The premise centers on luck, fate, revenge, and chaotic violence among hitmen with code names like Ladybug, Lemon, and Tangerine; no plot points, dialogue, or character arcs address systemic oppression, identity politics, patriarchy, or social justice themes. Casting includes Brad Pitt as the American Ladybug (originally Japanese Nanao in the source) and Joey King as the Prince (originally Japanese Satoshi), alongside Brian Tyree Henry as Lemon, Bad Bunny as the Wolf, and Asian actors such as Andrew Koji and Hiroyuki Sanada in supporting roles.

These choices reflect star-driven international adaptation rather than activist-driven diversity mandates. The author Kōtarō Isaka explicitly described the characters as ethnically malleable and approved the changes, with no creator statements emphasizing inclusion or challenging norms. Audience and critical reception focused on the film's entertainment value and mixed reviews of its style, with limited backlash centered on whitewashing rather than progressive messaging.