"Groundhog Day" Loop: One of the reveals of this arc is that Higurashi's various arcs represent alternate timelines that have been cycling for at least a century. Only Rika and Hanyuu are aware of alternate timelines, whereas everyone else has no recollection of them.
Screw Destiny: At first, Rika thought there was no way to alter her fate, but after being confronted by Keiichi, she opened herself to him and learned that he was different. To begin with, he alters the repetitive fishing game that Rika has always played in every possible version of the Watanagashi/Meakashi timeline, and he even manages to alter his own. When Teppei returns to Hinamizawa and starts abusing Satoko again, Rika almost gives up. But then Keiichi goes to great lengths to rally at the child consultation center and succeeds in getting the authorities to intervene on her behalf.
