... frankly painting every woman as spunky and independent ...
The only ones I might describe as spunky are Sabrina, Maie, and the other two fairies. But I mean, none of the LIs are boring to me and so maybe that's what you mean by spunky, like they are all a little quirky? Could be using spunky to also mean quirky, I guess.
As far as independent, I guess, I mean none of them are doormats. Most of them are powerful entities, trained killers, or magic users. And even the normal girls are still skilled in their fields. They are experienced people, most of whom led full lives before meeting the MC. I mean, should the Leader of a troll village be meek? Should the Gorgons, who live in a female only clan and are very matriarchal start out submissive to random man? Which, by the way, is interesting because that's kind of how they end up... submitting to the MC as his harem members and giving up their independence in a large way.
But if you look at all of the love interests, they aren't like, "I'm a strong independent woman and don't need no man." They just are confident and that just means them choosing to be with the MC is all the better. Nearly all of them give up their independence to be with the MC, they are the exact opposite of the modern feminist stereotype and are more like actual strong women who know that men and women work better and are stronger together. If anything, it leans into a libertarian meritocracy. Which
Talothral's other game leans into as well with the MC bucking the system of serval cultures by valuing people based on skills over other immutable characteristics.
And think of this about Aya as a concrete in game example: She isn't really that independent at all at first. She is entirely submissive to her caste and calling. She starts the game trying to force Miyuki back to their piece of shit dad and only fully backs up Miyuki later when the Spirit tells her too. She isn't sure of herself and her place in the world, let alone the house, until she has a bunch of character development.