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Shocking Final Fates of Cobra Kai Characters Revealed in Epic Series Finale

BBG News

Spoiler alert: This piece discusses the final season of Cobra Kai.

After six thrilling seasons, the saga of Cobra Kai has finally concluded. The creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg have successfully crafted a story that surpassed many expectations for a sequel to The Karate Kid. They offered an unabashedly nostalgic gathering of numerous cast members from the 1980s series, alongside a fresh batch of karate practitioners to carry on Mr. Miyagi’s teachings into the future.

Generally speaking, the series has maintained an impressively engaging and seemingly implausible quality throughout, despite some viewers feeling it overstayed its initial run. As we approach the final stages, tension is at an all-time high, with the narrative unfolding over three groups of five episodes that loosely follow the Sekai Taikai World Karate Tournament in Spain. Interestingly, this tournament was moved to the San Fernando Valley a month later following the tragic death of Korean competitor Kwon (portrayed by Brandon H. Lee).

How did the series Cobra Kai continue from the suspenseful ending in Barcelona and conclude the journey of both adult and young martial artists in the recently released final episodes? Let’s examine the story arc of each character individually.

Johnny Lawrence

The entire series revolves around an older character, who was once the teenage antagonist from the original Karate Kid, a person whose life took a turn for the worse following his defeat in the All Valley tournament to Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). As the story nears its end, the grown-up version of Johnny (William Zabka) is still grappling with his lingering fear of being forever labeled a loser. This struggle is manifested through two unexpectedly healing conversations with John Kreese (Martin Kove), his sensei whose abusive words and actions set off a spiral of self-loathing, ultimately leading to alcoholism post-1984 loss. Their cautious reunion helps Johnny find mental closure, particularly when Kreese assists him in regaining control of the Cobra Kai dojo for a final showdown against the rival Iron Dragons at the Sekai Taikai finals.

Due to both teams having equal points following the competition, Johnny finds himself in an unforeseen circumstance: He has to battle against the younger, more powerful Sensei Wolf in a decisive round. By heeding Daniel’s encouraging words and recalling his teachings, he manages to blend his aggressive Cobra Kai moves with his defensive Miyagi-Do techniques, securing the victory for his dojo. This anticipated yet victorious finale for the underdog character is fitting, and seeing Johnny buy a house for his family and co-run a Cobra Kai dojo alongside Daniel’s Miyagi-Do dojo feels well-deserved.

Daniel LaRusso

In this latest season, I found myself grappling with the staggering revelations about Daniel’s enigmatic mentor, Mr. Miyagi: It turns out that he wasn’t just a pacifist icon, but a man with a complex past. Rumors swirled of his involvement in a robbery and assault, and even more shockingly, the accidental killing of a rival during the Sekai Taikai.

These revelations shook my perception of Miyagi to its core, as I had always admired him for his non-violent philosophy. However, an unexpected dream conversation with Miyagi, facilitated by some advanced AI technology stepping into the shoes of the late Pat Morita, offered a new perspective. In this surreal encounter, Miyagi explained that he was seeking revenge for a stolen necklace belonging to his late wife, which had been taken by a guard during the internment camps. This self-defense act, I realized, was not an act of aggression, but one of justice and honor.

With this newfound understanding, I could see past the veil of deception that had clouded my view of Miyagi. I came to appreciate that his teachings, the essence of Miyagi-Do, were about more than just peace; it was about justice, honor, and standing up for what is right, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Currently in the competition, Team Miyagi-Do is trailing significantly in points, making a comeback victory unlikely. However, Daniel’s newfound tranquility allows him to accept defeat gracefully and focus on supporting Johnny at Cobra Kai. It’s satisfying to see Johnny embodying Daniel’s (and Miyagi’s) teachings, and intriguing to watch Daniel adopt some of the Cobra Kai ethos. This season, even Daniel utters the phrase “Cobra Kai never dies,” a statement his previous self would have never made. Noteworthy too is Daniel’s wife Amanda (played by Courtney Henggeler), who continues to be a hidden strength, keeping the series relatable and realistic in these episodes.

Miguel Diaz

The new world champion of karate is now a boy – Miguel (Xolo Maridueña). Though he lost the Miyagi-Do captain position for the Sekai Taikai tournament to Robby (Tanner Buchanan), in the final episodes, he gets another chance to prove himself when he steps in as a replacement for Kwon on the Cobra Kai squad. Guided once more by his longtime sensei, Johnny, this situation brings back memories of his All Valley win for Cobra Kai in the Season 1 finale. However, Axel from the Iron Dragons presents a tough competitor who doesn’t shy away from underhanded tactics. Yet, Miguel emerges victorious. Later that very same day, he receives news that Stanford has accepted him as a student.

Samantha LaRusso

In recent episodes, Sam (Mary Mouser) found herself yearning to break free from her usual routine in the Valley, sparked by her experiences exploring Barcelona. This led her to commit to a one-year program in Okinawa, influenced by her father’s tales of his past there. Interestingly, her boyfriend, Miguel, has shown maturity and unwavering support for this decision, even offering to accompany her for the initial weeks.

Meanwhile, regarding the Sekai Taikai, Sam chooses to step aside and let Tory (Peyton List) advance to the finals. This move serves as a rewarding conclusion to their long-standing rivalry-turned-friendship narrative that has been developing over seasons.

Robby Keene

Initially, when Robby was selected as a Miyagi-Do captain for the Sekai Taikai, it appeared as if this could be his long-awaited moment in the spotlight. However, upon returning for the boys’ semifinals a month following the tournament’s pause, Axel’s mentor refuses to acknowledge defeat. Consequently, the malevolent Axel brutally injures Robby on the mat, managing to win and escape disqualification. This cruel act shatters Robby’s aspirations of victory, paving the way for a contemplative moment of introspection. Nonetheless, he possesses all that truly matters: a loving family, devoted friends, a girlfriend who adores him, and a chance to compete professionally, despite the reservations of his cautious guidance counselor.

Tory Nichols

Following the tragic loss of her mother during the selection process for the Sekai Taikai team, Tory withdrew from social interactions, finding solace only within the strangely soothing familiarity of Cobra Kai. However, she now has close companions again, particularly Sam. In their final match-up, Tory confronts Zara, a seemingly benevolent karate influencer from the Iron Dragons who harbors hidden cruelty. Despite her jeers, Tory remains unfazed when Robby declares his affection for her and they share a passionate kiss in full view of the audience, receiving thunderous cheers and applause. With renewed vigor, Tory overpowers Zara, even knocking out one of her teeth and retaliating with “Welcome to the Valley, bitch,” echoing Zara’s earlier taunt in Barcelona. This was a satisfying payback—and even more opportunities presented themselves, as Tory was offered endorsement deals that would enable both her and Robby to continue competing.

Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz and Demetri Alexopoulos

Throughout the initial two-thirds of this season, self-proclaimed “Binary Bros” found themselves in a prolonged disagreement centered around college choices. However, during their visit to Barcelona for the Sekai Taikai in Season 6’s second episode, they reconciled and are now back on friendly terms, often referred to as being in ‘bromance mode’. Once Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) was accepted into Caltech, they began discussing plans to visit each other and attend summer classes together. Later, Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo), who initially expressed interest in MIT, decided against it and instead opted to join his best friend at Caltech, also considering their robotics program.

In a somewhat less captivating turn of events, Demetri’s girlfriend, Yasmine, eventually reconciles with him following an embarrassing incident where she saw him dancing with a Spanish woman over video call. As a result, both Demetri and Eli remain in relationships with their respective partners as they head off to college. This aligns with the show’s tendency for slightly exaggerated happy endings, although it is typical of this series to incorporate a touch of fantasy.

John Kreese

Was anyone expecting Kreese to undergo a redemption journey? Following his prison escape and teaming up with Kim Da-Eun (Alicia Hanah-Kim) to mold the Cobra Kai students into formidable fighters for the Sekai Taikai, Kreese surprisingly started showing genuine remorse towards Johnny. This was particularly evident when Johnny saved his life from Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) amidst the turmoil in Barcelona. Kreese then apologized sincerely to his former student and acknowledged that the affection he harbored for Johnny was actually a source of strength rather than a weakness. However, despite this change of heart, Kreese remains steadfast in his desire to eliminate Silver, especially when he perceives any threat to Johnny’s life. In an unexpected twist, he secretly boards Silver’s yacht and orchestrates an explosion that includes both characters on board, with “mercy” being his final words instead of the usual “no mercy.

Terry Silver

Regardless of how things played out, the demise of this recurring Karate Kid antagonist was inevitable; towards the closing episodes, Silver discovers that he’s terminally ill, with only six months left to live at best. In a desperate bid for glory and to secure his legacy, he strives to achieve success with his dojo at the World Tournament. However, Kreese halts him before he can witness the climax. Their death-defying battle and its explosive conclusion are both thrilling and comical.

Kenny Payne, Devon Lee, and Anthony LaRusso

In the recent episodes, the younger backup players didn’t receive much spotlight, as most of their storylines were resolved in the previous set, including the mischief involving contaminated water with laxatives. Although it would have been intriguing to catch up with them a couple more times, the series does conclude by suggesting that they continue training with both Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do at the end of the season.

Chozen and Kim Da-Eun

In the vibrant city of Barcelona, I found myself unexpectedly reconnecting with a remarkable woman who momentarily diverted me from my sorrow over Kumiko – Kim Da-Eun. Known for her formidable reputation and occasionally harsh demeanor, she was the enigmatic sensei of Cobra Kai, initially drawn into the fold by Silver. Although she played a significant role in just one episode of the final five, the finale hinted at Chozen visiting her dojang, suggesting a possible romantic union between the two characters.

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2025-02-13 21:09

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