"The Legend of Korra" explores four main villains in the series run who impose their world view over various nations in the Avatar universe. They all have a common driving force that unites them against Avatar Korra in their perception of a deeply unfair world where Benders oppress non-Benders with their magical abilities to control the elements. This idea is deeply explored on the unconventional podcast "The Villain Was Right."
The insightful hosts note that the theme of inequality is emphasized from the start of the series in Season 1 with Korra's very first entry into the industrialized Republic City. Korra stops three dangerous benders from robbing a helpless non-bending shopkeeper while simultaneously causing even more damage. The terror that Benders wreak over the city also created one of the most understandable villains Hiroshi Sato (Daniel Dae Kim).
The podcast makes the perceptive observation that "This is happening everywhere and this is not an uncommon thing. In fact, that's how Hiroshi's wife dies." They continue their analysis to find that this larger problem within the community is actually caused by a greater misrepresentation in that "All of their government is benders." The hosts also point out that the city committee and police force is comprised entirely of benders who utilize their gifts to enforce the law. This original sin keeps the cycle of oppression alive until the very end of the series where the underrepresentation of benders is finally corrected.
