The Karate Kid franchise has had the same leader for many years, but Cobra Kai season 6 has the potential to change that. The spinoff series has showcased a new generation of fighters, with previous students becoming the mentors and new underdogs learning the ways of karate. Despite this shift, the original masters of Karate Kid have maintained their reputation as the best, and Cobra Kai has shown little interest in passing on that title. However, with the upcoming final season on Netflix, change is finally on the horizon.
Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso now lead their own dojos in Cobra Kai. With their rivalry behind them, they have the opportunity to grow and improve like never before, benefiting their students greatly. This shift could result in a change in their skills and how their students perceive them as they enter Cobra Kai season 6. Naturally, this means Mr. Miyagi will no longer hold the top position, but this change has been a long time coming.
Mr. Miyagi Is Still Karate Kid's Strongest Character 40 Years Later
Despite his age in The Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi demonstrated his formidable skills by effortlessly defeating Johnny and his gang. In The Karate Kid Part 2, he quickly incapacitated John Kreese with just a few precise moves, establishing the superiority of his karate style over Cobra Kai. Remarkably, Miyagi remained undefeated throughout The Karate Kid, engaging in fights only when necessary and consistently emerging victorious.
Up until now in Cobra Kai, no other character has achieved a comparable track record. Canonically, Mr. Miyagi passed away in 2011, and since then, Daniel has only recently resumed his own training. In the climactic finale of Cobra Kai season 5, the original Karate Kid managed to defeat Terry Silver, who had previously defeated both Chozen and Johnny. However, Daniel had to exert his full capabilities to overcome this master, even though Silver still fell short of matching Mr. Miyagi's level. These events affirm that, despite Daniel's progress, Miyagi remains the strongest character in the franchise.
Which Cobra Kai Characters Could Become Stronger Than Mr. Miyagi
Although Miyagi remains undefeated in Cobra Kai, there is a possibility that this could change in season 6. Chozen's defeat by Silver, which demonstrated that Mr. Miyagi could defeat him if he were in Cobra Kai, might motivate him to train harder and achieve new levels of mastery. Likewise, Daniel's intense battle with Silver in season 5 may have reminded him of the profound importance of karate in protecting others, thus inspiring him to delve deeper into his old master's teachings. However, given the current direction of Cobra Kai, it could be more poetic for a different character from The Karate Kid to assume Mr. Miyagi's revered position.
While Daniel LaRusso was the main character in The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai has become Johnny Lawrence's show. In season 1, Johnny took on the role of the new Miyagi, defending an underdog in need of guidance by standing up to a group of bullies. Of course, Johnny is far from being a perfect character, unlike Daniel's wise old sensei, which would only make his journey to the top even more satisfying. In Cobra Kai season 6, it is likely that Johnny will face one final major battle. If the series intends to maintain its parallels to The Karate Kid's formula, it will involve the central character carrying on Mr. Miyagi's legacy in an unexpected manner.
Why Cobra Kai Season 6 Should Have A New Strongest Character
Despite Mr. Miyagi's passing before the start of the series, he holds a significant symbolic role throughout Cobra Kai that cannot be replaced or overshadowed. His wisdom, kindness, and skills form the very essence of the Karate Kid franchise, and no events in the spinoff series can alter that. Nevertheless, the purpose of the Netflix series is to explore how the strength of a person like Miyagi can impact future generations. Mr. Miyagi did not hoard his expertise; he generously shared it with the young New Jerseyan who needed it the most.
The individual who attains the title of the strongest character in the Karate Kid franchise will understand that this achievement is meant to be shared. Daniel, Johnny, Chozen, and the other members of this new generation of fighters are united in their goal to ensure that the next wave of fighters, such as Miguel, Robby, and Sam, possess all the necessary knowledge to carry on Mr. Miyagi's legacy beyond the conclusion of Cobra Kai's sixth season.