The pop culture phenomenon of Cobra Kai has been an interesting one to watch develop over the last six years. Initially premiering through YouTube back in May of 2018, Season 1 laid the foundation for continued storylines of easily recognized The Karate Kid film franchise characters Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his high school arch nemesis, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Interestingly enough, while in the original 1984 film, Johnny is portrayed as the clear antagonistic enemy, you immediately realize through Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg’s Cobra Kai point of view that there is more than meets the eye with everyone, and two sides to every story.
From here, the series continued into Season 2 (premiering in April of 2019) and it became clear that the writing of Cobra Kai was strong enough, not only offering some insight into past plotlines of The Karate Kid but also as building a foundation all its own. Yes, the series has centralized itself around Daniel and Johnny, but the true bread and butter of it all has been the development of other characters such as Miguel Diaz (portrayed by Xolo Maridueña, initially a protégé/son-like character of Johnny), Robby Keene (played by Tanner Buchanan as an unlikely protégé of Daniel/son of Johnny), Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser as Daniel’s strong-willed, but self-doubting daughter), and later on, Tory Nichols (played by Peyton List as a seemingly mean-spirited girl, with so much going on underneath the surface). Just a few of the characters that have stood out, there of course is also the re-introduction of original Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove) and his maniacal army buddy Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), but so much more.
In all, the character development and wrinkles in each character’s tale are what has made Cobra Kai as extraordinarily well done as it is. Now a Netflix series since 2020, Season 3 premiered on the streaming platform in 2021, and much has transpired since then; like the introduction of old Karate Kid supporting characters like Ali Mills (the initial object of Johnny and Daniel’s feud), Kumiko (Daniel’s love interest from 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II), Chozen Toguchi (the main enemy to Daniel in The Karate Kid Part II), as well as that of Mike Barnes (The Bad Boy of Karate pinned against Daniel in 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III). With many emotions flaring along the way, chocked full of insightful back story, but also plenty of karate fighting scenes, now in 2024 viewers will be handed the final chapter of Cobra Kai with Season 6.
Announced as the final season of the beloved series, it will include fifteen episodes, but released in blocks of five at a clip. Something that should create a buzz of anticipation, and not just inject you like a needle of instant gratification, the first five episodes premiere on Netflix on July 18th (Part 1), the next five on November 15th (Part 2), with the last five scheduled for some time in 2025 (Part 3). With this known, the sixth season, being dubbed Cobra Kai VI, picks up shortly after the wild events of Season 5, offering hope that there will be harmony and unity as the dust settles. Unfortunately, there are still many unresolved demons to be exorcised beforehand, and that is where Season 6 takes you. Here, you will find out what exactly John Kreese’s next chess move will be, if Daniel and Johnny can finally truly put all their bad blood behind them, plus if the three big Valley dojos (Cobra Kai, Miyagi-Do Karate, and Eagle Fang Karate) can keep it together to compete in the epic Sekai Taikai.
Whatever unfolds is anyone’s guess, but after viewing the first five episodes of Cobra Kai VI you will immediately realize that it will be anything but dull. Beyond this, Part 1 of this finale also reaffirms what the series has always done a fine job of portraying… that nothing is ever black and white. An intense roller coaster ride that will have you torn, cheering, and yearning for resolve, Cryptic Rock gives Part 1 of Cobra Kai’s sixth season, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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