The Unrealistic Aspects of Avatars: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, and Their Corrections

Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are beloved animated series that captivate audiences with their unique bending powers and epic storylines. However, there are several aspects of these worlds that blur the line between fantasy and realism, leading to questions about the accuracy and logical consistency of the universe.

Bending Fights and Realism

One of the most striking aspects of the bending battles in the Avatar universe is their lack of realism. Most fights end in a bloody mess, with techniques like wind being blown at an astounding 100 miles per hour or a boulder being shoved into a character's chest. Imagine having pressured water whipping across your body or being instantly set on fire. These events would likely result in many fatalities. While these actions often serve the dramatic purpose of the show, they sometimes sacrifice realism for the sake of visual appeal.

Immature Battlegrounds

Another unrealistic element lies in the age and experience gap between the young avatars and their adversaries. The Avatar Kirien, Aang, is only 12 years old and 11 years old physically when he assumes the mantle of the Avatar, but he has to face Fire Lord Ozai, one of the most ruthless and cunning individuals in the universe. Similarly, Zuko and Sokka, both in their teens, somehow manage to lead armies and engage in complex battles successfully. This raises questions about the logic and plausibility of these situations.

Captured and Compromised Females

The show often depicts female characters as innocent and relatively safe, only to face serious threats and harms. For instance, Avila is shown as a gentle and benevolent figure, but she is later seen stabbing Aang, which feels out of character. Similarly, none of the female characters are ever assaulted or subjected to compromising situations despite being captured multiple times. Additionally, the South Water Tribe was depicted as conquered and turned into a colony, and the air temples were turned into cities or strongholds, which adds to the contradictions in the plot.

Addressing Design Flaws in Metalbending Police Force

Another area ripe for improvement is the design logic of the Metalbending Police Force in The Legend of Korra. The force is equipped with metal armor, which seems practical given that they can bend metal. However, the armor becomes useless when the Equalists use electric shock to immobilize police officers. This flaw becomes even more apparent given the presence of firebending crime bosses and lightning-bending individuals within the city. Several solutions could address this issue:

1. Insulating Layer: An insulating layer of rubber could be added beneath the metal armor to prevent electric shock.

2. Less Conductive Metal: Using a less conductive metal for the armor could help prevent electrical shock.

3. Minimal Metal Design: Reducing metal components to wires and arm guards and adding padding to other parts of the armor could make them less vulnerable to electric assaults.

Integrating these changes would not only fix the design flaw but also add a layer of realism to the show, making the Metalbending Police Force more believable.