Shadow and Bone noticeably emphasizes identity-driven casting. Major characters are reimagined to prioritize on-screen diversity, sometimes at the expense of world coherence or the original narratives from the source material. Plotlines and character arcs sometimes feel constructed to highlight token representation, with less focus on personality or merit than might be expected.

The show tends to upend traditional roles and institutions. Masculinity, religion, and notions of family are often downplayed or depicted as sources of conflict rather than stability. Female and minority characters are generally elevated as more virtuous or insightful than their male or traditional counterparts.

Traditional perspectives are mostly sidelined or only present in the form of antagonists. There is little room for sincere debate or representation of more non-woke viewpoints, and the show's values are notably aligned with modern ideological trends, characters often share a similar progressive worldview.