Cobra Kai
SinceCobra Kaiseason 1 , viewers have wonder which new generation character in the franchise would truly deserve to be judge as the new " karate kid . " For obvious reason , the title originally belonged to Daniel LaRusso because he was the leading character inthe firstKarate Kidmovie . His underdog account and rise to the top in the movie made the " karate shaver " tag synonymous with any part ’s journeying of self - advance and overcoming obstacle through soldierly prowess .
However , sinceCobra Kaihas never been about one singular fictional character ’s story , many have seemingly been the " karate kid " in unlike parts of its overarching story . For illustration , Hawk was the " karate kid " when he not only won the All - Valley tournament but also did not lease his frustration against Kenny define his journey as a fighter . Both Miguel and Robby , too , have solidified themselves as modern " karate kids " by overcoming many odds and growing importantly as martial artists . AfterCobra Kaiseason 6 ’s ending , however , only one character seems to perfectly correspond into the " karate Thomas Kid " mold .
Miguel Diaz Was The Karate Kid, And Cobra Kai’s Final Episodes Proved It
Miguel Has Overcome Way More Odds Than Anyone Else In Cobra Kai
All themain characters inCobra Kaihave had their part of struggles and hardships . However , it can not be deny that some characters have had it way harder than others . Miguel , Robby , and Tory have see challenges that could have easy recrudesce them and terminate their fighting journey long before the Sekai Taikai . However , all three role brook their ground and achieved incredible effort through filmy determination . Miguel , in special , arguably has had the disconsolate arcand the best counter in the entire series .
… The fact that he does not get his reversal define him and gradually uprise to the top again to advance the Sekai Taikai shows that he deserves to be labeled as the new " karate kid . "
His journeying as a fighter had on the face of it ended after he broke his back duringCobra Kaiseason 2 ’s endingschool fight . Yet , his unbendable determination and resilience helped him defy all odds and return to struggle only a few month after his injury . After the injury , Miguel could have easily open up and stay depicted object with his singular All - Valley profits fromCobra Kaiseason 1 . However , the fact that he does not rent his setbacks delimitate him and gradually rises to the top again to succeed the Sekai Taikai shows that he deserves to be labeled as the young " karate minor . "
Here is a timeline of all the karate tournament from the Karate Kid dealership that have been the source & drivers of many overarching conflicts .
Many insidious parallels can also be draw between Daniel and Miguel ’s journeys . For case , both character ' biological fathers were absent from their lives , but they rule father figures in their karate sensei . Unlike Daniel , Miguel does not pose to Miyagi Do karate and incline more towards the Cobra Kai style during some of his most memorable confrontation . However , similar to Daniel , he never seems to mislay sight of his moral values , regardless of the style he employ in his battle . He attain what Mr. Miyagi would call the perfect " rest " between styles , making him Daniel ’s pure " karate kid " substitute .
Why “The New Karate Kid” Was Such A Controversial Topic In Cobra Kai
Both Robby And Miguel Seemingly Deserved The Title
While Miguel earns the " karate nestling " title after his epos Sekai Taikai winnings , it is hard not to see how even Robby would be a worthy contender for it . interchangeable to Daniel , Robby struggled with identity and purpose before he turn to karate . Just like Daniel was Mr. Miyagi ’s first official karate educatee in The Valley , Robby was Daniel ’s first Miyagi Do educatee . like to Daniel , Robby was once a defeated and angry young man who struggled to come to terms with his broken family and harsh circumstances . However , karate serve him observe peace .
Robby ’s journeying proves he was always a great fit for Miyagi Do . But , similar to Daniel fromKarate KidPart II , he was in short trouble by the toxic rule taught by John Kreese because Cobra Kai ’s " no mercy " manner give him a conduit to channel his anger . However , like Daniel , he finally realized thatCobra Kaiwas not for him and recall to his Miyagi Do ascendent to find " balance . " With so many challenging parallel between Daniel and Robby , it is grueling not to see how Robby could also be labeled as the unexampled karate kid even though he has no tournament wins under his rap .
Robby ’s Karate Achievements
Custom Image by Dhruv Sharma.
Karate Competitions
honour
2018 All - Valley Tournament
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
Runner - Up
2019 All - Valley Tournament
Sekai Taikai Tournament
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
2d Runner - Up
InCobra Kaiseason 6 , Robby also seems to learn a valuable Mr. Miyagi lesson : " If karate used defend accolade , defend living , karate mean something . If karate used defend plastic metal prize , karate no mean nothing . " He realise that even though he fall behind his fight against Axel , he must recollect all the valuable things he has gained through his karate journey . His ability to understand an insightful Miyagi deterrent example at such an early stage in his journey highlight how he , too , deserves to be called the new " karate Thomas Kid . "
Cobra Kai Was Not Really About Finding A New Karate Kid
Cobra Has Always Been Its Own Thing
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
Even though many narrative parallels can be drawn betweenCobra Kaiand theoriginalKarate Kidmovies , and many bequest reference from the films also appear inCobra Kai , the Netflix serial has always been its own thing . Owing to this , it seems a little unfair to label any ofCobra Kai ’s main character as the fresh " karate kid . " Since the 2010Karate Kidreboot was named after the original film and intended to mark the inception of a new solidifying of moving picture , Jaden Smith ’s Dre Parker was understandably being boast as the new " karate child . "
The next instalment in the franchise , Karate Kid : Legends , is schedule to be released on May 30 , 2025 .
likewise , evenKarate Kid : caption ' master young hero has the potential to become the " karate minor " for a new generation . Cobra Kai , in contrast , focused on telling a different level alternatively of recreating the original series ' convention . Rather than showing clear water parting between its heroes and scoundrel , the serial reach character like Johnny Lawrence the redemption they deserved . It shew that disregarding of the dojo or martial arts style one is loyal to , one always has the potency to alter for the better . This made " karate kid " just another deed that meant nothing if karate was not used for something meaningful .
I’m Glad Miguel Got To Be Cobra Kai’s Main Character Again Before The End
Cobra Kai Had Briefly Forgotten Who Its Main Character Was
As the show ’s deed suggests , Cobra Kaiwas initially about Johnny Lawrence and his fresh student , Miguel Diaz . Instead of being about the " karate kid " Daniel LaRusso again , Cobra Kaiwas hypothecate to take the air through a fresh narration that highlight Johnny Lawrence ’s perspective on his All Valley loss against Daniel and the struggles he face after it . However , the series seemingly lost its focus almost halfway through its rill and started pore a little too much on Daniel and his Miyagi Do students .
While Johnny Lawrence got sideline , Miguel got nerfed on more than one function . Fortunately , with its final installment , Cobra Kaireturned to its source by emphasizing Johnny and Miguel ’s karate journeying and redemption . This originative decision to shift the stress back to Johnny and Miguel gaveCobra Kaia well - rounded and satisfying finale . It madeCobra Kailook like a unparalleled and worthy addition to theKarate Kidfranchise by finally flipping Johnny ’s script and walking through his cathartic journey of direct Miguel and undoing the impairment make by Kreese .
Cobra Kai is a sequel series bear on the narration of the Karate Kid saga , set 30 year after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament . It concentre on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo , reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso , who strives to keep balance in his life .
