10 Second Anime - Violet Evergarden - Episode 5

Violet helps a young princess write love letters to a neighboring country's prince.

Episode 5 - "You write letters that bring people together?"

Hmm.

This episode appears to happen quite a bit after the last episode, judging from how well Violet writes prose, instead of mere military reports, and from how much Violet is trusted to be in charge of half of a situation, which appears to be a political operation to cement a post-war peace. Leaving aside how well constructed this little love story was, and it was very well constructed, the most important part of the story is always going to be what Violet learns about love.

Telling the tale is a before and after shot of a genuine smile. It was't just for a fairy tale happily ever after. It was also seeing how two people actually wrote what they felt and what they meant to each other in a real conversation through letters. Violet's struggles with emotion have always been with what's being concealed. She may have the experience to write purple prose now, but I think at this point in her journey she still prefers to see honest outward emotion. She's learning how to do that too, as we can see in that smile that starts with her softened eyes.

One point about this particular story that I really appreciated - when the prince's handwritten letter came back and it was only one line. I was happily shocked. It also reminded me of Violet's first letter she wrote for her classmate which contained one simple emotion. Prince Damian's letter was just like that. It was an amazing moment.

Heh.

So, Claudia's company is getting drafted by the military to write love letters for royalty?

Lots of story to tell here. No opening or closing credit sequence.

That's an interesting map of their continent. No wonder they could take a train to Southeast Asia from Europe. I wonder what the rest of the world looks like.

This is an interesting idea. A public courtship of royalty to sell a union of two nations. This is real life opera, so to speak.

Princess Charlotte still acts like a lazy little girl.

Her speech is so refined in the middle of those rumpled sheets and pillows.

Wha! Violet is only 14 years old like the Princess? I thought she was 15 when she started working for Hodgins. They mature fast in this country if royalty can marry at 10 years old...

Each KyoAni production has its unique flair they add to the faces. Whether it's cross-hatching blushing cheeks, using straight lines, or whatever, there's always something to differentiate them and incorporate something from the source material. Here, it's that blush they put on the ladies' nose bridges.

So, Princess Charlotte is worried about the age difference, 10 years, between her and Prince Damian. That's understandable, but I think a marker has been laid down for something more interesting.

Um, I don't think Violet has too much experience with loveless marriages...

Aww. Princess Charlotte is more worried about Violet's future love instead of hers.

Wow. Did Violet really write that? Just how long was this time skip? Even the Princess said, "You're good at writing love letters! Hey!"

Har. The maidens in the crowd are eating these public readings up.

Wait. If Violet is ghostwriting for the Princess, that probably means there's a ghostwriter for the Prince. All this flowery language could just be two Dolls writing to each other.

Hmm. Charlotte is frustrated about something. Like how the letters just sound the same and she's not hearing anything genuine in there? Oh. But there's also the bit about a royal marriage means she leaves the kingdom, her governess Alberta behind. Real love means really growing up too. But is there more to this frustration than just impending separation?

Oho! Charlotte told Violet how she actually met Damian before, and he doesn't talk like what's in the letters. And wow! She's already in love with him from that chance meeting! Okay, this is a good love story and it's being told really well.

So, the frustration comes from wondering how Damian really feels about her. All the questions about loveless marriages, age differences, and moving away are about how it's all resolved if he loves her too.

Oh, Violet knows who the Doll is on the other side! I wonder if she'll play along.

Bam! A one line handwritten letter! These are real feelings and real people now.

Hahaha! The citizens are totally into this romance story. This is good politics too, if the people of the two nations are rooting for this union.

Loli head pat diplomacy. It just works.

Well, that's a fine romance. And the governess makes a fine mother figure too.

There it is! Cattleya was the Doll on the other side! Gah! This is a great episode.

No need to use hands to make a real smile on Violet's face.

Woof. Dietfried, Gilbert's brother, is still alive? Next episode is going to be an emotionally tough flashback to how he "acquired" her.

How fitting that he's the one that asks the title of the episode.