Produced by Kyoto Animation to overcome the grief of the 2019 arson attack, “Violet Evergarden: The Movie”, a film directed by Haruka Fujita, whose narrative demands the viewer to reflect both on the perpetrators and victims of the fire.
Violet Evergarden, a light novel from its anime series, tells a story that continues differently. This story can either introduce us to a character, say goodbye to him, or show his journey’s beautiful and meaningfulness.
For some days, I have not watched any anime. The last one I watched was “Death Note” which I watched some days ago. After that type of serial, I want to immerse myself in something else, like a slice of life, so I choose that.
The movie moves fast into Violet’s awful story. Violet was a young soldier in a world that looked like old Western Europe. She lost her hands and her leader, Major Gilbert Bougainvillea, who told her “I love you” before he disappeared. Very upset and hurt, Violet finds comfort by becoming an Auto Memory Doll, a person who helps others write letters to express their feelings.
Violet is asked by Yuris, a very sick boy who will soon die, to write letters to his family. This task makes Violet think about her past and her feelings for Gilbert. At the same time, Claudia Hodgins finds a letter written by Gilbert, which leads them to a remote island. They find Gilbert alive, but he is badly hurt and feels very guilty.
The movie’s animation is stunning and pays close attention to details, showing Violet’s emotional growth. The film has vibrant colors but a sad tone because new technologies might make her job unnecessary. The story is very emotional, with different timelines for a powerful ending. The reunion between Violet and Gilbert is a highlight, filled with strong emotions that focus on closure and redemption.
As an artist, I fall in love with the beautiful animation style, cinematography, and pretty backgrounds. I think the movie doesn’t need many words as the emotions can be felt visually in every scene.
The music of the film matches the emotional parts of the story, making it more impactful. Some people may find the film a little slow, but its sincerity and emotional depth make it worth watching. “Violet Evergarden: The Movie” is a great comeback for Kyoto Animation, a must-see for fans and anime lovers alike.
