Within the catalog of Netflix we have anime series and movies to bore you. So many that sometimes we don’t even know where to start… But without a doubt one of the best titles that we can find on the platform and one of the masterpieces of anime in the last decade is ‘Violet Evergarden’a beautiful limited series that explores the importance of feelings and knowing how to communicate them in time.
Searching for the meaning of life
‘Violet Evergarden’ emerged as light novels written by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by akiko takasealthough it earned its international success thanks to the 13-episode anime of kyoto animation.
The world that anime presents us recovers from a great war where violet evergarden he has always served as a soldier. The conflict is over and with no one to command her, Violet finds herself without a purpose in life.
Trying to understand her commander’s last words, Violet begins to work as Automatic Memories Doll, a specialist who writes letters where people can express their true feelings.
If you tear easily, notice that you have to leave the box of tissues nearby because this anime uses the hearts of its viewers as a punching bag. ‘Violet Evergarden’ is an emotional anime through and through, that not only deals with the trauma and direct consequences of war but also explores the importance of human connections and, as much as it sounds corny, how important love is.
At the beginning of the series, Violet is an automaton who does not understand certain social patterns or the feelings of her clients, since except for the Major Gilbert almost everyone has always treated her like an automaton that is only good for war.
The first chapters may take a while to pick up pace as we are introduced to Violet’s past and the foundations of this steampunk world. But it is a drink that passes quickly and is very bearable and as the story progresses, Violet gradually opens up to the world, meeting more people and living new experiences that allow her to feel everything she has never felt. And as she continues her journey, you can’t help but want to support her every step of the way and be proud of how she’s grown.
Although they have a certain connection between them, each chapter explores a different job for Violet, from helping with a princess’s correspondence to helping an author finish writing his work. Through these little stories,’Violet Evergarden explores the different types of love and not just the romantic one, showing the impact that each person has on those around them and how words can change a life completely.
It is also a series that deals with trauma in a very explicit way and that does not fall short when it comes to showing Violet’s terrible experiences in the war and all the damage he caused as a soldier, but also leaves us with that point of hope by showing the mark for good that Violet has left with her letters.
Light, color and a lot of love for detail
It doesn’t hurt or cost me to say that ‘Violet Evergarden’ is the most beautiful anime I’ve ever seen. One of the nice things about dealing with this kind of miniseries is that the animators can get more into animation, and with this series we have a real visual wonder.
If its plot squeezes your heart, ‘Violet Evergarden’ animation takes your breath away with all its little details. Everything from the detailed backgrounds, the expressiveness of its characters, and the fluidity with which each fold and strand moves, is a carefully crafted work of art with truly beautiful cinematography.
I never thought I would be amazed at how light reflects off metal, but here we are and Kyoto Animation has managed to make every detail a work of art and make you want to frame each of the series’ frames.
Much of the protagonism has to be taken by the light, which fills all the scenes with strength and contrast. It especially shines in the scenes where the characters are surrounded by nature, but it is present at all times, from the reflections that fill the characters’ eyes with expressiveness to the rays of the sun at sunset.
It is possible that ‘Violet Evergarden’ It is not for everyone, especially if you do not like to have a bad time or have your emotions on the surface, but of course it is one of the recent works of anime and, as its protagonist, it deserves all the love we can give it.
And if the series leaves you wanting more, we also have a special episode and two more movies available on Netflix that continue to explore the story of Violet Evergarden.