Is The Next Karate Kid Canon to Cobra Kai?

If you’re a fan of The Karate Kid franchise, you might have heard about the Netflix television series Cobra Kai. The show, which is set several decades after the events of the original movie, explores the story of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso as they reopen their rivalry by training a new generation of students.

However, many fans have been wondering about the canon of The Next Karate Kid, the fourth movie in the Karate Kid franchise which was released in 1994. Does the events of that movie connect to the story of Cobra Kai? Let’s dive deeper and find out.

What is The Next Karate Kid?

Released six years after The Karate Kid Part III, The Next Karate Kid is a martial arts movie directed by Christopher Cain. The movie stars Hilary Swank as Julie Pierce, a teenager who has recently lost her parents and struggles to deal with her grief.

Enter Mr. Miyagi, reprised by Pat Morita, who takes Julie under his wing and teaches her karate to help her overcome her struggles. The movie features a new villain, a group of boys on a mission to destroy a bird sanctuary that Julie is trying to protect.

How Does It Fit in The Karate Kid Timeline?

The Next Karate Kid is set several years after the events of The Karate Kid Part III, with an older version of Mr. Miyagi mentoring a new student. Despite not featuring any of the original characters and taking place years after the original story, The Next Karate Kid is still considered to be canon to The Karate Kid franchise.

The events of The Next Karate Kid are acknowledged in Cobra Kai’s fourth season when Daniel LaRusso mentions that he met a young woman named Julie while on a trip to Boston. While it’s not a direct continuation of the story, it establishes that the events of The Next Karate Kid did happen within the same universe.

What About the TV Show?

So far, there hasn’t been any direct connection between The Next Karate Kid and Cobra Kai. The show has focused primarily on the original characters from the first three movies and their involvement with the new generation of karate students.

However, with the fourth season of Cobra Kai introducing a reference to Julie and her relationship with Mr. Miyagi, it’s possible that the show will explore her story further in the future.

The Final Verdict

In conclusion, The Next Karate Kid may not have a direct connection to the events of Cobra Kai, but it is still considered to be canon to The Karate Kid franchise. The events of the movie are acknowledged in Cobra Kai, and with the possibility of exploring Julie’s story in the future, it’s safe to say that The Next Karate Kid is still relevant to the overall Karate Kid universe.

Introduction:

Recently, there have been many discussions about the relationship between popular movie series, ‚The Karate Kid,‘ and the hit TV series, ‚Cobra Kai.‘ One question that is frequently asked is whether or not ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ is canon to ‚Cobra Kai.‘ In this blog post, we will answer this question and provide you with everything that you need to know.

What is Canon?

Before answering the question, ‚Is ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ canon to ‚Cobra Kai,“ it is vital to understand what canon means. Canon refers to the official storyline of a particular franchise. In simpler terms, it means that the events that take place in a particular film or show are considered to be the authentic story or history of that franchise.

Is ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ Canon to ‚Cobra Kai‘?

The simple answer to this question is no; ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ is not canon to ‚Cobra Kai,‘ according to the show’s creators. ‚Cobra Kai‘ continues the story of the original trilogy that includes ‚The Karate Kid‘ (1984), ‚The Karate Kid Part II‘ (1986), and ‚The Karate Kid Part III‘ (1989). ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ is not considered part of the original trilogy and is, therefore, not part of the canon.

What About Mr. Miyagi’s Relationship with Julie Pierce?

Although ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ is not canon to ‚Cobra Kai,‘ there is one exception. The relationship between Mr. Miyagi and his student in ‚The Next Karate Kid,‘ Julie Pierce, is referenced in ‚Cobra Kai.‘ The show’s creators confirmed that Mr. Miyagi had other students aside from Daniel LaRusso, so it is likely that Julie Pierce was one of them. This could signify that the events of ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ did happen in the universe, but still, it is not canon to ‚Cobra Kai.‘

Why is ‚The Next Karate Kid‘ Not Canon to ‚Cobra Kai‘?

‚The Next Karate Kid‘ is not canon because it was not part of the original Karate Kid trilogy. Furthermore, it was not created by the original writers of the franchise, which may have led to certain inconsistencies in the storyline. As a result, the show’s creators chose not to include it as part of the official canon.

Is „The Next Karate Kid“ Canon to „Cobra Kai“?

If you’re a fan of „Cobra Kai,“ then you’ve probably wondered if „The Next Karate Kid“ is considered canon to the show. „The Next Karate Kid“ is the fourth installment in the Karate Kid franchise, released in 1994, and starred Hilary Swank as the new protagonist, Julie Pierce. The film was not very successful at the box office and received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike, so it’s understandable if its canon status is unclear. In this article, we will explore the relationship between „The Next Karate Kid“ and „Cobra Kai“ to answer the question of whether or not it is considered canon.

What Is Canon?

Before we dive into whether „The Next Karate Kid“ is canon, let’s first define what canon means in the context of movies and TV shows. In the entertainment industry, canon refers to the official material that is recognized as part of a particular franchise’s story. This includes movies or TV shows that are considered part of the same timeline or shared universe. Fans and creators use canon to establish the rules and continuity of the franchise, and anything outside of canon is considered non-canon or alternative universe.

What Is „Cobra Kai“?

„Cobra Kai“ is a TV series that premiered in 2018 and is a direct sequel to the original Karate Kid movies. It takes place 34 years after the events of the first movie and follows the lives of the main characters, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and is available to stream on Netflix.

Is „The Next Karate Kid“ Considered Canon?

The short answer is yes; „The Next Karate Kid“ is considered canon to „Cobra Kai.“ Cobra Kai’s creators, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald, have confirmed that the events of „The Next Karate Kid“ are recognized as part of the Karate Kid universe. In an interview with Collider, Jon Hurwitz said, „We’re essentially incorporating The Next Karate Kid into our universe.“

The writers have also included several references and nods to „The Next Karate Kid“ in the series, such as a picture of Julie Pierce in Mr. Miyagi’s house and an Easter egg in the form of a tree-planting ceremony. The events of „The Next Karate Kid“ may not have a significant impact on the show’s story, but they are still considered part of the franchise’s overarching narrative.

Why Was „The Next Karate Kid“ Not Mentioned Earlier?

One might wonder why „The Next Karate Kid“ was not mentioned earlier in „Cobra Kai“ since it takes place after „The Karate Kid Part III.“ The answer to this lies in the fact that the show’s creators did not have access to the rights to „The Next Karate Kid“ until after the first season had already aired. They were able to secure the rights before the second season and have since incorporated it into the show’s canon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, „The Next Karate Kid“ is considered canon to „Cobra Kai.“ Despite its mixed reviews and less than impressive box office performance, the movie is recognized as an essential part of the Karate Kid franchise’s story. The show’s creators have incorporated references and nods to the film in the series, and they have confirmed its place in the franchise’s overarching narrative. So, if you’re planning to re-watch the Karate Kid movies or „Cobra Kai“ series, make sure to include „The Next Karate Kid“ in your viewing list.