Violet Evergarden: Der Film

Violet Evergarden is in my mind some of the best anime ever made. It's not for everyone. It's a slow-burner and very emotional. This movie is even moreso, with parts of it admittedly a bit too over the top in the emotional aspect. Yet it holds true to the story and has a very nice ending (be sure to watch to the end of the credits).

Before watching this movie I recommend watching the Evergarden series and the prior movie; otherwise a large part of this won't have the emotion impact it requires. The movie stands on its own, but just barely. The back-story of the prior episodes are essential to understanding the real point and nature of this film.

This has consistently been one of my favorite stories... and to be honest I'm not really sure why. But the character of Violet is about as complex as I've seen in any anime. The total contrast in goofball supporting characters makes Violet's unique and paradoxical personality stand out even more.

I'm rating this 9 stars when considered along with the prior episodes and film. Without those, this would likely strike me as a more bland film. But with the background of the prior stories, this really hits home. The last quarter of the movie might be considered a bit much by some viewers, or a perfect ending by others. Overall, the series as a whole is unique, creative, and emotionally fulfilling.