The Avatar Universe is full of immeasurable antagonists. All the villains in The Legend of Korra represent an idea or value that is, in itself, more than redeemable. Sure, their methods were irrational and power-hungry, but they also sought to bring peace to the world. Zaheer sought out true equality and the collapse of corrupt power, Unalaq sought a balanced world as one with spirits, and Kuvira sought her people's unity.

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Amon was the first antagonist of the season, a master bloodbender, and an extremist with a lust for power. His proficiency at bending was deadly, but his hand-to-hand combat was just as dangerous. And despite his undeniable flaws, Amon did often conduct himself in ways that hinted at a more human side.

10 His Goal Was To Make Everyone Equal

Amon Avatar Legend of Korra

Equality is an admirable goal, even if the methods for achieving the said goal are not the most rational. In all fairness, there was a vast divide already present in the Avatar universe, and all Amon did was manipulate this.

He sought to equalize the nations, bringing everyone to operate on equal footing. One would have thought his reign would have prompted governments to readjust policies that affect non-benders, but instead, they painted him as a villain and moved on. He may have been extreme, but he was also right.

9 He Saved His Brother From Their Father

avatar legend of korra amon brother children

In their twisted childhood, both Amon and his brother Tarrlok were physically and mentally abused by their father. He twisted them into warped versions of themselves, forcing them to perform horrible acts on animals and one another.

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When Yakone inevitably began to lose his temper with his youngest son, Amon stepped in with unbridled rage. He saved his brother that day, running off into the snowstorm. Perhaps if he had stayed, neither brother would have ended up as antagonists.

8 He Showed A Human Side To Himself & Found Peace Before Death

noatak-tarrlok

After his eventual defeat, Amon retreated with his brother on a boat. The two brothers' final scenes are quite touching, with Amon tearing up in the moments before his death. Though it appeared to be a mercy killing, Tarrlok could have just sought revenge for the removal of his bending.

Nonetheless, these final moments show an incredible human side to the series villain. He was able to overcome all the hate, torment, and trauma if only for a moment.

7 He United The People Of Republic City

Masked Amon  in Avatar: The Legend of Korra

Amon was hardly the patron saint of right decisions, and ultimately he did need to be stopped. However, he did unite the people of Republic City. There was a reason he had so many followers, and it was because they bonded over the mutual distrust and hatred of benders. He trained them, educated them, and gave them a purpose.

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His purpose might've been domestic terrorism, but if everyone were to ignore the morally questionable end goal, he could actually usher in peace if he were not a villain.

6 He Didn't Kill Anyone Despite Having The Power To Do So

Amon with the Airbenders

Though taking someone's bending is arguably worse, Amon never actually murdered people to further his own goals. His overused equalizer mantra did just that; it leveled the playing field for everyone.

It was an active decision not to kill anyone. It would have been almost effortless for him to do so. Having mastery over the blood in someone's body could wreak all sorts of havoc on almost every limb, organ, and significant blood vessel.

5 He Sought To End Corruption & Prejudice

Scarred amon

Corrupt government is a theme that runs throughout the entire Avatar franchise. The show does not demonize government but instead reiterates how corruption runs through all aspects of the world.

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Amon sought to dismantle this if only to replace it with his own. He never lied about the corruption and prejudice he saw, which is nothing but admirable. However, his passion was not accepted and was instead criminalized. Perhaps if more people had listened, he would never have been a villain at all.

4 He Reunited With His Brother

Amon vs Tarrlok in Legend of Korra

With his revolution in shambles and his lies now public knowledge, Amon had a choice to make. He could have run, or he could have totally lost it and sought to take everyone down with him. Instead, he chose to return to his brother in a cell he had thrown him into only days before.

Though Tarrlok ended everything a scene later, Amon's sudden panic showed his human side again. He could have left his brother to rot but instead returned to him in the hopes of reforming some relationship. Their joint story was tragic, and they were victims in their own right.

3 He Offered Lin An Ultimatum To Keep Her Bending

Lin Beifong

Much of Amon's humanity is looking at what he didn't do, instead of what he chooses to do. When his forces captured Lin, he offered her a simple but emotionally charged ultimatum. He would allow her to keep her bending if she gave up the location of Korra.

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Though this by no means makes him the show's hero, it does show his willingness to make allowances if only for his own gain. He stated numerous times how it was "almost" a shame to take away such talented bending, though would always complete the ritual anyway.

2 He Was Motivated By A Just Cause

Amon Waterbending

Unlike many other corrupt individuals in the Avatar universe, Amon was not clouded by personal vendettas or petty revenge. Instead, his warped perspective of bending motivated him. He was convinced that bending was the route of all the world's problems, but was he really wrong?

Though Amon was far from good, he was not evil for the sake of being evil. Instead, he was driven by an injustice he saw in the world.

1 He Spared His Father

amon father

Yakone was not only a cruel man but also a terrible and violent father. His repeated persecution of his children crafted them into wicked men in their own right. But, when Yakone crossed a line with Tarrlok, Amon did not strike him down.

He made the decision to not be a monster. Instead, he chose to disrupt his father's plans entirely. That decision to not kill his father proves his humanity as he could see past his teachings.

NEXT: 5 Ways Amon Was Right (& 5 He Wasn't)