Cobra Kai vs Miyagi-Do, Johnny vs Daniel, Tory vs Sam… Nothing's Changed After 2 Years

Summary

  • Kreese’s return sets up a new rivalry in Cobra Kai season 6, continuing the conflict between dojos.
  • Tory’s betrayal shakes up alliances, leading to a potential rematch with Sam in the Sekai Taikai.
  • Daniel and Johnny’s old conflicts resurface, showing that past lessons may not have been learned in season 6.



Warning: Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6 part 1

In terms of the status quo, Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 saw the series turn back the page for several of the show’s core characters. In the span of five episodes, The Karate Kid sequel series offered a slew of significant developments in the show’s narrative. With Terry Silver’s defeat in Cobra Kai season 5’s ending, the show appeared to kick off a new chapter, one that wouldn’t be defined by conflicts between rival dojos. But as Kreese’s return quickly demonstrated, the threat posed by Cobra Kai is ever-present in the series.


Unbeknownst to Johnny and Daniel, Kreese has yet to leave them alone. Rather, Kreese is continuing to seek glory for Cobra Kai, this time by using Kim Dae-Eun’s connection to the dojo to enter the Sekai Taikai karate tournament. This alliance paved the way for Kreese to re-enter the frame, this time as co-leader of one of the dojos Johnny and Daniel’s students will have to contend with in Cobra Kai season 6 part 2. Martin Kove’s Kreese emerging as the villain of the final season fits with existing setup, but other twists came as surprises, and show that not much has really changed in two years.


Cobra Kai Season 6’s Tory Twist Sets Up A Repeat Of Season 4’s Ending

Tory & Sam’s Rematch Could Help Decide The Sekai Taikai’s Winner

Just when it seemed that the trend of students defecting to other dojos was over, a new betrayal shook things up in a huge way. This time, it was Tory that turned traitor, leaving Miyagi-do for Cobra Kai. This twist returns Tory to her roots as an antagonist to Sam. Throughout seasons 4 and 5, Cobra Kai took time to develop Tory into one of the show’s “good” characters. By season 5, it was apparent that it was no longer accurate to describe Tory as a villain, as she was actively opposing Terry Silver by this point. The season 5 finale marked another step in the right direction when it opened the door for Sam and Tory to be on the same side.


Not only did Cobra Kai restore Tory to her original role, but it also set the stage for a repeat of a Sam vs. Tory conflict that’s already happened. In what was easily the most significant battle in the history of their rivalry, Tory and Sam’s fight in the Cobra Kai season 4 finale saw the two face off in the finals in the All Valley Tournament’s girls division. The fight ultimately decided the winner of the overall competition. Now, Cobra Kai season 6 is on track for a Sam vs. Tory fight with similar stakes.

As Kreese’s “champion,” it can be presumed that Tory is Cobra Kai’s team captain, thus putting her on a collision course with Sam. After all, Sam won the position of Miyagi-do’s Sekai Taikai team by forfeit when Tory quit. Based on what was said about the Sekai Taikai’s rules, the team captains will fight in individual competitions, making it inevitable that the two square off again. In classic Karate Kid fashion, there’s a good chance both make it to the finals – just like season 4.


Daniel Has Already Forgotten His Biggest Lesson From Cobra Kai Season 4

Daniel Is Still Pushing Miyagi-do On Johnny

Daniel and Johnny arguing in Cobra Kai season 6

Tory isn’t the only character walking a path reminiscent of events from season 4. The very same can be said of Johnny and Daniel in Cobra Kai, whose differing styles temporarily ended their alliance against Kreese. But at the end of the season, after seeing that Johnny’s moves were genuinely good for Sam, Daniel tried to bury the hatchet and finally warmed to the idea that both styles had their merits. This realization shaped their dynamic in Cobra Kai season 5, but surprisingly, the lessons learned from season 4 didn’t seem to stick. Once again, Daniel is expecting Johnny to do things his way, regardless of his own ideas.


This mindset kept their partnership from working in season 4, and it’s happening all over again two years later. Shortly after Johnny elected to give up Eagle Fang completely and assimilate into Miyagi-do, Daniel chastised him for not doing enough to change. Naturally, these clashes ultimately reached a boiling point, with Johnny promising that their alliance would end for good as soon as the Sekai Taikai was over after Daniel forcibly broke up Tory’s fight with Sam. Similar to the situation with season 4, Daniel trying to force his views on Johnny appears to be the root of the problem between them.

Kim Dae-Eun Is Kreese’s Replacement For Terry Silver In Cobra Kai Season 6

There’s No Terry Silver, But Kreese Will Have Help In The Fight Against Miyagi-do


Another aspect of Cobra Kai season 4 that’s making a comeback relates to Kreese’s role. After Johnny and Daniel elected to work together, Kreese took a page from the pair and recruited Terry Silver to be his partner. With Silver’s financial resources on their side, Kreese had an extra advantage going into the All Valley Tournament. The two are no longer allies, but that’s not deterred Kreese, who is back with another partner. This time, it’s Kim Dae-Eun (and her grandfather, Kim Sun-Yung) providing the backing he needs. With her students, he has a full roster of students ready to take on Johnny and Daniel’s dojo.


Terry Silver’s absence thus far makes Cobra Kai season 6 feel somewhat distinct from the previous two entries, but as Kreese’s return proves, Johnny and Daniel’s situation hasn’t changed as much as it once may have seemed. They still can’t get along, Tory is back on Kreese’s side, tension still exists between Robby and Miguel, but most importantly, they’re still at odds with Kreese. Despite various setbacks, Kreese has continued to remain relevant. What’s more, it looks like he’ll be their final obstacle in the Sekai Taikai, which would mirror the ending of season 4’s tournament in yet another way.

Are Cobra Kai’s Season 4 Callbacks Hiding A Massive Twist?

Cobra Kai’s Plan May Not To Be Retelling Old Stories

Johnny and Daniel's students stand on the sidelines at the Sekai Taikai in Cobra Kai season 6

Considering that many of these plotlines have happened before, it may be easy to assume that history will repeat itself in Cobra Kai season 6’s ending – Daniel and Johnny resolve their differences, Sam and Tory face off in the Sekai Taikai, and Kreese does indeed serve as the final villain. One possibility is that Cobra Kai intends to flip some of these events, with Sam besting Tory and Kreese losing. Even so, either would be predictable outcomes. That’s why it’s hard to imagine Cobra Kai continuing to rehash its previous seasons; the Sekai Taikai is already about to start, which is a sign it’s not the show’s true endgame.


With all that in mind, it’s possible that the series is holding back a truly unexpected storyline, one that could involve the return of Terry Silver, Daniel meeting Julie Pierce, or perhaps a direct conflict with Kim Sun-Yung. Perhaps the tease with the best chance of sending Cobra Kai in a whole new direction is the mystery being set up with Mr. Miyagi’s past. Any of these could bring real, meaning ful change to the characters’ stories, albeit just when the show is coming to an end.

Cobra Kai Season 5 Poster

Cobra Kai

Cast
Tanner Buchanan , Xolo Mariduena , Mary Mouser , Connor Murdock , Ralph Macchio , Nichole Brown , Jacob Bertrand , Griffin Santopietro , William Zabka

Seasons
6

Writers
Josh Heald , Jon Hurwitz , Hayden Schlossberg , Michael Jonathan , Mattea Greene , Bill Posley , Stacey Harman , Joe Piarulli , Bob Dearden