Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll 2020

Violet Evergarden is tasked by the Drossel royal family to attend a distinguished girls’ boarding school, where she is to assist a student named Isabella York in her debutante training. As Violet spends time with Isabella, it becomes increasingly evident that she feels out of place at the school, struggling to acclimate to the environment and showing little interest in pursuing the traditional skills expected of her. To make matters worse, Isabella suffers from bouts of illness, marked by coughing fits that impede her daily activities.

Initially, Isabella is skeptical of Violet, but her perception shifts once she discerns that Violet does not regard her aristocratic lineage with awe. In a moment of vulnerability, Isabella opens up to Violet about her past, revealing that she was born as Amy Bartlett, an illegitimate child of the York family. Having experienced life in poverty, she had even adopted a young orphan named Taylor as her sister. Eventually, the York family tracked her down, offering her a chance at a new life in exchange for a better future for Taylor. With a heavy heart, Isabella accepted their proposition, knowing she would struggle to provide for Taylor on her own. Per Isabella’s request, Violet composes a heartfelt letter for Taylor, marking the completion of her initial task before returning to Leiden. This letter is delivered by Benedict Blue to Taylor, who resides in an orphanage.

Fast forward three years, and Taylor embarks on a journey to find the CH Postal Company in Leiden, where she is eager to meet Violet and become a postman herself. Despite hesitating to employ a child, Claudia Hodgins approves Violet’s plea to allow Taylor to work there temporarily until arrangements can be made for her return to the orphanage, assigning Benedict to mentor her. Shortly thereafter, during their delivery runs, Benedict discovers that Taylor cannot read, which poses a significant obstacle in her new role. Recognizing the importance of literacy, Violet steps in to teach Taylor how to read and write.

On their subsequent delivery route, Taylor shares her aspiration of becoming a postman with Violet, expressing her desire to “deliver happiness,” much like Benedict did when he brought Isabella’s letter to her. Together, they pen a letter addressed to Isabella, and Benedict commits to finding her for delivery. With a new motorcycle obtained from Hodgins, Benedict takes Taylor along on the mission to reunite her with Isabella. However, Taylor decides to wait to meet Isabella until she has earned her place as a genuine postman, hoping to deliver her letters independently. In the end, Taylor is adopted by the Evergarden family, while Violet and Benedict continue to fulfill their duties at the postal company, further extending their journey of connection and hope.