There are few franchises, if any, in the world of pop culture that has dominated in the same way thatStar WarsandHarry Potterhave in the past few decades. They have dedicated fandoms, immense lore, and a series of fantastic and beloved films to their names.
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They have some similar aspects but are generally very different franchises. But which is more realistic? There are a variety of factors to look at when answering that question, and we look at a few of them here.
Species & Creatures
Species and creatures is a strange category when considering the realism of these franchises. Right off the bat, both have humans, so cancel each other out in that regard.
Harry Potteris filled with humans and then magical creatures like Hippogriffs, Goblins, and Trolls, whileStar Warshas a wide variety of Galaxy-wide species and creatures. SinceStar Warshas various species and creatures spread across multiple planets and star systems, it automatically becomes more realistic, as their existence can only be assumed under the belief that in the infinite space, there is some other life. It is hard to imagine the creatures ofHarry Potter could remain hidden on Earth alone, and all reside there.
Winner: Star Wars
Technology
Technology is another awkward category as the two uses in these franchises is so immensely different. Set in the 90s, tech is relatively sparse inHarry Potter, whereas inStar Wars,it is everywhere.
The magic folk ofPotterdo not use much technology, whereas muggles and no-maj's have things like televisions etc.Star Warshas technology around every corner, but despite this,Pottergets the nod. For one, the tech inStar Warsis so out there, and seemingly so out of reach of our imaginations, on top of that itneverdevelops, it stays stagnant for hundreds of years, which itself is unrealistic.
Winner: Harry Potter
Politics
As divisive as it may be, politics is a huge part ofStar Wars, and also a big part ofPotter, withStar Warshaving the Republic, the Empire, etc. andPotterhaving the Ministry of Magic, the Magical Congress of the U.S, etc.
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The variousRepublics inStar Warsfunction as centralized governments with powers devolved to the various planetary governments that act as countries, withHarry Potteradopting a similar country by country approach. They are equal in terms of realism, except one stretches across the Galaxy with planets acting as countries, and one hidden on Earth.
Winner: Draw
Day-To-Day Life
The worlds ofHarry PotterandStar Warsare not all just about Jedi and Sith, and theteachings of Hogwarts. There is everyday life, and regular stuff to do.
Potterhas places like Diagon Alley and Hogsmead, places to drink, Quidditch leagues, shopping, butterbeer, and a variety of other simple life activities, and people with basic jobs.Star Warshas the same, gambling, casinos, cantinas, games, sports, and the same range of jobs and activities. There cannot be a realistic universe without a life past the grandiose of it all, and both these franchises check that box.
Winner: Draw
Setting
TheStar Warsstories take place famously in a Galaxy far, far away,Harry Potter,however, takes place in England, America, and the simple planet Earth.
While the magical world gets concealed from the muggle world, it is believable that with the reasons given to us forthe magical world never having been discovered. Ultimately, while the events and things within that Galaxy are realistic in the context of a far away Galaxy, England is a much more realistic setting in that it exists without a doubt.
Winner: Harry Potter
MajorBattle
Battles and wars are huge parts of both these franchises, literally in the name of one.
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The winner here is obvious; Star Warsis built around, and based on real-life events, transferring them to space fantasy, but maintaining the same integrity. Dogfights, battle tactics, samurai sword fights, massive scale wars for territory and political action, it is Earth history, much more realistic than the Battle of Hogwarts.
Winner: Star Wars
Lightsabers Vs. Wands
Lightsabers are perhaps the most iconic weapon in all of film history, with thePotterwands certainly near the very top of that list.
But which is more realistic? While there are still some iffy aspects of the lightsaber in terms of how much sense they make, they still hold far more realism than wands. The components of a lightsaber are well known, and we have seen the process of their creation, wands are mysterious and choose their wizard as a specially crafted piece of wood with magical components, iconic, beloved, but not that realistic.
Winner: Star Wars
Any Historical Foundation?
This factor just relates to if there is any known knowledge or foundation for these franchises here on Earth, whether people prescribe to the beliefs or not.
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Harry Potterundoubtedly takes this.Star Warsmay be based on events from Earth, but other than the idea of space, stars, and a faraway Galaxy,Star Warsis fantasy with no real connections to past lore on Earth. Harry Potter derives a lot from magic, which has been a known thing on Earth for years with witches, wizards, broomsticks, dragons, wands, etc. While it is not definitive, having a whole library of lore to pull from with information on the topics makes the existence of the franchise easier to comprehend.
Winner: Harry Potter
Magic Vs. The Force
Perhaps the most critical factor in pitting these franchises against each other in terms of how realistic they are is the two mystical forces holding them together; magic and the Force.
The origins of magic are unknown; whether it is spiritual or biological, it just comes from within the witch or wizard. The Force flows through every living being in theStar WarsGalaxy, with a person's prowess in its use coming from midi-chlorians. As divisive as they are, midi-chlorians make this easier as because they are a biological thing, in a far away Galaxy with all different components from our own, it is easier to deem them more realistic than something that is a total mystery, and channeledmostly through a magicalwand
Winner: Star Wars
Results
With four categories to three in this list,Star Warscomes out on top as more realistic.
However, this list is not definitive; there areso many factors to look at that could tip the scales inPotter'sfavor. There are so many arguments on each side for the elements on this list, such as magic vs. the Force, or tipping the scales on one of the draw categories.
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