Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Cobra Kai’s finale!Following the conclusion of Cobra Kai, co-creator Hayden Schlossberg shares his personal ranking of the top five teen fighters. The series, a continuation of the 1980s Karate Kid franchise, follows Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) as he seeks redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo and reignites his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). Over the course of six seasons, the two former rivals ended up becoming friends as they taught the next generation of karate students. Cobra Kai‘s finale premiered on February 13.
In a post on X/Twitter, Schlossberg responded to a fan’s inquiry about the best teen fighters in the franchise by revealing his top five list, featuring Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Axel (Patrick Luwis), Kwon (Brandon H. Lee), Robby (Tanner Buchanan), and Hawk (Jacob Bertrand). He also mentioned Diego (Justin Ortiz) as an honorable mention. Check out the post below:
What This Means For Cobra Kai
Schlossberg Provides A Well-Rounded Ranking
Miguel, ranked at the top of Schlossberg’s list, is a central character in the Cobra Kai storyline, and his martial arts prowess and personal evolution have been major focal points throughout the show. His journey from a troubled teenager to a skilled fighter reflects much of the series’ thematic core of growth and redemption. Meanwhile, Robby, a character with a complicated relationship with his father, Johnny Lawrence, also showcases significant growth as a fighter and in his relationship with Johnny.
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Additionally, Schlossberg’s ranking emphasizes the strength of the villainous characters in Cobra Kai. The mention of Axel, Kwon, and Hawk, in particular, brings attention to the characters who served as main or secondary villains at some point in the series. The way these characters developed their techniques, as well as their personal stories, made them key figures in the show’s ultimate resolution. In the series finale, Axel, while a great opponent, loses to Miguel, while Hawk leaves for CalTech with Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo). Prior to that, Kwon tragically died after impaling himself during a brawl at the prestigious Sekai Taikai tournament.
Our Take On Schlossberg’s Cobra Kai Fighter Ranking
Hayden Schlossberg’s List Is More Than Just An Elite Ranking
Schlossberg’s ranking is a fitting way to acknowledge the varied paths the characters took in the series. With Cobra Kai mixing martial arts with emotional growth, each character’s journey contributed to their overall standing in the end. This ranking offers viewers a clearer understanding of who Schlossberg viewed as the true martial arts elites as the show’s complex relationships and dramatic arcs came to an end. While rankings can always spark debates, Schlossberg’s list encapsulates the heart of Cobra Kai and focuses not just on who could win in a fight, but who grew the most along the way.
Source: Hayden Schlossberg/X/Twitter
Cobra Kai
8/10
- Release Date
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2018 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix, YouTube Premium
- Showrunner
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Jon Hurwitz
- Directors
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Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, Joel Novoa, Jennifer Celotta, Steven K. Tsuchida, Sherwin Shilati, Marielle Woods, Steve Pink, Lin Oeding, Michael Grossman
- Writers
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Josh Heald, Ashley Darnall, Chris Rafferty, Bill Posley