Even in 2025, “Cobra Kai” is still a must-watch, blending nostalgia, action and great storytelling that keeps audiences hooked. Following the Karate Kid series, “Cobra Kai” picks up the story 34 years later, introducing new characters while bringing back familiar faces from the original films. The first episode, “Ace Degenerate,” opens with the iconic All Valley fight between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, showing the moment Daniel’s kick won him the final point. The scene then shifts to present-day Johnny, now struggling with his life and haunted by his past loss.
The directors, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald and Hayden Schlossberg, successfully crafted a series with strong character development and an engaging cast. “Cobra Kai” blends martial arts, comedy and drama, following high school students who take up karate to gain confidence and stand up for themselves. Early on, we meet Miguel Diaz, a teen who asks Johnny to teach him karate after Johnny steps in to protect him from bullies. Johnny eventually reopens the “Cobra Kai” dojo, trying to change it from its past remarks for a new generation of karate students to help them grow and learn to defend themselves
Episode two, “Strike First,” opens with Daniel Larusso getting ready for work. As he drives by, he sees “Cobra Kai” in a reopened mini-mall. Daniel becomes concerned, unaware that Johnny is trying to reshape “Cobra Kai.”
As a fan of the Karate Kid series, “Cobra Kai” caught my eye from the first trailer to the first season. It shows strong growth by bringing back old characters from the movie to the show. Johnny and Daniel’s rivalry shows a strong growth throughout the six seasons, from hating each other to collaborating eventually.
It’s so interesting to see how all the characters grow over time in the show through all six seasons; it’s clearly shown how the directors of “Cobra Kai” wanted them to play out. Miguel Diaz, a bullied teen, grows from a shy outsider into a confident fighter with a strong sense of justice, from being Sensei Lawrence’s first student and shaping the dojo to winning the all valley and many tournaments.
Hawk, also a bullied teen from his facial deformities, has a tough time fitting in at school with only his best friend, Demitri, but Hawk wants to have more friends than just Demitri. Hawk undergoes one of the biggest transformations, going from a bullied kid to a fierce competitor. Tory Nicholas, a challenged teen with many responsibilities, taking care of her sick mother and her younger brother and working multiple jobs to help pay for rent, joins “Cobra Kai” to help structure her life. Robby Keen, son of Johnny Lawrence, grew up without a father figure. Johnny was never there for Robby in his life, which caused Robby to have hatred for him and not want him in his life because he didn’t want to end up like him.
Samantha Larusso, daughter of Daniel, living a normal high school life with her friends, has a hard time for a while after people make up fake rumors about her, causing her to be outcast from her friends, later on getting back into karate with her dad/sensei Daniel.
Alongside the intense karate battles, “Cobra Kai” also explores relationships and personal struggles. Friendships are tested, alliances shift and romantic relationships add another layer of drama. Whether it’s Miguel and Sam, Tory and Robby, or the complicated history between Johnny and Carmen, these relationships drive emotional moments that shape the characters’ decisions and growth.
“Cobra Kai” is more than a sequel to “The Karate Kid;” it’s a story of redemption, growth and perspective. A simple rivalry evolves into a deeper journey where no one is entirely good or bad.
For longtime Karate Kid fans, “Cobra Kai” delivers plenty of nostalgic moments and brings back beloved characters from the original films. However, the series successfully stands on its own, drawing in a new audience with its great storylines, humor and action-packed fight sequences.
