I have seen a lot of anime in my time, with a log of almost 2,000 anime movies or series that I have reviewed (elsewhere than IMDb), and have given very, very few above a 10 star rating. I was very surprised after seeing the trailer for Violet Evergarden as this turned out to be so much more than I expected. Every episode pulls at your heartstrings as it revels the pains of daily life and the ever so important words that we need to say to the ones most important to us while we still have the chance, and sometimes, when that chance is no longer an option.
The animation visuals are truly amazing and do an excellent job of setting up both the intensity and/or gentleness of the moment, with a balanced mix between 2D and CG without ever making the mix obvious. I rate them a 10.
The background score also does an excellent job between music and sometimes pure silence to allow the viewer to either be pulled along by the emotions of the score, or to be hushed and feel the impact of statement or a visual expression. I rate it also a 10.
The overall story at times seems like it has been done before (which is hard to do these days when literally tens of thousands of anime titles have already been done), yet keeps it fresh with little twists that keep you tied to the main character. There are absolutely breathtaking moments with a sentence here or there literally yanks the emotions from your chest and helps you realize that even if this episode seems like something you've witnessed before, you haven't felt it quite like this. I rate it a 11.
The character development at times seems weak for some of the side characters, many of whom appear to be typical anime clichés. However, at other times some of the minor characters feel more developed that then what you might consider to be the main cast to highlight a significant emotional draw needed for that part of the story. As for the main character, the steps you see her development from what she was to what she can become, are slow, painful and sometimes a bit overemphasized. The character flashbacks, though, help you realize the internal struggle she has, and why her inability to let go is so strong while she deals with understanding the emotions of others. I rate it a 9.5.
If you are a fan of anime. This is a must see.
If you are not a fan of anime, but enjoy series with strong dramatic appeal and a solid, engaging story, this is a must see.
That said, be sure to have a box of tissues handy. You're going to need them.
