Ever see Star Wars? And how the exact climax of a Star Wars movie is a lightsaber battle? And how by the time you went to college you realize that wouldn't work. And soldiers don't swordfight today.

What about energy swords that transform instead of kill? Like you can program them with some furry combination of species and gender?

The catch is being hit in the head literally changes your mind. Into the stereotypes of a furry cliche.

There is still a trope of hitting a hand. Only it turns into a cute paw. Or flipper. Or wing.