The Karate Kid movie ended with Johnny presenting Daniel with the All-Valley trophy—a moment Cobra Kai has ignored. Still, season 6 can fix this.
Cobra Kai has so far ignored Johnny Lawrence’s The Karate Kid ending, but that could all change in season 6. The Netflix series picked up years after the conclusion of the classic 1984 film, and Johnny had grown far more bitter over the time that passed. He resented Daniel LaRusso for his win at the All-Valley Tournament and blamed the ill state of his life on that moment. Still, this wasn’t how his character was left feeling at the end of The Karate Kid, and Cobra Kai can bring that moment into the fold to satisfy his overall character arc.
A lot has changed for Johnny since the Karate Kid spinoff series started. Going into Cobra Kai season 6, he has made amends with his son, Robby, and has a new baby on the way. He made many mistakes as a sensei, but Johnny has since learned from them and now teaches Eagle Fang Karate with a healthier perspective on mercy. Of course, his story isn’t over yet, and the return of John Kreese is likely to open up several old wounds—especially the one he received all the way back at the end of The Karate Kid.
Cobra Kai Has Ignored Johnny’s Final Karate Kid Line
Even though Cobra Kai picked up with a Johnny Lawrence that was angry and resentful over his All-Valley loss, that wasn’t how The Karate Kid left him. When Johnny and Daniel faced off in the final round of their match, Johnny was put on the ground by his opponent’s famous crane kick. At first, the star Cobra Kai student was seen pacing in anger and disappointment. Still, when the time came for the referee to offer Daniel the trophy, Johnny rushed over and presented it to his rival himself with the line, “You’re alright LaRusso.” It was a symbol of his acceptance—a genuine move of good sportsmanship.
Though Cobra Kai has demonstrated this kinder side of Johnny, the series has so far ignored his last line in the first Karate Kid movie. The version of his character seen in season 1 was anything but accepting of the loss. In fact, all those years later, he was adamant that Daniel’s crane kick had been illegal and that he himself should have been the champion. Of course, if Johnny and Daniel’s rivalry had already been worked out, Cobra Kai’s story would have been far less interesting. Still, it was a pretty big line and moment to ignore.
Why Johnny’s Attitude Changed Between The Karate Kid & Cobra Kai
Though Cobra Kai has never mentioned Johnny’s acceptance of Daniel at the end of The Karate Kid, the fact that his perspective changed after his “You’re alright” comment can be explained by the beginning of The Karate Kid Part 2. The sequel picked up right where its predecessor left off and continued with Mr. Miyagi and Daniel leaving the All-Valley Tournament. In the parking lot, the pair saw Kreese punishing Johnny for losing the tournament by breaking the second-place trophy and assaulting him. Thankfully, Mr. Miyagi intervened, but Cobra Kai revealed that that was Johnny’s last day doing karate.
Though The Karate Kid Part 2 never showed the aftermath of this situation, it’s easy to imagine that it changed Johnny’s perspective of the All-Valley tournament. He had been willing to accept his loss and had even handed Daniel the trophy himself. However, all that effort and maturity were only rewarded with abuse. Cobra Kai revealed that Kreese had been the only real father figure Johnny had ever had. If he identified the All-Valley tournament as the only reason he lost all that, then it’s no surprise that he would rescind his acceptance of Daniel and resent him instead.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Can Use Johnny’s Karate Kid Acceptance To Complete His Arc
Going into Cobra Kai season 6, Johnny is again far more accepting of his The Karate Kid loss. However, since there had been no mention of his final line to Daniel, it hasn’t been as satisfying to watch him again realize that it is okay to lose sometimes. This could all be solved with the ending of Cobra Kai, which has the job of bringing Johnny, Kreese, and Daniel’s stories to a close.
If Cobra Kai season 6 focuses on Johnny’s final The Karate Kid line and why his attitude changed over the years, it could be the perfect way to finally resolve his conflict with Kreese. Johnny had accepted his loss until Kreese assaulted him, and both their lives fell apart thereafter. If this is something Kreese could recognize and learn from, then Johnny and Kreese can together officially accept their defeat at the end of The Karate Kid, and Cobra Kai can have a satisfying and happy ending.
