*SPOILERS AHEAD*
So after reading the latest chapter of TBHK I've felt the urge to write about the reference of the Little Mermaid, which goes way back to chapter 1. It's particularly interesting because we can assume Nene's future, as in there are several versions of the Little Mermaid, and in general, a curious feature the artists chooses to reference.
The Little Mermaid is used as a foreshadowing tool for Nene's destiny, and isn't just a mere, fun and definitely not a light-hearted reference.
Chapter 1[]
Our first encounter with the reference is when Nene and Hanako create a special bond via. a pair of mermaid scales!
Its PRACTICAL purpose for the story is to allow a connection between the mortal realm and supernatural realm, whereby Hanako asks Nene to change the school's rumors, do some quests and well, do labor in the girl's bathroom.
Situational irony
Ok, we have the facts on the table now. You're all familiar to the comedic purpose the mermaid scales serves for the story.
Chapter 16 + 17 The Little Mermaid Arc[]
By titling the Arc The Little Mermaid, the authors make it clear that they are indeed referencing it, hurray!
By using this reference, the authors (AidaIro) seem to emphasize on Nene's and Hanako's differences, where this barrier prevents the mermaid to embrace her prince. I'll be honest, I don't believe there will be a happy ending where Nene and Hanako can love and live together as humans. As the story of the Little Mermaid goes, her and the prince are separated, never to find happiness together, whereby the mermaid dies alone. Although this is my personal speculation, using this reference does make the mood gloomy and hopeless, hinting to a tragedy.
Let's analyse this cover. Nene is a fish and Hanako is a spirit, who seems to be pulled towards a pair of arms. In the same issue, we get clarification that Hanako is indeed Nene's prince. Now, we can ask ourselves, who is the story's antagonist?
Chapter 16 immediately starts off with Tsukasa terrifying the life out of Hanako, with a dark, ominous cloud swarming the panels. Reminds me of... a Sea Witch. If we take the Disney version of the Little Mermaid, then we know the Sea Witch's role is to ruin Ariel's opportunity too reach her prince, presenting obstacles. Here, the obstacle would do this, whatever Tsukasa's scheming behind Hanako's back.
However, if we read this with the H. Christian version, then Tsukasa would be referenced as the prince's neighbouring fiance, that the prince at the end stays for, leaving the mermaid alone (No, I don't support this ship). To match the story, this fiance or rival, is more obsessive, psychotic, and sinister. Therefore, the prince, or spirit Hanako is unwillingly with Tsukasa, aka the cover picture. This reading also matches Tsukasa's twisted behaviour and speculated abusive love towards Hanako.
In the newest chapters, like the Red House ch.81, House-bounded-Tsukasa seems to view Nene as an 'equal' or worthy opponent, pondering her: "Do you like Hanako? Do you like him?" Once she answers yes, he reveals information about him, saying that they are 'the same'. Possibly, the current Tsukasa present at school has the same, childish attitude.
Well, one would've gotten this idea REGARDLESS of the Little Mermaid reference. However, the H. Christian reference does confirm our perceptions of the role that Tsukasa, Hanako, and Nene will play. Therefore, I speculate that there will be a determining, 'boss' battle between Nene and Tsukasa regarding Hanako, that the story is building towards.
The Anime ED song[]
This is optional, but it's also interesting to see how the anime adaption clearly takes on an H. Anderson Mermaid reference:
Link to Anime ED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wOD-9jwbJQ
The ED segment goes as follow:
Nene is in the supernatural boundary and becomes a fish, is thrown out of the water by Hanako, and evaporates into thin air near the sun as Hanako sinks deeper in the supernatural boundary. Again, with reference to the Little Mermaid, the ED hints an ending where Hanako and Nene no longer can meet together at the near shore between the mortal and supernatural realm. The deeper sea that Hanako drowns in represents the far shore, or after-life. The sky that Nene evaporates in is likely, heaven, as when the Little Mermaid fails to marry the prince, she dissolves into foam but is granted a place in heaven.
If we extend this idea further, then we can also predict that Nene will be given a quest from the Sea Witch, perhaps another supernatural to grant her wish. As seen from before and chapter, ch.86, Nene is miserable to have Aoi take her place, and now its likely that we'll be getting back a Nene with short life span. In the original version, the mermaid must kill her prince with a dagger. Maybe Nene will have to take a life or do something as terrible in order to live?
Seeing how the series has had a very melancholic and a minimal upbeat tone, I'm more convinced that we'll be receiving a tragic ending between Nene and Hanako like the Little Mermaid, whereby Nene's destiny is at the end die and separate from him. [1]