The film follows traditional mystery tropes within a heteronormative framework. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or same-sex intimacy present in the plot.

The narrative centers on a male protagonist who drives the investigation. While a female companion offers a secondary perspective, the film largely reinforces traditional gender roles.

Set in Shanghai, the film uses a Chinese backdrop through a Japanese lens. The cast remains primarily Japanese, leaning toward cultural tourism rather than a multicultural ensemble.

The story focuses on the tension between myth and reality through local folklore. It prioritizes solving a mystery over critiquing institutional or societal structures.

The mermaid motif involves a physical anomaly used as a folkloric plot device. This element functions more as a mystery spectacle than a nuanced exploration of disability.