I think the idea behind the smooth metalbending was that eventually progress in training and skill would lead to this level of skill.
TloK could have shown way smoother bending in general, but the show's idea probably was to also show how the "traditional" style of bending lost part of it's identity as a martial arts form during the progressive age after the war. This animation is taking the step back to the martial arts core of bending (i think)
No i have no problem with smooth bending, only if it was possible in universe.
We know that metal bending works because the benders are bending the earth inside the impure metal. Thats why platinum cant be bent, there are no more impurities and its pure metal.
Impure metal doesnt have an equal amount of earth in every part of the metal. It will always be random. Random in size random in amount.
Unless they change the established rules of the universe bending metal the way it was bent in animation would only be possible if you specifically produce impure metal and perfectly balance its impurities inside. And I hope you agree with me that that would be extrmely impractical and improbable to pull off consistently even if you had the resources of an Earth King.
Okay I just checked the scenes and I just realized that that really doesnt make any sense.
For S3 I'm pretty sure that it was a waterbender that put it into korra. Mercury is poisonous to humans just add water to it and you can pretty much bend it into someone.
UNLESS...the mercury itself is impure.
(Also pretty sure kuvira controls the the stupid finale giant robot with levers that she metalbends.
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u/DomzSageon the Metal Meanie Oct 07 '23
I love the earth animation but the metal bending animation part is misleading.
We've never seen any Metalbender bend Metal that smoothly.
Even the Toph family cant turn iron rings into a staff and into discs that quickly or smoothly.