The film contains no LGBTQ+ characters or explorations of non-heteronormative identities. It adheres strictly to the social and romantic conventions of the Edo period.

Female characters primarily occupy domestic or supporting roles, often serving as plot catalysts. While they initiate the journey, they lack the agency to resolve the central conflicts.

The cast is ethnically homogeneous, reflecting the historical authenticity of 17th-century Japan. The film does not utilize modern casting techniques to disrupt a Western-centric gaze.

The story critiques systemic injustice by portraying local bosses and the samurai class as corrupt. It prioritizes personal moral imperatives over rigid, exploitative social hierarchies.

Zatoichi’s blindness is a central component of his agency rather than a source of pity. His disability is integrated into his combat prowess and unique competence.