Some of the bad installments of the Karate Kid movies may have tainted Mr. Miyagi’s karate legacy, but Cobra Kai is now saving it 30 years later.
30 years of bad Karate Kid movies tainted Mr. Miyagi’s legacy, but Cobra Kai has saved it by reigniting the essence of the karate master’s teachings. The first two Karate Kid movies played a crucial role in establishing Mr. Miyagi’s legacy. By highlighting how he is levels above other characters not only in terms of karate skills but wisdom as well, the two movies showed how he is a shining example of what younger characters like Daniel LaRusso should strive to be. His lessons on discipline, humility, respect, and balance extended well beyond the boundaries of the Miyagi Do dojo, helping Danny establish more control over his anger.
Unfortunately, after setting up a strong foundation for Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi in the first two Karate Kid movies, the subsequent films gradually diminished the impact of his legacy. Karate Kid 3’s critical misfire saw him getting unfairly nominated for a Razzie, and The Next Karate Kid’s desperate attempt to revive the movie series further ruined what made Mr. Miyagi an incredible character in the first place. 30 years after the latter installments of the Karate Kid movies nearly destroyed Mr. Miyagi’s legacy, Cobra Kai has finally saved it — here’s how.
Mr. Miyagi’s Importance To Cobra Kai Saved His Character
Throughout Cobra Kai season 1, Mr. Miyagi’s memory lingers as Daniel seeks balance by honing his karate skills, looking out for his family, and helping Robby Keene find peace by teaching him the Miyagi way. The season also features several flashbacks that reinstate Mr. Miyagi’s lessons and philosophies, proving they are timeless and can be applied to nearly everything. In season 2, Cobra Kai also draws several parallels between how Danny teaches his students and how Mr. Miyagi patiently taught him when he was younger. In all these moments, Cobra Kai treats Mr. Miyagi with the utmost honor, undoing the damage caused by Karate Kid 3.
In its second half, Cobra Kai season 2 delves deeper into these references to Mr. Miyagi’s legacy by reminding audiences how he easily overpowered antagonists like Kreese, proving he was the best fighter in the franchise. As the season reaches its closure and the school showdown between Miyagi Do and Cobra Kai leads to disastrous consequences, Cobra Kai pays another tribute to Mr. Miyagi by showing how Daniel reaches for his picture and asks for forgiveness for his failure to implement his lessons. Poignant moments like these subtly highlight how Mr. Miyagi’s spirit still looms over Cobra Kai, and his wholesome philosophies continue helping Daniel through tough times.
Cobra Kai Made Mr. Miyagi The Center Of Its Universe
Cobra Kai season 3 went one step further with its references to Mr. Miyagi’s legacy by tying down many primary storylines to him and establishing him as the center of the franchise’s universe. For instance, the season features many Mr. Miyagi flashbacks from Karate Kid II when Daniel visits Okinawa. Chozen even teaches Daniel Mr. Miyagi’s pressure points technique, which he implements in his final showdown against Kreese. This establishes that Mr. Miyagi may not be around in the flesh, but his lessons and techniques keep coming to Daniel in some shape or form.
Mr. Miyagi’s influence extends beyond Daniel’s arc when even Sam finds the courage to fight Tory after coming across his picture at Daniel’s dojo in Cobra Kai season 3. Even when Daniel teams up with Johnny and starts learning Cobra Kai’s methods, the show emphasizes how he is not defying Mr. Miyagi but honoring him by grounding his roots in Miyagi’s teachings but choosing his own way to do karate just “like Bonsai choose own way to grow.” Season 3 also shows how Chozen and Daniel bury their beef and learn to become friends through their shared respect for Mr. Miyagi.
Cobra Kai season 5, too, puts Mr. Miyagi at the center of its universe when it shows how Daniel finally remembers to find balance when Samantha takes him to Mr. Miyagi’s house and recalls how Mr. Miyagi encouraged her to marry Daniel. Ultimately, a reminder of Mr. Miyagi’s lessons makes Daniel break out of his downward spiral of seeking vengeance and helps him overpower Terry Silver in Cobra Kai season 5. Considering how Mr. Miyagi serves as a spark that ignites nearly every major storyline in Cobra Kai, it is not surprising that the franchise is often referred to as the “Miyagiverse.”
How Cobra Kai Season 6 Can End Mr. Miyagi’s Story
Since the Karate Kid movie series failed to bring a respectable closure to Mr. Miyagi’s story, Cobra Kai season 6 can do so by portraying how, towards the end, Daniel and his students carry forward Miyagi’s teaching and philosophies. While Daniel can take a step closer to finding the right balance between every aspect of his life in Cobra Kai season 6, his students can honor Mr. Miyagi by using karate to “defend honor, defend life,” and not for chasing “plastic metal trophies.” As for Cobra Kai season 6’s villains, they might learn the hard way that Mr. Miyagi was right on the money when said, “Never put passion in front of principle, even if you win, you’ll lose.”
