WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Violet Evergarden: The Movie, now streaming on Netflix.
A child solider used solely as a human weapon among the horrific brutality of a four-year war, Violet Evergarden finds herself alone and deeply wounded following its end. An orphan raised to engage in violence, Violet struggles to understand emotions and becomes an Auto Memory Doll -- helping others convey their thoughts and emotions through writing -- to decipher the meaning of love.
Though writing emotionally driven letters proves to be difficult, Violet is eventually able to tap into her heart, impacting others just as they impact her. She discovers many forms of love along her journey and, in turn, starts to make sense of what it means to her -- specifically the words "I love you" said to her by her beloved Major Gilbert Bougainvillea.
Who Is Gilbert Bougainvillea And His Implied Fate
An accomplished solider in the fictional Leidenschaftlich Army, Gilbert's older brother, Dietfried, gifts him with a young Violet -- having found her abandoned on a battlefield -- as a present for his promotion. Dietfried treats Violet abrasively, not as a person but a tool, and expects Gilbert to do the same. However, Gilbert is strongly against his brother's actions and takes Violet under his wing, treating her with compassion and kindness instead. He gives Violet her name, teaches her how to speak, read and write, views her as a human being, and Violet comes to trust him immensely as a result.
Amid the war's final battle, Gilbert's unit faces severe casualties until he and Violet are the only soldiers of their unit left alive. However, after being exposed to heavy fire, Gilbert is left in a near-death state and Violet loses both of her arms. The structure they found refuge in is about to collapse and Gilbert can't move, but Violet can't leave him behind. In their last moments together, Gilbert confesses he loves Violet and wishes for her to live happily and freely. Then, Gilbert somehow finds the strength needed to push Violet out of harm's way, thus saving her -- but not himself.
Not wanting to hinder Violet's recovery, she is not told about Gilbert's fate until a distant relative of his, Tiffany Evergarden, tells her otherwise. After confronting Claudia Hodgins, her boss and a former friend of Gilbert's, it's revealed that his body was never found and Gilbert was officially declared as missing in action. Enough time went by where those around him began to believe he is dead, even setting up a grave at his mansion. Violet Evergarden ends with Violet wholeheartedly believing Gilbert is still alive as she continues to live her life in hopes of one day seeing him again.
How The Violet Evergarden Movie Challenged Gilbert's Fate
Violet Evergarden: The Movie reignites questions about Gilbert's fate after Hodgins coincidentally discovers a letter from the isolated Island of Ecarte -- with handwriting extremely reminiscent of Gilbert's. With this clue in hand, Violet and Hodgins take a trip to the island to investigate. It is here where they finally learn that Gilbert has been alive the entire time.
As it turns out, Gilbert is now a schoolteacher, helping children learn how to read and write while attempting to aid a community that faced great casualties during the war. However, he is anything but happy. Haunted by the past, Gilbert seems to have exiled himself as punishment. He believes he made Violet unhappy and contributed to using her as a weapon. Thus he is consumed by an intense guilt, convinced he will only cause Violet to suffer more pain. This is why he never reached out to her, and refuses to see her throughout much of the film.
Rather, Gilbert doesn't think he deserves her love and trust. But by Violet Evergarden: The Movie's end, he gives in and wants nothing more than to have Violet by his side, implying a future where they work through life's trials and tribulations together.