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.
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."
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.
