by The three films in the Kyoto Animation masterpiece “Violet Evergarden” series will be broadcast on BS Shochiku Tokyu (nationwide free broadcast, BS260 channel) from October 24 (Thursday). In this article, we will introduce the plot and highlights of the three films, “Violet Evergarden Special Edition,” “Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll,” and ” Violet Evergarden the Movie. “
A girl who cannot develop her heart learns about love in “Violet Evergarden Special Edition.” “Violet Evergarden Special Edition,” a reconstructed version of the 13 episodes of the TV anime, will be broadcast from 8 pm to 8 pm on October 24 (Thursday). The story is set in a specific era on a particular continent.
The great war that divided the continent into north and south has ended, and the world is full of momentum toward peace. Violet Evergarden (voiced by Ishikawa Yui ), a girl who fought as a soldier during the war, leaves the military and comes to a large port town, still holding in her heart the words “I love you” that her precious wartime friend Major Gilbert Bougainvillea (voiced by Namikawa Daisuke ) told her as they parted ways.
In this town, full of lively people and trams passing along gas-lit streets, Violet works as an “Auto-Memories Doll,” writing letters for her clients and picking up on their thoughts. By facing her clients honestly and touching on their true feelings deep within their hearts, Violet comes closer to the meaning of the words that were once spoken to her.
This work is an anime adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Akatsuki Kana. “A letter to the only brother who survived the war,” “A letter from a girl who started working in the city to her parents back home,” “A letter expressing her true and honest feelings of love,” and other letters filled with the feelings of various people are written on behalf of Violet, who had not yet developed any feelings. Her journey to love is depicted delicately with stunning visual beauty. As described as an anime that “adults can cry to,” the scene where Violet bursts into tears that she had been holding back until now is lovely and moving.
“Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll,” a story of Violet finding “eternity” Starting at 8 pm on Friday, October 25, “Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll,” depicts the story of Violet and her new client, Isabella, will be broadcast. It is the story of Isabella, a girl who had given up on living, finding “eternity” together with Violet. Having grown through her letter-writing business, Violet is hired as a tutor for her client, Isabella (CV: Minako Kotobuki ), who attends a strict girls’ school. The girls’ school was a prison for Isabella, who made a “contract” with her father. Isabella, a girl who has lost all hope and expectations for the future, meets Violet, and the story follows their heartfelt exchange.
The bond between Violet and Isabella is the highlight of this work. At first, Isabella is not happy with Violet, who has been sent as a tutor, and ultimately closes her heart off to her. However, it soon becomes clear that Isabella has a sister who was separated at birth. As Violet connects the feelings of the separated sisters, a bond begins to grow between the two. In the scenes where the two connect, you can feel the kindness and love of human beings.
“Violet Evergarden the Movie” focuses on Violet’s way of life. From 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 26, “Violet Evergarden the Movie” will be broadcast, where Violet’s long journey ends. Several years have passed since the end of the profoundly wounding war, and people are trying to move forward. Still, Violet has not been able to forget the words “I love you” from Major Gilbert Bougainvillea, a precious person who remains in her heart… One day, Violet runs into Gilbert’s older brother, Colonel Dietfried (CV: Hidenobu Kiuchi), who tells her to “forget about Gilbert.” Then, a letter with an unknown address is found in the warehouse of a mail truck, and the story begins to move forward.
Released in theaters in 2020, this work exceeded 2.13 billion yen in box office revenue, an unusual hit for a late-night anime movie, and won the Japan Academy Award for Excellence in Animation. Regarding this work, the producer said, “In the TV series, Violet was more of a narrator, weaving together the thoughts of the various people she met while working as a ghostwriter. In contrast, this ‘movie version’ focuses on Violet Evergarden’s way of life.”
Another point to note about this movie version is the beauty of the images, realized through more careful drawing and filming techniques. Kyoto Animation’s attention to detail can be felt everywhere, from the movement of Violet’s fingers as she types on the typewriter with her prosthetic hand to the depiction of the backgrounds.
