Cobra Kai's Ultimate Showdown: Ranking the Most Intense Rivalries

Summary

Great rivalries are at the core of Cobra Kai's success, as the martial arts series thrives on competitiveness and conflict between characters.

The show goes beyond the rivalry between Johnny and Daniel, delving into intense dynamics among multiple characters that lead to unforgettable storylines and adrenaline-pumping fight scenes.

While Johnny and Daniel's rivalry takes the spotlight, Cobra Kai also delves into other captivating rivalries, like Kreese and Silver, Demetri and Eli, and Sam and Tory, adding layers to the show's storytelling.

Great rivalries are a key component of Cobra Kai's success. It's not surprising, since the show builds on the unfinished conflicts between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence from the first Karate Kid movie. By reintroducing old characters and introducing new ones, the show has created even more rivalries.

This tactic of pitting characters against each other has paid off for the show. As a martial arts series, competition plays a crucial role in its overall narrative. That's why Cobra Kai goes beyond Johnny and Daniel, developing intense dynamics between the main characters, which lead to memorable story arcs, intense fight scenes, and impactful character moments. So, let's take a look at the top eight rivalries in Netflix's Cobra Kai.

Anthony & Kenny

Established later in the series, Anthony and Kenny's rivalry initially mirrored the dynamic between Johnny and Daniel in The Karate Kid. However, there was a significant twist to this storyline. Like young Daniel, Kenny faced relentless bullying at school and decided to learn karate to defend himself. What made it even more intriguing was the fact that Anthony, the son of Daniel and Amanda, was the one bullying him. But unlike the parallel storyline of Johnny and Daniel, Cobra Kai took a different path with Daniel and Anthony's relationship. Kenny, equipped with his newfound karate skills, ended up becoming a bully himself.

In a way, Kenny's arc can be seen as a "what if" scenario, exploring what would have happened if Daniel had joined Cobra Kai instead of seeking guidance from Mr. Miyagi. While this storyline holds great storytelling potential, it has yet to reach the level of intensity seen in Cobra Kai's other rivalries. Its underdeveloped nature up to this point has hindered its progress. Season 5 of Cobra Kai did not significantly advance this storyline, leaving the audience wondering how Anthony will respond to Kenny's actions, which has yet to be properly explored.

Kreese & Silver

Only regarded as allies within The Karate Kid franchise, the convergence of John Kreese and Terry Silver in Cobra Kai season 4 inevitably led to a clash. While their common goal of strengthening Cobra Kai initially united them, the presence of their competing egos, particularly Kreese's, hindered their progress in a captivating manner. Kreese felt compelled to assert his authority at the dojo every time Silver challenged it, ultimately triggering Silver's inevitable return to his villainous nature. Consequently, the once-amicable relationship between the two has transformed into one of intense animosity. However, due to Kreese's incarceration, their rivalry took a backseat in season 5. Nevertheless, should Silver make a comeback, it is expected that the outcome promised by the conclusion of season 4 will be delivered.

Daniel & Kreese

While Kreese's animosity towards Johnny remains the cornerstone of his story, his interactions with Daniel also contribute significantly to the conflicts in Cobra Kai. In the original Karate Kid films, Kreese had limited direct involvement with Daniel. Nevertheless, his burning desire to outshine Ralph Macchio's character remains intensely personal. As the successor to Mr. Miyagi, Daniel represents Kreese's substitute for his true nemesis in The Karate Kid franchise. Unable to defeat Mr. Miyagi, Kreese nurtures a deeply rooted grudge against his greatest adversary's pupil.

Demetri & Eli

Spanning three seasons of the show's run, the bitter rivalry between Eli and Demetri evolved from a shattered friendship. In a similar vein to Kreese and Silver, but unlike most other Cobra Kai rivalries, Eli and Demetri initially started off as friends. The deliberate distancing and cruelty inflicted upon Demetri showcased Eli's descent and served as a highly effective tactic throughout the series. Adding to the depth of their story, Demetri's long-awaited triumph over Eli in the season 2 finale highlighted his ability to hold his own against Eli, despite being perceived as weak.

Sam & Tory

Sam and Tory's rivalry is different from Daniel and Johnny's fight in The Karate Kid. While Tory was often the aggressor, Cobra Kai made their relationship more nuanced. The show portrayed Sam as the one who initially sparked their animosity by falsely accusing Tory of stealing. Additionally, Sam further antagonized Tory at work. By giving both characters understandable motivations for fighting, the show created one of Cobra Kai's most compelling rivalries.

Robby & Miguel

It took a total of five seasons for the Cobra Kai series to finally reconcile the bitter feud between Robby and Miguel. Given that one was Johnny's surrogate son and the other his actual son, it was inevitable for jealousy to manifest and pit them against each other. However, Cobra Kai didn't stop there – mirroring the original movie's compelling narrative, the show capitalized on their shared romantic interest in Sam to further fuel their mutual animosity. As if that wasn't compelling enough, Cobra Kai elevated their rivalry to new heights, using it as a catalyst for some of the most intense one-on-one showdowns in the series.

Johnny & Kreese

Kreese, Johnny's former mentor, emerges as his second-largest competitor in Cobra Kai. The series has garnered deserved acclaim for its exceptional portrayal of their student-teacher relationship in The Karate Kid. Kreese's genuine affection towards Johnny contributes to his portrayal as a multidimensional antagonist. Their dynamic transcends singular emotions or events due to their extensive history. This encompasses Kreese's seemingly heartfelt attempts to guide Johnny onto what he believes is the right path, Johnny's understandable resentment stemming from Kreese's assault in the second film, and Johnny's aspiration to aid Kreese in finding redemption in season 2. The inclusion of these elements enriches the complexity of their rivalry, making it one of Cobra Kai's most intricately woven narratives.

Daniel & Johnny

Cobra Kai skillfully balanced the portrayal of various rivalries, ensuring that none overshadowed the central one between Johnny and Daniel, which remains the heart of the Karate Kid sequel series even after five years. In addition to showcasing thrilling fights, the show consistently added depth to their rivalry through numerous plot developments, building upon the foundation set by The Karate Kid. Despite finding common ground in resolving their conflicts, the contrast between Johnny's aggressive style and Daniel's more polished approach, which defines the series' action and humor, remains ever-present.