The Legend of Korra is a great show – but one part is worse than ever

Amon and the Equalists was the first time ‘The Legend Of Korra’ demonstrated its rejection of social movements, and unfortunately it set off a trend there.

Because of his revolutionary rhetoric and goal of “equality”, Amon is sometimes described as a communist. This also fits with the setting of “Legend of Korra”, a 1920s Steampunk world that has just begun an industrial revolution; That is, they closely resemble the real-world conditions that led to the development of socialist thought. The industrial economy mixed with private property fuels capitalism, which needs a working class, which in turn creates the idea of ​​transferring power into the hands of that class.

Now, Amon is definitely a Populist (Also referenced by “Avatar” video essayist Hello Future Me) But it is difficult to consider it a mirror of any real-world political movements, as the goal of equality (eliminating bending) is innate in the world of “Avatar”. As evidence of this, some fans have argued that Amon is truly a fascist He does He leads his followers like a religious cult, and their movement is built on the demonization of the (albeit empowered) “other.”

If they are equal We are They are supposed to be communists, this reveals either a very childish understanding of communism as merely “making everyone the same!” Or incomplete symbolism, hence the solution. To remove oneself from bowing, as Amon does, is a spiritual distortion, not a mere redistribution. Curvature is part of a person’s identity, while wealth is merely the accumulation of resources.

It can be fun to delve into these contradictions, especially since the Equalists exist He does You have valid concerns. Non-benders are not like that Legally They are second-class citizens in Republic City, but benders have advantages and control over power structures. The city’s policemen and politicians are all traitors, as are the skilled workers; An earthbender has a head start in construction, just as a firebender who can bend lightning has one as an electrician, and so on. A society in which some people have magical powers and most do not is a natural recipe for creating a privileged class, so how He does Can bending and class be separated beyond Amon’s incredibly destructive and flawed approach?

“The Legend of Korra” Book 1 either doesn’t contain the answers or doesn’t reveal them. This season is the series’ weakest political decision, because in the end he refuses to make the decision on Politics. Amon is exposed as a liar (he’s really a self-hating waterbender, and uses bloodbending to remove people’s bending) and so his followers turn on him. That’s it. The Equalists seemed to have abandoned all their beliefs because their leader was a hypocrite, and the inequality in Republic City was not addressed at all in the season finale.

As Korra herself often does, the first book of The Legend of Korra bit off more than she could chew.