The Game-Changing Twist That Could Redefine Cobra Kai Season 6's Epic Finale

Cobra Kai season 6 must employ a controversial storytelling trick in order to bring a satisfying closure to the long-running series. Set 33 years after the original Karate Kid movie, the show initially focuses on Daniel LaRusso's successful car sales business and his ability to move on from his high school rivalries. On the other hand, Johnny Lawrence continues to struggle financially and lives in the shadow of his past defeats. His glory days in high school are the highlight of his life, leaving him to wonder about the alternate path his life could have taken if he had won the All-Valley tournament.

However, the Valley isn't entirely gloomy as Johnny discovers a new purpose when he takes Miguel under his wing as his first Cobra Kai student. As the story progresses, old characters and past animosities resurface, repeating the history of the Karate Kid and reigniting forgotten rivalries in the Valley. This simple but effective formula has revitalized the Karate Kid franchise through Cobra Kai. Nevertheless, with most rivalries resolved in season 5, season 6 will need to take an unexpected turn in order to end the series on a high note.

Cobra Kai Season 6 Needs An Ending Flashforward

The initial impression of Daniel LaRusso being more accomplished and mature than Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai season 1 is challenged when he jeopardizes his seemingly perfect life for a trivial high school rivalry. This reveals that Daniel also has unresolved issues and is not as different from Johnny as initially thought. This development in Daniel's character confirms that both he and Johnny lost themselves after achieving karate success in their youth. While Johnny lives with the weight of his defeat, Daniel struggles to hold onto his fading legacy. Without a positive resolution in season 6, the new generation characters in Cobra Kai could face similar fates.

Cobra Kai's opening subverts the "happily ever after" ending of the Karate Kid movies in many ways. While this may be seen as negative, it sets the stage for a gripping conflict throughout the series. It also adds a sense of realism by showing that high school fame and success don't always guarantee a successful future for a character. While this captivating opening hook drives the show, it also suggests that if Cobra Kai season 6 concludes with the primary protagonists simply winning the Sekai Taikai, they could repeat the same mistakes as Daniel and Johnny in the future.

This could imply that Miguel might face a future of disappointment and failure, similar to Johnny, while Robby could follow in the footsteps of Daniel LaRusso and become a dissatisfied salesman. While this may seem like a far-fetched idea, the unfortunate outcomes of their Cobra Kai journeys could potentially become the premise for another Netflix series called Miyagi-Do, shedding light on how their lives unfolded in unexpected ways. Therefore, in order to conclude season 6 with a sense of optimism and hope, Cobra Kai must incorporate a flash forward that confirms how Robby, Miguel, Johnny, Daniel, and everyone else have successfully moved on.

Why Ending Flashforwards Are So Risky (& Controversial)

Ending flash-forwards are often frowned upon and deemed risky because if they lean too heavily towards optimism and hope, they may undermine the impact of the characters' trials and tribulations throughout their individual storylines and even detract from the realism that makes their narrative relatable. Conversely, if the ending flash-forwards lean too much towards negativity, especially in feel-good coming-of-age dramas like Cobra Kai, they may disappoint viewers and prevent the series from concluding on a high note. Considering the difficulty in crafting a convincing flash-forward ending, it may be advisable for Cobra Kai season 6 to steer clear of them.

How Cobra Kai Season 6's Flashforward Ending Could Actually Work

The flash-forward ending of Cobra Kai season 6 should not stray too far ahead, but rather focus on the near future. This approach allows for the establishment of the characters' current success while still leaving room for uncertainty about their future. By doing so, the show not only assures viewers that the new generation is avoiding the mistakes of the past, but also maintains a realistic and emotionally impactful storyline.

It is important to view the flash-forward ending as an integral part of Cobra Kai's narrative rather than a separate entity that abruptly concludes the story with overly positive outcomes. Given the audience's investment in the characters and their personal growth throughout the show, the flash-forward ending should not come as a complete surprise. Ideally, the time-jump ending of Cobra Kai season 6 would strike a balance between a bittersweet portrayal of the future and a cohesive continuation of the show's overarching storylines.