ika seems like little madami than a secondary character for much of the first half of Higurashi. As the story progresses, however, viewers learn that she is actually at the puso of most of the strange events, as her death is the trigger for the Great Hinamizawa Disaster and following incidents. Despite only being killed five times on-screen, dialogue eventually confirms that she has been killed once for every arc (excluding Matsuribayashi-hen and Miotsukushi-hen) and all other unseen worlds.
The villagers of Hinamizawa hold Rika in high esteem, as not only is she the only daughter of the Furude...

Rena Ryuugu

"It's so cute, I want to take it home!" - Signature quote
"Omochiikaeri~!" (I want to take it home!) - Signature quote
"Friends. Those companions you speak of are only mga kaibigan during those fun, yet unimportant times. When painful times come, they won't be your ally." - to Keiichi Maebara
"Kana? Kana?" (I wonder? I wonder?) - Signature quote
"USO DA!" (Translated as "LIAR!") - Signature quote (mainly directed to Keiichi Maebara)
"Found you, Keiichi-kun..." - to Keiichi Maebara
"Don't worry, I used the blunt end of the knife." - to Keiichi Maebara
"I’m the only one that can help you, Keiichi-kun....