Casting features predominantly Asian actors in roles matching the historical and geographic setting, with the European protagonist Marco as the cultural outsider—this is organic and lore-driven rather than any form of forced diversity or identity politics. Themes remain traditional: ambition, loyalty, warfare, and personal ambition without overlays of systemic oppression narratives, critiques of traditional norms, or identity-focused subplots.

Creator comments highlight authentic cultural representation fitting the source material, not activist intent. Criticisms of the show historically focused on Orientalism, gratuitous sex/violence, and Western framing, not modern social justice elements.

No evidence of race/gender-swapping, prominent LGBTQ+ focal points, or lecture-style messaging appears in Season 2 or related coverage. The narrative follows classic epic storytelling conventions without contemporary activist framing.