can't say that the conclusion the two end up together is surprising, but it's difficult to say whether it was truly deserved or not. I don't think there's a right answer necessarily, and I think people who have issues with the age etc are completely valid (Except the jabs at child grooming in my opinion feel completely baseless and misrepresent the point of Gilbert's character in the show). With that being said, more needed to be done. It had to feel less coincidental that things worked out the way they did. Why not take the first 40 or so minutes that was dedicated almost purely to recapping previously known information and use that time more productively instead? At the least the more familial relationship route makes the most sense for both of the characters and was the right choice. __As we close the letter and fold it into its envelope, it's difficult to press the final stamp in. __Violet Evergarden is a project that will forever have changed me. It's message hit incredibly deep, and even after the recent rewatch I love it even more than I thought I would. Who knew a story about a damaged war veteran learning to heal and discover her emotions could create something so awe-inspiring and beautiful. After the recent horrific arson attack, it's incredible seeing Kyoto Animation back in the spotlight with a project that feels so personal. It's clear that finishing the story was just as difficult for them as it was for the viewer. And while it's hard to look past the plentiful flaws plaguing what could have been a perfect sendoff, the heart and meanngi is still there and shining brightly. This isn't a final goodbye - no such thing exists with the everlasting effect our words and stories give each other. The relationships we create and the people we inspire is what makes us humans who we are, and Violet's story is no more than a testament to such power. __We firmly press the stamp on to the envelope and leave the rest up to fate. __ ~~~img220(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYmZlYzBmOGItY2E5OC00MWNkLWFkZTMtYWFlMDBjZWUyZDU1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzM3NDY3OTA@._V1_.jpg)~~~
#~~~This analysis will contain heavy spoilers, so read it after you watch the movie.~~~ ~~~img2202(https://imgur.com/MUes0s5.gif)~~~ ~~~Its practically common knowledge that Violet Evergarden is one of the most beloved and talked about drama anime; for it's animation, it's characters (specifically Violet, of course) and it's music. I'm not here to talk about why each of those aspects are perfect in this anime, because there are plenty of other reviews to tell you that. I'm here to tell you why this anime transcended fiction for me and many others and spoke to me with it's relatable portrayal of emotions.~~~ ___ #~~~The "Extreme"~~~ The story, while being relatively simple, is quite relatable for anyone who has lost a loved one, and the movie really goes into every stage of the emotions that come from that through Violet and Yuris. Of course, Violet doesn't want to believe that Gilbert is dead despite everyone telling her he is; she clings onto this thought with her life as she would lose her will to live if she knew he was truly dead. We see this actually happen later in the film except he's not dead, he just doesn't want to see her ever again. This is where one of my favorite parts of drama anime, or any drama really, is seen. Violet is portrayed as the most "extreme form" of her emotions. What I mean by this is the only thing she cares about in life is Gilbert, everything else is almost inconsequential. I've seen this in other anime and I would like to bring up [Deishuu Kaiki](https://anilist.co/character/53641/Deishuu-Kaiki) from the Monogatari series. If you are familiar with the character you may be confused as to why I mention him here, and it's because of his ideology: >"Sengoku, I love money! You know why? Because money can replace everything. It lets you buy things. It lets you buy lives. It lets you buy people. It lets you buy hearts. It lets you buy happiness. It lets you buy dreams. I love money because it's so important, and yet not irreplaceable. So looking at it the other way around, I hate irreplaceable things. 'I can't live without this.' 'Thats the only reason I'm alive.' 'Thats my only purpose in life.' Things that have scarcity value like that piss me off the most." -Deishuu Kaiki, Monogatari Series: Second Season This is a quote that I believe perfectly summarizes his character, and which sets his ideology at odds with Violet's. I point this out because they both have these extreme views. I see this used a lot in some of my favorite drama anime, and for good reason; it's easily one of the most effective ways to portray a specific emotion or idea. I don't totally agree with Kaiki's statement and I don't think many would, but it's hard to argue with his point about irreplacable things. Of course, this method of character writing isn't limited to thought provoking views on life, in Violet Evergarden (especially this movie), it is used to explore loss; in my opinion, to _great_ effect. ___ #~~~The Portrayal of Loss~~~ Violet Evergarden as a whole is all about the emotions that come with loss, and it does such a good job of portraying them; I think that much is indisputable. It may sound ridiculous, but while watching the movie it was almost as if I was feeling the same emotions that Violet was feeling as she was feeling them. Whether this is due to going through similar experiences in my own past I can't say, but the truth is that the emotions that are being conveyed, are __real__. This is the reason why you as the viewer know exactly how Violet is feeling just from watching her expressions. This is also a big part of why I say this movie transcends fiction, because it does a flawless job of portraying these very real emotions and everything that they entail. One very literal way they portray loss is through Yuris and his family. Yuris is sick and tired of the way that everyone around him reacts to his condition, and perhaps it's partly because of this that he refuses to see his best friend; but the truth is he's not being honest with himself. This is seen when Yuris is writing the letter to his family and he says to spoil his little brother, who he thought stole his attention most of the time, in his place. Violet points out to him that what he truly wants is for himself to be spoiled by his parents, and what Yuris' character serves to prove here is that when you're alone it can be practically impossible to be honest with yourself. Violet however with her outside perspective is able to see this and inform him of it; which we see later in the movie with Gilbert's change of heart. Of course as Yuris reaches the acceptance stage of grief, he comes to terms with how he truly feels and reveals it to his best friend as he passes away. ___ #~~~The Point~~~ I mentioned Gilbert's change of heart, but now I will go more deeply into what it really means as it is one of the most significant parts of the movie. I had only realized this after my 3rd watch-through, but I'm certainly glad that I realized it at all. Gilbert's internal conflict is written as a parallel to Yuris', which I think is absolutely genius. Gilbert only sees the worst parts of himself and with no-one to tell him otherwise, he truly believes that that's all that he is. The reason that he doesn't want to see Violet is that he believes that he was a burden to her, and kept her from living a normal life. He believes that he used her as a tool, despite promising himself otherwise. He blames himself for her not being able to live a normal life. But the truth is that he doesn't see the big picture. What he eventually comes to realize is that his impact on her life was far, far more than he sees. The old man tells him that it's not his burden to bear alone: >"We're probably all to blame. We all thought our lives would be better once we won the war. We all hated the people from Leidenshaftlich. But, we all suffered in the end." At this point it still hadn't sunken in yet, but here comes Dietfried... Dietfried is certainly one to give the truth, no matter how harsh; and that's exactly what he does even to his "long-lost brother". Despite this, Gilbert still is hanging onto the idea that it's all his fault and that he ruined her life. But finally, he recieves Violet's letter. >"The reason I'm alive today and learned how to love others, is all thanks to you. For accepting me, I thank you. Thank you for reading to me, for teaching me how to read, and showing me many things; I thank you. For the brooch you gave me, I thank you. For always, always keeping me by your side, I thank you. For giving me 'I love you', I thank you. Hearing you tell me 'I love you' has been like a guiding star throughout my life." And finally, as Gilbert _finally_ realizes that he was anything but a burden to Violet, the song Michishirube (which translates to "guiding star") begins to play as the two poetically reunite. ___ ~~~There are so many reasons why this movie is a masterpiece, and these are only some of the reasons that stuck out to me. Of course it's not just about reading between the lines either, this movie has not only my favorite animation out of any animated work, but also one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. It all culminates to make what I believe to be one of the greatest movies of all time. A movie so great that it practically transcended fiction. I hope that you enjoyed it at least half as much as I did, and I also hope you enjoyed my "analysis" of sorts. Thanks for reading!~~~
~~~___Violet Evergarden Review___~~~ ~~~img220(https://i.imgur.com/QV9weCO.gif)~~~ ~~~___Summary___~~~ An absolutely perfect piece of media that exceeded my every expectation and managed to excel in every department. From the story to the music, _Violet Evergarden_ is enjoyable. It is gripping and emotional. It will make you cry. You will want to hug your mom/dad/wife/husband/etc. If you haven’t watched it already, do yourself a favour and watch it. Right now. Or, at least, after you’ve read this review. ;) ___SCORE: 10/10___ ~~~___Story___~~~ It’s taken me quite some time to formulate my thoughts for this review. I wish there was a concise phrase that could articulate the magnitude of my love for this piece of media. Both the series and the movie are, in my humble opinion, the clearest example of a 10/10 piece of media. When taken in conjunction, both pieces form one of the most beautiful, captivating, and emotional stories I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The series itself was amazing, with each episode having a gripping, emotional story, with Violet marching towards her goal of understanding what it means to say “I love you.” It’s pretty rare for a show to make me emotional while watching it. I find that, especially with anime, it can be quite difficult to add _weight_ to the events onscreen. _Violet Evergarden_ does not have that problem. I bawled. Five times. Episodes 5, 7, 10, 12, 13 were some of, _and I can not stress this enough_, some of the ___best___ pieces of media I have ever consumed. Particularly, episode 10 is probably my favourite piece of media I’ve ever consumed. Even though you can guess the events, as they are not entirely unpredictable, the writer still manages to make the events feel like a punch to the gut by One Punch Man. A common question may be "should I watch the movie as well?" and the answer is ___HELL YES___. The show by itself is quite good and from start to finish it is a cohesive story that ends in a satisfying way. That being said, the movie adds SO MUCH to the story and really serves as a beautiful send-off for the series. It really was worth a watch, even if it is a little long. Definitely watch the movie. _Violet Evergarden_ manages to be both painful and inspiring, and Violet’s journey is one that is realistic, gripping, and emotional. This series is now my benchmark for judging other shows. To be frank, ___I loved this series.___ ___SCORE: 10/10___ ~~~img220(https://c.tenor.com/Wxd6WCe1a0MAAAAC/anime-violet-evergarden.gif)~~~ ~~~___Characters___~~~ There is a surprising amount of depth to each and every character, as well as the entire world of _Violet Evergarden_. Each character comes to life throughout the story, and there is not one single character that I felt was lazily written. Hell, even the _side_ characters and characters who appear only in one episode are written amazingly. More importantly, the show managed to portray several characters with competing feelings/objectives, yet _nobody_ felt like a villain. Each character’s motivation was clear and upfront, and you cannot help but like _all_ of them. Again, as far as other anime I’ve seen and manga I’ve read, _Violet Evergarden_ stands among the top of the list for best characters. More importantly, _Violet Evergarden_ proves that you don’t __have__ to have a cringe main character! Absolutely amazing. ___SCORE: 10/10___ ~~~___Visuals___~~~ As is the current theme with this review, _Violet Evergarden_ far exceeds most other shows/movies in the visual department. Again, Kyoto Animation has managed to create a beautiful, visually stunning piece of media that will stand the test of time. It felt like my eyes had won the lottery. Seriously. Amazing. ___SCORE: 10/10___ ~~~___Music___~~~ Throughout the series and the movie, music is used perfectly to accent each emotion and event that occurs. The main theme is beautiful (I’m trying to learn it on piano!), and the little pieces of music laced throughout the series/movie really fit the entire vibe and do not distract from the gravity of the story. Again, the studio manages to exceed any expectations and set itself apart in yet another aspect of the medium. Perfect. ___SCORE: 10/10___ ~~~___Enjoyment___~~~ If it wasn’t clear from every other section in this review, ___I really enjoyed Violet Evergarden. A lot.___ It’s funny, because for a series I have so much love for, I can’t find any words to describe the sheer beauty and greatness of it. If you haven’t watched this series yet, do yourself a favour and stop reading this crappy review and open your family’s Netflix account and _start watching_. You will feel things that you didn’t even think you could feel, and I promise you that you will get at LEAST five minutes of staring at the roof saying “wow what the hell.” I promise, this show is worth your time. Watch it. Now. ___SCORE: 10/10___ ~~~img220(https://64.media.tumblr.com/ad183335298ccd819eb221f6fb71d684/tumblr_p6dgg1jk0J1tbp5fpo1_250.gifv)~~~ ___P.S___ _If you enjoyed this review, please feel free to [check out my other reviews](https://anilist.co/user/dommywommy/reviews). Please feel free to start a conversation or send me a message about this franchise/any other franchises you like! I'm always looking for great conversations and good recommendations, so I'd love to chat with you about stuff you like! I really appreciate you taking the time to read this review. Thanks <3< /p>
_Violet Evergarden: The Movie_ was a fantastic conclusion to one of my favourite series of all time. This review contains spoilers, yet in short this movie is a must watch for any slice of life or drama fan, and I would strongly recommend it for all, unless the main reason you watch anime is for action scenes - which the movie does still contain some of. I am going to separate this review into 3 parts: 1. Presentation and story 1. Character conclusions 1. Possible issues However, while I will be discussing a few issues with this movie, I am still giving it a perfect score of 10/10, which I have only previously given to 4 other anime. I will talk about this a bit later on. # Presentation and Story The presentation is as impressive as always from Kyoto Animation. Just as beautiful as the rest of the series, in some scenes even more so possibly because of the increased budget that comes with the movie format. The music is stunning as usual, with great use of the ED, _Michishirube_, at the end of the movie. Now, onto the story. The arc involving the sick kid in the hospital appears at first to just be another story that could have been included in the original anime series. I may be wrong on this, so light novel readers shoot me down, but it seemed like KyoAni had two story arcs left from the books, that and Violet's reunion with Gilbert, and tried to combine them together. However, this is mostly in the first half of the movie. In the second half, they become better connected, and Violet's choice to pursue Gilbert, abandoning Yuris (the sick kid), allowed for other side characters to have their arcs reach a fitting conclusion. The story starts at a festival at the port in Leiden, which neatly connects it to the last episode of the anime that ended with the Air Show, also a festival where the characters were at the port. This helped remind viewers where we left off and provided a crucial character moment for Violet. # Character Conclusions With that, onto the character conclusions. I will separate these into each character, yet will order them in how I feel their arcs were best ended in the movie, so feel free to skip if you're not interested in a particular character. I won't talk about all characters, just the few that changed the most over this Movie's runtime or led to crucial moments. __Violet__ I will begin at the festival at the port. This is a great example of violet's struggles; she is able to write the Hymn to the sea with studying the sea life, and it isn't portrayed as that great of a struggle for her. Contrasting this to the last episode of the anime, where she struggled to write a letter for Gilbert, is an example of her separating her letters from herself. While she is slowly learning people's feelings through her job as a Doll, she needs to work through them on her own to actually understand them so that she can also do the same for herself. Her attachment to her job is again reinforced in her choosing to help the sick Yuris on her day off, despite him acting rudely at first. This perhaps shows that she understood his feelings even through his bratty attitude over the phone. Now, onto what everyone thought this entire section would be about, her reuniting with Gilbert. The movie does a good job of making us again want to find him, which the last episode of the anime had left unanswered. The reason I'm not going to discuss this in too much depth is because it takes away from the message of the anime, which I will get to later. Despite this, it is an important ending for her character, with what she sought for for so long, and learnt what "I love you" means for, finally being paid off. Although she immediately leaves the postal company and moves to the island after finishing off her remaining work, the framing story of the movie, Magnolia Daisy trying to find violet, shows that she continued with her work. This is crucial, as while she did find Gilbert, Violet had found something else she loved, her job as a Doll. ~~~img220(https://techunwrapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Violet-Evergarden-The-Movie-has-a-new-trailer-and-release.jpg) ~~~ __Dietfried__ This movie was crucial for Dietfried's Character. While the anime had started to have him turn to like violet and feel remorseful, the movie really allowed us to understand him and his struggles. Him allowing Violet to take some of Gilbert's toys off the boat also shows that while the process is slow, he is slowly being able to move beyond it and let go. His final appearance at the end of the movie, persuading Gilbert to see Violet furthers this, as he is able to forget about his apology what would have put his heart at rest and instead think of someone else. This brings him full circle, from not wishing to join the army and forcing his brother into it, then to using Violet as a tool, now to caring about others. ~~~img220(https://d2e111jq13me73.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/styles/review_gallery_carousel_slide_thumbnail/public/screenshots/csm-movie/violetevergardenthemovie-screenshot-3.jpg?itok=jECrwABT)~~~ __Gilbert__ While he struggled with using Violet as a tool in the flashback scenes in the anime, this movie shows Gilbert confronting these feelings. We also see that he is unable to do so, and instead tries to force her away because he feels he will only bring her pain. This is fairly interesting, as you could see as him returning to where he started, as at the end of the movie he again follows his feelings and does what he wants. ~~~img220(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eoo8KBaVoAAOtGq.jpg)~~~ __Iris and Benedict__ I am going to discuss these two at once, as them helping Yuris at the end when Violet couldn't essentially completed both their characters. While at the end of the anime we see Benedict say he will become the president one day, here we see him again forced to work the odd jobs and drive to clients. However, Iris has a much better ending. She is constantly saying she will become the best Doll in Leiden, and her being able to help Yuris shows that her real goal is to help people connect. It also sets up her stepping into Violet's place as the lead Doll in Leiden after she moves to the island. ~~~img220(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51323566409_0feeca2664_z.jpg)~~~ __Daisy__ Daisy is the character we first see, the woman searching for traces of Violet far into the future. While she doesn't as such have a complete arc besides finding others who loved Violet at the end, she brings forth memories for the audience. This final moment when she says "Violet Evergarden" hits so hard because we see her grandmother, who we do have a connection to. This is set up at the start of the movie with her acting like her grandmother, annoyed at her parents being unable to spend time with her. So in this moment, we also think of her grandmother saying thank you for Violet's work. ~~~img220(https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/VE-1.jpg?w=640)~~~ # Possible Issues Now onto a few issues I've seen others discuss, and a few I also find as flaws. When considering the TV anime as set up and this as payoff this movie is fantastic. However, it can also be seen as damaging to the original message, with Violet learning to deal with her loss of Gilbert. This isn't too MAJOR an issue (I apologise for that terrible pun), yet it does detract from the original anime that was in part so fantastic because it showed recovery after loss and war. This has caused some to call it a cash-grab and unnecessary sequel. The general sentiment in detractors of the movie is that the anime was not in need of this, and I agree. However, while I did walk into watching it concerned about them ruining the ending of the anime, this movie contributed enough of its own to make up for what it did take away from the TV series. This is why I am still giving it a 10/10, as it was still a fantastic viewing experience that I would not want to have missed simply to retain the ending of the TV series. The side characters also appeared fairly shallow in this movie, particularly compared to the anime. However, I think this was necessary in order to complete their arcs, for example with Erica becoming the Playwright's assistant. The characters I discussed above however, were brought out of the forgettable, and therefore I don't see this as too much of an issue. Despite this, characters as Cattleya are practically ignored which was a little disappointing to see. # Conclusion Violet Evergarden: The Movie is a must-watch for all fans of the original series, and a 10/10. While it does have some smaller issues, the largest of these is how it treats the original series. This is annoying for fans of the series, yet it doesn't detract from this movie, rather the TV anime, meaning I am leaving it at a perfect score. It is easily counterweighted by the character moments and completing the arcs of characters we previously knew little about.
~~~img(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/863040534994354216/979040218688663622/violet009.jpg)~~~ So what is this time about? A lot of people can probably think of a lot about the cover, but I'll summarize it. In fact, there are more or less three storylines in this film, but they largely converge. The film begins with Ann's granddaughter at her grandmother's house and finding old letters from her late grandmother. Who is Ann? The little girl from the Mother's Letters episode, she kept all the letters and her granddaughter then takes an interest in the person who wrote these letters. So she sets out to find out a little bit about Violet Evergarden - the mysterious writer who quit her job when she was eighteen. This plot, which is seen as taking place in the future, comes up again and again. The rest of the film then deals with Violet again, who receives an order from a sick boy at the beginning of the film. Somewhat similar to the Mutterbriefe episode, this boy will also die soon, can actually write too, but he doesn't know how to formulate a letter for his parents and brother. His best friend wasn't allowed to visit him until then because he didn't want him to see him like that. It is also increasingly shown and implied that the Akoras' job will very soon be out of date - phones are becoming a thing these days and it is also said in the film that Akoras will soon be redundant. So Violet is supposed to come back to that boy if he really is dying to write the last letter, only then another incident happens. A letter is found at the post office, written in Gilbert's handwriting - not addressed directly to Violet or the others, but the post manager recognized it. So he and Violet travel to an island a little farther away to find Gilbert - he's there too, but he doesn't want to see Violet. In his eyes, he hurt Violet too much just with the arms thing and the whole command thing. I won't say at this point how Gilbert ends, that's too much spoiler, but unfortunately Violet doesn't get to see the dying boy anymore. But in his final moments, he was still able to talk to his best friend on the phone and the whole thing was really extremely sad, because they also showed him dying properly. So much for the content right there. ~~~img(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/863040534994354216/979040684445139014/755153.jpg?width=759&height=519)~~~ The film was scripted on its own, in fact Violet's reunion with Gilbert in the light novel is different and at least one volume further than this film. The director of the series and the film actually wanted to close the series and leave it open - but when he saw the script for this film he changed his mind and wanted to continue. From his point of view, he didn't want to make Violet Evergarden any of the usual romances, but from my point of view this is one, but with a very bitter, emotional aftertaste. The theme of love is a thing here, of course, but it's not so carrying that romance is written into the genres. But I found it quite interesting to start the film in such a different way. At first I was adamant that it was Ann or her daughter but not her granddaughter. It was also very interesting to see that the radio tower is already completely rusty at the time, while it was just being built in Violet's time. In general, there were so many details in this film again, you really don't notice that there was something with Kyoto Animation a little more than two years ago. I could actually have forgiven them if they had weakened a bit - but you really don't notice it. I don't know how the animations here could have been made any better, Kyoto Animation really tried their best even when they were in such a bad situation. If you have no idea what happened there - in 2019 there was an arson attack on the studio, in which an entire office building almost completely burned down, 36 people died and 34 (including the perpetrator) were injured. Even if the office where this film was animated was not affected, it took time to repair the damage and time to let it all sink in. But that shouldn't be too much the topic of this review, I just wanted to mention it briefly.
The original Violet Evergarden has always been a cheesy anime drama about realistic-anime-looking girl who seeks out the meaning of love from other's lives and experiences. Most of the conflicts there get played out quick as though Violet's episodes of PTSD aren't that significant, though for a good reason. The series made us through Violet's healing process by seeing her ghostwriting letters for those who can't express their thoughts clearly into words, and with that we can see just how careful the entire direction to bring Violet better and how empathetic Violet can be when she's slowly releasing herself from life at war, life as a tool, a child soldier groomed by Diethard and soon after got taken by Gilbert. While this movie still has that moment of cheesiness with the Hollywood-ish orchestra and strange anime characters mannerism, it also brings out other things we probably missed throughout the previous series: that Violet is an ex-child soldier with genuine trauma, and she might still has it even after the series is over. She occasionally has her series of flashbacks, still waiting for her never returning ex-Major who gave her the love she needs despite using her as a tool of war, which not surprisingly also gives Gilbert a personal trauma. They are both wounded by each other's actions without ever having an intention to do so. This movie explores that series of trauma with a high noted drama that still feels respectful to real life, and how both party tries to reconcile with their condition by doing something that they really want to do but so afraid because they don't want to rub more salt to each other's wounds: expressing the deeply desired, broken yet pure, yet honest, love. This movie turned all the cheesiness from the original series from what you originally called as "flaws" into "depth", and made you think just how cruel you were to say Violet's healing process as a mere shallow drama. It also used the cheesiness to give much needed gravitas to the main conflict, similar to what Kyoto Animation did to Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya 10 years prior, but with less radical cinematography and more human drama. The sakuga that plays out as the character's moving act was so breathtaking and more subtle than many other live action movies I've ever seen. It's easy to nitpick the movie at first until you realized the intention of those flaws for the overall experience you get. Kyoto Animation truly has rose again after the unfortunate incident two years before, and I'm so glad to see how they haven't missed their marks with this movie. Thank you, Kyoto Animation. If the production of anime ever ends, I hope it ends beautifully with your remarkable legacy.
__SPOILERS FOR THE SERIES AS WELL AS THE MOVIE __ Ah Violet Evergarden: a series I kind of have a love-hate relationship with. The hate part really just comes from this movie though. The series was something I absolutely loved and still consider a favorite, despite how terrible this movie turned out to be. If you happened to click upon this review before watching the series, GO WATCH THAT instead of reading this. Also watch the special and Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll if you liked it. Now getting back to this movie- __Story __ First of all, there’s too many flashbacks that simply serve to stretch the movie’s runtime. Like, we already know about the scene with gilbert “dying”, and the time he and violet spent. The TV series already showed this to us more than once. It also shamelessly recaps episode 10, in an attempt to milk it for what it’s worth. A lot of the fuckups done by this sequel can be attributed to one major problem: Gilbert is alive. This was a terrible writing decision in a multitude of ways. The whole story up till now revolved around a broken girl who’s lost someone important to her, but despite this comes to terms with his death and learns to live on her own. She finds people she cares about, learns to love herself and effectively live a life he wanted her to: being free and independent. But due to gilbert being alive all this time, this narrative loses its meaning completely. It ultimately devolves into a roundabout clichéd romance story, and not a complex one about what it means to love and the emotions we feel. Which is yet another bad thing because Gilbert throughout the show is portrayed as a mentor or a father figure to Violet. He essentially teaches her everything she knows so can one day be an independent person once the war ends. Yet, what you get here is a problematic age gap romance with someone who was practically her adopted father, that clearly wasn’t needed in any way. It's fucking weird and creepy. The second ongoing plot with the sick kid was another failed attempt at an emotional outcome. I initially enjoyed Yuris’ interactions with violet, but that doesn’t make up for the fact this entire subplot was essentially a rehash of episode 10. Two rehashes of the same damn episode in one movie. Like… why? Due to the fact I knew it was coming, his death wasn’t really impactful. The whole thing felt forced. The ending fucking sucked. The fact that everything, everything in this story built up to this, made me feel like shit. The entire melodrama between Violet and Gilbert, which plays out like a run-of-the-mill soap opera, eventually resulting in Gilbert changing his mind about not wanting to meet violet all because of a letter even though he didn't care when she talked to him about the exact same stuff earlier, then running up to Violet’s leaving ship and Violet jumping out to run towards him, meeting and crying for 10 minutes, was actually about as generic as it sounds. She quits her job at CH postal company, and they live happily ever after. I used to think happy endings are hard to do poorly, but this was a level of shitting the bed that was the last thing I could have expected from a series that was seriously well-written prior. __Characters__ This aspect was quite literally the biggest insult to the viewer. The series makes it quite clear, especially in episodes 9 and 13 that Violet is growing past her dependence on the major and learning to be an individual. She almost committed suicide in the midst of this, which was why her finally accepting her own past mistakes as a soldier who ruined families, and her current self that would live on without her dependence on Gilbert, while also helping people as an Auto Memory Doll, was one of the most satisfying and impactful moments. The movie outright ignores this. 4 years have passed since the aforementioned events, and somehow violet is still struggling with her feelings. “I am worried she’s going to crushed by those feelings”, Cattleya says in a conversation with Claudia. So you’re basically telling me that all those sequences about Violet maturing and moving on from her grief meant nothing? Even after 4 years, nothing changed? She’s still the same as her original episode 1 self after all? Goddamn. That’s basically what Violet’s character is reduced to. A mere lovesick maiden who can’t live without a guy at the end, and is willing to throw away everything she built up in her life for him. Daisy, Ann’s granddaughter is purely a filler character. On paper, she’s supposed to show how great Violet’s influence was in Leidenschaftlich. But this barely works because we don’t get to see much of the modern world to begin with. Not to mention, it hardly even matters because here we see less of Violet writing letters as an auto memory doll, and more of her romance with Gilbert. Gilbert himself was annoying. This movie actually made me hate this guy, which is a shame because I had respected him before. Dietfried was somewhat more likeable here, but I couldn’t care much for him. Yuris left no impression on me. I’ll admit, Claudia was actually quite good in this film, despite it all. Rest of the main cast didn’t get much screentime. __Visuals__ Pretty good by your average anime standards, but this is Violet Evergarden we’re talking about. There is a level of detail and standard set by the TV show, and even more so by Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll, which is the series at its peak in terms of visuals. Yet, despite being the finale, it doesn’t live up to these two. There isn’t a single scene in this movie that you can point towards and say “That’s beautiful”, like you could say for Violet skipping across the water or the fluid movements and well placed camera angles in the series before. __Enjoyment__ I absolutely despised this. Everything about this movie was a massive disappointment, and taints the series as a whole. Learning that gilbert’s alive retroactively ruins a lot of impactful scenes in the series. Also the fact that their relationship ends up in a romantic way, just changes so much about what the series was originally supposed to be. __Overall__ I wish this movie didn’t exist. Seeing one of my favorite protagonists of all time get this treatment, and this horrible ending, was physically painful to sit through. The TV show had a decently satisfying ending, and this movie mercilessly shits all over it. What was originally a masterfully crafted series with great emotional impact, is turned into a substance-less cryfest that tries too hard. Violet deserved better.