1st Episode Anime Impressions: Violet Evergarden

Japanese Title: ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン

Summary

It’s been a long time since the Auto Memories Doll was born. Dr. Orlando invented this machine for his blind wife Molly, who worked as a novelist so that she could write even though she couldn’t see. The machine looked like a small and cute doll. And because it was built because of his thoughts and wishes for his wife, he called it Auto Memories Doll. In the end, the Auto Memories Doll became popular and helped many people. It is now referred to the women who work to write for those who can’t do it anymore or express feelings on behalf of others to someone.

This story is about a young girl, Violet Evergarden, and how she connects people’s hearts as an Auto Memories Doll living at the turning point of a generation.

Impressions

Jennifer

I’m kind of cheating here as I actually saw the first 3 episodes of this anime at a pre-screening a short while back. All I have to say is that this show is certainly going to be one of my favorites. As expected of Kyoto Animation, this series is visually stunning. The use of light and color is mind-blowing, and the quality did not drop in any of the 3 episodes I saw. Violet Evergarden follows the story of a young woman named Violet who has been trained to follow orders and only orders. Even after the end of the war, she still desperately waits for the orders of her superior, burning in her heart a feeling she does not understand. With no war left to fight in, Violet becomes an Auto Memories Doll, who is basically a fancy scribe. The Dolls put into beautiful words the feelings of people who cannot express them themselves. Violet, who knows nothing but following military orders, cannot understand the power that words can have on a person’s heart. This series will surely follow her on her journey as she opens her heart and discovers her own feelings. I’ve already shed tears in the first episodes, so keep a packet of tissues at hand!

The world of Violet Evergarden is very beautiful and well-detailed. At first it seems to have steampunk elements to it, without being over-the-top such as in the recent Code:Realize. I’m also a huge fan of the costumes, and even the half-naked busty Cattleya is quite tasteful. I recommend this to anybody with even a spot of sensibility in them.

Asie

I’ve always personally thought that KyoAni is the Disney/Pixar of Japan. I may not have seen all of their shows, but the ones I did get to watch always made me feel like the studio’s craft kept on improving and improving. And woooh boy! Violet Evergarden totally amped it all up to a whole new level! Even though it was only just the first episode, I can already confidently put it on my list of eye-candy anime series! The time, skill, and effort all the staff put into making the show was clearly seen since the beginning, and somehow, it makes me not at all worried that the quality will drop along the way.

To be honest though, it was only the art that drew me in to watch it, at first. I’m glad that the beauty of this anime isn’t limited at that, since the story seems really interesting so far, and quite touching at that. I was blown away by what happened and started tearing up at the end. Like, good grief, my heart broke into pieces! I’m looking forward to how Violet’s journey to discovering feelings will keep playing!