Violet Evergarden is a Japanese light novel series written by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase. It won the grand prize in the fifth Kyoto AnimationAward’s novel category in 2014, the first ever work to win a grand prize in any of the three categories (novel, scenario, and manga).Kyoto Animation published the first light novel on December 25, 2015, under their KA Esuma Bunko imprint.Violet evergarden
Violet is sent to a prestigious girls’ boarding school by request of the Drossel Royal Family to assist one of the students, Isabella York, in her training as a debutante. As Violet accompanies Isabella, it becomes clear that she does not like attending the school since she finds it difficult to fit in and has no interest in learning any of the skills required for a debutante. She also is not in good health, as she suffers from periodic coughing fits. Isabella is initially distrustful of Violet but becomes more accepting of her when she realizes Violet is not interested in her aristocratic status. Isabella later reveals to Violet that she was Amy Bartlett, an illegitimate child of the York family.
She used to live in poverty and adopted an orphan, Taylor, as her younger sister. However, the York family later tracked her down and asked her to join the family, with them promising a better life for Taylor in return. Realizing she couldn’t properly care for Taylor, Isabella reluctantly accepted. Isabella then has Violet write a letter for Taylor. With her job done, Violet returns to Leiden. Benedict delivers the letter to Taylor, who now lives at an orphanage.Three years later, Taylor makes her way to Leiden to find the CH Postal Company, where she finally meets Violet and asks to work as a postman. While reluctant to hire a child, Hodgins allows Violet’s request to let Taylor work at the company until he can arrange her return to her orphanage, and assigns Benedict to train her. After taking Taylor along his route, Benedict realizes that Taylor cannot read, meaning she wouldn’t be able to read addresses on letters.