I'm honestly more inclined to think it was Yoshida himself trying to get more directly involved with writing process because he's had some...odd takes about things before, like not understanding why Emet-Selch was so popular, citing all of the harm the Ascians have caused as something he would've expected to make him unrelatable and unlikeable.

He's likewise worded things in a manner that makes it seem like he doesn't get the dislike some people have for Hydaelyn/Venat, either.