Producers removed the established character Ms. Bellum, citing that she did not convey the desired messaging at the time, framing her removal around avoiding certain portrayals of femininity. Episodes incorporate heavy-handed feminist overtones and social issue subplots that go beyond the original series' lighter girl-power tropes, including explicit attempts to address identity and equality in ways that prioritize contemporary framing.

A recurring unicorn/pony character arc features subtext around body identity and self-expression, with dialogue emphasizing personal choice over biological reality in a manner that aligns with gender ideology narratives. The recasting of the lead female voices (while retaining male cast members) was justified by creators as infusing new energy, sparking backlash over perceived ideological motivations.

These elements influence subplots and character decisions in a children's series, amplifying their weight due to the impressionable audience, though they do not fully redefine the core superhero premise. Audience and critic reception highlighted the self-conscious activism as detracting from entertainment, with complaints of forced lessons over organic storytelling.