Kyoto Animation’s 2020 film “Violet Evergarden: The Movie” is significant in several important ways. One reason is that it serves as a direct sequel and conclusion to the first series, Violet Evergarden, whose ending really tied up things well, so I doubt there will be more chapters or further seasons for it. Moreover, “The Movie” was the first project to be fully developed and released after Kyoto Animation’s main studio was horribly torched down in 2019; one of the most violent acts in Japan over 50 years (the previous Evergarden film premiered few months later but mostly because it had already been largely concluded by then). Thus these reasons alone are enough for me to support “The Movie,” which was certainly an emotional experience even prior to reading it due to its thematic nature as touched on by “Violet Evergarden.”
Also occurring in 2020 is COVID-19 that led the whole world into pandemic and economic lockdown. Millions of people died within two years and a majority of them much earlier than expected. Such favourite local stores had faced extinction sooner than expected. As well, movie theater industry almost died off in North America. Similar to the original show, Violet Evergarden: The Movie primarily revolves around emotions and power of words with a strong emphasis this time on saying what you can before your death or that of your loved one happens. Once again these motifs resonate even more deeply given recent circumstances.
I have no clue if the script or directorial decisions were influenced by any of those factors by Kyoto Animation staff. However, it seems like they wanted to communicate this message about love and peace and forgiveness through their traditional style; they knew how important it was. In early 2021 I sat inside a theatre with everyone spaced out wearing masks throughout the room crying multiples times myself while sniffles emanated from all directions including rows upon rows beyond me—you get it, but I still had to cry at the movie’s end.
In Eternity film, which was released before this one, several related stories played out over a few years with the focus on new minor characters. In “The Movie” however, there are a few storylines that are mixed together and it is mostly about Violet who has developed her own robotic arms as a soldier turned ghost writer. For now she has been transformed into an embodiment of memories who can write better than anyone else while some years back she could not understand human emotions due to her mechanical nature. However, anybody except herself. Yet she is still waiting for Major Gilbert who was leading them during the war but went missing several years ago and since then he has been believed to be dead. This happens as some of the postal workers retire and move away; telephone and electricity become widespread: world changes and everyone knows that letters may soon go out of style.
Apparently, Gilbert is still alive as I believed the series’ ending hinted at it somewhere but unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything to confirm my suspicion. He had moved to a distant island where he lived with one eye and one arm missing after an accident that occurred during the war and there he taught local children and wrote letters home for them. Mr. Hodgins, director of post office who reads Gilbert’s script from the letter immediately spills out what he has just read to his older brother Dietfried, a cold man like him who is also a captain in the army, not forgetting Violet herself. They journey back to try and see if there is any chance of finding him there.
…but does Violet know if Gilbert would like to see her? Why did he not go back home? It turns out that Gilbert can not forgive himself for his part in the war. He was sorry for involving Violet in such violence when she was only fourteen years old because then he saw her lose her both hands. He regretted every death especially emphasized by small village in an island where all adult men had been fighting until death took them away leaving behind aged people, women and children who were badly missing them but tried as much as they could to move on. If only by living anew on this island, operating as a mentor or worker instead of those men lost while concealing his initial involvement with their foes can replace some deaths even though it might be inadequate but that’s all there is left for him to do so as make amends.This child would have been better off never knowing Violet at all than ever having met him; now she will be better off without him.
This brought tears into my eyes” Forgive me.” This is how Nagatsuki Tappei describes the most emotional scene between Emilia and Natsuki Subaru in Anime Re:Zero Episode 18 – From Zero (Natsuki Subaru x Emilia). So, this post will provide you with the best “I love Emilia” Subaru quotes and memes from Re:Zero Anime:
When Violet finally meets Gilbert, who is cruel and stubborn in regard to it, it becomes nearly impossible not to want to hit him in the face. Gil does not know that she was never loved until he came into her life. It was because of him that her life had significance. And now more than ever before, she wants to be with him, for she knows what “I love you” means at last and wishes to tell him so. At least his face once again is all she wants. But first of all he refuses even that saying that could make a tough choice easier for both.
It is crucial! This is the basic story but not the single one. Before finding Gilbert, Violet agrees on job offer by a little boy from hospital ward. The child can be 10 years old or thereabouts; he seems to have been harsh on his family yet desires writing letters to his mum, dad & brother (a toddler) and another person (who happens to be an early friend) just before succumbing due to a terminal illness within months since then. Though without much money involved, Violet accepts the task. The situation here almost comes down when the boy gets seriously ill in between her journey back home (it takes days without an airplane) while writing such ending letter as he nears deathbed.It makes for an exciting”,” dramatic climax yet also very sad.Violet grapples with how her finally finding Gilbert affected what she had promised this kid as well as what doing it means during one’s duty plus whether or not she should actually go through with her plan,hence creating a lot of tension among readers of this book themselves
The beginning and end of the narration are by a modern character, who is attending her grandmother’s funeral in this series, while Violet writes letters for that character; Violet can. This takes her on a personal journey of self-discovery and so she wants to know more about this phantom author and how powerful their writing is; as if to give us an idea of what happens to all the characters. The film also refers to some past episodes; hence, it may be tough for anyone who hasn’t seen them (just like “Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya” which was a major add-on to the main series but still needed one to have watched through). And it does not take much effort to understand that it is neither the letters nor those words used with your loved ones.
One thing about this film that frustrates me is Hodgins and Dietfried’s role. In the main series there was never an indication that they could be potential love interests for Violet: Hodgins acted as Gilbert’s father figure whereas Dietfried hated Violet but shared pain with her. The movie though has a little bit of subtextual love triangle. It is clear however that even though Violet longs only for Gilbert, his emotions towards her are now stronger than ever, while even Dietfried feels something for him (they even fight over who gets her). Shows like “Downton Abbey” thrive on such types of drama involving “who will end up being the girl’s partner,” but “Violet Evergarden” did not go in this direction. It was more about loss than just romantic feelings. A bit similar to what happened in “Eternity,” although less jarring when compared, it too feels somewhat out of place.
Finally, it wraps up satisfactorily—after all you can’t do 2+ hour finale without happy ending? But most importantly, it is emotional payoff in “The Movie” that is most significant and what makes it a success. It’s definitely more of a romantic movie than just emotions (and some might argue no story or plot). If you have already seen the “Violet Evergarden” as a series, you should go ahead and watch the movie too.
In terms of visuals, it is consistent with the rest of the franchise visually, including ultra-wide aspect ratio. That is to say, it looks awesome but not surprisingly so. The soundtracks are mostly similar but there is one powerful ending song in its credits that make it even better. My theater was in Japanese with subtitles and this made all those dramatic key moments really dramatic; therefore English dub may also be able to do well here (will update my review if I turn out wrong based on main series).
I still have some reservations about the “Violet Evergarden” franchise. I love the setting, and how it portrays typewriters and letters, as well as the whole concept of a collection of moving short stories, but somehow it always seemed contrived to invoke tears in its audience. Nonetheless with “Violet Evergarden: The Movie” there is a proper conclusion which is strong and emotional even though slightly prolonged. For this film I will be emotional enough to shed tears for sure! Also reach out to my parents and say goodbye. And when it’s safe again, give them a hug.
Watch Violet Evergarden: The Movie on Kimcartoon
