Violet Evergarden beautifully portrayed the importance of moving forward, even in the face of heartache and uncertainty. Violet's journey towards self-discovery and understanding is a testament to resilience and the capacity for human growth. However, the decision to resurrect Gilbert diminishes the narrative's emphasis on resilience and the transformative power of healing. Instead of confronting and overcoming her grief in a realistic and meaningful way, Violet is granted a shortcut to happiness through Gilbert's return, bypassing the emotional depth and complexity that defined her character arc.
Moreover, the reintroduction of Gilbert raises questions about the thematic coherence of the series. Throughout Violet Evergarden, there is a recurring motif of letting go and finding closure, symbolized by the act of writing letters. Characters often use letters as a means of expressing their emotions, reconciling with their past, and moving forward. However, by bringing Gilbert back to life, the narrative undermines this motif, suggesting that closure and moving on are attainable only through the restoration of what was lost rather than through acceptance and growth. The decision to resurrect Gilbert raises logistical and narrative inconsistencies within the series.
In conclusion, while the Violet Evergarden movie undoubtedly provides closure for fans who longed to see Violet and Gilbert reunited, the decision to bring Gilbert back to life ultimately diminishes the emotional depth and thematic integrity of the series. By undercutting Violet's journey towards acceptance and growth, the narrative sacrifices poignancy and resonance for the sake of a tidy, albeit unsatisfying, resolution. As a result, Violet's character arc feels somewhat hollow and the thematic richness of the series is compromised.
