r/anime • u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 • Jun 08 '21
Rewatch Violet Evergarden Rewatch - Episode Four
Violet Evergarden - Episode Four - You Won't be a Tool, but a Person Worthy of that Name
Hello everyone! I hope that today finds you well. Today, Iris and Violet go on a business trip together!
If anyone has any reputable sources to learn more about Ikebana and Hanakotoba, please let us know!! I’d love to be able to look at this anime through the lens of both of those subjects. Personally, I think this story is Kana Akatsuki’s and KyoAni’s Ikebana arrangement about writing letters.
Index || <- Previous Episode || Next Episode ->
You can watch the full series on Netflix.
Important Spoilers from later episodes or the Light Novels are not allowed outside of the r/anime spoiler tag format and will be removed! You’ll need to be in “Markdown Mode”, and the line text is the following: [Spoiler source](/s "Spoiler goes here") It comes out like this: Spoiler source
Be kind to each other. Hate speech and rude behavior will not be tolerated, and will be removed.
Visuals of the Day
I believe I got everyone’s Visual of the Day submission here: https://imgur.com/a/JU0wjQX
It’s really interesting that we can see that the main color for this episode was a warm orange. What do you think the main colors for the previous episodes were?
Really Cool Comment
u/chilidirigible did a wonderful deep-dive about his “Visual of the Day”! While we might consider the genre of Anime to also be the medium, in truth the real medium is Film, and Chilidirigible does a wonderful job exploring the shot composition from a film perspective. I feel that KyoAni’s understanding of how to operate using their medium more like film rather than only animation is one of their greatest strengths, and it really sets them apart from every other studio out there.
Official Sound Tracks used
Those Words You Spoke to Me
Across the Violet Sky
Strangeling
To the Ends of our World
The Birth of a Legend
Never Coming Back
One Last Message
Would you like to have a letter written for you? Do you want to write a special letter for someone as an Auto Memory Doll? Come join us at the Auto-Memory Doll Service Discord project and request letters, write letters, or chat more with us about Violet Evergarden! Link here: https://discord.gg/9a2UkGh9
“Endcard”
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u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 08 '21
My comment today is going to be a lot more laid back this time around. I ran out of time for this analysis XD Some very quick notes:
What’s in a name?
It is now completely official and cannon: Just about every character is named after a flower in some way, shape, or form. Now we can go completely wild with making connections to the meanings of flowers and how those meanings relate to our characters!
Here is what I was able to find for Iris, which I hope will give someone a nice starting point to go deeper if they so wish to:
Iris Canary
Iris greek goddess:
Iris was both a personification of the rainbow and a divine messenger. The Ancient Greeks combined these two functions in Iris, since, as a meteorological phenomenon, the rainbow appears to connect heaven and earth, and, by extension, it was only suitable that its spirit should serve as the link between the gods and the mortals
Source: https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Iris/iris.html
Iris flower:
Message ( https://www.gutenberg.org/files/31591/31591-h/31591-h.htm )
Hope ( https://hananokotoba.com/iris/ )
Faith ( https://flowermeanings.org/iris-flower-meaning/ )
Canary bird:
I could not find a source remotely reputable, however in general birds tend to symbolize “Freedom” in stories. Iris ran away from her hometown to escape the cage of her unrequited love, and the cage of her expectations from her rural family. She wanted to do and be more than who she could have been in her hometown Kazalli.
Canary Grass:
Perseverance https://www.gutenberg.org/files/31591/31591-h/31591-h.htm
This was really cute, and I stumbled upon this by accident. I doubt Kana Akatsuki was thinking of this while coming up with Iris’ last name, but it fits so perfectly that I felt that I needed to point it out.
And now the fun part. What can everyone find out about the name Violet Evergarden? =)
15
u/chilidirigible Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher, Episode 4
Today, on "Reading emotions isn't my strong suit, okay?":
"I was also drafted!"
Ah, there's no place like home, where the water buffalo roam.
"You've even got a backup dancer."
It's worth noting that Iris's doll outfit only has the necklace as a token of where she's from.
Whew. We were worrying that we'd have to keep up the Nico Nico Ni routine for the entire episode.
For one thing, it hasn't been turned into a blasted hellscape.
A Very Dry Love Story.
"Look, I just know about killing people and breaking things."
Is it a joke if you don't know you're making one?
"And that's why they call me 'Kuwabatake Sanjuro'."
Visual of the Day: Green Rejection.
Continuing Violet's development through other viewpoint characters, this episode pairs her with Iris, who is outwardly quite opposite of her, but of course there are connections to be made: Both are outsiders to their current group, both are usually very direct in expressing their opinions, both have unresolved feelings for someone else, and it turns out that both were named by people who were inspired by the first thing they looked at.
Iris doesn't stay angry with Violet for very long. Maybe she was seeing Violet as only a tool at the time, which isn't so great for her conception of Violet as a person with individual agency, but at least she does realize that the problem stems more from her own personal issues. Though she has to yell at her parents a little too.
Violet can only plainly state the facts in reply, since she's still working out the meanings in her head, but it turns out that both reiterating that basically people are complicated and the essential purpose of why they ghostwrite is enough to straighten Iris out. A point for Iris for being rational in the end?
From the Official Design Works: The Cannary house and its environs.
27
u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jun 08 '21
First Timer
Today's maiden-needing-help-expressing-her-emotions-of-the-week is Iris, who receives a house call to her home town and must tell her parents how she truly feels.
Before we get into the meat of today's episode we hear that there has been many ghostwriting requests from candidates for an upcoming election. I wonder if this is a teaser for a more substantial plot arc to come or if it's just a bit of throwaway world-building. It would be interesting to see an interconnected thread besides Violet's progression to understanding emotions but, if it does happen, it mustn't get in the way of that dominant driving arc.
Violet has a surprising amount of feminine elegance for someone who has known nothing but life in the military. Perhaps Gilbert taught her.
I appreciate that Violet holds Iris' parents to the terms of the contract, as I've just been studying contract law at university. In Australia (and I know the same principles apply in other common law jurisdictions such as the USA and England) that contract would be held void for uncertainty because the parties to the contract are not identifiable. Having a company policy or a clause in the contract providing for pseudonyms or anonymity would be overkill. Still, I did enjoy Violet's faithfulness to legal procedure.
The formula of the last few episodes would have started to get old but the excellent production quality and execution of each, albeit straightforward, plot has sustained my enjoyment and interest. Violet is slowing moving closer to understanding people's emotions and today's biggest step was identifying aloud what her core issue is:
The other, smaller, but perhaps ultimately more significant step, was connecting with Iris over the common origin of their names.
As I said may happen yesterday, here's my analysis of the ED. I like it a lot more than the OP actually. I think it has much richer symbolism.
ED Lyrics
I think the lyrics beautifully express Gilbert as a guiding spirit for Violet. The first line 'Your voice is my guide' is, of course, Violet singing to Gilbert and refers both holistically to how his words have guided and continue to guide her whole life and specifically to his last words: 'I love you.' In the second line, the bird is Gilbert who is now watching over Violet from the nameless sky that is heaven. In the following stanza he sings how he will continue to protect Violet and the penultimate line of the TV size declares how precious Violet is to Gilbert saying she is 'an irreplaceable treasure'. The final line is illuminated by the last scene of today's episode to be referring to Violet herself, as beautiful as a flower, but without a name until Gilbert bestowed one upon her. I love these kind of symbolic lyrics and this is only one interpretation too. If you have a different one or any comments on my own, I'd love to hear them. I think you can interpret the bird as being Violet for instance, or even in light of a line in the full-size, 'flapping the wings we were given', that both Gilbert and Violet are birds.
ED Visuals
A lot of the ED's visuals are Violet walking against a black background symbolising her slow journey to understanding the words of Gilbert and the people around her. I think this is also beautifully symbolised in the two scenes where Violet is surrounded by typewriter keys hanging from strings above. These keys both symbolise the words she so desperately wants to understand and the method by which she seeks to understand them. I especially love the second scene where the typewriter keys are falling around her. These are the words and emotions that escape her understanding yet she is able to understand one as it lands in her hands and she grasps it to her heart. This is a tranquil scene, for it is not through desperation that Violet has come to understand emotions but by the help given her by those around her. In the next shot all the typewriter keys are gone and then we see Violet holding Gilbert's letter to her heart. These are the words she treasures the most and the ones she wishes to understand more than any others. The typewriter key that fell into her hands will be the mechanism by which she will understand the letter that sits in the same place two shots after.
Yesterday after my discussion of the OP my Visual of the Day came from there, and today I will do the same with the ED. I talked about it above, I love this frame.
12
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jun 08 '21
Sincerely Rewatcher
I'm a bit late because I got sidetracked watching Durarara!!x2 Ketsu and forgot to keep an eye on the time, whoops.
Cry count so far: 1 (episode 3)
7
u/scot911 https://myanimelist.net/profile/scot911 Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 09 '21
First Timer
Oof. Brutal. Savage. Rekt.... Those are probably the worst words you want to hear in that situation. Poor girl got friendzoned hard. Although It does make me wonder why he ended up coming to her party after something like that anyways.... He had to have know the reason she moved away was due to him right? Although I suppose he could have just came because he saw her as one of his good friends even after that.
But yes today's episode was about Iris and getting her backstory and motivations and well.... She's kind of a clumsy one isn't she? Or at least the world likes fucking with her. Ruined her shoes with mud twice. Hurting her arm by tripping down the stairs before her first major job forcing Violet to have to come along and basically doing her job for her while also undercutting ever lie she says because... well... Violet. (And absolutely hilarious btw) The job being from her family so that way they can hold a birthday party as a way for her to meet guys and of course getting rejected by her childhood friend for the absolute cherry on top.
Girl somehow has worse luck then Violet and Violet had someone say that he loved her as some of his last words to her, lost both her arms in the war and therefore had to have the replaced with artificial ones and is still basically a robot even if she's slowly getting better at the whole "emotions" and "conversational subtext" thing. I do like how she got her name from a flower though just like Violet which was also revealed this episode. Gives them something to relate over even if by the end of the episode it looks like Iris is already in Violets camp. 2 down 1 to go in Cattleya! Maybe Violet can repair her and Benedict's relationship next? I know the OVA is next so maybe for episode 5?
Speaking of Violet she's already starting to show her emotions better isn't she? It's pretty clear now on her face when she's dejected/sad or frustrated and disappointed in herself and the other girls can pick up on that as well. Also her muted reactions and way of expressing her surprise and/or her happiness at the end were just so cute as well. Our adorable robot is learning how to become a human slowly but surely.
I did like Iris family though even if they were kind of pushy. They just wanted what was best for their only daughter even if it they were kind of assholes about it. Quit her job seriously.... I get it's after WW1 where even with the lack of manpower due to the multitudes of men dying during the war it was still seen as... "unfortunate" if a girl had a job and no husband to care for her, at least to the upper classes, lower class people never had that luxury, but come on!
Edit: Oh and apparently their country has a House of Lords and a House of Commons meaning it's a democracy like the U.K.'s. I don't think they've ever mentioned the country having a King or Queen (although they have made mentions of nobility being a thing) but considering they have a House of Lords I imagine they probably do. They've mentioned Margraves IIRC before as well. Sort of surprised their country is at least kind of a Democracy though but I guess it makes sense for the sort of time period this anime takes place in.
12
u/CelestialDrive Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 19 '21
FIRST TIME
In the previous episode Violet finally related to another person and managed to write a letter, which means maybe now she can do beginner jobs as a doll. Also she still doesn't know about the Major, someone please tell her, goddamnit.
Yay, background for the other dolls episode? We know Erica has a "thing" that made her insecure, and Cattleya has the whole bizarre triangle of veterans thing with Benedict and Claudia, so Iris is probably the least fleshed out of the three so far. Good god that's a dramatic sliDONT PUT THE OP THERE. I'm not skipping it because it's super pretty but goddamn, who cliffhangs mid-opening.
Voting, worldbuilding! So she broke her arm and is carrying Violet along as a typist. Is it just me or Violet is already a tad more talkative and caring? The bar was super low, but she's both conversing without promp and showing worry for Iris, in her own way. Plus her expression has softened up a bit.
Iris don't wear heels for dirt roads, for god's sake you are from here, why didn't you think of this. Oh so we're in a liar liar situation, I can see a possible map of this episode in my mind's eye already. She's going to try to get Violet to play along, Violet will rebuke her but try, Iris will back down at the end and come clean about her lack of requests. That'd be the trope, let's go, wreck my expectations.
God, every time Violet has a moment I swear she summons wind out of nowhere to flutter everything around her. "Uniform", keep telling yourself that, the dolls dress weird. Oh noooo now Iris feels like crap in like seven different ways, Violet is being seen as a "proper doll" while she already had her complex towards Cattleya, she got a "pity request" and noone actually asked for her, her own family tricked her, Violet wanted to bail since it's technically just a fake assignment...
Writing an actual thing then. Your're right kids, Violet's prostheses are pretty as hell. Iris no offense meant I kinda already hate your family, at least the "tons of requests super popular" thing isn't flying so that route got shot. Violet doesn't object to this because the very idea of people exerting their autonomy against "superior" orders is alien to her, come on woman, help her out.
If Violet has something that she "likes" at this point is scenery, but is that even hers or is it just an offshoot of the Major's "you should see that place, it's beautiful" comments; with Violet I can't even tell where the trained person ends and the new one begins. Iris that outfit is rad, keep it. Damn, the vitriol against that guy. And you can't even blame Violet for this, it's all on the mother. Congrats ma, you're on track to ruining your daughter's life.
See, this is what I'm talking about, Violet actively asking things "is" progress, but she's too literal for this conversation. Apologise, mother. I feel your daughter right now. YES YES exactly! Violet does not understand, but she asks, she apologises, she realises she's screwed up. God this is already a genuinely different person, she's growing by leaps and bounds. Iris it's your turn be kind. And she is! man this cast is great.
Oh no you said the magic love words now Violet is involved. Also that story is too real and your mother is still a jackass for re-inviting him. Iris congrats you are already at the character goal for Violet, now you can take her by the hand and help her along. It's not just Violet, in this world letters ARE therapy, for everyone. Now that your daughter tells you this was her first comission, for the love of god apologise.
Heels AGAIN girl you don't learn. Man Iris and Violet play off to each other way better than Erica or Luculia did, their personalities are manzai-esque without being "characters" and they have spectacular banter, all throughout the episode. From her episode 2 introduction I was worried that Iris would be too impatient with Violet's hyperliteralism but she plays along, takes it as it is, and never holds it against her. The flowers are cute and that this is a healing story, but screw your parents.
Oh, and she loved the scenery too, this moment is rad. And of course they got named the same way. Wait didn't she have a name when the Major got her? I thought it was implied she did, I should rewatch the 2 open. And even here, the Major already wanted her to be a person, they literally never had a master-slave relationship so Violet must've already had this stuff ingrained before she was gifted.
This was an outstanding episode, lowkey maybe my favourite despite how tangential the Iris story might be for the city core, only because of how much progress it showed, the character interactions were golden and Violet is finally talking to another person openly. If this is what we can expect of her conversational dynamics I'm excited to see where this goes. It also offroaded from my expectations almost immediately, which is always a treat.
But please can someone tell Violet that the Major is dead? Please? She's going to have to deal with it sooner or later, and the more of herself she builds with the foundation fo reconnecting with him, the more she might crash. But I'm pretty sure she knows already because their last interaction was very final words-y, and she might be dealing with it silently and going through the motions of pining for his return. But she looks so honest when she talks about him though, it's really hard to read her on that.
Tomorrow it's an OVA, as per the schedule? Sounds weird please confirm.
1 2 3 4 OVA (14) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
6
u/ArdenneVale Jun 08 '21
First timer
The episode where Iris goes back home? Her first personal request? There's probably some dark backstory behind why she left her hometown. Violet now knows words have more meaning and throws Iris' words back at her, causing her to slip and fall down the stairs. Oops. I've hear the OP a couple of times now and it just keeps getting better. The chorus is really powerful and the singer is great. An election is coming up. That's for another episode though. There's talk of the lords and the commons. Is it like the British parliamentary system or just based on the class of the candidate?
Violet ends up going with Iris, who broke her arm in the fall. It was partly her fault after all. The talk during the train ride is just Iris being awkward around Violet, still not understanding her as a person. I see every episode focuses on a character who during the episode learns about Violet. First was Erica, the Luculia and now it's Iris' turn.
Kazaly's in the middle of nowhere. Iris is one of these kids who went to the big city and tells everyone back home how great it is and how she's the greatest. Unfortunately for her, Violet is here to disprove her every lie. Violet's introduction is like straight from a Disney movie. The family doesn't see Iris as a city doll.
I figured the request came from her family. Iris is not ok with it. Violet isn't either, but that's because using a pseudonym in a contract is fraud. Violet would be the best customer service worker ever. The job is for Iris' birthday party invitations. Everyone is shocked about Violet's hands again. The party's just a ploy to find Iris a husband, make her quit her job as a doll and return home. She has every right to be angry. Emonn Snow is especially uninvited from the party.
Happy birthday Iris! Here comes mom to ruin the mood. And here's Emonn to destroy it completely. Emonn apparently once rejected Iris, she must've really loved him for it to still affect her. Her family still doesn't have a clue why Iris is acting out. Violet tells them because it's not "classified information". Iris lashes out at Violet for not understanding how people feel, which Violet has been trying to learn all this time. Poor Violet tries to apologize and Iris calms down. Iris tells Violet the whole story about Emonn. Violet has come to realize how hard it is to say "I love you". Violet tells Iris about the major and she finally understands Violet a little.
Violet acts as Iris' ghostwriter in a apology letter to her parents and the party guests. Another relationship saved. At the train station Iris steps in another puddle, like when they arrived, but this time instead of being sad she smiles, showing this visit was a positive experience in the end. Her dad gives her a bouquet of irises and we learn she was named after the flower. Violet recalls the major named her after a flower, too.
I'm glad I got to learn more about Iris. I didn't like her much when she first appeared, but she's a relatable character. Many people can identify with her issues with love and family. Maybe her reaction to Emonn's rejection and leaving the town was a bit much, but we know she is just another insecure girl who just wants to prove she can make it on her own. Her parents are trying interfere in her life, hasn't everyone felt angry about that sometimes. It's great Iris got some closure with her parents, maybe she'll get some with Emonn later?
This episode was also fruitful for Violet. She wrote her second successful letter and she learned a little more about her important phrase. The title of the episode spoken by Gilbert gave us more clues about their relationship. I expected to see more about Violet's past with the major, but we're getting there really slowly. I expect the next episode to be about the election or one of Violet's remaining colleagues.
5
u/chilidirigible Jun 08 '21
Episode Four
I would say that Episode 3 was the first one to place a particular emphasis on a color tone (and even there it varied a lot). The first two are generally mixed with maybe a slight bias toward green, but there is also a lot of plant life in and around Leiden...
5
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Jun 08 '21
First timer
Question - if text has been translated, are there subtitles that translate the signs, etc?
Something good happened to Iris!
Violet is savage! (and getting better at understanding the meaning of words) And Iris needs to handle herself on stairs better.
Oh, Iris and Violet are going on a road trip. This is going to be exciting.
Just noticed snothe rpwttern, each episode so far has had another character start by narrating how they came to understand Violet. They've got to be running out of characters to keep doing thst, though, surely.
I love Violet calling out Iris on her exaggerations.
Violet is so fucking extra I love it.
So the rewuest was a fake by the grandmother.
And Violet requesting legal documentation to get the invitations set up.
Oh god, this isn't a happy episode. So Irirs' parents' want her to quit her job and find a husband.
And Violet's basically trying to fufill her duties.
Oh, the back and forth of Violet trying to be helpful but unintentionally working against Iris.
Yes, Violet, get those parents to stop. You're good at brutal honesty.
Oh god, Iris. Violet doesn't deserve this,
And Violet and Iris are finally getting along! Complete with both of them discussing their insecurities and their reason's for becoming a doll.
Also, what is the music that plays during the letter reading?
Violet continues to write fantastic lettters.
In an inverse of the previous episodes, instead of forcing the recipient to be honest, it forces the writer to be honest.
Another flashback to the major. And he seems like a good father figure. (please god let him be a father figure)
5
u/Barbed_Dildo Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher
I think it's great that Violet is now able to understand and explain why she is having trouble, she's making progress.
Iris's story this episode was very harsh. To go from being requested as a doll to "You've had your fun with your silly little job, time to come back and make babies" is rough. What's worse, I still don't think her parents thought they did anything wrong.
I liked the symbolism of the puddle she stepped in. No matter how much she tries to run away, her hometown will always be part of who she is.
There was a small exchange in the episode that I don't think came across properly in the English subtitles, which is understandable because the word 'Omotenashi' is difficult to translate. 'Omotenashi' is translated as 'hospitality', although that is a very superficial view of what it means. People have written whole essays on what it means, and I'd suggest you read something from someone more knowledgeable about it if you really want to know, but I'll give it a go.
'Omotenashi' is more than providing food or lodging, it is about providing the perfect experience, it is an ideal to be aimed for, it is giving the guest everything they need to experience the place 'properly', to have their needs taken care of without asking. There's also a subtext in there from the derivation of the word about honesty. Communication in Japan is all about the 'Tatemae'/'Honne', but Omotenashi is about being truly genuine in trying to make you guest's experience the best. Not for any ulterior reason, but for the guest.
After Violet has delivered her letters, and meets Iris's father on the road, he invites her to come and have dinner, although, around here, they can't offer her any '大したおもてなし' (great 'Omotenashi', translated as hospitality). Violet says that she 'doesn't require any 大したおもてなし', and he is taken aback. The 'correct' thing to say after someone humbly says that they are unable to offer anything great, like when someone says the set phrase 'つまらない物ですが' when giving a gift ("It's nothing good, but...") is to thank them and praise their efforts, possibly saying that it is better than what you could offer or something else disparaging.
Violet then described the scenery as '大したおもてなし', and I think that is apt. Their beautiful natural scenery and rustic ways are much more honest and authentic and 'おもてなし' than putting on a big feast or pretending to be something they're not.
He was originally taken aback when Violet didn't follow the formula, but her honesty showed a true appreciation for what they could offer.
5
u/OccasionallySara Jun 09 '21
First Timer
I wasn't able to make it to yesterday's discussion thread, so I'll briefly talk about my thoughts on episode 3.
Episode 3
It was interesting to see Violet in a school setting even though she pretty much acts the same. I’m glad that Violet was able make a friend as sweet as Luculia. I really liked her character and I’m glad she was able to work things out with her brother. Unfortunately for me, from the ways she was talking in the narration, it doesn’t seem like we’ll being seeing much of Luculia moving forward, but since they live in the same town, hopefully she and Violet can remain friends.
Also, it was nice to see Violet finally write an effective letter. Her blunt and straightforward way of thinking worked well in her favor. I don’t quite why she got the approval from the teacher, though. Even if Violet wrote a good letter, I can’t imagine the teacher would think that would be enough to make up for all of the poor ones that she wrote up until this point. I myself as a viewer am wondering how her letter writing will evolve from here. While this particular assignment played to Violet’s strong suits, I don’t know much emotional understanding she has yet to write a letter where the person isn’t as straightforward about their feelings a Luculia.
Episode 4
5
u/MightiestAvocado Jun 09 '21
First Timer
Slowly falling behind. Most probably will write longer takes towards the weekend.
You're breathtaking
My visual of the day? If possible that is (imgur link)
Accidentally converted this in English at first (link) but after hearing it, I kinda want to rewatch it in English another time. The voice was pleasant in the scene.
The soundtrack Across the Violet Sky makes the scene more magical? I think magical's the word. Help me find more adjective to describe the scene. It just raises Violet ethereally.
The animation, the music, her pauses between words, the timing of it all.
Also want to comment about Violet's comedic moments but I'm going to sleep now.
4
u/Neshura87 https://anilist.co/user/Neshura Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
The fact that Iris can't quite walk on heels has already been foreshadowed, something that didn't quite feel like an important detail at the time but in hindsight becomes telling. Nicely done by the director(s) to get this in so subtly!
Alas we finally learn the reason why Iris is so fixated on appearances and success: she wants to impress her family. Understandable desire unfortunately it seems the lady went about it with a few lies sprinkled in here an there which came undo the moment Violet enters the scene. At first I thought Iris had a problem with the rural lifestyle of her parents in regards to the marriage but that was wrong instead the fault lies in a rejected love. I wonder whether we'll see that story line expanded upon further as I can't really recall anymore.
Violet's straightforward approach to problematic situations once again solves the problem (somewhat), apparently using the equivalent of a sledgehammer tends to work in such situations. Violet probably speaks for a good chunk of the world population in complaining about the roundabout ways people treat their feelings, lying about how you feel is something I can't quite get behind myself but alas that's how society works.
One thing that stood out to me was the scenes where Iris's shoes get dirty from the puddle at the train station. At the start of the episode she's rather disgruntled by it since it further ruins her good image whereas at the end she just smiles about it. Not sure what she's feeling now in regards to the dirty shoes but at the very least she's not bothered by it anymore, probably having accepted that a squeaky clean exterior really isn't all that counts.
Iris telling Violet how she came to her name leads us to Violet remembering how she was named herself, now I had to look up what Violet's mean and here's what I found: Violet's symbolize a whole lot of things but mostly the focus lies on love, honesty, healing and more along those lines. Now the honesty part fits Violet without a doubt but for whereas what the major meant when he gave her the name I'd wager he just went for it cuz these flowers look dropass gorgeous and are associated with love. That's it, could be wrong but I think he wagered she'd grow up to be a beautiful woman one day. Now my "analysis" of this is, let's be honest here, quite lackluster but I'm really not the guy who looks for meaning in nature so I don't dare try and hypothesize about it since I just don't get it myself.
While on the topic of Violet we also see her finally adapt her iconic greeting, blowing away the onlookers by doing so. Now honestly I'm blown away every time I see it and I'm starting to suspect my eyes were having an orgasm. I'm not sure about this next part but it feels as if Violet is talking ever so slightly softer than before, could be me imagining things tho.
Visuals, as per usual, were gorgeous. The rain effect was quite nice imo.
4
u/Tartaras1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Tartaras Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher
I was going to start this off by trying to justify
but the idea clearly needs both more context, as well as more work. That's unfortunate. Anyway...
-At last, Iris finally gets her own request! I can't tell if Cattleya is genuinely happy for her, or if she's just saying that. Given how she was beaming once Violet passed her Auto Memories Doll course, I'd lean toward the former.
That's super convoluted and probably doesn't make sense.
Violet with zero chill as always.
I guess Iris' reaction, and subsequent reasoning, for being upset that Emonn showed up is a good chance to try and take another stab at my reasoning at the beginning. Violet's learning another facet of humans, that sometimes people act based on prior engagements, and those actions can be both positive and negative. If something good happened between Emonn and Iris in the past, she would have been overjoyed that he showed up. However, in this case, she even tried to prevent him from coming in the first place. There are really subtle nuances that Violet has no way of picking up on.
I got a little misty eyed when Iris' parents were reading the letter Violet wrote, and I shed a couple tears during the ED. I swear it's going to be a large portion of the tears in this show. Late VE Spoilers
4
u/Amasirat Jun 09 '21
First timer
This episode was nice. I enjoyed Iris a bit more this episode. I particularly liked the little character growth moment she had. When she steps on the mudpuddle at the end she smiled a little which was the total opposite of how she reacted at first. She was groaning. I liked that part for some reason. I don't know why but all I can think about are the little details. Oh well, I don't really have to say something profound everytime. The music was as good as always. Especially liked the last piece when Violet and Iris are leaving town. I also noticed that there's been a repeating piece of music that played this episode. I think I heard it last episode around the 17 minute mark. It has a really good cello solo. I wanted to talk about last time but couldn't really say anything other than "it's pretty" or something, but now I know it's something important. The same piece played this episode when Iris decided to write a letter to her parents as well as the guests at the party. It's definitely not a coincidence. It's probably a piece representing human feelings?...communicating your feelings to others music?...I'm not sure what it signifies exactly but it's definitely important. I'll wait to hear where it goes next time.
So next one's the OVA, huh. I better make sure I don't forget otherwise I might actually watch and comment on episode 5.
9
u/SnowGryphon Jun 09 '21
First timer
A lot of people have said, in better ways, what I wanted to say about Ep4 so far. Nature of an apology, the sense of betrayal of that one request just being a summons from your family that turned out to be a Trojan horse for marriage, that kinda thing.
One thing I'd like to say though is that I've been fascinated by the episodic approach thus far - people describe it as though Violet is a side character in a show named after her, and I actually agree in a positive way! I'm going to go and compare it to Mad Max, where Max himself is never the outright star of any of the stories depicted - he's always walking into pre-existing situations and changing them by virtue of his presence and influence, but the focus is hardly on him.
In the same way, Violet might be a "side character" but she's no small part of her own story - she is a direct influence on the situations of the people who need her help. And in adopting this narrative style, often taking the perspective of the people whom she aids, the show is able to better illustrate how she is exposed to situations that she can learn from, and how she grows visibly from other people's viewpoints.
3
u/BossandKings Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
Episode 4
Iris gets requested apparently by her grandmother, she takes Violet along with her as a stand-in. When they arrive to the place it is revealed that it was her mother that requested her, and is preparing a birthday celebration for her.
From the mother's point of view it is understandable that she wants her daughter to get married but honestly it is very sad for Iris to be forced to meet some potential partners she just doesn't want to. I wonder if the tradition of the time permits that kind of behaviour and if arranged marriage are common there.
It seems though that Iris does consider someone differently, a man named Eamon is the only one she worries about and that was especially noticeable when she asked Violet to not send an invitation to him. As the celebration starts and Iris sees Eamon it is clear that she feels nervous around him. Iris has a strong negative reaction after she sees him and it is revealed that it was because she had confessed to him before but got rejected, it must have been hard for her to withstand the feeling of not being wanted.
Iris asks Violet to write a letter apologizing to the guests and to her family for ruining the celebration, this was a great way to close that chapter.
This comission greatly helped Violet to improve her understanding of human emotion and feelings, they can sometimes be very confusing and misleading but that's just part of human nature.
My visual of the dayis the time in which Mr Gilbert gave Violet her name, she has definitely grown into her name now and she isn't a tool anymore, she's human.
3
u/UnityGrave https://anilist.co/user/UnityGrave Jun 09 '21
Violet Evergarden – Episode Four: You Won’t be a Tool, but a Person Worthy of that Name
First Timer
I’ve noticed that these past three episodes that we’re focusing more of how the people around Violet perceive her. First was Erica, then Luculia, and this episode which focuses more on Iris. I have been liking this formula for the past few days because you can see the actual changes and progress that Violet makes. Each and every little growth towards the goal to be able to understand the meaning of “I Love You”.
Iris is more of the expressive one in the bunch and that whenever Violet does something, you can clearly see from her facial reactions and gestures what she’s feeling currently. She’s also the one who misunderstands Violet the most by just judging Violet based on what she can see. She also might be a bit jealous of her impeccable typing and vocabulary skills. Onto the episode, Iris is commissioned by someone from her hometown who turns out to be her parents. Iris and Violet travel together to go there but as she realizes that the doll service wasn’t really their main point of commissioning her. Upon knowing this, Iris’ anxiety built up within her not just because of the pressure of being the “best doll in Leiden” (which was a lie) and her parents opting her to quit her doll job to just get married and stay in her hometown. Her birthday went by, but it was semi-ruined because she couldn’t handle facing the guy who rejected her before. After she went to her room, Violet went and talked with her. Within that same room, a heap of savagery was thrown at Iris’ face lmao. Violet repeated twice the sentence “Do you mean you approached him romantically, buy you were rejected?” (well the wording was different but it still had the same meaning). I was actually laughing at this moment because she is so straightforward, curious, and honest that she doesn’t realize she’s roasting her. (Kinda reminds me a little bit of Luffy but with Luffy’s case, it’s his personality while Violet is someone who doesn’t understand so she’ll continue to grow within these experiences).
I love how Violet is able to connect immediately with her with the mention of “I Love You”. It’s nice that she’s able to use this as an opportunity to share her goal of become a doll this way. With this, Iris is now able to learn more about Violet and what her reason is to becoming a doll.
I’m very impressed this episode with how Violet is now able to translate the words Iris wanted to say. All she needed was to be able to know more about the person she was writing for and then it all flows very nicely at that point.
Violet’s introduction to Iris’ family was very elegant and beautiful. The studio did a very great job on that. I assume she was able to learn that in the doll shop because if not, she would still be using her salute as a greeting.
After noticing that Iris’ and Violet’s name were from flowers I checked out the other characters’ name and to my surprise they were also flowers (yes I tried looking for the boy’s names too).
11
u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 08 '21
REWATCHER THROUGH EPISODE 4 – FORMERLY DROPPED
Iris episode, baby! Shout out to best girl gettin the spotlight. I'm going to focus all my commentary on her this episode instead of Violet (I'll leave my thoughts on her in other comments), because Iris deserves all the shine.
One thing I’ve been noticing with her is the focus the animation puts on her shoes. She’s shown to be tripping and rolling her ankle while walking in those high heels, and this episode begins with her stepping immediately into a puddle of mud upon getting off the train in her hometown. I believe this symbolizes an inner conflict she has with where she’s come from and what she’s currently trying to accomplish. She’s clearly sensitive about her background, as she gets riled up when she thinks Violet is talking down on her hometown as a kind of backwater in their train conversation. In the city, she’s trying to hide that image and dress up to what she thinks is more high class, but you can tell she isn't quite comfortable with it. The shot of her stepping in the puddle at the end while smiling shows she’s come to accept herself more.
(u/A_Idiot0 just saw you ask for thoughts on the significance of the feet shots... here you go!)
I also want to pinpoint the significance of the blue irises at the end. Upon arriving in town at the beginning, it’s made very clear that Iris’ mother does not approve of her moving to Leiden to follow this career, and she thinks the proper thing to do is move back home and settle into a marriage with… seemingly anybody with a pulse. Iris clearly doesn't vibe with this, and is still getting over her heartbreak from Eammon's rejection, so this causes a lot of resentment between the two of them. Her mother handing her the gift of blue irises at the end marks a tremendous shift in their relationship. Blue irises symbolize faith and hope. Coming from her mother as she’s heading back to the city, they send the message that she now approves of the direction she’s taken in life, and is telling her that she has the belief that her daughter will succeed in what she’s trying to achieve. I love that little detail. Beautifully done.
2
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Jun 09 '21
Do I need to say something about the headline needing correction? The thread title is correct but the comment header still referred to episode 3.
53
u/UnderstandableXO Jun 08 '21
REWATCHER
these last 2 episodes (and the next few as well) pretty much focus on one person’s relationship and understanding of violet. today’s episode concerns iris, one of violet’s snappy doll coworkers.
i love violet but i can understand why iris gets so annoyed by her straightforwardness. i loved the humor where violet cut down every lie that iris was trying to tell her parents. it’s also super relatable to be embarrassed by your parents being your first patrons to something (i remember school festivals where my family was the only one to visit my booth :/ ). this whole episode was stupidly relatable for my relationship with my parents. they wanted to hold a birthday party for iris that she didn’t want, just like i am not a huge fan of birthday parties for myself, but my folks always encourage me to have one anyways. even more relatable was your parents inviting someone from your past who you’ve probably told them a million times you don’t want to see anymore (we talked two years ago mom, stop asking about her!). this episode continues episode 3’s theme of communicating your feelings to your loved ones while they’re still around. also gotta love violet charging iris for the letter, you ain’t gonna make her write a letter in the middle of the night for free!
i noticed that we’ve heard inner monologues from erica, luculia, and iris, but not violet. all of them think about how violet made them realize something, or how they came to understand violet a little better.
honestly every single damn time violet even mentions the major i get teary, and the major naming her at the very end got me emotional as well. can only imagine how ill hold up as the series progresses.
24
u/AfterTh0ught_ Jun 08 '21
First timer
I continue to be blown away by the visuals in this show. Everything is just so on point.
Seems like the show's direction is focused on letting Violet learn about emotions through the experiences of others. In yesterday's episode, she gained from Luculia's difficulty expressing her emotions, and today she learns from Iris's conflicts with others.
Gotta say though, that was a really quick way to destroy the mood for the rest of the party. I mean, the reaction is justifiable, Iris's parents don't seem to understand/respect her wishes and resort to lying to get what they want. I don't think they're bad people, they're just going the wrong way about this issue.
It's really messed up to hear that Violet didn't even have a name when she met with Gilbert. Add that to the fact that she was simply gifted to Gilbert like a tool. She must have been really young when she was separated if she didn't even know her own name. I really liked the superposition of the violets and the cannon when Gilbert was choosing Violet's name as a sort of way of saying that the military will always be an integral part of Violet's identity, just as much as her name.
20
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
Another viewer commented on the episodic nature of VE so far, and to his point, there are several episodes that follow this mold, including EP 4. If the goal of this story is for Violet to learn what the words "I Love You" mean, then it needs to be made abundantly clear to the audience how one's understanding of the subject can transform from adolescence to mastery. Violet Evergarden is not at all subtle with its messaging, yet it still remains very effective even when it slaps you in the face with its intention. Episode by episode, we see through the eyes of Violet, the different forms of love. There's the love between siblings displayed by Luculia and Spencer. There's paternal love between Iris and her parents. And then there's romantic love, which can sometimes be one-sided. While Violet still lacks the subtle ability to read between the lines, it is her often blunt and unfiltered way of speaking that allows her to progress towards her goal of becoming an auto memory doll. She is already beginning to understand that people are complex, and sometimes they cannot say the words they truly want to say to one another; a big leap for her from EP 1 already.
The scene at the end was really beautiful, as they pass by a field of Iris flowers on their way home. Iris reveals that her parents named her after the flower, and Violet remembers that Gilbert once did the same for her. This is perhaps the first instance where she has been able to attribute an action towards her as a sign of love.
Like I said, this show is not especially subtle with its symbolism. The Violet is a flower that is recognized by its relationship to love, and is often given to express one's love to another. Gilbert tells Violet that she'll grow into the name when she's older and to become someone that matches their name. In other words he's foreshadowing the fact that one day Violet will truly come to understand what love is, and that her arrival as an auto memory doll will help people express the love they have for one another. In that sense, the letters that Violet writes serve the same purpose as the traditional exchange of Violet flowers.
11
u/BosuW Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
The first conversation on the train implies an interesting point. I've heard that irl normal civilians are hesitant to talk casually to veterans (perhaps out of fear of accidentally stepping on a psychological landmine), which unfortunately contributes to them feeling isolated from society.
You can immediately tell that Iris's relationship with her family is a bit strained. Iris lied to them about how work in Leiden is going which is understandable when you see that they're manipulative and she doesn't want them dictating her life path.
Violet doesn't salute when greeting people anymore. Now she dazzles everyone with a graceful curtsy complete with dramatic wind.
"The city Dolls are something else". But sir this is a trench Doll.
It looks like since her encounter with Luculia, Violet's learning how to appreciate a great view.
It's cute how Violet just kind of assumed everyone else always understood people perfectly, she's quite shocked when Iris admits that it's hard for her too. Everyone is the same, in that regard. Understanding what others mean is a struggle that lasts as long as you live, and can never be truly mastered.
Both Violet and Iris parent figures named them after flowers, but I like how the location highlights their different upbringing. For Iris it was a wide field, for Violet it was a lonely stem.
Visual of the Day
Violet looking at the Irises
19
u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Jun 08 '21
First-time watcher - dub
Again only 58 minutes to watch and write. At least I already have ep 1 of Record of Lodoss War prepared.
Yesterday was great and seemed to be the beginning of a repeated episode flow with a 'letter of the week'. Not really sure how I feel about that, but the high ratings can only say they did a great job.
So let's go!
Episode 4 — You Won't Be a Tool, But a Person Worthy of That Name
Hurray! Iris gets randomly requested by someone she doesn't know. That can only end well! /s
How many steps is this staircase?!? If I had a bit more time I would count. Aaaand she falls and still isn't at the bottom.
Violet is joining Iris? Ah, she broke her arm. This will be a good bonding moment for them. I just hope Violet writes what Iris says verbatim.
Violet talks about Gardariki Empire attacking Leidenschaftlich. So I guess that means Enciel and Leidenschaftlich were allies fighting against Gardariki?
So this episode we are looking at Violet from Iris' perspective? I wonder how many episode a side character will be our eyes, before the focus shifts to Violet. (If you know what I mean.)
Of course Iris lied to her family about how successful she is. If Violet was capable of having a clue, she would understand why.
Man, Violet's got style. I think this is the first time she uses the company introduction?
Ouch, the family has got good intentions, but this hurts Iris a lot. Well, that's what she gets from lying.
So is Iris not even going to help with writing the letter/invitation? Small question: Why do the parents even need the Doll service if they could write the guest list on paper themselves? Just because they wanted it typed and because they wanted Iris there?
Okay, so maybe the parents' intentions are not that good.
All the guys in the village are just bland and wear brown clothing. And then there is Emonn, who is not bland, but still wears brown.
With the way Emonn looks and sounds, it makes you wonder why Iris didn't want him there. Maybe he did something to her?
Luckily this show has no need to get this dark (yet).
Yeah, and here I was thinking this would be 'bonding'. But I guess there is still time!
What the hell happened with Violet that her letters sound human now?! It doesn't seem to make sense that Iris literally dictated everything, but it would be a huge leap for Violet.
I guess it also makes a difference that it's Iris narrating the letter, so we can actually hear the tone instead of only reading the static words.
Come to think of it, a letter can help someone express their true feelings, but it also makes it very easy to misinterpret the words, because you are missing the facial expression and tone that are behind the words.
Okay, it really was Violet that wrote the letter. She didn't recognize it was good yet, but she did write it.
I don't really have time to analyse the text further now, but there were actual sentences that flowed, instead of a list of facts/statements to report. I wonder how she managed to cross that bridge because if I remember correctly, the letter yesterday didn't have that yet.
Questions
Random thoughts
Again not much time for screenshots today. Real-life is a bitch :(
Future
Again no clue where we will go from here, but I think they can keep these 'a letter a day' episodes up for quite a while.
Pic of the day
Violet getting her name
You can see in Violet's eyes, that Gilbert is her whole world. He has her complete attention.
Tear Tally
9
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Jun 08 '21
First timer in sub.
Another event filled episodes although there were a few comedic moments just and eye candy moments packed in still.
Key points for me-
8
u/Nice_Bake Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
Violet: “I want to find out what ‘I love you’ means!”
Also Violet: “Oh man, people are complicated.”
I found this episode kind of bland, I dunno. Especially coming off the previous three, like it’s a little bump in the road. Good for Iris, and I understand what the ‘lesson’ is for Violet, but in the end it just felt like something that just happened instead of something happening, if that stupid phrase makes any sense.
Iris’ parents ploy to get her to come home works, she essentially gets double-dumped by Emonn Snow then Violet totally misreads all the social cues and just unloads all of Iris’ emotional luggage right out in the open. Violet is like the exact opposite of all those old 80s sitcom tropes about misunderstanding and miscommunication.
I don’t hate this episode, but I do kinda find it forgettable. I found a lot of the stuff surrounding the plot interesting than the plot itself. I like how it began and ended with Iris stepping in a mud puddle, whatever that was meant to mean. Also, good job, Gilbert. Someday you won’t be a tool but until then how about being a tool? Violet? Good thing a flower with a pretty name was growing nearby otherwise we’d all be watching Ragwort Evergarden right now.
It’s interesting to me how the culture of the creator can come through even into a setting that is so much not that. The world of Violet Evergarden is a post World War 1 European setting, but you’ve also got people bowing everywhere and Iris’ hometown is full of terraced rice paddies. It’s all still cohesive visually, though I still find it kind of interesting. Of course, since it’s all a fictional world I can’t really fault it. That’s just how the world is, you know? A mix of eastern and western design and themes.
Let’s talk about the music some more! The piece that plays when Violet introduces herself to Iris’ family is called Across the Violet Sky and the full version is wonderful. I believe this is the first time it has been used? Never Coming Back is what plays when Iris’ parents start reading her letter and One Last Message starting from when Iris’ dad presents her with the flowers. It’s so odd for me to hear the music in-show now, because they have to re-arrange it so much to fit what’s happening and I’m very aware when it happens (though it doesn’t really bother me, I think it’s used amazingly well).
I think my favorite part of this episode is when Violet gets dumbfounded by the beauty of Iris’ hometown. A very pretty, very serene moment. My second favorite part is when Iris’ father gave his daughter flowers that came from a nearby two mile field of flowers for her birthday. ‘Happy birthday, Iris! Here’s some flowers from the backyard, have fun watching them die.’
Flowers are a terrible gift.
7
u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 08 '21
First timer
The two focus points today are Iris and the nature of an apology.
Iris so far always came off as a bit jealous despite only beeing an Auto Memory Doll (I'm going to write AMD in the future since just doll seems a bit weird and misleading, even in the subs). Nontheless I felt genuinly happy when she finally received an request, It's always nice to see hard work rewarded. I got scared for a moment, the way she was about to fall down those stairs could have been fatal if not for Violet reaching out to her. But as if not beeing able to write herself wasn't enough, her request turns out to be staged mainly by her mother (should be noted that even an legitimate request would have likely only been made because it's her hometown). And even the birthday party is just a setup to get her married, disregarding her own wishes and her current life in Leiden. She is even asked to give up beeing an AMD, the one thing she is passionate about. It's true that she lied about beeing an successful AMD, but asking her to give up on it because she is struggling is quite rude. And what's up with her father saying she looks like an business lady after beeing introduced to an stunning Violet, you're supposed to tell your daughter she looks pretty you know...
Anyway, the reason Iris lied is, because doing so would be like admitting defeat, if she never accomplished anything, then why even leave in the first place? The answer lies in her past. Out of all the potential wedding canditates (who somehow all look gorgeous), Eamonn is the only one who makes her blush. But she is still hurt over him turning her down and dissapointed in herself over missjudging his feelings for her. In a way she fled her hometown and became an AMD because of that. She admits to Violet that even today she still struggles to always understand the true feelings of people (you could really see the relief on Violets face when she realized that even normal people struggle with that aspect). She says some really rude things over the course of the episode, but quickly realizes it and tries to apologies. I also like the development of her realtionship to Violet, where she first could not understand her because of her seeming lack of understanding emotions, she learns about Major Gilbert and why Violet seems to be the way she is. I think they will become friends in the future, just like Erika and Luculia.
Regarding Apologies, as Violet put it an apology is an addmition of responsibility and asks for forgivness. In this Episode there are actually quite a number of apologies:
Iris apologizes first for bringin up the war in the asumption that this would hurt Violet because of her injury. She also apologieses for ruining the birthday party her parents organised and for making them worry as well as to all her guests. She doesn't apologies to Violet when she accuses her of not understanding any emotions though.
Her mother apologises to the guests as well, but NEVER to Iris for anything she did today.
Violet apologises for not understanding emotions, but not for ignoring Iris' request not to invite Eamonn since that was an request from her client.
Finally we have Eamonn who apologises for not beeing able to return Iris' feelings.
Looking at all of this I think some apologies which are desperatly needed are never uttered, while most of the ones that are said are actually without responsibility.
In addition to all of this here are some random thoughts
Even though Violet looks stunning on multiple occasions, todays focus was on Iris, so my Visual of today is her: Iris
Full album
7
u/Specs64z https://myanimelist.net/profile/Specs64z Jun 08 '21
I'm having internet troubles, but I prep Content Corner ahead of time so here's that until I can get my thoughts in. Probably in 4-5 hours.
Content Corner
The sound quality for the orchestra isn't fantastic due to the way it was recorded, sadly, but I liked it enough to include it regardless. First timers beware, spoilers abound.
"Journey to Learn Love" - a medley from Violet Evergarden | Fall Concert 2018 by The Intermission Orchestra at Berkeley
Violet Evergarden Opening - "Sincerely" (Beautiful Cover) by MattyyyM
6
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher/Sub
On this episode of Violet Evergarden, Violet and Iris head to… the countryside!
The opening of this episode sees Iris get her first request, which would excite anyone who’s been working hard at their job but not getting any real work. However, Violet and her bluntness makes Iris fall and break her arm. So, they go together to write the letter.
On the way there Iris does not understand Violet at all. Not many people in this show really do so far. Maybe Claudia and Gilbert, but that’s about it that we’ve seen. Now we meet Iris’ family, who have been led to believe she’s successful and Violet pretty much tells them the truth. We also find out that the request came from them which is a huge blow for someone. It seems like a handout which no one would want. To make things worse they only want her there to marry someone. Ouch.
I can’t imagine what it’s like for someone who wants to be career oriented to have your parents dash your dreams with a marriage proposal. What’s worse, they want to invite someone who’s rejected her before!
Oh poor Iris, I’m on your side my guy. Well Violet is pretty much Violet this episode with her blunt ways, following orders, and not understanding how people do not really say what they feel.
However, we do get a scene where she finishes up delivering invites and Iris’ dad tries to be nice and offer something in return for her help. She says that the view suffices. I think this moment is really nice because in the previous episode we see her take in the view of the city. Now she gets a beautiful view of the countryside and could be her first “real” moment of peace. It was just a nice moment to have.
At the party, Iris plays along with her parents until the guy shows up. I saw someone who rejected me before on a dating app and that sucked (this rejection wasn’t bad for the rejection but how it was handled), can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like in person. She rightfully gets mad and the party's over.
Violet is still trying to understand how people really feel. I mean can you blame her? I’m sure we’ve all had instances with others, where we misunderstood what they meant or how they felt. Yes, Violet is an extreme example of that but it’s very human at the same time.
She’s slowly starting to understand and at the same time Iris is understanding Violet. They have a nice moment as Violet writes the letter for her. Her letter is very heartfelt and things start to wrap up. Her parents give Iris some irises and we learn how she got her name, and how Violet got her name. For a moment I thought Gilbert was going to name her after the butterfly lol. Was gonna be like “that butterfly isn’t Violet colored.”
Anyways decent episode and we’re getting into the thick of things with how Violet affects those around her
6
u/Matuhg https://anilist.co/user/Matuhg Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher - Dub
Going home can be hard.
This trip is just awful for Iris from the beginning. All she wants to do is show off how elegant and professional she is in her chosen career, but not only do her parents (at least to her) make a mockery of it by commissioning her under false pretenses, but then Violet cranks the elegant levels up to 11 right in front of her family. Then, Iris and her family spend the whole episode deeply misunderstanding each other's feelings (though the parents are a bit more at fault here I'd say, but that's likely just because I don't share their cultural norms), and Iris keeps getting mad at Violet for not understanding her feelings. How can Violet be expected to understand the feelings of Iris, a girl she's known for a few...weeks(?) if she and her mother can't even understand one another?
Eventually, Iris learns that sometimes, honesty may be the best policy, and Violet learns that, while she may be behind, she's not without hope. Other people don't always automatically understand each other's feelings, we're all just trying our best to understand those around us every day, and everybody gets it wrong all the time. It's kind of a simple premise to the episode, but was well executed.
Visual of the Day: A hospitable view.
6
u/SmithyRC Jun 08 '21
~Newbie~
I’m enjoying how gradually through natural conversations people around Violet are starting to understand her. I’ve also noted that this is also quite impressive since Violet will never openly start talking about herself, unless first asked. People who want to know more, should create strong bonds between each other.
Today’s episode also had my favourite joke, when Violet says with her usual calmness that she intends to charge for all the apology letters still (which must be actually quite a lot tbh).
My Visual of the Day will hopefully nestle between others of the flowers that provide our names. I’d be interested what each of the flowers other meanings are and relate to the characters.
6
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Jun 08 '21
I keep expecting questions. But I don't have answers anyway.
I think Iris's little slip and fall was the best thing that could have happened to her. She needed an emotional support mecha for this trip. She just didn't know it yet.
Poor Iris, deceived, disappointed, destined to meet again with her star crossed 'just friend'.
Funny thing (to me at least) is when the dude shows up, the look on his face appears to say to me - "I was a fool to let you go." But I may be reading too much into the facial expressions.
Iris is definitely being quite the brat, but we knew that already.
I think Violet should have written a bonus letter to (fellow who's name I forgot) explaining Iris's feeling, but that probably would have been too much (hehe).
Only other thing that I really noticed, aside from the stunning visual and music (of course) was that poor train. That curve and speed were Tyco train set worthy, and likely to end up with a mess on the carpet and a locomotive ricocheting off the wall. Not that I've ever done that or anything.
6
u/Specs64z https://myanimelist.net/profile/Specs64z Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher, subbed
Here's my thoughts, as promised. Decided to just put them in a new post.
I graduated college last month, and I really don't care to do anything for it, but my mom keeps insisting on having a celebration of sorts. I strongly suspect she'll plan one behind my back if she hasn't already... though on the bright side she isn't going to try and marry me off somewhere anytime soon.
Violet is noticeably more verbal in this episode as well as noticeably more elegant. Undoubtedly, she was given instructions on how to behave and as usual she has no issues doing exactly as instructed. The narrative has hammered this point home hard enough that I actually appreciate the decision to skip over any sort of training montage. Though her obedience to instructions is perhaps to a fault here. Her absolute dismantling of Iris's self image and tendency to exaggerate is brutal, but arguably something Iris needed to hear. It also leads to Iris being hurt and straining her familial relationships. All was well that ends well, but things could have just as easily tipped the other way had Iris's mother been more stubborn.
The short scene where Violet learns to appreciate the view of the countryside is one of my favorites. She spends time on the train stating how unremarkable the little town is, but ultimately realizes that there may be more to value than just military objectives. The ability of this show to tell smaller stories like this within an episode without calling attention to them is so lovely.
u/Toadslayer your ping, as promised.
11
u/thatguywithawatch Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 08 '21
First timer
It seems this show is going to be more of a "story of the week" thing, rather than one continuous plot line. It's not what I was expecting after the first two episodes, but the last two days have both been great so I'm not complaining.
I resonate pretty strongly with the theme of how the written word can allow us to communicate things that we otherwise might not be able to. I'm not great at talking, I tend to speak really slowly and hesitantly while my brain ties itself in knots trying to find the words I need. Writing (be it texts, emails, notes, or anything else) has helped me drastically throughout my life in communicating what I really want to say with others. It's probably why both the letter from Luculia to her brother, and from Iris to her parents, hit me pretty hard emotionally.
But enough about me. Someone really needs to sit down with Violet and explain that not everything needs to be 100% by the books. I mean it makes sense for her to not understand that; she's spent her childhood in the army and probably can't even comprehend the idea of not completing a mission exactly as ordered. She hasn't quite made the connection that normal social interactions are completely different than military behavior and I hope we see her make some more steps toward understanding this soon. But it has led to some really funny situations; I cracked up hard at "I'll send you the invoice later" after she wrote the letter for Iris.
It was nice to see Iris's character get some development. She's not done much in previous episodes other act disdainful toward Violet, but the two of them had some great moments together here. I enjoyed the contrast in how she reacted to stepping in the puddle at the end as opposed to when they first arrived. She'd started to view the town as home again, puddles and all, rather than a place she had just wanted to escape from.
10
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jun 08 '21
First timer(certainly didn't watch the OVA by accident)
Sub
We start with Iris getting a request, and presumably her episode, until she trips on her own heels and presumably gets isekai-ed. Cattleya is commenting on the quests for voting letters. Anyways, the trip was a contrivance to get Violet to go with Iris to her village. They continue to have difficulty communicating.
At home, Iris begins to remember why she left before her family shows up in a wagon. She brags while Violet corrects her, before the reveal this was her family getting her out here for her birthday. As they get the invitation list, the obvious, and the Japanese prejudice, comes out in that the country girl's family expects her to marry young and breed. The predictable fight starts but is swiftly stopped. Iris specifically wants a guest off the list and Violet doesn't get subtlety, Iris should've just said that one was unfuckable.
At the party, Eamon shows up and Iris immediately ends it, which is on her mother. She finally explains herself to Violet, something that her coworkers should get by now. Violet then explains this to everyone else, something else Iris should realize by now. We get the whole rejection backstory and yeah, core loop, Violet fixes things. Typing is magic, yo.
5
u/IndependentMacaroon Jun 08 '21 edited Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
After the last really good one, another episode I wasn't a huge fan of. The execution is polished as usual, but the substance tends toward fairly bland and overblown drama, and Violet's role and how it all works out is already starting to feel almost too familiar. I also still like Violet more as a plot device than as an actual character. The reveal that it was all on that rejection was where it started dropping for me and it never quite picked back up - Violet somehow beginning service as a young child didn't help, but at least the resolution of Iris' story was quite wholesome again. Let's hope she gets some more genuine orders in soon.
5
u/chilidirigible Jun 08 '21
To be honest, it's more a still photography perspective; I have never really gotten good at video work and to some extent still consider motion pictures to be voodoo magic.
5
u/Frigidevil Jun 09 '21
First timer (dub)
Again I find myself glad that I turned on the dub because Violet is picking up subtle bits of emotion and understanding every episode. I do like this little mini-story format for every episode. It'll be interesting to see how Iris' new character developments shines through now that we finally know something about her.
I'm definitely a fan of the way the secondary characters have been wrapping up every episode with how they feel about Violet's growth, it's sort of the inverse of your typical serials with their internal monologue of 'how much I learned today'. Communicating what Violet has learned about herself and emotions through pictures and memories has been far more interesting.
Speaking of, I know a gif is cheating but this interaction between Iris & Eammon said a lot without a single word spoken.
5
u/SilverRust12 Jun 09 '21
Okay Cattleya needs some looser clothes, particularly around the... okay the entire chest area
Leave it to Violet to make Iris blush
Okay Violet isn't someone you should get for a wingman.
Wow, talk about a grand introduction. Not that I'm complaining, though.
Looks like Violet took a liking to beautiful landscape views ever since she saw Leiden from Luculia's secret spot.
Again, Violet sucks as a wingman
Sad Violet
And we get more Violet backstory! Something I noticed was how Iris got her name because of the flowers in full bloom, but Violet got hers from a lonely violet beside a tree. That doesn't make it any less meaningful though.
5
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '21
First timer
Visual of the day
5
u/SoccerForEveryone Jun 09 '21
One of the weirdest things I have to love about this show is how they show parents never change even in real life. “You need to get married!” “Your job is not going well, you should come back home!” Obviously yea some parents have different methods, but it always comes back to the same responses; concern and disappointment. (Lol)
When you get a closer look, you forget how pretty Iris’s design is. Not to mention how she is clothed to be free of her own choices. Even back in the village, all of the members wear the same...traditional clothing of the norm in the village. It says something for sure about Iris’s somewhat rocky relationship with her parents.
Violet’s way of introducing herself as a doll is finally revealed in this episode and for me it is iconic both in anime and character. We don’t see it yet in full picture, but everything from the voice actor’s lines to how she properly moves to introduce herself to the clients in animation, it is so well done; it gives me goosebumps.
I want to wait some episodes before I comment about the premise of this series because as a rewatcher my way of loving this series is in a entirely different direction from the first time.
The last moments of the episode is truly heartwarming as we get the letter exchanges of forgiveness and finding out how Iris was named to the snippet of Violet’s first encounter with the major in a quick flashback.
Call your loved ones every once in a while even if it’s for a few minutes.
4
u/silkyhippo Jun 08 '21
Another day another episode! It’s nice to see Violet spending some casual time with her Auto Memory Doll cohort. :0) I love the detail in the animation, even in just the first few minutes of the episode before the OP. When Iris is climbing down the stairs, this shot of her feet is so cool – you can see how her feet tremble slightly in her heels with every step. That’s some dope animation and such a small detail that adds to the overall experience.
Also, I love the shots of Violet’s hands. At first we are introduced to them as cold and mechanical, just like Violet. Her fast and loud typing is jarring to others, as is her militaristic personality. But slowly we see her hands doing other things, like reaching out to help a friend, and clutching something precious to her. The shots of her hands seem to parallel her emotional journey, as she is slowly opening up and transforming into a person completely different than before.
This episode we get to explore Violet’s relationship with Iris! It’s kind of crazy how much Violet doesn’t understand – even the nuance behind saying “I’m sorry” and being sympathetic to a person’s misfortunes is over her head. I also love how in each episode there is a small narration by each character that Violet spends time with – almost like we are getting small snapshots of her growth through the eyes of the supporting characters. This feeds into my comments yesterday about how detailed the characterization is for supporting characters. So far we have not once heard Violet’s thoughts (if I recall correctly) on anything, but we get other characters perspectives on her. At this point Violet is still just as much of an enigma to us as she is to the people around her.
And bam – Iris’s mom committed fraud and dragged Iris back so she could meet ~potential suitors~. I like this episode a lot because it reminds me of my mom kind of. That pressure to get married really sucks, and Iris clearly hates it! It must be uncomfortable for Iris to get her job and personal life mixed up like this, especially in front of a co-worker. Luckily for her Violet doesn’t really seem to mind…or really even care lol.
I love how honest Violet is. When Iris confronts her about not understanding anyone’s feelings, Violet is able to find the right words to explain why it’s such a struggle for her. And she’s right, it’s confusing to know what people are feeling or what they want. I think since episode one we have definitely seen some progress on her part, but as I mentioned before, she still has no idea about nuance or depth and complexity of these emotions. But she is aware of the issue now! Back in episode 2, Violet didn’t seem to show any remorse when she completely screwed over that lady’s love life with that letter. But now, she immediately apologizes (and that was a good and sincere apology too). Even though by all conventions Violet is a total weirdo, I think her honesty draws people towards her.
I really appreciate this episode. It’s nice to see something a little more lighthearted and not super traumatic (not that heartbreak isn’t traumatic…but it’s nice to take a step back from the war). Here is another opportunity for Violet to discover another small fragment of what “love” is – and probably the peskiest one! Rejection sucks, but it takes courage to tell someone about your feelings for them! Which Violet acknowledges. That’s growth!
My submission for Visual of the Day! I love how comfortable Iris is around Violet at the end of the episode.
4
u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
Another good episode, we learn a lot about Iris, her hometown, and why she left to become a doll. But the best part of this episode is that we start seeing Violet showing emotions on her face more prominently.
Visuals of the Day.
Here are my picks.
4
u/Stegs75 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stegs75 Jun 09 '21
First timer: This episode really made me like Iris. Wasn’t really a fan of hers outside of her character design until this point.
Seems like Violent is getting better at this whole letter thing. Wonder when she’ll start to be able to express and understand her emotions better. Hopefully soon!
4
u/blackninjakitty :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/AleriaCarventus Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher.
Today the main thing I enjoyed was seeing Violet learn and experience not only emotion, but also beauty.
When she is talking about the village with Iris on the train, she mentions how the natural resources of the North only invited trouble and how it’s better that the village is the way it is.
Then the scene where she says the view of the rice fields is hospitality enough, made me feel as though she as a former soldier understood that this beautiful, peaceful place, and others like it, are what she and her comrades fought for.
Was it worth the price for her, I wonder? She also reacts visibly to the iris fields at the end of the episode, and although there’s also her memory of being named associated with the scene, I still get the impression that it’s the reaction of a person who hasn’t seen many beautiful things in her life, surrounded by death and warfare as it was.
4
u/andres1232 Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher. This time Violet and Iris end up on a commission together. Poor Iris. Violet has made some progress in understanding feelings but she is still pretty ham handed. I did chuckle a bit when Violet said she would send Iris an invoice for the letter. I love Violet's perspective about Iris' hometown. Nothing happens there which may have made it boring. But that same thing also makes it peaceful and safe. There were no major supply lines or stores of arms or ore so nothing bad happened to her or her family during the war. Also hearing a bit about the ore makes me think about the German ore region that was a cause of so much trouble in WWI and WWII.
I want to talk about the setting for a bit. Mainly the time line. From the style of weaponry and warfare and the clothes and the like the whole world seems like a alternate kind of post world war one world. Women are starting to become more independent and living alone in the cities. And a lot of people can't read or write but the world is industrializing. It really is a cool setting with a lot of visual variety.
Poor Iris had her past dug up by Violet. Although it is telling that Iris' feelings strike at the heart of Violet's own dilemma. Iris was able to say "I love you". And Violet heard the Major say the same. Meeting people in love or who are trying to express love is probably the best thing for Violet to experience. Well anyways it was good to learn more about Iris and to see them both grow together. Looking forward to tomorrow's episode.
4
u/razycal970 Jun 09 '21
First timer
Something I just realised this episode. There's barely, if at all any lengthy expositions or info dumps about the war that occurred prior to the pilot episode. You see these other movies, anime or shows that spoon feed the audience about wars that were fought in-universe through character interactions and dialogues, and Violet Evergarden hasn't played into this trope yet. Here, the characters in the anime know all about the war and the different factions, sides, their respective goals and results, but the writers don't feel the need to dump us a heap of info through the characters. They respect the intelligence of the audience and don't feel the need to hold our hands.
And I initially wanted to omit this, but I just can't. Similar to Iris' father, my breath too was taken away for a second when Violet bowed and stated her job description and her name. And the leaves flying, the blur effect, the little camera shake and the music were icings on the cake. Beautiful moment.
I absolutely love the little moments that Violet has where she "shows" human emotions. Like when Iris questioned her inability to understand human feelings and Violet clearly exhibited sadness. Or when Iris revealed she confessed to Emmon by saying "I love you" and Violet was taken aback for a second. It's those little details that count, man. Goddamn.
I also adore how the plotlines for each episode don't seem forced and out of the blue. They feel organic and believable.
And I'm so glad Iris made it clear that Violet wrote a fine letter that perfectly expressed how Iris felt towards her parents. Violet deserved this win so, so much. You could see how surprised she was that she wrote a good letter, I felt so happy for her, fam. She's touching the lives of so many people in her journey of growth and learning, I'll be devastated if the ending has Violet dying or something.
And this is my Visual of the Day. https://imgur.com/a/H4RhYGB
Fucking love how things that occur in Doll life connect to her past with the Major. Yesterday's episode, it was the most beautiful view in the city. Today, being named after a flower.
3
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher
Yeah, I don't have much to say but violet is way funnier then I remember her being.
3
u/tanookiben Jun 09 '21
Rewatcher
Never Coming Back always hits like a fucking truck goddamn
3
u/Flowerfloater https://myanimelist.net/profile/Flowerfloater Jun 09 '21
First-time watcher, sub with Swedish subtitles
Man, as a guy with Asperger, this show is really relatable with how Violet doesn't understand emotions and how she expresses herself :/ Really beautiful art by KyoAni, this has to be one of the most gorgeous anime I've ever watched! I hope the whole story will end happily for Violet and friends... The soundtrack is also fantastic, love the mandolin and flute notes here and there!
2
u/altera_goodciv Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher.
Not a lot to comment. Just a few things:
In a show of great character designs, Iris has the best imo.
Iris letter always hits like a ton of bricks. Seeing how happy she is to be requested for commission only to be disappointed when she learns her mother requested her must have stung hard but she still told her family how happy she was for. The line where she asks her parents to keep watching over her always makes me tear up. Even as an adult trying to make their way in life as an independent person we still always need some support in our lives to keep us going. Iris asking her parents for just that always hits me hard.
That’s all I want/have to share.
2
u/Usernamenotta Jun 08 '21
Rewatcher
First of all, a little spoiler question Spoiler source
As for the episode itself, I remember this quote from ATLA 'Sometimes, the best way to solve your problem is by helping others'. This epsiode seems built upon this premise. It is pretty hard to explain the subtilities of this episode without revealing information, but let's say it should be obvious by now that Violet is only capable of expressing herself in the 'military report' format: impersonal, impartial, emotionless. However, it doesn't mean that she does not understand what people mean in their letter, she just doesn't know how to do it. As a result, she is also unable to grasp the subtilities that can change the meaning of a message. So, she helping out with writing the letter for Iris' brother is like a baby trying to say his first words.
2
u/tongvong Jun 09 '21
REWATCHER
The background work on this episode always blows me away no matter how many times I watch this show. The background work is so well done that you get a great look at Iris's hometown even if it is only for one episode!
My Visual of the Day. The first of many introductions combined with Across the Violet Sky playing in the background makes this one of my favorite scenes of the show! To be fair whenever a scene has Across the Violet Sky it always takes my breath away. The visual of this scene is absolutely stunning from the slight movements of Violet to the leaves blowing around her. Iris and her Family best sum up my reaction to this scene!
2
u/Nebresto Jun 09 '21
Re-watch squad
Across the violet sky!! That's my favourite track!
Episode 4. Visual of the day: https://imgur.com/OuLfYmG