Cobra Kai Never Dies

Through all of its corniness and insane fights, Cobra Kai (2018-2025) has always revolved around its characters. Their dynamics, rivalries, and relationships give life to the show even when the narrative falters. The first two parts of season six received mixed reactions; while the show has always been cheesy, requiring some suspension of disbelief, many felt that this season pushed it too far. Polarizing character decisions made certain characters, such as Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo) and Devon (Oona O’Brien), unlikable, making the narrative feel forced. Many also took issue with the shift away from the personal rivalries audiences loved and the subsequent introduction of new, underdeveloped characters for Miyagi-Do to fight. However, the final part of season six, and the final episodes of Cobra Kai, delivered a successful turnaround, offering a satisfying and emotional conclusion to the series. 

Following the devastating events of part two, the global tournament Sekai Taikai is permanently canceled. This leaves many of the teenagers, particularly Robby (Tanner Buchannan) and Tory (Peyton List), unsure about their futures after high school. Meanwhile, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) approaches Sekai Taikai manager Gunther (Carsten Noorgard) to reinstate the tournament, but this requires unanimous approval from all the senseis in the tournament. Initially, Daniel (Ralph Macchio) refuses to rejoin the tournament, still reeling from Kwon’s (Brandon H. Lee) death, and wishes to move on from the tournament. However, after discussing it with Johnny (William Zabka), they agree that the kids deserve another chance and rejoin the tournament. In Korea, Kreese (Martin Kove) wrestles with guilt over Kwon’s death and finally seeks redemption, wishing to atone for his mistakes and become a better person. These events set the stage for the final rounds of the Sekai Taikai taking place in the Valley as the teenagers train harder than ever for their final fight. 

Compared to past seasons, the final stretch of Cobra Kai takes a radically different approach to its action sequences. While the show is known for its delightfully chaotic group fights, the showrunners deliberately made each fight in this part one-on-one. While this could have felt repetitive, the personal stakes behind each battle make each fight stand out and emotionally charged. Moreover, the flashbacks that accompany the boys’ final bring a sense of nostalgia to the audience, reminding them how far these characters have come. Every blow carries weight, as each punch and kick can decide the characters’ futures. The choreography for these fights was brilliant and well-shot, rivaling in quality some of the greatest solo fights in the series, such as the boys’ All-Valley final in season four. 

As thrilling as the action was, the greatest strength of these final episodes easily lies in the character development. Nearly every major character got a satisfying ending to their multi-year arcs, with standout moments for Daniel, Johnny, Kreese, Robby, Tory, Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), and Sam (Mary Mouser). By focusing primarily on these core figures, the show ensured that its final hours were spent on the relationships that matter most to the audience. Kreese’s redemption hit surprisingly hard, with his locker room scene with Johnny being among the most touching moments of the show. However, one minor drawback with this part was the unfortunate lack of spotlight on Hawk (Jacob Bertrand), who had some touching moments with Demetri, but has mostly been sidelined since his win in the season four finale. The acting in this part was phenomenal across the board, with Silver and Johnny delivering convincing performances with a range that could be Emmy nomination-worthy.

Cobra Kai hit a home run with its final episodes, delivering everything fans wanted. While the final season was rightly criticized for its fragmented release schedule and weaker overarching narrative, these episodes managed to redeem it, elevating it back to the level of earlier seasons. Many legacy sequels fail to live up to the original, but Cobra Kai not only honored the original Karate Kid Trilogy (1984-1989) but arguably improved on it. The characters, rivalries, and layered stories made fans instantly fall in love with this universe again. Everyone loves an underdog story, and Cobra Kai told one in the best way possible. It turned bullied children into world-class fighters, all while the show was an underdog in its own right. Originally premiering on the much smaller YouTube Red, the show had low expectations and many fans of the original trilogy expected it to be a joke. Despite this, it managed to defy expectations and build an audience that would bring the show worldwide fame through Netflix. Though the show has finally come to an end, one thing remains certain: Cobra Kai never dies.