Since Daniel LaRusso has been confirmed as a character in the new Karate Kid, some interesting plot developments can happen in Cobra Kai season 6.
Now that Daniel LaRusso has been confirmed as a character in the new Karate Kid movie, a lot could change in Cobra Kai season 6. Most details surrounding Sony’s Karate Kid movie are still under the covers. However, a new announcement video for the movie confirms that it will mark the return of Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso. This news is surprising because the movie was initially assumed to be a reboot. With Daniel LaRusso’s return, the movie’s storyline has become canon events of the original Karate Kid movies and the Cobra Kai series.
While it is great that Ralph Macchio is reprising his role in Karate Kid 6, the movie’s casting choices raise some concerns surrounding its timeline and connections to the original Karate Kid movies and the 2010 reboot movie. In addition, since Daniel LaRusso is the only Cobra Kai character confirmed to be in the film so far, it is hard not to wonder whether other characters will find a place in its narrative. More than anything else, the movie’s casting choice also raises several questions about Cobra Kai season 6 and the future of the Netflix series.
Daniel LaRusso’s Story Will Continue Beyond Cobra Kai Season 6
New Karate Kid movie proves Daniel LaRusso’s journey far from over
Cobra Kai season 5’s initial moments established how Daniel LaRusso is still capable of losing himself to his anger and forgetting all the lessons Mr. Miyagi taught him. However, the season’s end proved that even though Daniel LaRusso may not always be on the right path, especially when he deals with antagonists like Terry Silver, Mr. Miyagi’s profound lessons will always help him keep his feet grounded. LaRusso’s season 5 arc almost felt conclusive, given how he overpowered Terry Silver towards the end and also realized that Mr. Miyagi was right on the money when he quoted, “Better learn balance. Balance is key.”
With Cobra Kai’s producers and Netflix confirming that season 6 will be the series’ last, it almost seemed certain that Daniel LaRusso’s journey with the franchise was about to end. However, now that Ralph Macchio is reprising his role in the new Karate Kid movie, it looks like his story will continue far beyond Cobra Kai season 6. If Karate Kid 6 turns out to be as successful as Netflix’s Cobra Kai, it will likely spawn more sequels, paving the way for Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso to continue his journey as a karate sensei.
Cobra Kai Season 6’s Ending Will Not Wrap Up The Entire Franchise
The new Karate Kid movie proves more stories will come out of Miyagi-vere after Cobra Kai season 6
Since Ralph Macchio is returning as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid 6 and Karate Kid 6 will likely premiere a few months after Cobra Kai season 6 in 2024, Cobra Kai season 6 will not wrap up the entire franchise. Since season 6 marks the end of the Netflix series, it will certainly conclude all of its underlying storylines. For instance, it will likely walk viewers through everything that happens to John Kreese after he escapes prison and sets out to seek revenge on Terry Silver. Meanwhile, even young characters like Sam and Tory will likely become allies by the end of the season, bringing their rivalry to a final closure.
However, Cobra Kai’s success proves the franchise is far from over. Unlike the original Karate Kid movies that diminished in quality with each installment, Cobra Kai has consistently outdone itself. The show has not only been commercially successful throughout its runtime but has also won critical acclaim with each installment. Just like Sony is leveraging its success by creating a new Karate Kid movie, Netflix and other streaming giants and producers will likely try expanding it with potential spin-offs. Although no spin-off has been officially confirmed by the series’ creators, Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg have previously expressed joint interest in telling more stories set in Miyagi-verse.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Sets Up More Than Just Additional Spinoff Shows
Daniel LaRusso’s casting in the new Karate Kid movie confirms that Cobra Kai season 6 is somewhat setting up the stage for the movie’s storyline. Since a new main character is being cast for the movie, it will likely not have any significant connections to Netflix’s Cobra Kai. However, since the movie is scheduled to premiere a few months after Cobra Kai season 6 in 2024, it will probably drop a few subtle references to Daniel LaRusso’s past. To seamlessly transition the franchise’s storyline from Cobra Kai to Karate Kid 6, it is also possible that Cobra Kai season 6 will set the narrative foundations for the movie.
For instance, the movie could introduce Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han as one of the competing senseis at Cobra Kai season 6’s Sekai Taikai tournament, gradually opening the gate for his appearance as one of the main characters in the new Karate Kid movie. Apart from spin-offs, Cobra Kai could also set up potential prequels that could focus on the past timelines of characters like Mr. Miyagi and Chozen, exploring the early years of their experiences with learning karate. If the new Karate Kid movie performs well, it won’t be long before William Zebka will get to be a part of other similar franchise extensions, where he will reprise his role as Johnny Lawrence.
Other Cobra Kai Characters Can Now Return After Season 6 Ends The Show
Since Karate Kid 6 is a direct continuation of Cobra Kai’s narrative, that too without a massive time jump, the movie should feature several characters from the Netflix series. Sam LaRusso’s appearance would make the most sense since she is Daniel’s daughter. Similarly, Amanda LaRusso could also be a part of the movie’s roster. Since the Netflix series has not yet wholly explored several aspects of Anthony LaRusso’s characterization, especially his relationship with his father, the movie could introduce him as one of its leads. While it seems unlikely that villains from Cobra Kai will cross over into Karate Kid 6’s story, future installments of the new movie series could go down that route.
Over its six-season runtime, Cobra Kai introduces a massive roster of characters. Owing to this, Karate Kid 6 has the opportunity to draw several connective threads to the Netflix series by either making subtle references to the whereabouts of Cobra Kai’s characters or featuring them in its overarching storyline. However, only time will tell whether only Daniel LaRusso will bridge the gap between Cobra Kai season 6 and the new Karate Kid movie or whether the film will try to create more links between its narrative and that of the Netflix series.
