Ep. 1

Summary

Source-backed · Version: v1 · Original

The war has ended, but former child soldier Violet Evergarden awakens in a hospital without both arms and with no understanding of civilian life. Her new metal prostheses allow her to function, yet every thought remains centered on Major Gilbert Bougainvillea, the officer she obeyed and trusted. Colonel Claudia Hodgins collects her after recovery but avoids explaining Gilbert's fate. Gilbert had arranged for the Evergarden family to adopt Violet, hoping she could live peacefully, but her military habits and emotional detachment make the household uncomfortable. Hodgins instead brings her to Leiden and introduces the CH Postal Company, his new mail and ghostwriting business. Violet initially performs delivery work as if following orders. She then watches an Auto Memory Doll compose a letter for a man unable to express affection in writing. The client's declaration reminds her of Gilbert's final words: “I love you.” Violet knows the phrase was important but cannot understand what it meant or why he said it. For the first time, she makes a request based on her own desire rather than a command. She asks to become a Doll so that writing other people's feelings might teach her the meaning of those words.