"Requiem for a Dream" takes place in America during the 2000s but it has been reimagined as if the setting took place in Japan during the 80s. Two styles of art were popular during that time: a growing trend of cute, feminine themes as well as a more grungy “bad boy” feeling with the rise of mod bike gang culture.

Two key sets within the film took place in a donut shop—a warm and inviting place with the smiling mascot Donako—and the main character’s home where she constantly made coffee.