The first major antagonist that the Avatar has to face in The Legend of Korra is Amon — a man who claims to speak on behalf of the non-benders but later reveals his true colors as a proper tyrant. Born as Noatak to the ex-Bloodbender Yakone, he exhibits a prodigious skill in his father's "profession," for which he undergoes extreme training in the icy wastes of the Northern Water Tribe.

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At one point, he rejects his family outright and vanishes into a snowstorm, leaving his parents and brother distraught. What he does in the time between his disappearance and arrival in Republic City is unclear. Still, the fact remains that Amon is a charming leader who knows exactly how to manipulate innocent citizens as well as the system they rely on.

10 Was Right: Agitates The Nonbenders

Modernizing Republic City

The world left behind by Avatar Aang is far more harmonious than the one he inherited in the past, as the Fire Nation's dominion collapsed with the defeat of Phoenix King Ozai.

The newly-formed United Republic of Nations is created for the sole purpose of bringing together people who don't align with any of the four nations, regardless of their bending ability. Unfortunately, there is no justifiable opportunity in the UNR, which gives Amon the necessary fuel to begin his "rebellion."

9 Got What He Deserved: Attacks The Pro-bending Arena

Pro Bending Arena

Revolutions and violence often go hand in hand, but not always, and it's certainly not necessary to hurt or kill innocent people in the journey towards freedom.

Amon disregards this basic courtesy when he assaults the Pro-bending Arena during the tournament finals, an act that ends up causing wanton destruction and injuries on both sides. The Council originally plans to keep the area under lockdown, a smart decision, except for Korra and Chief Beifong's meddling.

8 Was Right: Destroys Criminals' Bending

Amon taking away Lightning Bolt Zolt's bending

Amon openly proclaims that benders will be punished for their hegemony in the course of the season and starts doing so with the most dangerous members of the criminal underworld, the Triple Threat Triads.

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After an utterly humiliating defeat, he destroys Lightning Bolt Zolt's Firebending for harassing innocent civilians and abusing his power as a bender. Until, of course, he tries doing the same thing to Bolin.

7 Got What He Deserved: Kidnaps The Last Airbenders

Amon with the Airbenders

For all his bluster about ridding the world of evil benders, Amon takes it too far when he proclaims that every bender will be reduced to the same status that non-benders have, even it means forcing his will onto children.

To that end, he abducts Tenzin, Jinora, Meelo, and Ikki and keeps them tied and gagged in front of his adoring cult. His promises so brainwash them that they fail to see the core immorality in punishing children for just being born as benders.

6 Was Right: Calls The Avatar Out

Amon Avatar Legend of Korra

Amon warns Korra that she would be taken down during whatever grand finale he has planned, which doubtlessly terrifies Avatar. However, he is right in demanding the need for such a powerful force in a world that's already lacking in balance, especially since she hasn't done much to fix it.

The one good thing that comes out of Korra's experiences with Amon is that she realizes the unfair disparity between benders and non-benders in Republic City and vows to even the scales.

5 Got What He Deserved: Uses Threats And Manipulation

amon legend of korra

Ever since he was a child, Amon (or Noatak) found it easy to force other living beings to do his bidding, starting by making a poor pack of Arctic wolves bows and scrape before him.

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This hasn't changed in adulthood, either, since he continues to issue dark threats towards anyone trying to stop him or get in his way, which is not something a true leader does. Further, Amon purposefully creates a greater gulf between the bending and non-bending populations of the UNR by curdling the latter's simmering rage into a frenzy.

4 Was Right: Demands The Right To Equality

Avatar Zuko Republic City Statue

Although Yakone attempts to "train" his sons to hate the Avatar, Amon grows up despising the entire concept of bending, considering it to be arbitrary leverage granted to some but not others. His methods may have turned out horrible, as does his fate, but his statements cannot be denied.

The underbelly of Republic City — consisting of its poorest citizens in peaceful coexistence — proves the validity of Amon's argument that representation for all human beings is essential and that equality is non-negotiable.

3 Got What He Deserved: Being A Fraud

Scarred amon

Amon furthers his cause with a complicated (and totally fake) backstory, one in which his parents were murdered and his face burnt off by a fictitious Firebender. He goes so far as to cover his face with red-brown makeup, generating a scar that never exists in the first place.

When Korra demands that he reveal himself to his audience, he pleasantly acquiesces, having already prepared his contingency plan for such a scenario. Remaining undercover is one thing, but fabricating history and tricking one's followers? Unforgivable.

2 Was Right: Removes Tarrlok's Ability

Amon vs Tarrlok

The Equalists find Tarrlok and Korra in the former's hideout, at which point Amon asks his men to attend to Korra while he takes care of the Councilman. This is because he doesn't want anyone to know that he and Tarrlok are related, which is theoretically believable for someone in his position.

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Almost immediately, however, he walks over to his brother and takes his abilities away, indirectly condemning him for using Bloodbending against the Avatar (or in general.)

1 Got What He Deserved: The Final Send-Off

Amon unmasked

After Korra's Airbending flings him into the sea, he rises furiously without noticing that his makeup had been washed off in the process (plus the fact that he Waterbeds a spout to escape.)

This final act by Amon cements him as a proper villain in everybody's eyes, most of all his once-obedient admirers, forcing him to leave town in a hurry. He takes Tarrlok with him, arrogantly claiming that it's time for both of them to start anew, which doesn't sit well with his brother, and rightfully so, after what's done to him.

NEXT: The Legend Of Korra: 5 Ways Metalbending Is the Best Form of Earthbending (& 5 Lavabending Is)