Reviews highlight the season as getting 'gayer' while treating their queerness casually yet as a deliberate progressive statement, with one noting the intent to show being queer as 'so not a big deal.' The six main Runaways feature a visibly diverse cast including Rhenzy Feliz as Alex Wilder, Allegra Acosta as Molly Hernandez, Ariela Barer as Gert Yorkes, and others reflecting varied ethnic backgrounds, praised explicitly for inclusion and representation. Themes include breaking social and gender norms alongside the core plot of teens scavenging, sheltering together, and dismantling PRIDE.

Creator and cast comments emphasize diversity as a strength, with no major source-material race or gender swaps but adaptations that amplify modern identity elements. Reception shows strong approval from outlets focused on LGBTQ visibility, though some queer critics faulted it for insufficient discussion of struggles or coming-out arcs, and general audiences noted forced drama without widespread 'woke' backlash. The ideology influences character arcs and subplots noticeably but remains secondary to the adventure premise of runaway teens versus parental villains.