This is the Story of a girl - yet to experience the beauty of human emotions.
____
Genuine Thoughts
When I first started Violet Evergarden I wasn't very impressed and to say it right away- this not so awesome start was the reason I gave this show a 9 instead of a 10 - well that and some missing emotions 'till certain episodes. I was already used to the high production value of Kyoto Animation projects and neither did anything in the anime impress me at first. It got to the point where I took a very long break of the show after the 3rd episode. While not knowing what beautiful adventure I was about to miss back then - I'm happy that I waited to watch it all the way through 'till now, where I was finally ready to accept the hidden beauty of shows like Violet Evergarden.
____
Characters
I WILL CLARIFY THAT, AT THIS POINT, I DO NOT REFRAIN FROM MENTIONING SPOILERS
It is a lie to say that every character in this show was perfectly written. The show, logically, focused primary on Violet and her clients throughout the majority of the show. Yet, there were also exceptions where the show focused on other characters than Violet and HER clients as well - as for example in episode 4, Iris and her family that tricked her into coming back home thinking she would finally receive her first Job as an Auto Memory Doll.
I was very impressed by how well executed Violet's Character development is. Seeing her becoming slowly but surely an independent girl with emotions and expressions like any other human made me very happy.
As for her clients. It was really a impressive variety of characters I met during this show and my personal favorites were probably the stories of Oscar & Ann. Oscar, a broken Man, who got pulled out of the depressing darkness and finally got to the finish the story dedicated to his beloved daughter. Ann, a little girl and her ill mother, soon to be seperated by nature - regardless they will be forever connected by the mother's letters, written by Violet, for her little girl.
Both stories were doubtlessly beautiful and yet painful to the point where I could hardly hold back my emotions.
Another mentionable story, in my opinion, is the very one of the young orphanage boy Leon. Abandoned by his parents and claiming that love is for fools. Meeting Violet turned out to be just what he needed to realize that there's more to this world than pain and emptiness. Meeting the right person gave him the motivation to explore the world for himself, hoping that he can soon watch the stars with Violet again.
There's also Dietfried I would like to put a short note on. I do not sympathize with him at all to say the very least. However I must say that I can very well understand the pain this man was going through after the loss of his beloved little brother Gilbert. Looking at Violet with the eyes of hatred. Blaming her for Gilbert's death and mistaking her for nothing but the Battle Doll of Leidenschaftlich...a war tool. I want to believe that the incredible pain of losing Gilbert is a justification for Dietfried being such a man of despise towards Violet. I wanted Dietfried to have somewhat of an little redemption. Something that would show me how he is more honest to himself and his emotions. This was certainly not the case. However, the show certainly left the feel of regret in Dietfried's character, that is certainly better than nothing.
Unfortunately I can't say much about the other characters as they were of less relevance to me than Violet, her clients and Dietfried.
With this, I'm finishing the main part of my review.
____
Production
I suppose I'll keep this short as I'm not a man of research. I do not inform myself well on the staff. All I have to offer is a good judgement of the animation, artwork and similar quality aspects regarding anime, given my years of experience.
Animation and Artwork in Violet Evergarden were already on seperated terms both great and of high value - however their combination alongside the musical support made this show a truly astonishing experience about the beauty of modern anime.
I'm afraid to say that I was not too impressed by the opening and ending theme of the show. While they weren't bad I just couldn't get myself to like them as much as other Openings and Endings that I've seen.
____
Finishing words
What did this show teach me? To be honest- nothing that I didn't already know. However, Violet Evergarden showed me, through the simple act of writing and delivering letters, the importance of what it means to care for someone. This show teaches you how very important it is to be someone that cares for others - as well as how much of a blessing it is to have someone that cares for you. Furthermore- how important it is to let your feelings reach their dedicated person. That Love is something that will hold on to you even after death. To all eternity. My reviews are nothing visually stunning or something written with outstanding skill... But I hope my feelings, for this beautiful experience, reached you. Every Letter deserves to be delivered. This was my letter.
Sincerely,
Liki
56 out of 59 users liked this review