If you grew up watching The Karate Kid, like I did, Cobra Kai is everything you could ever want in a continuation. It brings back all the old characters while also introducing new ones, and somehow, it makes them all feel important. The show isn’t just about karate—it’s about redemption, learning from your past, and realizing that life isn’t just about good guys vs. bad guys.
Johnny Lawrence’s Journey – The Heart of the Show
Johnny Lawrence’s story is hands down the best part of the show. Seeing him go from a washed-up loser to someone who actually grows, changes, and finds happiness was amazing to watch. And his dynamic with Daniel? Perfect. The way they start off still stuck in their old rivalry but eventually become best friends/family just felt right.
I have to say that seeing them work together instead of always fighting was my favorite part of this show. Bringing back Chozen and Mike Barnes to side with Daniel and Johnny just warmed my heart. While they did play the bullies in their respective movies, seeing them all reconcile was just so nice to see.
Character Arcs In Cobra Kai That Shine
One of the things Cobra Kai does so well is making sure every character gets their moment to shine:
Tory finally gets the support she deserves – Her journey from antagonist to a more well-rounded character was handled so well.
Miguel continues to be the heart of the show – His growth, relationships, and moral struggles make him one of the most lovable characters.
Robbie finally gets the family he always wanted – Watching his story come full circle was so satisfying.
Even Kreese had a full-circle moment – I never thought I’d feel anything but hate for him, but his final arc genuinely surprised me.
I was so incredibly happy to see Johnny finally get to tell Kreese exactly how he felt all these years about everything he did to him. Not going to lie, I cried—a lot.
Action-Packed Fight Scenes That Deliver
And don’t even get me started on the fight scenes—they’re some of the best I’ve ever seen in a TV show. The choreography and filming of these fights were just spectacular.
I think I rewatched the fight scenes more times than I rewatched the seasons. Ha!
The final fights in the last season? Absolutely epic.
More Than Just Nostalgia
The best thing about Cobra Kai is that it doesn’t just rely on nostalgia. Yeah, it brings back a lot of familiar faces and moments, but it actually builds on them instead of just rehashing the past.
The story grows naturally, allowing old and new characters to shine.
The themes of family, redemption, and personal growth are just as important as the action.
The humor, heart, and high-energy fights make every episode exciting and meaningful.
And the ending? Perfect. Every character got the closure they deserved, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Final Thoughts – Should You Watch It?
If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s got action, comedy, and so much heart. Hands down, one of the best shows I’ve ever watched.
Final Rating: 10/10 – A perfect mix of nostalgia, storytelling, and action with a satisfying conclusion.
Be sure to watch The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid II, and The Karate Kid III first if you haven’t seen them before watching Cobra Kai. Highly recommended.
And afterwards, be sure to check out Karate Kid: Legends, starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, coming out later this year!
Have You Watched Cobra Kai?
Let’s talk about it! If you have seen Cobra Kai, what did you think? Do you feel nostalgic? What were your favorite moments? 
If you haven’t seen it yet, you can check it out on Netflix!
Please be sure to check out my main page and/or about me page for more info.