Warning! Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 3, ahead!
Cobra Kaimanaged to perfectly bring Daniel LaRusso’s story to a satisfying close, but the Netflix series completely ignored the fact that his story would continue in a newKarate Kidmovie.Cobra Kaiwas the first spinoff to return to Daniel’s character after the popular 1980s film trilogy. Of course, he wasn’t the main character this time, since bad-boy Johnny Lawrence stepped in as protagonist. Still, Daniel’s arc was organically carried over fromThe Karate KidtoCobra Kai, and the series' final season gave him a heartwarming and impactfully fitting resolution.
Daniel and Johnny were the original rivalsofThe Karate Kid, andCobra Kairevolved heavily around their continued relationship. However, Daniel also had a lot of personal development in the spinoff series. Between season 1 and season 6, Daniel’s black-and-white perspective on morality that had developed back in his teen years went through a significant evolution. He fixed up his differences not only with Johnny but also with Chozen and Mike Barnes.This evolution resulted in the perfect conclusion forDaniel’s story inCobra Kaiseason 6—a poetic and formulaic end.
Miyagi-Do Pulling Out Of The Sekai Taikai Ended Daniel’s “Impressive Underdog Run”
Daniel’s Story Came Full Circle
InCobra Kaiseason 6, Daniel and Johnny united under the Miyagi-Do banner to compete in the Sekai Taikai. This dojo was the underdog of the global tournament, much like Daniel was the underdog throughout theKarate Kidmovies. The fact that this franchise often sees the underdog come out on top implied that Miyagi-Do would win it all at the end, butCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, pulled off a last minute bait and switch. Daniel pulled Miyagi-Do from the competition and supported Johnny’s return to Cobra Kai.
When theSekai Taikai announcer revealed that Miyagi-Do had resigned, he saidit was the end of the dojo’s “impressive underdog run.“This line was profoundly meaningful, since the word “underdog” is essentially synonymous with Daniel LaRusso in theKarate Kidfranchise. Through the announcer’s words,Cobra Kaiwas subtly telling audiences that this was the end of Daniel’s 40-year-long underdog run. Of course, this wasn’t through defeat and loss, but Daniel’s own gracious acceptance that it was no longer his turn to shine. He was passing the torch to Johnny Lawrence.
Daniel Resigning Was Symbolic Of Passing The Hero Role To Johnny
Part of what has madeCobra Kaiso fun is the way it plays with the character and story tropes ofThe Karate Kid. In season 1, Johnny ironically stepped into Mr. Miyagi’s original role, serving as the old, wise sensei to the bullied underdog character (an archetype filled by Miguel). The Netflix spinoff series continued to poke around withKarate Kid’s formula going all the way to season 6, but the Sekai Taikai meant a change in roles.Johnny’s big match with Sensei Wolf meant he was stepping into the underdog archetype himself. He was essentially the new Daniel LaRusso.
We could walk away from this character forever satisfied.
Of course, Johnny could only take on the underdog role with his predecessor’s blessing. By resigning, Daniel passed the torch to Johnny, allowing him to become the formulaic hero ofCobra Kai’s story. Daniel then stepped into the sensei role, further shifting those traditional archetype slots fromThe Karate Kid. It’s genius storytelling, andthe perfect way to wrap the character arc that got its start way back in 1984. We could walk away from this character forever satisfied. However,Cobra Kaiignored the fact that there ismoreKarate Kidto come.
Daniel’s Cobra Kai Ending Is A Problem For His Karate Kid: Legends Story
Daniel’s Perfect Ending Isn’t Really The End
It’s difficult to imagine a better ending for Daniel’sKarate Kidarc, but this character is already being revived. Only a few short months afterCobra Kaiseason 6 came to a close, the movieKarate Kid: Legendswill hit theaters. This movie will see Daniel LaRusso team up withJackie Chan’sThe Karate Kid(2010) character, Mr. Han, to teach a new underdog student. After the success ofCobra Kai, it’s certainly exciting to know that we will be getting more from this franchise. However, after such a satisfying ending for Ralph Macchio’s character,it feels a bit disjointed that he would be back in the game so soon.
Karate Kid: Legendswill hit theaters on June 17, 2025.
Cobra Kaiimplied a happily ever after for Daniel and Johnny, who will run their dojos independently while supporting each other and their students. There was no hint of what was next for Daniel, and this is becauseKarate Kid: Legendsis entirely independent fromCobra Kai. Macchio is a part of both projects, but the writers and creators have nothing to do with one another. It was ultimately better thatCobra Kaicompletely ignore the existence of the newKarate Kidmovie, since Daniel’s arc needed a satisfying resolution. Still, it will be quite a challenge forKarate Kid: Legendsto do as good a job.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
