Violet Evergarden - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to understand the meaning of the words "I love you," which were spoken to her by Major Gilbert Bougainvillea before his disappearance. This singular goal drives her to become an Auto Memory Doll, believing that by understanding others' feelings, she can decipher her own and comprehend what Gilbert meant.

Violet begins the series as an emotionally stunted child soldier, raised to be a weapon and capable only of following orders. Her journey is one of profound humanization. By working as an Auto Memory Doll, she is exposed to the full spectrum of human feeling. Initially, her attempts to write letters are rigid and literal. Through her experiences, she slowly develops empathy, learns to cry, laugh, and grieve. By the end of the series, she has transformed from a passive "tool" into an autonomous individual who not only understands love but can express it herself, having found her own purpose and a way to live with her past.

Gilbert's core motivation is to protect Violet and ensure she has a future free from violence and killing. He wants her to live and be free, not as a soldier or a tool, but as a person. His love for her is protective and paternal, though it deepens into romantic affection which he struggles to express given their circumstances as soldiers.

Gilbert's arc is primarily told through flashbacks and the memories of others. He is the first person to see Violet as a human being rather than a weapon, giving her a name and trying to provide her with a life beyond the battlefield. He is tormented by the guilt of using her in the war, which contradicts his desire for her to live a normal life. His final act is to push her towards freedom and confess his love, setting the stage for her entire post-war journey. In the sequel film, he is revealed to be alive, and his arc concludes with him confronting his guilt and finally accepting a future with Violet.

Hodgins is motivated by his promise to his friend Gilbert to take care of Violet. He feels a deep sense of responsibility for her well-being and is committed to helping her find a new purpose in life after the war. He genuinely cares for her, viewing her like a daughter.

A former army commander and a good friend of Gilbert's, Hodgins becomes Violet's guardian after the war. He establishes the CH Postal Company and gives Violet a home and a job. Initially, he struggles with how to handle the emotionally detached Violet and carries the burden of knowing the truth about Gilbert's supposed death. Throughout the series, he acts as a supportive, fatherly figure, gently guiding Violet's integration into civilian life and watching over her emotional growth. He fulfills his promise to Gilbert by ensuring Violet finds her own way.