Violet Evergarden is the central protagonist in the Japanese light novel and anime series Violet Evergarden. Formerly utilized as a weapon in a war, she now faces difficulties in adapting to civilian life. The focus of her character development centers on her journey to comprehend empathy and emotions, as she strives to overcome the aftermath of the war and move forward.
If you were moved by Violet’s growth as a character and her emotional journey, here are 10 other anime characters who exhibit similar qualities of overcoming trauma, developing empathy, discovering their purpose, and undergoing remarkable character transformations.
8 Anime Characters Like Violet Evergarden
Kaori Miyazono: A Character Analysis of Your Lie in April
Kaori Miyazono, the female protagonist of the coming-of-age anime drama Your Lie in April, shares a similar goal with Violet Evergarden in that she is determined to help someone else express their emotions.
The female character uses her lively personality and skilled violin playing to pull the male lead out of his emotional numbness. He is a former piano prodigy who is battling with depression and coping with the loss of his mother.
Throughout the anime, Kaori assists the male protagonist in confronting his troubled past and rediscovering his ability to truly experience emotions. Their bond leads to significant personal development for both individuals. Tragically, Kaori harbors secrets of her own.
Winry Rockbell: A Mechanical Prodigy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Winry Rockbell serves as the mechanic and childhood friend of the Elric brothers. She frequently reprimands them for their reckless behavior, demonstrating her deep concern and affection for them.
In a similar manner to Violet Evergarden’s decision to become an Auto Memory Doll in order to comprehend emotions, Winry is motivated by her love for mechanics and her determination to aid Edward Elric after he loses his limbs. Throughout the narrative, Winry uncovers the deeper intricacies behind the political tensions.
Through her emotional trials, she exemplifies how regular people become entangled in war conflicts that surpass their understanding. Despite the challenges, she gathers the strength to take action and aid in any way she can.
Nezuko Kamado’s Role in Demon Slayer
Nezuko Kamado is the younger sister of Tanjiro Kamado and a demon in the popular dark fantasy anime Demon Slayer. Following the massacre of her family and her transformation into a demon, Nezuko accompanies Tanjiro on his journey to find a cure for her condition and prevent any future tragedies.
Despite being transformed into a demon, Nezuko still possesses her human emotions and empathy thanks to her strong willpower. Similar to Violet Evergarden, Nezuko was exposed to violence at a young age, yet she continues to show compassion. Throughout the anime, she learns to utilize her demonic abilities to aid humans.
4) Casca from Berserk
Casca initially stands out as the sole female soldier in the Band of the Hawk mercenary group in the dark medieval fantasy world of Berserk. Despite facing a male-dominated environment, she excels through her exceptional swordsmanship and strong leadership abilities.
Throughout the narrative, she undergoes a transformation into a more vulnerable version of herself as a result of developing an intimate relationship with the protagonist, Guts. Regrettably, Casca eventually experiences significant trauma, similar to Violet Evergarden.
Despite her struggles, she manages to find the resilience to survive and, with the assistance of Guts, she strives to adjust to her reality and overcome her pain. Casca’s combination of femininity, fierceness, and vulnerability solidifies her as one of the most intricate female characters in anime.
Character Profile: Lucy from Elfen Lied
Despite being the main character in the sci-fi horror anime Elfen Lied, Lucy’s story is a tragic one. From a young age, she faced isolation and emotional damage, until a traumatic event revealed her supernatural abilities.
Despite being subjected to years of experimentation, trauma ultimately fractures her psyche into distinct personalities. The story delves into important themes such as prejudice, the struggle to maintain one’s sense of self, feelings of remorse, and the capacity for both cruelty and kindness within humanity.
Lucy and Violet share a common desire to understand humanity, despite both having experienced trauma at the hands of humans. Though their unique abilities have made them feel isolated, they are determined to connect with others and overcome their feelings of detachment.
Character: San from Princess Mononoke
San, also known as Princess Mononoke, is the main character in Studio Ghibli’s renowned fantasy movie Princess Mononoke. Having been raised by wolves since childhood, San bravely defends the forest spirits against humans who are causing harm to nature.
Growing up in the wilderness with limited human contact, she develops her values and feral fighting skills. However, when she meets Ashitaka, a merciful human protagonist, he gradually shows her that reconciliation with humankind is achievable.
As her animosity lessens, she transforms into an advocate for coexistence rather than aggression. Similar to Violet Evergarden, San is developing a peaceful approach to navigating a world that challenges her.
Fate/Stay Night – Sakura Matou
Sakura Matou is a prominent figure in the visual novel and anime series Fate/Stay Night. Despite enduring years of terrible mistreatment from her family in order to cultivate her hidden magecraft, Sakura continues to present herself as a kind and obedient person, all the while secretly succumbing to her inner darkness.
As her darker side craves self-destruction and the destruction of the world, the protagonist Shirou must fight to save Sakura from her inner turmoil throughout the story. Both Sakura and Violet have endured deeply traumatic experiences that have fractured them. However, their eventual path to redemption serves as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Rin Nohara: A character from Naruto Shippuden
Rin Nohara is a character in the popular ninja action anime Naruto Shippuden and was the childhood teammate and friend of Obito and Kakashi. Although her character is not extensively explored in the main storyline, it is revealed that Rin is a kind and considerate girl who acted as a source of emotional support for her team.
Despite tragically dying at a young age, she had developed immense admiration for Kakashi, as depicted in the anime and manga series. Her death ultimately had a negative impact on Obito’s personality and worldview.
Like how Violet Evergarden was a significant figure in Gilbert’s life, Rin’s presence also brought out the best in those around her. However, her absence resulted in an increase in the plot’s trauma and drama.
9) Character Introduction: Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion
In the popular mecha anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, Rei Ayanami is a mysterious Evangelion pilot who possesses traces of the late mother’s DNA of protagonist Shinji Ikari, and is also an albino.
Despite her subdued and compliant demeanor, Rei’s moments of introspection demonstrate her contemplation of her role in life and connections outside of her duties as a pilot. As she begins to acknowledge and embrace emotions beyond her programming, she transforms from a detached instrument into a compassionate human being.
Much like how Gilbert’s encounter with Violet Evergarden contributes to his personal development, Shinji’s attraction to Rei prompts him to face challenging realities about himself.
10) The Character of Ai Enma in Hell Girl
Ai Enma is the protagonist of the horror anime Hell Girl, portrayed as a tragic figure. She was a kind girl from a small village who was brutally sacrificed by the townspeople. In her return as Hell Girl, she seeks justice by damning abusive individuals to hell when summoned by desperate victims who utilize her supernatural services.
Although she is known for her vengeful actions, glimpses of Ai’s previous humanity and empathy can be seen in her interactions with clients who use her services to send people to hell. She develops a genuine connection with a particular girl and chooses to spare her from eternal punishment.
As Violet Evergarden grapples with her military background and conflicting emotions, Ai also struggles with her sense of self as Hell Girl and her lingering compassion for others.
Conclusion
Violet Evergarden and other anime characters serve as intriguing examples of the unbreakable strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their diverse emotional paths, which encompass experiences of pain, progress, healing, and empathy, are all universally relatable.
Violet’s aspiration to understand love solidifies her position alongside remarkable anime characters who acknowledge that suppressing their emotions only restricts their perspective. Witnessing their growth and understanding through the power of empathy and communication can motivate viewers to be more self-aware and empathetic towards others.
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