The anime and manga world saw a new narrative unfold when Violet Evergarden was released. The series delivered a unique story, with a special main character who wished to grow, learn, and connect more with the people with the help of her newfound job. However, she soon realizes that all of this is not as easy as it sounds.
Violet Evergarden follows the story of an ex-army soldier who takes on a job at the CH Postal Company as an Auto Memories Doll, an individual who helps other people write letters, novels, stories, etc. However, her real intention behind taking this job is to find out the meaning of some words that were said to her by her former Major.
Although the series may focus on the growth of Violet Evergarden as a protagonist, it is not the only aspect covered in the story. This was revealed by the director of the Violet Evergarden anime series, Taichi Ishidate, who is also known for other prominent projects like A Silent Voice, Full Metal Panic!, and Kyôkai no Kanata: Kako-hen.
Taichi Ishidate Describes Violet Evergarden as a Main Character
In a 2018 interview with Shin-Q magazine, which was later translated by Sakuga Blog, director Ishidate was asked about aspects of the story of Violet Evergarden other than her growth in the series as the main character. Ishidate revealed that although the story may feel like it is based on the personal development of Violet, her real presence is hardly noticeable.
Ishidate stated:
Violet herself has an ephemeral feel. She’s the protagonist, but while the story is based around her growth, her actual presence is quite sparse. You wonder if she’s really here or not. And because she’s that type of person, you can’t deliver a straightforward, orthodox tale; you have to include portions that show the various filters through which she perceives the world. I feel that’s one of the entertaining parts of this show.
Ishidate pointed out that a part of the story’s focus is perceiving the world through her filters rather than just focusing on how she moves into the world and experiences growth and development. This is one of the things that makes the tale of Violet Evergarden entertaining as a protagonist and as an anime series.
Violet Evergarden Improves Herself By Watching Other People
According to the director, one of his staff members pointed out that the story of Violet Evergarden feels like watching her life through a prism, where the light of other characters passes through her and disperses. However, it’s not the world that changes because of Violet, but the other way around.
Ishidate pointed out:
One staff member said “it feels like we’re watching a Violet prism”, referring to how light passes through her and disperses. But she’s not a mirror. Instead of Violet having an effect on the world around her, it’s through the people she meets that she finds how to improve herself and begins to change who she is. Violet’s that kind of character.
The growth of a character is a basic narrative in any anime series. However, the way the story portrays their growth is different.
In the case of Violet, her growth is explained through her interactions with other characters and the altering of her understanding of the world.
You can watch Violet Evergarden on Netflix.
