Sep. 06, 2019|Japan|91 Min.
Genre: Animation;Drama;Fantasy
Description: “Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll” is a 2019 film available in both English and Japanese. The story is based on the Japanese light novel series by Kana Akatsuki, illustrated by Akiko Takase. The series gained recognition by winning the grand prize in the novel category at the fifth Kyoto Animation Award in 2014, marking the first time a work achieved this honor in any category. The first light novel was published on December 25, 2015, under the KA Esuma Bunko imprint.
The plot follows Violet Evergarden, who is sent to a prestigious girls’ boarding school at the request of the Drossel Royal Family. Her task is to assist Isabella York, a student training to become a debutante. Initially, Isabella struggles to adapt to the school environment, lacking interest in the required skills and dealing with health issues like frequent coughing fits. She harbors distrust toward Violet but gradually warms up to her upon realizing Violet’s indifference to her aristocratic status.
Isabella confides in Violet, revealing her true identity as Amy Bartlett, an illegitimate child of the York family. Raised in poverty, she had adopted Taylor, an orphaned girl, as her younger sister. The York family later persuaded Isabella to join them, promising a better life for Taylor in exchange. Reluctantly, Isabella agreed, leaving Taylor behind. She asks Violet to write a heartfelt letter to Taylor, which Benedict later delivers to the orphanage where Taylor resides.
Three years pass, and Taylor travels to Leiden seeking the CH Postal Company, where she finally meets Violet and requests to work as a postman. Initially hesitant to employ a child, Hodgins grants Violet’s request to allow Taylor to stay temporarily until she can return to the orphanage. Benedict begins training Taylor but soon discovers she cannot read, a significant obstacle for a postal worker tasked with reading addresses on letters.
Cast director: Naoko Yamada
Cast actor: Yui Ishikawa, Minako Kotobuki, Aoi Yuki, Koki Uchiyama, Takehito Koyasu, Aya Endo, Minori Chihara, Haruka Tomatsu, Azusa Tadokoro, Hana Takeda
Original name: ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン 外伝 – 永遠と自動手記人形 –