According to "Chushingura towa nanika" (What is Chushingura?) by Saiichi MARUYA, the triangle made up of Kanpei, Okaru, and Bannai mimics the one made up of the judge, Kaoyo, and Moronao.
丸谷才一『忠臣蔵とは何か』によれば、この勘平、お軽、伴内の三角関係は判官、顔世、師直のもどきであるという。