Hayden Schlossberg: Daniel LaRusso Didn’t Need Miyagi’s Dark Secret

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Hayden Schlossberg, one of the co-creators of Cobra Kai, has spoken up about an unresolved mystery from the series finale. Fans were hoping for a deeper exploration of Mr. Miyagi’s (the late Pat Morita) shadowy past, but what they got was a dream sequence that didn’t provide many answers regarding Miyagi’s role in a karate match where his opponent met an untimely end. Instead, this scene seemed more focused on stirring nostalgia and helping Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) reconsider his daughter’s decision not to fight.

In a Q&A interaction on Twitter with enthusiasts of the TV series “Cobra Kai,” Schlossberg engaged in discussions to clarify several questions about the recently-concluded sixth season of the “Karate Kid” spin-off. The showrunner generously shared insights into popular fan theories, potential sequels like an “Iron Dragon” series, and how certain story arcs were wrapped up.

During the Q&A session, Schlossberg also discussed why the final episode of the series did not provide a full explanation regarding Miyagi’s past actions, specifically his involvement in the death of an opponent at a previous tournament. Fan Bill Campbell (username @BillCampelll) asked the following question: “Why was there no additional information about the circumstances surrounding Miyagi’s killing of his opponent in the Sekai Takai? I really enjoyed the series, thanks for creating it!” In response, Schlossberg said:

“Thank you for your question, @BillCampelll! The decision to leave some mysteries unsolved, such as the one surrounding Miyagi’s past actions, was a creative choice made by our team. We wanted to allow viewers to interpret and imagine the events based on the clues provided throughout the series. This approach allows for a more personal and unique viewing experience for each individual fan.

Daniel isn’t concerned with the specifics. He acknowledges that Mr. Miyagi wasn’t flawless, but instead chooses to emphasize the positive impact he made. Still, it sure would be intriguing to discover more about what transpired, right?

In the second half of Season 6, it came as a big surprise when Miyagi’s apparent act of killing an opponent was unveiled in Cobra Kai. This twist sent shockwaves through the series as it contradicted everything we thought we knew about Miyagi’s teachings and character. In a flashback scene, Daniel’s deepest fears were realized as he witnessed his mentor acting brutally against his foe. As the story unfolded, Daniel delved into Miyagi’s past, uncovering not only broken rules but also legal troubles that painted a very different picture of the man he believed to be kind and wise. The series finale attempted to clear up the mystery by explaining why Miyagi took a necklace, but this aspect felt underdeveloped compared to the rest of the strong conclusion.

Was It Necessary to Bring Miyagi Back for ‘Cobra Kai’s Final Season?

Since Miyagi’s unexpected arrival in Part 2 of Season 6 of Cobra Kai, fan reactions have been split. On one side, altering Miyagi’s “principles” seemed unnecessary for the narrative as it didn’t contribute to Daniel’s perspective and only caused him confusion about his upbringing. It remains uncertain if this development will be further explored in the upcoming movie sequel Karate Kid: Legends, considering the limited links between the two productions.

In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated imagery (CGI) were employed to resurrect the late Pat Morita. A remarkable fight scene in Part 2, where Daniel endured an unmatched beating, was a dream sequence. When Daniel looked at his opponent, it was none other than Miyagi, fully realized through CGI. While this scene sparked debate among fans, they eventually accepted it as a respectful tribute. It was essentially a cameo, similar to others that had appeared in the series. In Part 3, a dream sequence shows Daniel and Miyagi joining forces to fight off villains in costume, echoing Miyagi’s martial arts skills reveal from the original Karate Kid movie in 1984. This scene underwent significant technological enhancement, raising questions about the ethics of using deceased actors’ likenesses in such a manner.

Is it really essential for Miyagi to be resurrected in the series ‘Cobra Kai’? Given that the show’s charm lies in its nostalgic martial arts comedy and Miyagi being a cornerstone character, his return doesn’t significantly alter the narrative flow. His influence is evident as Daniel has taken over as the new sensei, guided by Miyagi’s timeless teachings. However, using technology to have him say a few words that could have been written in an old notebook seems redundant and not fundamentally necessary.

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2025-02-20 16:32