Rika Furude emerges as a central figure in the narrative, appearing as a youthful shrine maiden in Hinamizawa Village. The eighth-generation heir of the Furude lineage, she is believed to embody the village deity Oyashiro-sama, earning unwavering reverence from locals. Her family’s ancient prophecy—that the eighth consecutive firstborn daughter would become Oyashiro-sama’s vessel—grants her unique privileges, such as taking candy freely as a child. Orphaned young after her father’s death from illness in 1981 and her mother’s drowning in Onigafuchi Swamp, Rika is raised under the village mayor’s guardianship. She resides in a modest disaster shelter near Furude Shrine, later sharing it with Satoko Houjou following Satoko’s familial collapse. Annually, Rika performs the Watanagashi Festival’s ritual dance, a role demanding rigorous practice that strains her small frame. Behind her playful facade—marked by chirpy phrases like “Nipah~☆,” playful clapping, and a knack for soothing others—lies a world-weary soul shaped by over a century of repeating timelines. This duality surfaces in her speech: a childlike use of “boku” contrasts with the refined “watashi” of her hidden self, “Dark Rika,” who emerges privately with Hanyuu, her ancestor and spectral companion. Her mature persona speaks in a somber tone, eyes dulled by cyclical despair. As the “queen carrier” of Hinamizawa Syndrome, Rika’s death unleashes a lethal chain reaction, dooming the village. To subvert this, she loops through timelines via Hanyuu’s power, retaining fragmented memories across lifetimes. Centuries of repetition breed cynicism; she vents frustration by tormenting Hanyuu through shared sensory links, consuming spicy food or wine to provoke discomfort. Her bond with Satoko, forged in shared loneliness after Satoshi’s disappearance, fractures when Rika’s academic success at St. Lucia Academy strains their relationship. Hanyuu, once a maternal guide, becomes a reluctant anchor in Rika’s temporal odyssey, their connection frayed yet unbroken by resentment. Temporal respite proves fleeting. A violent death at St. Lucia thrusts Rika back into the loops, now entangled with Satoko’s manipulative defiance. Their clash reignites her struggle to carve a peaceful future. Petite with long indigo hair styled in a hime cut and violet eyes, Rika dons school uniforms or ornate miko robes during festivals. Some adaptations briefly depict crimson irises during emotional peaks. She masks her exhaustion with calculated whimsy, deploying cuteness to sway games with friends. Private moments reveal her clutching wine or kimchi—both indulgences and weapons against Hanyuu. Despite the weight of endless cycles, she clings to hope for a timeline where her friends survive unbroken.