list of moments from the poppy war trilogy that I won't forget
Rin bemoaning the fact that she's going to join the Cike because it's for "losers and rejects" and asking why Altan wasn't assigned to the Cike. Altan promptly entering as the Cike's literal commander and asking, "what was that about losers and rejects?"
Su Daji and Jiang's bromance, but particularly that scene where Daji tells Jiang that she cooked Jinzha into dumplings and Jiang saying "darling, fucking what?"
Kitay making Rin the wings and Rin flying for the first time and then spinning around with Kitay after she lands, the two of them so joyous together. this scene is literally embodiment of their relationship.
Jiang punching Rin and the ground absorbing the energy. Jiang spinning Rin around, calling her a brilliant child, because she's done it, she's learned combat.
Altan pressing his forehead against Rin. Telling her she's the bravest person he knows, and telling her how to get to Speer. The last two Speerlies knowing that it's about to be the last Speerly, all alone, in a world that doesn't see her as human. Altan giving Rin a way to the home she's never known.
Rin culling Pipaji, adopting the legacy of the Cike, all of whom are dead or gone. Rin is the only one carrying this legacy of necessary violence. Rin going to the graveyard of babies in Arlong to bury Pipaji's ashes, and seeing a vision of Altan. She tells him that she understands that he pushed her because he saw her as a weapon, and he tells her that that doesn't mean he never loved her. That people think that commanders, those in their position, don't care, but they do. They love their shamans so much, but they've still gotta do what they gotta do. Rin saying that she isn't strong enough, that it should have been him, and him telling her that maybe that's true, but she's the one who got out, and therefore, she owes it to the dead to see it through.
Rin alerting the dirigibles to the Trifecta's whereabouts in the temple so they can all kill each other, and then, as she's leaving the mountain, making a vulgar gesture and yelling fuck you all! that's for speer! because at the end of the day, neither parties fought for her people.
Rin asking Venka to be her archer, because unlike others, Rin never saw Venka as diminished just because of the fact that she was raped. Rin respected her as a warrior; she even gave Venka a new bow from the Hinterlands!!
Rin telling Moag that if she tries any funny shit, she'll fucking kill her; Moag, laughing, since she's done it! Rin, the formerly opioid addicted, traumatized girl who bowed down to others and was constantly manipulated and used and abused, is now a formidable leader in her own right! Moag marveling at the fact that Rin grew a massive pair of balls and Rin admitting to herself that she respects Moag, who, as a woman, clawed her way to power.
Rin showing Sister Petra the Pantheon and breaking her
Rin calling her fire on Speer and completely decimating the Hesperian army until Kitay cuts her off; Rin, almost overriding Kitay and breaking him, only to be brought back when he tells her she's hurting him, and then deciding that she loves him too much. Rin, who once looked down on Tearza for giving up immeasurable power for love, now doing the same thing. Rin, sacrificing herself for the survival of her country, choosing to play the long game, knowing that Nezha's job of cleaning up all the destruction she's left is going to be hard, so hard, but still entrusting him with her last words: "fix this" -- right before she forces his hand, holding the knife, into her heart.
The one night truce between Kitay, Rin, and Nezha as they drink wine and hold vigil.
