5 Reason Why Violet Evergarden Was Not the Masterpiece We Once Thought It Was

Violet Evergarden is often regarded as a masterpiece and there are many reasons to support that claim. Its breathtaking animation, interesting premise, and extremely emotional storytelling have placed itself in the deepest corners of one’s memory for a lot of fans out there. But as the saying goes, nothing in this universe is too perfect, and that’s the beauty of it.

Violet Evergarden | Credits: Kyoto Animation

So naturally, upon closer inspection, one can find quite a few flaws within the overall narrative of Violet Evergarden, which might be the main reason behind some fan disappointments. Of course, the finale movie especially failed to bring a proper conclusion to this beloved series but there were also a few other issues throughout Season 1. Here are 5 of such flaws that one could manage to find.

1 The series lacks a sense of realism that’s shown throughout the series

A still from the Violet Evergarden series | Credits: Kyoto Animation

Violet Evergarden’s portrayal of a post-war world is a bit overly idealistic, which lacks a sense of realism that one would expect in such a setting. Also, the characters are often depicted as being excessively kind and good-natured, which again feels unrealistic given the trauma and devastation that would typically follow a war-ravaged country.

This lack of realism certainly undermines the show’s message if you think well enough. It makes it feel shallow and simplistic. The absence of complex moral dilemmas and difficult emotional struggles further makes the characters’ experiences feel unrelatable for some. A more gritty portrayal of the post-war world would have added a bit more depth and complexity to the show, eventually making its themes and characters more believable and impactful.

2 Violet’s character has a fundamental issue

Violet from Violet Evergarden | Credits: Kyoto Animation

One may argue that Violet’s character development falls a bit short in the series, particularly when it comes to exploring the events of her traumatic past. As a child soldier, Violet had been exposed to unimaginable violence and trauma, yet her emotional scars are barely seen throughout the series. Simply saying she has become emotionless now is not enough.

Her entire character arc is just overly simplified to make room for other side stories to bloom. The fact that Violet’s emotional struggles are so effortlessly wrapped up makes the narrative a bit more unrealistic. Also, there was little to no struggle or conflict, with Violet transitioning from a violent soldier to a compassionate letter writer. Which further seems a bit odd.

3 Some of the heaviest scenes of the series were presented as overly simplistic

Olive from Violet Evergarden | Credits: Kyoto Animation

The show’s emphasis on the therapeutic power of writing letters may feel overly simplistic for some, and that’s understandable. Every episode, Violet writes a letter that miraculously resolves the recipient’s emotional turmoil which may be agonizing to watch but shouldn’t be that easy.

There’s certainly a lack of subtlety here that undermines the show’s themes, making them feel more like a forced lesson than a genuine exploration of the human experience.

Not even once there’s any character who rejects or struggles with the emotions expressed in Violet’s letters. And that is extremely idealistic. So it sometimes feels like a missed opportunity that the series could properly explore the themes of human connection in a more nuanced way.

4 The show resolved the complex conflicts a bit too easily

Violet from episode 13 of Season 1 | Credits: Kyoto Animation

Simply relying on Violet’s letter-writing as a means of resolving complex conflicts can also feel overly idealistic. Time and again, Violet’s letters mended relationships healed emotional wounds, and brought people together, often with little to no effort. This undermines the gravity of the conflicts themselves, making them feel like minor speed bumps rather than genuine problems.

Such an approach to resolving conflicts is not only unrealistic but also unsatisfying for some. Neglecting the true scale of complexities and difficulties of real-world conflicts, the show sometimes fails to provide meaningful insights. The lack of tension, conflict, or growth in these character moments makes them feel rather shallow, which leaves some of the viewers with a sense of disappointment.

5 The age gap between Violet and Gilbert is literally unacceptable

Violet and Gilbert from Violet Evergarden: The Movie | Credits: Kyoto Animation

The significant age gap between Violet and Gilbert was already a major concern from the very start of the series, but initially one could perceive it simply as a father and adoptive daughter relationship. But the finale movie turned the tables upside down, with probably the most unwanted twist.

The movie quite literally implies a romantic relationship between these two characters, which is simply ridiculous and also blurs the lines between consent, authority, and vulnerability.

The movie failed to critically examine this age gap and its implications, and that is not something that fans expected. Instead, they could’ve simply portrayed their relationship as a beautiful and redemptive one, with Gilbert’s love and care healing Violet’s emotional wounds all throughout to the end.

All the Violet Evergarden movies and series are available to watch on Netflix.