At Your Service
Everyone’s favorite Auto Memory Doll looks set to make a triumphant return with an upcoming film in 2020. Violet’s position as a ghost writer and life as a former weapon of war made her anime one of the most breathtaking and moving series to come out of the winter, showing how a written word can practically reshape someone’s life. Before we’re treated to her theatrical outing, we’re going to count down the five moments that managed to nearly drown us in feels.
Fair warning, there will be SPOILERS AHEAD!
#5: The Train
While far more action-orientated than the rest of the episodes of the series, watching Violet taking an explosion for the one man who hates her the most is nothing short of inspiring. With fluid animation complimenting the impact of the fight, Violet managed to demonstrate that while she does still have the capability to be an instrument of death, her life as an Auto Memory Doll has shown her the value of life, and why she will never kill again.
#4: Gilbert’s End
From the get-go we were made aware of Mayor Gilbert and his importance to the then-broken Violet, as well as his gruesome fate towards the end of the war effort. While she had remained in blissful ignorance up until this point, the revelation of Gilbert’s demise as well as the constant flashbacks leading up to his death managed to paint the scene in a whole new depressing light, since we had finally come to understand and respect the first person to show Violet love.
#3: The Parasol
Tasked with helping a famous writer finish his latest play, Violet discovers he has fallen into a drunken spiral due to the death of his daughter and is now unable to finish his work. However, due to her uncanny likeness to his daughter, Violet is able to bring him out of his stupor by enacting part of the play via jumping over a stream with a parasol. Remembering all the happy times with his daughter, the writer finally makes his peace with her parting. The scene isn’t only gorgeous to behold, but the interjected flashbacks and serene music will have you fighting back tears before you know it.
#2: Marriage
A much smaller moment in comparison to Violet’s other endeavours, but still one of profuse emotional poignancy. After Violet’s letters manage to aid in the marriage between two royal teens, it looks like things are all set for a beautiful wedding. Before she sets off to walk down the aisle, Princess Charlotte has a tender moment with her maid Alberta, thanking her for raising her and that she views her as her true mother. It’s a truly touching moment that speaks volumes about a relationship that feels wholeheartedly organic.
#1: 50 Years
Talk about a payoff. For the most part, this episode kept the attention squarely focused on a little girl named Ann, one slowly becomes increasingly annoyed that her sick mother is spending her time with Violet, making letters for an unknown cause. As it happens, she was organising letters to be sent to Ann on her birthday for the next fifty years, so she won’t ever have to feel alone. The sheer amount of dedication and affection in this action is so strong that it even made Violet breakdown with tears!
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 5 Best Anime of Winter 2018.Â
