Reviewed by Patricia Ortiz ||

Intro

The latest Violet Evergarden movie, released on Netflix in mid-October, concludes the series, which was originally released in 2018. The 2-hour long film brings a fin to the journey of our protagonist, Violet Evergarden. During this review, I’d like to start with a spoiler-free portion before giving my final thoughts for those who have yet to watch the film for themselves.

Background

Violet Evergarden takes place in the fictional country, Leiden, and follows our main character, Violet, throughout her journey where she searches for the meaning of the words, “I love you.” Violet was once considered a war-machine, and she worked as a soldier during a war that ended prior to when the original series takes place. Audience members who have watched the original series soon find out that Violet’s superior, Gilbert, has likely passed away during that war. In search of purpose, Violet works at CH Postal Company, where she writes letters for those who do not know how; these writers are titled Auto Memory Dolls. Violet Evergarden: The Movie takes place after the 2018 series. The original series follows a very episodic formula, with Violet meeting a new customer every episode, and the film is no different. 

Spoiler-Free Review

For the spoiler-free part of the review, I will be discussing two categories: target audience and animation. The film is meant for those who watched the original 2018 series, and those who go into this film without having watched that series beforehand will have found themselves losing out on pre-established information, drama, and relationship dynamics. If you came into this review in the hopes of finding out whether this film is worth watching or not, the short answer is yes—if you’ve watched and enjoyed the original 2018 series.

This leads me into discussing the animation. Both the original series and the latest movie have been animated by Kyoto Animation, which is a company that has never let down their audience with their stellar animation. In this film, they really went above and beyond with the small details. One of the film’s most dramatic moments features a scene by the sea, and it would be a crime not to mention just how beautifully realistic the water looks. Animation lovers will be pleased to hear that while the blend of traditional animation and computer graphics can be jarring, they flow beautifully well together in Violet Evergarden: The Movie.

Spoiler Section

Now we’ll be entering the meat of the review. Those who would like to form thoughts of their own about the film should turn around and come back to the review later. During this section, I will be discussing three categories: plot, entertainment value, and final thoughts. The film follows three different plotlines at the same time—first, the story of a girl in the future whose grandmother Violet wrote letters for. The audience is familiar with this girl because of the original 2018 series. Secondly, we follow the story of Violet and one of her latest customers, Yuris. Our last plotline follows Violet, Dietfried, and Gilbert. 

The story of Daisy, the girl who lives in the future, introduces the viewer back into the world with ease. Her story has become a great way to give us a small view into just how impactful Violet and her journeys have been. Not only has her story helped create a tribute to one of Violet’s previous customers, her story also helped us see what the future of this world is like. Every once in a while, we get to see Daisy and her own travels as she learns more about Violet.

The story of Violet and Yuris more closely follows the formula we are used to in the original 2018 series. Yuris hopes to write letters for those he is closest to before he passes away, and he asks Violet to send these letters to his family on the day he dies. While he originally intended to write a letter for his best friend as well, he is unable to do so before he reaches critical condition. However, he is still able to give his last words of thanks to the work of other CH Postal employees, such as Iris and Benedict. This part of the film helped to give the movie that typical Violet Evergarden feeling, where Violet helps someone who in turn teaches her another fragment of love.

Our final story is one of grieving. Violet and Dietfried find comfort as they grieve for the late Gilbert, and Dietfried gifts Violet with a few of Gilbert’s things from when he was a child. The grieving within this film is short-lived when President of CH Postal, Claudia, notices a letter with the handwriting similar to Gilbert’s himself. He and Violet track down the location from which this letter came from. The audience soon finds out that Gilbert never died, but has been secretly living on an isolated island as a teacher.

I’d like to take this moment to transition into the entertainment value of the film. All three plots flowed together well enough to where I never felt confused about what was going on. We get to see Violet receive her happy ending, and we can tell that this is the conclusion of the series because there is simply nothing more to tell. We know Violet retires as an Auto Memory Doll at 18, and we know she lives her life happily with Gilbert at her side. With the combined beautiful animation of the film, the entertainment value of the film is wonderful.

However, no film can come without faults. During my final thoughts, I’d like to talk about two things—the relationship between Violet and Gilbert, and the fact Gilbert is alive. Personally, I would have preferred there be no possibility of Gilbert being alive. In fact, I feel Violet’s developments as a character have become cheapened. The way the story now stands, she has achieved a newfound understanding of love all because of the major. The fact Gilbert is alive eliminates this story as one of overcoming grief. 

This is all without even mentioning the questionable dynamic between Violet and Gilbert. With the death of Gilbert, Violet’s love for him could have remained as a simple crush she had as a child. Instead, we have to face the fact that she and the major are clearly under an imbalanced power dynamic. Even while many theorize that Violet never viewed Gilbert as a father figure, she was still his subordinate. As beautiful of a story Violet’s was and as wonderfully made the animation of Kyoto Animation is, I can’t help but to be left unsatisfied by this happy ending which may have been better off without Gilbert being alive.

With every category in mind, I would like to rate Violet Evergarden: The Movie as an 8/10. Those who loved and enjoyed the original series will find the same love for the film, and those who are unfamiliar with the franchise know they will be able to enjoy it if they often enjoy sentimental rollercoasters of shows with stellar animation.