I cried. Certainly. Witnessing such a love, how could I hold back my tear? Violet Evergarden the Television is one that made me do something like that, and for better or worse, the letters sent to the future self of someone is one of the most remarkable moments in anime history. No need to cry for silly plastic memories, you know?

Anyway, let's get into the work for real.

The Opening & The Point of View of Those Living

I really like the idea of bringing those side characters onto the show. Violet Evergarden told the story within, with or behind those letters, and the opening of the movie did stay true to its nature. The purpose of letters is not only to communicate, but also to connect people, and how great that the living people were connected with those gone before through the memories laid within those pages. Even though the main storyline did got interrupted with what happened in that present, it was not that bad to significantly impact the enjoyment. What a pleasure to be able to see how people got connected, and what a creative way to end what had been started. Nevertheless, the point of view of the living people should have only been the opening and the conclusion of the work, instead of disrupting the progress of its major content.

The Main Events

I’ve always had myself satisfied with how things concluded in the TV series. The end there brought wishful and bright colours to the work, and there was that hopeful feeling that Violet Evergarden would definitely move on, in order to find her happiness, as well as you-know-what-she-is-seeking-for. However, the movie discarded them all. Once again, the disturbance was stirred up.

Gilbert Bougainvillea’s survival was nothing strange, as it was shown in the original work. Nonetheless, as the prequel had managed to draw an even better final ceremony, while the special episode resonated the final notes of Let It Be, there was no need to bring him back to life. Two miracles in the same place just dissonate themselves, but well, the execution could salvage it… Hell no, as Gilbert Bougainvillea played an important part in this work, he should have had more screen time, not in the recollection of others, but for his actual actions, thoughts, as well as his resolution. I couldn’t see any clear development from the character, but let’s return to it later.

The reenactment of a great episode from the TV series was certainly overshadowed by the opening and therefore became filler. Time, guys, for Major Bougainvillea.

In cocnclusion, the movie should have been more focused on Gilbert Bougainvillea, since Violet Evergarden had shown her potential in the TV series and her necessity in the movie was only to discover the fact.

The Characters

Gilbert Bougainvillea was also a victim of war. That was certainly a fact and explained the reason behind his actions. However, I always respect how Captain Ben Affleck in Pearl Habour had the will to apologise his loved one, Kate Beckinsale for having left her, for having put her into sorrow, and spoke out how she had been his urge of surviving, as well as his resolution to repay her and his best friend, also a comrade in arms. That is to say, our Major Bougainvillea here was just a loser. Executive Squad, ready. Aim. Fire.

As for what happened to Violet Evergarden, isn’t it a pain to see her once again agonise, and isn’t it a shame that she had to endured it for the sake of the mere like Dear Sir Major there? He was the first to show her affection, but certainly not the worthy one for hers. She deserved more for what she had been through. That’s why I have to say the movie was just something totally unnecessary, since the TV version had worked out an absolute satisfying epilogue for the greater good. Isn’t it a pity then?

The Sounding and The Art

It is too repetitive to say, but in short, the same staff behind the stage.

There are reasons explaining why the movie was considered a success, but to me, the scriptwriter gave off the vibe of Makoto Shinki in disguise. It was not that bad, but kinda stretching too far from what had previously been. Not approved. Sometimes love just has to die.

Alternative Conclusion: I now wish they had instead used the original end of the novel in the movie. Even though it would be contradicting to the pacifist Violet Evergarden had become, at least Major Bougainvillea could really do something there, and there would be more commotion than what was actually done.