The belt rankings seem to be based on doing certain tricks rather than fighting ability. If even little kids can learn to break boards, then it certainly isn’t about fighting ability. Some people make it sound like a six year old with a white belt could take on the best street fighter. By traditional standards, you’d actually have to be a first degree black belt just to be considered a novice. Karate is not some kind of magical skill that makes you invincible, as seen on tv.