The Ending Of Cobra Kai Explained

Contains spoilers for “Cobra Kai” Season 6, Part 3

It was unexpected for anyone to foresee the massive success that “Cobra Kai” would achieve when it initially premiered on YouTube Red in 2018. The second season appeared on the revamped YouTube Premium the subsequent year, and subsequently, “Cobra Kai” migrated to Netflix, where it grew into one of the streaming service’s marquee programs. On February 13, 2025, the concluding chapters of “Cobra Kai” Season 6 were released on Netflix, marking the conclusion of the story involving Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio).

Johnny has had a lengthy experience, starting off as a complete underdog after losing to Daniel in 1984’s “The Karate Kid.” Throughout the series, Johnny and Daniel continue to clash, but they eventually find common ground to stand against the malevolent actions of John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), who have transformed Cobra Kai into a much darker entity than what was portrayed in the original movies.

In Season 6 of “Cobra Kai”, Miyagi-Do joins the Sekai Taikai, a global tournament featuring top young karate athletes. The event quickly erupts into a massive fight, leading to pandemonium. Cobra Kai member Kwon (Brandon H. Lee) nearly stabs Axel (Patrick Luwis), but instead, he accidentally impales himself and dies. This heart-wrenching incident sets the stage for an emotionally charged conclusion. However, let’s delve into what happens at the end of “Cobra Kai” and attempt to decipher its meaning.

What you need to remember about the plot of Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 3

Cobra Kai” Season 6, Part 3 contains just five episodes to tidy up numerous storylines, skipping straight to business. Given Kwon’s passing, the World Tournament (Sekai Taikai) is on hold unless all senseis consent to its resumption. Terry Silver persuades Daniel LaRusso, who recognizes the children’s desire for one final chance at triumph. The competition picks up again in the San Fernando Valley, meaning there will be no more journeys to Barcelona for the finale.

The situation becomes tense, as Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan) sustains a fractured bone during his battle with Axel, forcing him out of the tournament. Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser) chooses to withdraw before her upcoming bout. It seems that the Iron Dragons will emerge victorious, but Kreese sets things straight by giving Johnny control of Cobra Kai, making him the new sensei and pitting Tory Nichols (Peyton List) and Miguel Diaz (Xolo Maridueña) against Zara (Rayna Vallandingham) and Axel (respectively) in the final match.

In an unexpected twist, some events in Cobra Kai Season 6 appear contradictory to logic, but these inconsistencies are part of the show’s charm. On the other hand, the decline of Miyagi-Do’s prominence in the final episodes feels reasonable given that the series is titled “Cobra Kai.” Both Tory and Miguel come out on top in their battles, culminating in a fight that encapsulates the core idea behind Cobra Kai.

What happens at the end of Cobra Kai?

At the conclusion of the matches, both Cobra Kai and Iron Dragons have an equal score. Following Sekai Taikai regulations, their instructors must now engage in combat to decide the ultimate dojo victor. This means that Johnny will battle against Wolf (Lewis Tan). Wolf is a tough adversary given his youth and ruthless nature; Johnny, on the other hand, is older. In preparation for the match, Johnny enlists Daniel as his sensei. This presents a full-circle moment since Daniel, who previously despised Cobra Kai, now serves as one of its instructors, even donning a black gi identical to that of Cobra Kai.

As I watch the match unfold, it seems like Johnny is struggling at the beginning. The rules state that one must land three hits to win, and Wolf is quickly racking up two legal hits against him. However, it appears that Wolf is intentionally targeting Johnny, whom he previously intimidated, as this contest takes place in the same arena where he was humiliated by Daniel in the original Karate Kid.

After seeking advice from Daniel and Chozen, I see a change in Johnny’s demeanor. He becomes focused, determined to make a stunning comeback. Remarkably, he manages to outsmart Wolf, just as Daniel had done years ago. Rather than launching a barrage of attacks, Johnny strategically waits for Wolf to approach him before delivering the decisive blow. This tactic reflects a valuable lesson he learned from Miyagi-Do – victory isn’t always about going on the offensive.

With Johnny’s transformation journey concluded, it’s worth noting that he ties the knot with Carmen (Vanessa Rubio) just before she delivers their baby. Eventually, they purchase a home together. From the initial days of “Cobra Kai,” Johnny has certainly traversed a long path and in multiple aspects, he is now a victor.

What the ending of Cobra Kai means

Cobra Kai,” fundamentally, revolves around the theme of second opportunities. To illustrate this, the final episode commences with a flashback of Johnny before the Cobra Kai saga, showing him visiting his mother’s grave while intoxicated and lamenting about his life, which he feels peaked during high school. He also hints at an incident involving an Applebee’s manager, suggesting that the police were involved due to his actions. This “Applebee’s incident” has been subtly alluded to in the series, but it becomes apparent in this scene that Johnny is at his lowest ebb, convinced he’s nothing more than a failure.

In “Cobra Kai,” Johnny initially finds himself running a struggling dojo. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn when he guides Miguel to victory in the All-Valley Karate Tournament. He later teams up with Daniel and Chozen, helping Miyagi-Do compete in the Sekai Taikai tournament. In a dramatic twist, Johnny even defeats Sensei Wolf on a global stage. This story serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to correct past mistakes and get another opportunity in life.

In “Cobra Kai,” there have been numerous appearances and nods to “The Karate Kid” and its subsequent films, including a period where Miyagi-Do served as the main dojo. Yet, the series has always been Johnny’s tale. Not only has he managed to find redemption, but Cobra Kai is no longer just associated with wickedness due to his transformation. Through his personal growth and the impact on his students, the show has become a deeply inspiring narrative as a whole.

What’s next for Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do?

The show concludes with Johnny managing Cobra Kai, a dojo that has gained immense popularity. It’s teeming with students, proving that Johnny’s success extends beyond the Sekai Taikai tournament. However, he vows not to follow in Kreese’s footsteps. Instead, he teaches his pupils effective techniques for self-defense and how to avoid bullying without resorting to aggression like the previous sensei of Cobra Kai. On the other hand, Daniel will carry on Miyagi’s legacy by heading the Miyagi-Do dojo. It’s intriguing that students at both dojos will be expected to master skills from both offenses and defenses.

In the show “Cobra Kai,” the dynamic between Johnny and Daniel mirrors the concept of yin and yang in Chinese philosophy, where opposing forces work together harmoniously. Initially, they disagreed fiercely about their martial arts philosophies. However, by Season 6, Part 3, it’s evident that both their methods have value and should coexist. It’s heartening to witness them put aside their long-standing feud permanently, transitioning from adversaries to reluctant admirers of each other, eventually becoming genuine friends. They now support each other’s businesses extensively through numerous referrals.

What happens to all the kids from Cobra Kai?

Over the span of six seasons, “Cobra Kai” expands its focus from Johnny to include a fresh batch of martial arts practitioners. By the end of the series, we’re left wondering about their respective fates.

Samantha is accepted into a program that takes her to Okinawa due to her desire to explore the culture that had an impact on her father’s life. Coincidentally, Miguel joins her on this trip to Japan, spending time with Samantha during their flight. Tory and Robby initially didn’t focus much on higher education, but after Tory wins the Sekai Taikai as the female champion, she lands a profitable agreement with Icon Branding to serve as an athlete ambassador, which also applies to Robby. Lastly, the show’s intellectually gifted characters, Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) and Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo), end up attending Cal Tech together, maintaining their strong friendship throughout their academic journey.

Among the younger karate students, we find Kenny Payne (Dallas Dupree Young), Devon Lee (Oona O’Brien), and Anthony LaRusso (Griffin Santopietro) training in both the Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do dojos. Essentially, each character finds their desired growth. Despite a fair share of romantic complications, Sam and Miguel end up as a couple, while Robby and Tory also pair off. Contrary to expectations, “Cobra Kai” doesn’t wrap up with a bittersweet ending, despite echoes of the conclusion in “Rocky,” where he loses the fight but gains admiration. Instead, it’s all positive energy with “Cobra Kai.

Are Kreese and Silver really dead?

In 2022, Looper spoke with Martin Kove about his decision to reprise his role as John Kreese in “Cobra Kai.” His explanation carries even more weight today. He expressed that he wasn’t keen on portraying him as John Kreese from “The Karate Kid,” and each season has provided him with increasing layers of emotional complexity. The emotional journey of Kreese concludes in Season 6, when Johnny confronts him about abandoning him after losing the All-Valley to Daniel in the ’80s. In an attempt to make amends, Kreese appoints Johnny as the new Cobra Kai sensei, enabling the dojo to carry on competing.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that Kreese is more than just his tough exterior. Throughout “Cobra Kai,” Kreese undergoes a significant transformation, yet Terry Silver remains the icy villain he always was. He devises a scheme to jeopardize Johnny’s family, aiming to manipulate him into losing his match against Wolf. In an intense confrontation on Silver’s boat in the heart of the ocean, their conflict escalates into a physical altercation. A spill of gasoline and Kreese’s iconic cigar spark a catastrophic explosion – one that, given the circumstances, we can hardly believe they survived.

In summary, it seems fitting that these characters have departed permanently, allowing Kreese to enjoy a genuine happy ending, while Silver, in an impressive manner, is no longer a threat, ensuring fans can peacefully assume he won’t be planning further acts of revenge on Johnny and Daniel, hidden in the background.

Cobra Kai’s creators had to expand their plans for the ending

The creators of “Cobra Kai” have chosen to wrap up the show after six seasons, as they prefer to bring it to an end on their own terms rather than risking premature cancellation and leaving fans in suspense about the characters’ final destinies. While the series remains well-received by audiences, the creators believe that a run of six seasons offers the ideal length for a legacy sequel, providing viewers ample time to develop a deep understanding of the characters without extending the storyline beyond its prime, potentially leading to repetitive or stale content.

As co-creator Jon Hurwitz explained, the final outcome was generally as intended from the start, but due to additional characters joining the storyline, some tweaks were necessary. In his words, “We had a vision for this ending, but we couldn’t have foreseen all the different elements that would come together in the grand finale.” He went on to say, “Originally, our focus was primarily on Johnny and Daniel, with a hint of Miguel, Robby, and Sam at the start. But now, there are 40 beloved characters we want to ensure receive a fitting conclusion.

Redemption for Johnny was inevitable; it was just a question of how his transformation would unfold. Spanning six seasons allowed Johnny’s character to develop depth, and one significant addition was Tory, who joined in Season 2. She soon became crucial to the storyline, oscillating between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai, eventually finding a sense of peace and stability in her life by series end. The creators successfully fulfilled their initial vision while also giving ample attention to the new characters.

What’s going on in the Cobra Kai epilogue?

Following the final title in “Cobra Kai,” a scene unfolds inside a sushi restaurant. In this setting, two influential figures from Hollywood are engaged in conversation about a potential project. These individuals are none other than Jon Hurwitz and Josh Heald, the co-creators of “Cobra Kai.” With Hurwitz hinting at a new series set in Hill Valley in an alternate 1985, it seems they could be brainstorming ideas for a “Back to the Future” revival. This would presumably feature Thomas F. Wilson (Biff), Lea Thompson (Lorraine), and Billy Zane (Match) reprising their roles.

Initially, Wilson, who portrayed the bully in the movies, is now receiving a redemption arc, which appears to be a playful jab at the core idea of “Cobra Kai”. Since discussions about a “Back to the Future” remake have been ruled out for years, this could simply be the creators enjoying a bit of meta humor.

Afterward, we move to Daniel and Johnny sharing a meal and talking about their martial arts schools. They have become friends now, and Johnny steps away momentarily to visit the restroom. Alone, Daniel spots a fly and attempts to catch it using chopsticks, reminiscent of the first “Karate Kid” film where he successfully catches a fly. But before he can do so here, Johnny returns and casually swats the fly, demonstrating his character.

Does Cobra Kai’s ending set up Karate Kid: Legends?

Even though the series “Cobra Kai” has wrapped up, the “Karate Kid” universe remains vibrant and active. The upcoming release of “Karate Kid: Legends” is scheduled for May 30, 2025, bringing back Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso. He’ll be partnering with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the 2010 “Karate Kid” reboot to mentor a new student, Li Fong (Ben Wang), in martial arts. The upcoming movie doesn’t seem to have any direct connections to the “Cobra Kai” finale, as Daniel is still seen managing Miyagi-Do there.

Although viewers might have anticipated seeing Chan in the final scenes of “Cobra Kai,” the upcoming movie “Karate Kid: Legends” is set three years after the series’ events. Given this timeline, it wouldn’t fit logically to include Mr. Han in the storyline. At this point, no other cast members from “Cobra Kai” have been announced for the film, although there’s a chance for unexpected appearances. The movie will unfold in New York City rather than California, which could be another reason why we don’t know if anyone else is involved (as of now).

According to the plot summary, it appears that Li might need to combine Daniel’s and Mr. Han’s unique martial arts techniques for a karate tournament. This blending of styles is essentially the climax of “Cobra Kai,” as Daniel and Johnny co-teach students who learn from both of them. Given its thematic connection to “Cobra Kai,” we hope that “Karate Kid: Legends” receives recognition. What’s certain is that this upcoming movie will delve deeper into Daniel’s story, making it one of the 2025 films we definitely don’t want to skip.

2025-02-13 15:32