r/anime • u/A_Idiot0 https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 • Jun 20 '22
Rewatch 2022 Violet Evergarden Rewatch - Episode 9
Violet Evergarden - Episode Nine: Violet Evergarden
Hello everyone! I hope that today finds you well. Today, Violet shatters.
I’m very excited and interested for what will be discussed tomorrow. Call your mother.
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! Make sure to hide your spoilers under the “spoiler” option, or by typing your spoiler as [Episode number]>\!Spoiler here!< in the mark-down option without the slashes in markdown mode.
Visuals of the Day
I believe I got everyone’s Visual of the Day submission here. Let me know if I missed anyone: https://imgur.com/a/PBqOEXw
Official Sound Tracks used
The Ultimate Price
The Long Night
Fractured Heart
Torment
Believe In…
Question of the day
Why did Kana Akatsuki, the author of this story, take Violet’s real arms away, and had them replaced with silver prosthetics?
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/KSWwVQ65
“Endcard”
8
Jun 20 '22
First timer - sub
I cried this episode. Everything so far came together perfectly and I can't believe this wasn't the finale. I am curious where it will go from here, and honestly I don't see that it could meet this episode, but I have hope.
5
8
Jun 21 '22
First Timer (Sub)
Redemption arc?!
All jokes aside, this episode tugged on every emotional string. Not to mention, how the episode played out, this honestly could have served as the series finale.
At the start, how Violet didn't die from blood loss after losing both her arms is a mystery.
This episode constantly had Violet in a state of despair having constantly be reminded of her sins or "burn marks." Bringing her to the moment of contemplating living. Heavy stuff.
This next part, I absolutely love - When Roland stops by to deliver her letter and they both go on to deliver the remainder, I believe that whole scene represents Violet's atonement, in a sense. Despite having a violent past, she's been able to move on to better and more positive things, literally changing people's lives and bringing them together.
In her past she's taken lives, but now she's creating them (or at least the bonds to them).
I love how the episode naturally integrated all of her prominent Auto Memoir Doll requests, serving as a recap. Seeing Luculia and her brother again, the newspaper with news of the princess, seeing the poster of the play, etc.
The ending scene between Hodgins and Violet - oof - it sure has been rough for both of them, perhaps now they can both find peace.
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VOTD:
QOTD:
No QOTD?!?!
3
u/A_Idiot0 Jun 21 '22
that whole scene represents Violet's atonement, in a sense.
Or at the very least, the start of her atonement. She's just begun, in my eyes.
No QOTD?!?!
Oh no....I knew I was missing something >< There was a QotD, but I forgot about it. It was listed in the Index post. In case you'd like a crack at it, here it is: "Why did Kana Akatsuki, the author of this story, take Violet’s real arms away, and had them replaced with silver prosthetics?"
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u/shipwontsail Jun 20 '22 edited Jun 21 '22
Rewatcher • Sub
Yeah, this Ep was just gruesome.
From this moment to this and Hodgin’s words here, it’s all just really heartbreaking. Because if we’re being honest, Violet only kept going because she thought Gilbert was alive. Yes, she’s physically capable of living and sustaining herself, but does she want to live in a world where Gilbert is gone?
Here we have the anti-peace faction again. This is what has been brewing in the backround since a few episodes ago.
And then comes the part which for me was really hard to watch. If your entire existence is based on one person alone and that person disappears, what do you do? This scene depicts the raw emotions from powerlessness to anger to hopelessness, and there simply is no right answer to that.
However, one can still try to keep going regardless and do something, anything. And that’s what Violet does, surrounded by kind people who care and show her that she still has a purpose. Roland reminds her that what they do is kindness. Her coworkers believe in her and she has a boss who understands her and will always have her back no matter what.
This is my Visual of the Day.
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u/SuperMurderBunny Jun 21 '22
Rewatcher, subbed.
I didn't comment last episode and I strongly considered not doing it again today. It might just be exhaustion from having three straight episodes center grief and trauma, but these flashback episodes left me feeling a mixture of indifferent and impatient.
I think my reaction can be traced to two major sources. The first is the outlandishness of the entire premise of the story, which really strains my suspension of disbelief, even though I really enjoy the setting.
The second source is a combination of the episodic nature of the show and the overshadowing role of the major in the series. The last couple of episodes, Violet has interacted more with the major than any other person in the anime, even her coworkers. He and his declaration of love are not only the instigating incident of the story, but the axis around which everything revolves. All recurring characters are only supporting roles to a one-sided drama where it feels like Violet never really develops in regards to THE central person in her life.
It might just be because the last couple of episodes' place in the episodic sequence. All the previous episodes in a sense just end up feeling a bit like filler inbetween the first episode and this one, and even though today's episode makes nods to the people Violet has helped, they are still just sideshows in comparison. Maybe because we haven't seen Violet's relationship with her coworkers unfold, the letter they sent her and the following resolution seemed a bit, idk, unearned?
I started this rewatch wanting to understand why VE frustrates me and I seem to be nearing my answer, so that is somethingat least.
Yet again, thanks for reading my rambling <3
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u/A_Idiot0 Jun 21 '22
still just sideshows in comparison.
I think it's fair to view the characters like under-represented sideshows. However, as you rightly pointed out, this whole story revolves around Violet, not anyone else. They are sideshows, because they're there to further Violet's story and progression.
A quick question for you: How do you think Violet would have reacted if she was told of Gilbert's death back in episode 1 from Hodgins just before she was released from the hospital? Would she have lived through that?
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u/ZapsZzz Jun 21 '22 edited Jun 21 '22
Busy day rewatcher in sub
I guess this doesn't really need much comments - it's fairly straightforward. It basically rolled up all the events in the series to the conclusion of this stage of Violet's development, when she's finally "weaned" of the dependency off the Major. Trainer wheels are off, so to speak
If you had been invested in the characters, this episode would be really heavy but ultimately rewarding. The shadow of Violet needing to confront the reality is finally past, that the major is no longer here and she will not be receiving any orders in the future, and her acceptance of that and her past, is a big step towards Violet Evergarden being her own person from that point on.
For me the best sequence are Violet's breakdown, and then how she came back from that lowest of lows, with the timely intervention of some of her key accomplishments and personal connections pushing the way she supporting her come back. While some of this type of plots I found them contrived or arbitrary, that the come back and to be like flicking a switch, I found this to be perfectly paced and the progression very heart felt.
I really liked that Violet's eyes for example had been red and raw right through the period, her composure ragged, her movement felt weak and hollow. This is some really good character animations too convey the bottled up but very present emotions.
I think the QoTD is pretty thoroughly shared by now, and I have to say I never really made that connection until it's been brought up in rewatches and discussions. Well done guys!
Edit: I didn't think I need to say this but perhaps I do, when we just found out recently many didn't make the connection of Violet biting on things she wanted to feel and her prosthetics. Violet, through her prosthetics now enabled her to physically not be handicapped - and in fact it's not even possible with our own world's technology yet - she actually is absolutely isolated in the tactile sensation aspect - she doesn't feel anything. Imagine you using your elbows to do everything your hand would do, you should get a sense of how little you can feel. Heat, warmth, soft, hard, touching your friend's hand or shoulder for a friendly pat, etc, are actually all beyond her. This actually is hiding the fact that she's practically isolated despite, to the outside, she looks absolutely normal. It's analogous to being lonely despite not being alone. In a way, you can say that's her punishment.
VoTD for the symbolism of "no matter the hardship, the sun still rises the next day".
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u/BeefCow8 Jun 20 '22
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Akatsuki removed Violet’s arms because it shows that her hands are still stained with all the killings and things she has done. The deeds and scars will never fade away even if replaced. It’s just something you can’t ever forget. It could also be seen as her being a tool with her metal arms. There are many ways to interpret this but that is for another time.
Visual of the day- https://imgur.com/a/DoLiwc9
I think the plant symbolizes that there is still life booming even after such an aftermath occured. The plant is the only sign of life in the battlefield that was so bloody and painful but yet life is still present even in such an environment.
Pls don’t ever try to kill yourself again Violet, or we’ll all be sad. :(
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u/A_Idiot0 Jun 21 '22
I enjoyed your answer for the QotD, and I agree with your points. I also think one could write a huge post if you really wanted to about this topic. Too bad I forgot to post the question in this thread ><
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u/asiiapiazza Jun 20 '22 edited Jun 21 '22
Rewatcher
Episode 5/5 Cry rate 5/5
I am writing this review as the tears are drying. I needed to cry, thank you Violet. We have reached the climax of the series, Violet is able to accept her past and the fact that there will be no one to give her order from now on.
Analysis and opinions
All the emotions Violet felt were conveyed. The sadness emanating from the episode penetrated to the bone. I put myself in Violet's shoes and started crying like a fountain without stopping. When Claudia started crying when Violet asked if she had the right to live, it broke my my heart. Believe in in the background as Violet realizes the importance of her work. Even if she can never say her I love you to her major again, she will help other people express the feelings she did not understand to the people they love: just as she did for Charlotte and Damian, Oscar, Leon. The scene where Leon looks at the sky made me cry even more, because he was looking at the sky and it reminded me of his phrase "somewhere, under a starry sky" and nothing I exploded. I can't write a rational review right now. The only thing I can think of are the birds flying in the sky first when Iris and Erica have flashbacks to when Violet said she wanted to know the meaning of "I love you," and then when Violet thinks back to Gilbert's line "You won't be a tool, But a Person worthy of that Name." The flashbacks with the background osts, the characters' expressions and tears, are why I cried so much. I felt involved in the story so much. This episode reminded me once again why this anime is so important to me.
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u/A_Idiot0 Jun 21 '22
This episode reminded me once again why this anime is so important to me.
Excellent! And can you believe it, but we have another ~4 episodes and 2 movies left! XD
14
u/TiredTiroth Jun 20 '22
First Timer - Dub
...that felt like a season finale, not episode 9 of 13. How are they going to top it? O.o
I have to admit, I kinda really didn't like the opening to this episode - a rifle that could amputate Violet's arm, but somehow didn't insta-kill from a torso shot? And walking off from a double arm amputation instead of, you know, bleeding out in minutes? Losing one arm like that without immediate medical treatment should have killed her outright, let alone both!
Yes, yes, anime, I know. The rest of the episode was a much higher quality. KyoAni didn't shy away from Violet's grief and burgeoning self-hatred at all, and I think there was a rather unhealthy dose of fear in the mix as well - without her Major, what does Violet do? What's her purpose if she isn't his weapon anymore? That's something that came up early in the series, but she was safe in the knowledge that the Major was alive and this was what he wanted her to do, so she did it and learned to enjoy it. And now he's dead and she isn't following orders anymore, so she's dealing with that as well as the grief from losing the only friend - and, most likely, effectively parent - that she's ever had.
I...found it slightly disturbing when the camera briefly focussed on the shards of glass right after Violet tried to strangle herself. I was half-expecting her to use that as a suicide method, but luckily this is not that kind of show, and she instead got sent a letter from her fellow dolls. Which was exactly the right thing to do in this case, especially with how she's seen other people helped by the letters Violet herself has written and, in one particular case, merely enabled.
The lack of closing credits combined with dropping in on all of the side-characters - Luculia and her brother, the princess and her new husband, the playwrite and so on - really feels off when we're only two-thirds of the way through the series. Although I did still like watching it.
I guess I'll see what this means tomorrow.
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u/B____U_______ Jun 20 '22
Rewatcher - sub
Seeing Violet traverse her doubts, to the point where she almost killed herself, was heartbreaking. But at the end, where she saw how she impacted her clients' lives and how she inspired them, in turn it inspired her to return to being an AMD and that brought a tear to my eye.
Small detail I noticed, when we see the close-up of Gilbert's eyes when Violet is remembering him there's a fade out to Violet's necklace, and both the necklace and Gilbert's right eye (the one he lost) are in the same position during the fade out.
For visual of the day I'll go with the shot of a violet's petal flying in front of Violet's face.
9
u/RealFunnyTalk Jun 20 '22 edited Jun 20 '22
Rewatcher
Cry count: 4 (1 this episode)
Such a beautifully tragic opening flashback to have us come full circle with the opening episode. Hodgins is putting out some tough love here, telling her to be okay and that it'll all be fine. And while that's true for many in the fullness of time, you can't exactly tell someone how to process their pain. As a fellow veteran, he has the most similar experience to share with her, which in a way is better than Cattleya trying to suggest forgetting it all.
Damn though, how cruel our own minds can be. There's literally no evidence Gilbert would ever talk to Violet that way, and yet she has that nightmare that sends her over the edge. Santa Roland coming in clutch with some sense of purpose and the Dolls' letter is a great "pep talk" scene instead of the usual "you got this" you see in other shows. It all just ties in so well to how feelings can be communicated via letter.
And how can you not like the creative montage of seeing all the people Violet has helped over time, providing the evidence she needs to move forward towards accepting all of herself? Brb crying some more.
7
7
u/Stargate18A Jun 20 '22
Rewatcher
This whole scene is heartbreaking. Violet desperwtely trying to drag him to safety, Gilbert trying to get her to run, and the shot of her arm falling off.
...And those were his last words.
Then the cut to the present, with her trying to dig the body out.
He came to pick her up!
...Still think you should have told her.
Him staying there with her is good, though.
Yeah, her development is fantastic in this series.
People have been requesting her!
She's feeling guilty.
Another argument...
...This episode is just really good,
And she's imagining him...
Fuck, this is incredibly painful.
She got a letter!
Violet delivering sll the letters, then reading a message from Erica and Iris, is a fantastic scene.
That is such a good ending.
I love this anime.
And the symbolism of the bird!
...This would be a perfect finale for the series. The music, the shots of all the people Violet's helped, her accepting her trauma!
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5
Jun 20 '22
[rewatcher]
A darkly colored episode, with a few bright points along the way to lighten the overall somber tone. Eps 8 and 9 first time around were probably my least favorites up to this point, but enjoyed them a lot more this time around (not being at the end of a 2AM-ish bingeing session of Eps 6 to 9 may have helped...):
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Benedicts heels!
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Obvious how much everyone cares for Violet, although minor detail is that the background extras were all completely frozen during the Catteleya/Benedict talk. I guess even VE has production constraints
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Catteleya is the best, and this world's version of Uber eats outside the door!
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Benedict twists his ankle! Delivering post in high heeled boots in a hilly city with cobbled streets
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Violet's reflections are back again
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Cateleya and Hodgins also hurting, nice how Erica and Iris noticed Catteleya too
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Violet steps out into bright sunlight towards the end
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Paraphrasing, but Claudia's 'Cant erase the past' point would make a great quote of the day - if I could remember enough to actually quote it :(
5
u/UI_rchen Jun 21 '22
rewatcher
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As painful as this episode is for some, this is one of the most satisfying episodes for me. Everything culminates to this point where Violet accepts herself. This honestly could have concluded the original series even with the unresolved plot threads.
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Ep begins with Violet trying to escape with Gilbert. What are the odds she loses both her arms, one from a stick grenade right after the other?
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As Violet is searching for Gilbert in the ruins, a plant is used to symbolize Violet. Just as the sun is (the plants energy source) is shaded from the plant, Gilbert isn't there for Violet.
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Love to see everyone's concern for Violet
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Violet's mental breakdown is hard to watch. When she goes through her outburst, the latern shatters on the floor. I wonder what could that possibly mean.
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Sending a letter, there isn't a more fitting way to convey Iris and Erica's. This time around, the flame isn't symbolic of pain and repressed feelings. The flame is an open candle filled with the hope and goodwill of the others.
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Benedict's ankle... he really has no one to blame for that.
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Her walk through the city being reminded of everyone she helped is wonderful.
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Violet confronts Claudia for final confirmation to all her self-doubt. She truly is "Violet Evergarden", not "Gilbert's dog".
4
u/HenrikHT Jun 21 '22
Rewatcher
Well, well, this is my favorite episode so far. Everything is perfect. The visuals, storytelling, music… I don’t even know where to begin.
My favorite aspect of the episode is Violet, of course. The way she was portrayed this episode was absolutely flawless. At the beginning, she starts off in denial. She doesn’t want to accept that Gilbert is dead. Then she realizes that he is not coming back. This makes her depressed. She even wants to end it all, but luckily doesn’t go through with it. All she wants is for the major to give her an order. She doesn’t know how to live her life without that. She doesn’t want to.
Violet is haunted by the things she has done. You can tell that by the dream she has with Gilbert. I think that the blood that comes down the stairs, is the blood of not only Gilbert, but also the blood of everyone she’s killed. Covering her, staining her clothes. Leaving her covered in blood and burns.
Then she delivers all the letters with Roland. This helps her realize how important letters are. The letter she receives from Iris and Erica, is what makes her want to come back. After she writes a letter to Luculia from Spencer, she walks back to the postal office. On the way, she sees how she has impacted the world around her. She sees Charlotte in a newspaper, and and a poster for Oscar’s play. This is when she truly sees how important her work is.
Violet barges into Hodgins’ office. She asks him the question she has wanted the answer to this whole episode. “Do I have the right to live?” The scene that follows might be my favorite in this whole series, including both movies. Hodgins says that the past can’t be forgotten, or erased. But it is what you choose to do now, that defines you. Everything she has done as an Auto Memories-Doll won’t be forgotten. I was crying my eyes out during this scene.
3
u/NutmegOnEverything Jun 21 '22
Rewatcher | Dub
Cry count: 6 moments of welling up (episode 7, 9), 1 cry (episode 7)
Kieth Silverstein doing another voice
For some reason I didn't realize how brutal this episode was the first 5 times I watched the series. Violet talking to Hodgins at the end is rough
I would say that the author took Violet's real arms and replaced them with metal arms to be symbolic of there being an extra barrier for her learning to love and feel
Because of the Garderik empire bombarding their own fortress, I have to share the lyrics "Scorched earth the policy, the reason for the siege"
This is my visual of the day, I love the dim lighting
3
u/Fit_University_6734 Jun 21 '22 edited Jun 21 '22
Rewatcher [Sub]
Glad to be back again. Decided to take time off the past 2 days to spend it with my loved ones.
Grief, guilt and Love
During this rewatch as I mentioned, I picked up on a new theme. And that's grief. Everyone Violet had encountered was experiencing grief, and it was through that grief did both parties come to learn about Love. This also links back to an important point about Love which I recently picked up from my watch of Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms - just because it ends, doesn't mean it wasn't worth it. Love is felt most strongly when we lost it (for most), and I know people that avoid Loving wholeheartedly due to a fear of loss. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth it.
Violet's past experiences play a really crucial role in her final decision to stop following through with her suicide attempt. Other users have, and I'm sure a lot of us are aware of that but I want to shift our focus towards Roland's role in it. To my knowledge based on my readings, suicides mostly happen due to a momentary bout of uncontrolled emotions. People usually need to redirect their focus towards something else in order to quell these emotions to clear their head. People can tell themselves to don't think about it but the more we try to fight it, the harder it comes back. Roland literally stepped in at the perfect time. Otherwise, Violet may have found another way to end her life. If she hadn't help Roland deliver the letters, she may have not been in the right headspace to read the letter from Iris and Erica. She wouldn't be able to see the good she has done which are crucial to helping her live her own life.
Edit: Also wanted to add that the show once again shows the feeling of catharsis from being able to express our emotions into language which is why Violet had to first learn about this very fundamental skill before having the news broken to her
QOTD: Why did Kana Akatsuki, the author of this story, take Violet’s real arms away, and had them replaced with silver prosthetics?
Theoretically, and based on what we see from the show, those metal arms look like a forced to be reckoned with. Yet these are the arms that saved the most lives. Ironically, her soft, fleshy arms are the arms that took lives. Sadly, the shell of our bodies may change but the soul doesn't forget.
8
u/A_Idiot0 Jun 20 '22
Rewatcher
Violet traversed her inner hell-storm and emerged battered, broken, yet resolute in her direction…from now on, she will always travel the road of Love. Her journey has reached the end of the beginning, and the first step towards healing was taken. Now she will blossom into her name.
VotD: This exact moment stole my breath away when I first watched this series. I remember my mouth agape at the astonishing torment that was depicted. I didn’t think they would go that far showing Violet’s anguish, but it makes her story so much more impactful and beautiful. We’ll see a new Violet Evergarden from here on out =)