After discussing with Littleneko on who the next Girl of the Month is going to be…we have chosen Furude Rika from the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni series! Go ahead and read on about our priestess of the Hinamizawa village.

General Bio

Fullname: Furude Rika (古手 梨花)
Series: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Age: Most probably over 100 years old
Birthday: Unknown
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown

Related Information

Appearance: Wears a light green spaghetti-strapped knee-length dress most of the time.
Lives with: Houjyou Satoko
Interested in: Akasaka Mamoru (if I am not mistaken)
Seiyuu: Tamura Yukari (Japanese) ; Reba West (English) ; Gabrielle Jeru (French) ; Aika (Live Action)

Character Storyline
-Contains Major Spoilers-

Furude Rika is the main-character for the Minagoroshi-hen and also the one which got most focus in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (the anime’s second season). A younger classmate in Maebara Keiichi’s school who lives together with her best friend of the same grade, Houjyou Satoko. Is respected by the villagers of Hinamizawa as the heir of the local shrine and also the miko for the yearly Watanagashi Festival. She has been the head of the Furude house ever since her parents passed away but rarely participates in town meetings due to her tender age.

Rika is fond of saying words like, “mii” and “nippah” and often ends her sentences with “-nano desu” (”is it so”). Besides that, she also likes describing events with sound effects, such as “The cat was going ‘nya nya’ and ’scritch scritch’”.

On an added note, she is one of the main components (besides Furude Hanyuu) in the eternally repeating June 1983, and is the only one who is able to consistently remember past repetitions. Rika believes that she has lived over 100 years by the time of the Tsumihoroboshi-hen, but continues her act as a child in order not to have her friends suspicious over her. Prior to the Matsuribayashi-hen, she is the only one able to see Hanyuu, who has been an “imaginary friend” to her all her life.

Despite her young appearance, Rika seems to be quite fond of wine as well as kimchi. Both Rika and Hanyuu are linked through their senses, but it appeared to be redundant later on in the Matsubayashi-hen, most likely caused by Hanyuu’s coming into the world (others are then able to see her). It is hinted that the wine Rika drinks is to be Bernkastel vintage.

Description

Appears cutely to most of her friends, but will act maturely and change her tone in serious situations. Is often expressionless in her serious self and often confuses people on which of her personas is her true identity. Has only lost her sanity once in one of the episodes near the end of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai. Seems to bring out her fragile self when she sees Akasaka Mamoru in that said anime season.

Miscellaneous Information

Name: Deformation Maniac Figure Collection #1: Rika
Series: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Company: Banpresto
Released: February 2009
Price: 1045 Yen
Link
(information in thanks to Matteas)

[2nd and 3rd screenshots from RandomCuriosity ; Post's introduction picture from akibakko.net]

Related posts:

1. Saimoe 2009 Group D