The wait for Violet Evergarden was a long one, but it was more than worth it. Boasting top of the line animation, a compelling story and an enthralling character progression arc via its titular protagonist, the series stands as one of the highest achievements in the medium and a sure-fire hit for anyone looking for a good show. At only 13 episodes, however, it’s easy to deplete the series in one or two viewing sessions and leave yourself wanting so much more. To that end, we’ve got seven anime like Violet Evergarden if you’re looking for something similar.
Mushi-Shi
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Quiet, contemplative and ethereal in tone, Mushi-Shi is the perfect series for when you want to relax and chill out with a good show. Set between the Edo and Meiji periods in Japan, the series follows Ginko, a Mushi Master who wanders the country in search of supernatural beings known as Mushi. Lingering on the edge of our world and the next, these creatures can bring fortune or ruin to human beings at the drop of a hat, leaving Ginko to discover ways to keep them in check and set the world back to its rightful order.
Where other series would veer toward action with a plot like this, Mushi-Shi instead takes a more thoughtful approach to each new creature or encounter. Instead of some climactic fight, problems are solved by learning about creatures and people, analyzing why their lives intersected and trying to achieve a sort of coexistence that benefits both sides. It’s a refreshing change of pace for an anime series, and a perfect experience for anyone who enjoys a more down-to-earth take on the fantastical.
Death Parade
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
A young, black-haired woman awakens in a strange facility, unaware of who she is or how she got there. She is greeted by the facility’s workers and informed that it is a place where the dead are judged for how they lived their lives: If they lived good lives and are judged by the facility’s workers, they’re sent to heaven and reincarnated for another chance at life; but, if they are found to have lived a life of violence or selfishness, they’re sent to hell and will forever pay for their crimes. Until her memories return, she is assigned as an assistant to Decim, one such judge of the dead who evaluates souls with a variety of bar games, and the two strive to discover if there truly is a right or wrong way to live one’s life.
One of the more original series to come to anime in recent years, Death Parade is the kind of show that sticks with you long after you’re done watching. From the interactions and debates between characters to the grim realization of another, better outcome to their decisions, each new scenario and soul to judge raises questions for both the characters and the viewer. It’s an emotional roller coaster that’s well worth the price of admission, even if it’s a brief one at only 12 episodes.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
For protagonist Hatori Chise, there’s nothing left in her life worth living for. Alone, haunted by demons and desperate for a way out, she signs a contract to be sold to the highest bidder in an underground black market of the occult. Soon after, she is sold to Elias Ainsworth, a ghastly creature of a mage in search of an apprentice, and taken to his home in England to learn the ways of magic and become a part of a strange new world.
Though accurate, no brief description can do justice to the story Ancient Magus’ Bride crafts. Each character, from Chise to Elias and to the many people surrounding them, has moments of legitimate growth and flaws which make them feel real, even in a magical setting on par with the likes of Harry Potter. In addition, the art and animation are fantastic, lending life and emotion to a story already ripe with these elements. If you’re looking for something that can strike you to your core, look no further.
Gargantia of the Verdurous Planet
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Whereas Violet Evergreen places viewers in a steampunk version of the future, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet drops them in the far-flung future full of mechs, massive sea creatures and sea-faring civilizations. Following a battle in space, the mech pilot Ensign Ledo crash lands on one such sea vessel and is taken in by its inhabitants. From there, he and the audience are exposed to a world of careful coexistence with the planet-spanning sea, co-operation among different creeds and nationalities, and stark contrasts in ideologies between those who espouse order and those who seek peace.
A gorgeous and creative take on the typical mech anime framework, Gargantia is a great time for anyone who enjoys something different. It may take a little while to rev up its story, but the heartwarming stories and upbeat characters will make it an enjoyable and uplifting wait.
5 Centimeters Per Second
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Takaki Tōno and Akari Shinohara encounter each other as children and become fast friends, bonding over their similar interests and eventually developing feelings for one another as the years go by. However, due to their families needing to move to different sides of the country, they’re separated from one another before their love can fully bloom, only able to share one kiss before drifting toward different paths in life. What follows is their different journeys in coming to terms with the loss of each other, and how each learns to live with the fact that they couldn’t be together.
It’s no understatement to say this is a melancholy film, but beneath some of the more depressing undertones is a relatable tale of losing someone we care about, the grief it can cause and the process of moving on. It may not be the easiest story to go through, but it’s still one that has a fantastic payoff for those who stick it out.
Kino’s Journey
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Whether its the original 2003 series or the recent 2017 reimagining, Kino’s Journey is the kind of series that is perfect for those who like to see a character take on different scenarios and situations. Set in a world where travelers journey to different countries and locations in search of a home, Kino and her talking bike Hermes drift from one place to the next, drawn into a variety of conflicts and sticky situations they have to pick a side in.
From a town where murder is legal to a city where everyone must maintain a lie to ensure peace, each locale offers something new for Kino and the viewer to ponder, and the animation and sound design help to give it all a very relaxed and thoughtful atmosphere. It’s not a traditional anime by any means, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect for sitting down to when you need something to make you think.
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
Anime Like Violet Evergarden if You’re Looking for Something Similar
For all the things Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood does well, there are still elements its 2003 predecessor did better. Case in point: The original series does a far better job at selling the permanency of the consequences Ed and Al, two prodigal alchemists who lost their limbs and body respectively in an attempt to revive their mother, face for their decisions. There are no easy solutions to their problems, and as they get dragged further into the turmoil around them, they are forced to find the value in what they still have versus what they’ve lost.
Dark as it may sound, there’s a sort of optimism that can be found by the end of the series, one that feels legitimate and earned in a way the follow-up series’ conclusion can’t manage. If Violet Evergarden’s tale of acceptance and personal growth struck a chord with you, then this is most certainly the version of Fullmetal that is best suited for your tastes.
Know of any other great series for Violet Evergarden fans? Post them in the comments below, and be sure to check out some of Twinfinite’s other great anime content here.
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