Summary
Although I am excited aboutCobra Kai’s final season, I am afraid it is already missing one crucial ingredient. Netflix’sCobra Kaigot many things right from its opening season itself, but it first drew me in with its multi-layered portrayal of the original movie’s main villain, Johnny Lawrence. When the show reinstated John Kreese as one of its primary antagonists in season 2, I grew concerned that it would tread the same path as the original movies and lose its originality.
I was proven wrong, though, when the show delved intoJohn Kreese’s tragic origin storyand made me empathize with him. In its five-season runtime,Cobra Kaihas often drawn lines between its heroes and villains like the original movies. However, it usually gives its bad guys enough redeeming qualities to make them seem at least slightly relatable. The show’s exploration of these shades of gray in its villainous characters has always been one of the biggest reasons I have continued watching it. Unfortunately,Cobra Kaiseason 6 might encounter a villain problemafter 5 seasons.
All 16 Karate Kid & Cobra Kai Villains, Ranked Worst To Best
The Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai have introduced some excellent villains, but some have been far better developed (& are far eviler) than others.
Cobra Kai No Longer Has Its Best Villains
Almost Every Main Character Is Now On Miyagi Do’s Side
InCobra Kai’s initial seasons, Hawk, Robby, and Tory made for fantastic villains. Hawk became unrecognizably ruthless after being too consumed byCobra Kai’s philosophies and even turned hostile toward his own best friend, Demetri. However, instead of antagonizing him,Cobra Kaioffered enough backstory to the character to help me understand the insecurities and vulnerabilities that drove him to such extremes. The Netflix series achieved something similar with Robby and Tory’s characterizations, allowing me to empathize with their actions instead of judging them.
However, sinceCobra Kaihas resolved the three characters' rivalries and redeemed them in the previous seasons, the show has seemingly lost almost all the best young villains. AsCobra Kaiseason 6’s trailersuggests, even seemingly irredeemable characters like Kyler are on Miyagi Do’s side. Kreese and Silver remain the show’s main overarching villains, but I cannot think of many logical ways in which season 6 can make them seem formidable enough afterCobra Kaiseason 5’s ending.
John Kreese is a fugitive after his season 5 prison escape, which will likely prevent him from having any control in the professional karate world. Terry Silver, on the other hand, might put his political prowess and influence to good use and avoid prison time despite being arrested inCobra Kaiseason 5’s finale. However, now that his reputation as a sensei has been tainted,he cannot practise the same level of authority he once commanded in The Valley’s karate community.
Despite being concerned about the lack of compellingvillains inCobra Kaiseason 6, I can understand why the show had to bury all rivalries before its final installment. SinceCobra Kaihas had a solid run, season 6 bears the pressure of raising the stakes of the show’s drama and ending its storyline on a high note. It cannot achieve this by repeating the recipe followed by its predecessors. Therefore, instead of portraying season 6’s central Sekai Taikai International Karate tournament as another platform where Cobra Kai clashes with Miyagi Do, the show has moved all main characters into one team.
AlthoughCobra Kaiseason 6 has been divided into three parts and will have a total of 15 episodes, one season would not have been enough to conclude all the rivalries it has brewed since season 1.
The international format of the tournamentallowsCobra Kaiseason 6 to up the ante of its action and drama without featuring another redundant showdown between its two central dojos. AlthoughCobra Kaiseason 6 has been divided into three parts and will have a total of 15 episodes, one season would not have been enough to conclude all the rivalries it has brewed since season 1. This was likely another major reason the Netflix show gradually dissolved all the bad blood between its young characters to leave room for fresher narratives in the finale.
5 Biggest Fights Teased By The Cobra Kai Season 6 Trailer
We finally have a trailer for Cobra Kai season 6, and there are several exciting fights - both on and off the mat - teased for the upcoming episodes.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Has A Massive Villain Challenge
The Final Season Cannot Risk Introducing New Antagonists
Since Kreese and Silver will likely be powerless, and the show’s former young villains have joined Miyagi Do, I am unsure about howCobra Kaiseason 6 will maintain the same level of tension and conflict as its predecessors. It can use the Sekai Taikai tournament as a narrative device to introduce new villains, but that would be too big of a risk. With only 15 episodes left for the series to end,it might be challenging for the series to develop new antagonists in a way that would feel satisfying.
Cobra Kaiseason 6’s trailer maintains an air of ambiguity surrounding who the main villains will be, suggesting the show’s creators have something intriguing planned for viewers.
However, sinceCobra Kai’s creators have maintained the show’s quality since season 1, I am sure they will find creative ways to overcome these villain problems.Cobra Kaiseason 6’s trailer maintains an air of ambiguity surrounding who the main villains will be, suggesting the show’s creators have something intriguing planned for viewers. Hopefully, their plans forCobra Kaiseason 6 will eradicate all my concerns instead of leaving them unresolved.
Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 1 is scheduled to be released on June 25, 2025, followed by part 2 on August 08, 2025. The show ends its run with a third part which will arrive on Netflix in 2025. Each part consists of five episodes.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
