10 Reasons Why Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso Are Equally Excellent Cobra Kai Senseis

Article Overview

Daniel and Johnny have accepted that both their teaching styles have merits and complement each other, despite their differences.

Daniel adopts Mr. Miyagi's empathetic and tolerant approach, while Johnny favors strict discipline and unconventional methods.

Daniel imparts the ancient Miyagi-Do karate style, which has been passed down for generations, whereas Johnny's extensive background as a seasoned practitioner provides him with a competitive advantage when instructing Eagle Fang students.

Daniel and Johnny, the former rivals from The Karate Kid, have both pursued careers as karate senseis and showcased their unique teaching abilities in Cobra Kai. Initially, the Netflix series portrayed them as opposing forces, as their respective dojos competed against each other. However, they eventually recognized that their old adversaries possess an inherent talent for instructing karate, despite their contrasting teaching methods.

Although Daniel and Johnny attempted to merge their dojos at one point, they discovered that their instructional approaches were incompatible. Daniel emphasizes principles of peace and self-defense, while Johnny follows the strict guidelines of Cobra Kai, advocating for the mantra "Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy." As Cobra Kai enters its final season on Netflix, the duo has finally embraced the notion that both ideologies have a rightful place and time. Daniel and Johnny serve as a symbolic representation of Yin and Yang, each excelling as teachers in their respective domains.

10. Daniel Is A More Compassionate Sensei Than Johnny

Danel's Approach To Teaching Is A Lot Like Mr. Miyagi's

In Cobra Kai season 1, Daniel LaRusso made it a priority to continue his former sensei's teachings by striving for qualities like patience, acceptance, and compassion. This dedication led him to take in Robby Keene, despite the young boy's troublesome history. Nevertheless, Daniel is not without flaws. Upon discovering that Robby is Johnny's son, he momentarily let his compassion falter. However, with Mr. Miyagi as his inspiration, Daniel quickly regained his focus and now wholeheartedly offers karate lessons to anyone interested in learning.

9. Johnny Isn't Afraid Of Tough Love Where It Is Needed

Johnny's Name-Calling And No-Nonsense Approach Really Works

8. Daniel's Miyagi-Do Karate Is Centuries Old

Johnny Lawrence, in Cobra Kai, was a stark contrast to Mr. Miyagi's approach in The Karate Kid. Despite being 30 years older, Johnny remains non-PC just like he was in the past. He has no qualms about using derogatory terms for his students or dismissing their complaints about minor discomforts. This starkly contrasts with Daniel's methods and has led to conflict between the two rivals. However, the success of Johnny's students, such as Miguel and Hawk, proves that tough love is an effective teaching approach.

Mr. Miyagi's Karate Style Originates In The 1600s

Daniel has the advantage of instructing an ancient form of karate in the Cobra Kai dojo. While Johnny's Cobra Kai was established by John Kreese after the Vietnam War, Miyagi-Do has a much longer history. It was first established by Mr. Miyagi's ancestor, Shimpo Miyagi, who brought the style back from Japan in the mid-1600s. Over the centuries, the style has evolved and been passed down from father to son. In Cobra Kai, Daniel and Chozen are among the few individuals who continue to practice Miyagi-Do, which sets their dojo and teaching abilities apart from the surrounding dojos.

7. Johnny Has Been Doing Karate Longer Than Daniel

Johnny Started At Cobra Kai Years Before Daniel Met Mr. Miyagi

Even though Daniel emerged victorious in the legendary showdown at the conclusion of The Karate Kid, it must be acknowledged that Johnny, the pupil of Cobra Kai, had been honing his skills in the sport for a significantly longer period. In actuality, Daniel was merely a newcomer who owed his triumph to his unwavering determination and a sprinkle of fortuitous occurrences. When it ultimately boils down to it, Johnny possessed the superior fighting prowess—he simply suffered from the detrimental influence of John Kreese. In Cobra Kai as an adult, Johnny's extensive experience continues to provide him with an advantage. Karate has been an integral part of his identity since his early childhood, and though his connection with John Kreese in the lead-up to season 6 is complex, their shared history undeniably leaves a positive impact on the students of Eagle Fang.

6. Daniel Has Mr. Miyagi's Example To Follow In Cobra Kai

Mr. Miyagi Is An Important Role Model In Daniel's Life

Throughout Cobra Kai, Daniel found himself confronted with various challenges that seemed unsolvable. Whether it was dealing with Johnny, John Kreese, or Terry Silver, each encounter left him feeling helpless and unsure. It wasn't until he visited Mr. Miyagi's grave, or even traveled to Japan, that he found the strength to overcome these hurdles. Having such a remarkable role model has proven to be invaluable to Daniel. His deep love and respect for his former sensei allows him to tap into the wisdom and teachings he received in the past. Despite Mr. Miyagi's passing before the events of Cobra Kai, his guidance has continued to shape Daniel's path, transforming him into an even greater sensei.

5. Johnny Isn't Restricted To His Old Sensei's Teachings

Johnny Can Teach Any Style & Through Any Method He Wishes In Cobra Kai

Despite benefiting greatly from Mr. Miyagi's wisdom in his teaching methods, there have been instances where Daniel became overly preoccupied with understanding and adhering to his old sensei's desires, ultimately hindering his progress. However, Johnny is unburdened by this predicament. While acknowledging the effectiveness of John Kreese's karate teaching techniques in Cobra Kai, Johnny also recognizes the destructive impact his teacher had. This awareness grants him the freedom to establish his own principles and adapt his methods until he discovers what truly works. As a result, he possesses a remarkable degree of flexibility and innovative thinking, which has transformed his students into formidable martial artists.

4. Daniel Gives His Students More One-On-One Instruction

Daniel Has Traditionally Had Smaller Class Sizes In Cobra Kai

As Mr. Miyagi restricted himself to instructing just one student at a time, Daniel found himself more at ease in Cobra Kai, where he taught a lesser number of students compared to Johnny's dojos. The learning process at Miyagi-Do demanded extensive one-on-one sessions, and even as Daniel's dojo gained popularity, he remained dedicated to working with students individually or dividing them into smaller groups. This fostered a stronger connection between sensei and students, ultimately contributing to the serene atmosphere that envelops the dojo.

3. Johnny Has Experience Teaching Larger Classes

Johnny Successfully Transformed Dozens Of Students At The Same Time

Unlike the few students at Miyagi-Do, Johnny has excelled in handling large class sizes. Following Miguel's victorious confrontation with the school bullies in season 1 of Cobra Kai, the dojo experienced a surge in popularity, resulting in booming business for Johnny. Although the situation could have easily spiraled out of control, the sensei effectively instructed this massive group of students without neglecting anyone. Their progress was remarkable, solidifying Johnny as one of the most successful Cobra Kai dojo owners, evident through the substantial number of students capable of becoming champions.

2. Daniel Knows When To Ask For Help From Other Miyagi-Do Experts

Daniel Was Willing To Seek Help From Chozen

Johnny used to prefer working alone, and while Daniel may have once said the same thing, he proved in Cobra Kai that he was willing to reach out for assistance. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges against Kreese and Silver, Daniel journeyed to Japan to reconnect with the spirit of his late mentor, Mr. Miyagi. During his stay, he unexpectedly encountered his former foe, Chozen Toguchi. Overcoming his own reservations, Daniel humbly asked Chozen for his guidance, and together they have become an formidable teaching team. Since then, Daniel has become more receptive to accepting support from others, and this shift has had a profound impact on his students.

1. Johnny Proved He Is Willing To Change For His Students' Benefit

Johnny Realized That His Methods Were Hurting His Students After Cobra Kai Season 1

Johnny experienced initial success when he rejoined Cobra Kai and began teaching his first students. However, he soon realized that his adoption of John Kreese's aggressive techniques from The Karate Kid had resulted in his students becoming overly brutal, taking the concept of "No Mercy" to an extreme level of cruelty. Deeply disturbed by his role in this, Johnny decided to make significant changes. He acknowledged his mistakes and made a sincere effort to guide his students towards a more constructive path. This shift in approach cannot be overstated in importance. By displaying the willingness to admit his errors and proactively make adjustments, Johnny proved himself to be an exceptional instructor within the Cobra Kai dojo.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Cobra Kai, I find it intriguing to explore the dynamic between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso as sensei in the series. Both characters bring unique teaching styles, experiences, and personal growth to their respective karate dojos.

Daniel, with his empathetic and tolerant approach, focuses on principles of peace and self-defense, while Johnny, with his strict discipline and unconventional methods, follows the guidelines of Cobra Kai, advocating for a more aggressive "Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy" mantra. Their contrasting teaching styles initially clash when they attempt to merge their dojos, but they eventually learn to appreciate the merits of each other's approach.

While Daniel imparts the ancient Miyagi-Do karate style, passed down through generations, Johnny's extensive background as a seasoned practitioner gives him a competitive advantage when instructing Eagle Fang students. Both sensei have their strengths and weaknesses, and their students benefit from their unique perspectives on karate.

As the series progresses, it becomes clear that Daniel and Johnny's teaching styles complement each other, creating a well-rounded approach to karate. They serve as a symbolic representation of Yin and Yang, each excelling as teachers in their respective domains.

In the end, Cobra Kai showcases the importance of embracing different teaching styles and philosophies, as they can all lead to success.