Violet Evergarden: 88%

Violet Evergarden | Film + anime review

The story of an empty doll – Is it possible to learn emotions?

 

Violet Evergarden review

Violet Evergarden. A prizewinner anime.

Violet Evergarden is a Japanese light novel series written by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase. The 13-episode anime television series adaptation by Kyoto Animation aired between January and April 2018 with several advance screenings taking place in 2017. The series was awarded Best Animation at the 2019 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The animated series is a must watch, even though you don’t like the specific genre. In fact, this work can be relocated to the same branch of Your Name and A Silent Voice, but unlike these films it is able to build connections with the audience episode by episode.

Violet Evergarden. A product of War.

The story takes place facing the spectator the hard drama of war. The auto-mail (metallic prosthetics) of today is not that of Edward Elric (FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood) but belongs to a girls who found emotions: Violet Evergarden.

Violet is an abandoned and nameless child. She was found by navy officer Dietfried Bougainvillea on an island where he and several members of his crew were forced to land after a naval engagement. From that specific moment she is supposed to be the tool of the army, due to her great combat skills. The only one who looks after her as a human being is Dietfried’s brother, Gilbert. Gilbert taught her how to speak, read, and write, and named her Violet, wishing she could grow up to be as beautiful as the flower. During the decisive battle, Violet loses both her arms in the desperate move to save her “Major” (Gilbert). The Violet we find after the recovery is an empty doll, a doll without soul. From this very moment, her only aim is to become an Auto-memory doll to finally understand the last words Gilbert said to her “I love you“.

I want to know what “I love you” means

-Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden doll

The story of an empty doll that fullfilled others’ life.

Each episode of Violet Evergarden is almost a self-contained story throughout which Violet touches the reality and the feelings of real people. Yes, because at the beginning Violet is a doll full of emptiness. A the initial stage of the anime, Violet Evergarden is a Rey Ayanami: a human being without emotions. The novel gives the audience also an important lesson about writing. The act of writing is far beyond a mere mechanical action. The Violet Evergarden of the initial episodes, even exercising a lot in writing down as many words as possible is not a ready to be a letter-writer. For that, she needs to feel empathy.

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Violet Evergarden: is it possible to learn emotions?

Gilbert Violet Evergarden

Major Gilbert

Violet’s naive approach with the external world bonds her character to the audience. At the end of the anime, Violet is capable of understanding the feelings vehiclulated by a glimpse. She finally feels the burden of major Gilbert’s words. She takes the name of the flower Violet. A flower appreciated by ancient Greeks and associated with delicacy and sensitivity. It’s the final stage that Violet Evergarden achieves. Romans and Greeks also accompanied the flower Violet to funeral and death as a simbol of innocence and purity. Violet Evergarden is a strong shout about hope. It establishes the spark inside all humans, even in characters who experienced despair. It’s the lyric of the soul.

Violet Evergarden. The signs of a masterpiece.

Details, bright colours, light reflections makes Violet Evergarden alive. It’s like the reality of Shinkai (see our review of Weathering with You) has blended with the sentiment of A Silent Voice. Shading and the precise soundtracks add an extra tone to the series. Each frame is precisely calibrated in terms of drawings and music. It’s the perfect recipe to create a warm environment to steal the heart of the audience.

Everything I’ve done so far has sparked a flame that is now burning me up

-Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden

Where can I watch Violet Evergarden episodes?

Depending on your location, you may find the anime of Violet Evergarden on these streaming platforms: Hulu, Netflix and Funanimation. As happened for One Piece, the episodes are also available on free online website like 9Anime.

In case you’re Italian-based you can find the anime of Violet Evergarden in the dubbed version also on Anime Unity or on Netflix.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie.

Violet Evergarden The Movie follows Violet as she continues to comprehend the concept of emotion and the meaning of love. At the same time, she pursues a glimmer of hope that the man who once told her, “I love you,” may still be alive even after the many years that have passed. The Movie is the worthy conclusion of the 13-episodes anime series.

Review of Violet Evergarden: The Movie.

I especially loved the character development that went on in the 2 hours 20-minute runtime of the movie. We finally get to see both sides of the story, and both sides of the struggle between Violet and whoever the other man could be. There is so much I would like to say but I’m trying to keep it as spoiler-free as possible. To make it simple, we’ve had a really powerful character arc in terms of development and interaction.

Overall, I loved the Violet Evergarden Movie. I love it even more than the original TV series. I love it so much that I’m about to go lower the scores of some of my highest rated anime just because 10/10 is not an accurate representation of the score I want to give this movie. It’s 11/10.

Where to watch Violet Evergarden the Movie.

You can enjoy the movie of Violet Evergarden on Netflix or on 9Anime. If you’re Italian based, you can much appreciate the italian dubbing (really well done!) on Netflix or Anime Unity.

violet-evergarden-movie-where-to-watch

And you? Have you seen Violet Evergarden?

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The Rankings

Violet Evergarden (13 episodes)

COMPLEXITY AND HIDDEN MEANINGS (PLOT)
0%
PLOT CONSISTENCY
0%
SOUND AND MUSIC
0%
GRAPHICS AND DRAWINGS
0%