The film contains no LGBTQ+ characters or explorations of non-heteronormative identities. It adheres to the traditional interpersonal dynamics typical of 1960s Japanese action cinema.

Female characters primarily occupy domestic or supportive roles, often serving as narrative catalysts. Central agency and physical conflict are driven by male protagonists, reinforcing traditional masculine leadership tropes.

The cast is culturally homogeneous, consistent with the film's historical setting. There is no evidence of whitewashing, though the narrative remains culturally singular without ethnic blending.

The story explores the friction between the peasantry and corrupt institutional structures. It depicts marginalized people struggling against predatory criminal and official elements within a pre-modern setting.

Zatoichi provides a significant portrayal of disability as a blind swordsman. His sensory impairment is a central component of his identity and specialized skill set rather than a deficit.