Which Karate Kid is Cobra Kai Based On?

When “Cobra Kai” – the spinoff of the classic ‘80s movie “The Karate Kid” – first premiered in 2018, it took the entire world by storm. Since then, it has become one of the most-watched shows on Netflix, and viewers can’t get enough of the drama and action that accompanies it. One of the biggest mysteries of the show is the identities of the “Cobra Kai“ characters, and which characters from the original movie franchise they are based on. In this post, we will delve into the identities of the “Cobra Kai” characters and which Karate Kid character they are based on.

Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka)

Johnny Lawrence is the main character of “Cobra Kai,” and he is played by William Zabka. Zabka also played the character in the original “Karate Kid” movies. In the movies, Johnny was the bully and arch-nemesis of Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio. In “Cobra Kai,” we get to see a different side of Johnny as the story follows him trying to redeem himself by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo.

Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio)

Daniel LaRusso is the main protagonist of the original “Karate Kid” and is played by Ralph Macchio. In “Cobra Kai,” Daniel is a successful car dealer who has a strained relationship with Johnny, who he views as his ultimate enemy.

John Kreese (Martin Kove)

John Kreese is the character who founded the original Cobra Kai dojo in the movie franchise, and he is played by Martin Kove. In “Cobra Kai,” Kreese returns to the dojo to mentor Johnny and help him train his students.

Miguel Diaz (Xolo Maridueña)

Miguel Diaz is one of the main characters in “Cobra Kai,” and he is played by Xolo Maridueña. He is a teenager who joins the Cobra Kai dojo and becomes one of Johnny’s star students. Miguel is based on none of the original Karate Kid characters, and he is an entirely new character for the show.

Robbie Keene (Tanner Buchanan)

Robbie Keene is another new character introduced in “Cobra Kai,” and he is played by Tanner Buchanan. In the show, he is the son of Johnny Lawrence and is involved in a love triangle with Sam LaRusso, played by Mary Mouser, and Miguel Diaz.

Samantha „Sam“ LaRusso (Mary Mouser)

Sam LaRusso is the daughter of Daniel LaRusso and is played by Mary Mouser. She is romantically involved with both Miguel and Robbie, and her character brings new storylines to “Cobra Kai” that did not exist in the original movie franchise.

Eli Moskowitz (Jacob Bertrand)

Eli Moskowitz is another character who is new to “Cobra Kai” and is played by Jacob Bertrand. He is a teenager who is initially bullied due to his lip deformity but becomes one of Johnny’s top students and changes his name to Hawk.

Aisha Robinson (Nichole Brown)

Aisha Robinson is one of the other new characters introduced in “Cobra Kai,” and she is played by Nichole Brown. She is one of the few girls in the Cobra Kai dojo, and her character brings a fresh perspective to the series.

Carmen Diaz (Vanessa Rubio)

Carmen Diaz is the mother of Miguel Diaz and is played by Vanessa Rubio. She is involved in a romantic relationship with Johnny Lawrence in the show and has a few storylines that involve her character.

Tory Nichols (Peyton List)

Tory Nichols is a new character introduced in season 2 of “Cobra Kai,” played by Peyton List. She is introduced as a rival of Sam LaRusso and quickly becomes a major antagonist in the show.

Introduction

The „Cobra Kai“ series, a spin-off of the iconic „The Karate Kid“ film franchise, has gained immense popularity since its release in 2018. The show has brought back the nostalgia of the 80s and introduced a new generation to the world of martial arts. However, one of the most frequently asked questions by fans is which Karate Kid movie Cobra Kai is based on. In this blog post, we will answer this question in detail and provide strong evidence to support our answer.

Which Karate Kid is Cobra Kai based on?

The answer to this question is simple – Cobra Kai is based on the first Karate Kid movie, released in 1984. The series picks up the story 34 years after the events of the first movie, and many of the original cast members reprise their roles.

What happened in the original Karate Kid movie?

The original „The Karate Kid“ movie told the story of Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio), a teenager who moved from New Jersey to California with his mother. Daniel is bullied by a gang of karate students, led by Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka). He learns karate from Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita), a handyman who becomes his mentor, and competes in a tournament against Johnny and his dojo. In the end, Daniel wins the tournament and gains the respect of his classmates.

How does Cobra Kai continue the story?

The Cobra Kai series picks up the story 34 years later, with Johnny Lawrence as the main character. Johnny, struggling with alcoholism and a failed life, decides to reopen the Cobra Kai dojo and train a new generation of students. Meanwhile, Daniel LaRusso is a successful businessman who runs a car dealership and struggles to balance his personal and professional life.

As the series progresses, the rivalry between Johnny and Daniel reignites, and they train their own students to compete in a local tournament. The series also reintroduces other characters from the original movie, such as Johnny’s sensei, John Kreese, and Daniel’s love interest, Ali Mills.

Why did the creators choose to base Cobra Kai on the first Karate Kid movie?

The creators of Cobra Kai chose to base the series on the first Karate Kid movie because it was the most iconic and recognizable film in the franchise. The first movie was a critical and commercial success, and it introduced the world to the characters of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. Additionally, the movie’s themes of bullying and perseverance resonated with audiences, and the iconic „wax on, wax off“ scene has become a cultural touchstone.

How to Determine Which Karate Kid is Cobra Kai Based On

If you’re a fan of the Karate Kid franchise and have recently started watching the hit series Cobra Kai, you may be wondering which original Karate Kid movie is the basis for the new show. While it’s clear that Cobra Kai picks up several decades after the events of the first three movies, it’s not immediately obvious which of the original films the show relies on most heavily.

Fortunately, there are several clues throughout the first two seasons of Cobra Kai that can help you determine which Karate Kid movie the series is based on. In this guide, we’ll walk you through those clues and help you, so you’ll have a better understanding of the connection between Cobra Kai and the earlier films.

Step 1: Look for the Main Characters

The first clue for determining which Karate Kid movie Cobra Kai is based on is to pay attention to the main characters in the show. Specifically, you want to focus on Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, the main rivals from the original Karate Kid film.

While both characters appear in all three Karate Kid movies, they have a far more significant role in the first movie than they do in the sequels. In Cobra Kai, the plot revolves around Johnny reopening the Cobra Kai dojo and training a new generation of karate students, while Daniel has become a successful car dealer but still has a deep rivalry with Johnny.

This plotline is most heavily inspired by the first Karate Kid movie, in which Daniel and Johnny have their first showdown at a beach party and continue to clash throughout the rest of the film. So, if you’re trying to determine which movie Cobra Kai is based on, start by looking for similarities between the plot of the show and the plot of the original Karate Kid.

Step 2: Pay Attention to the Themes of Cobra Kai

Another way to determine which Karate Kid movie Cobra Kai is based on is to look for themes that are prominent in the show. While there are certainly elements borrowed from all three Karate Kid movies, Cobra Kai most heavily relies on themes from the first film.

For example, the idea of underdogs proving their worth through hard work and determination is central to both the original movie and the show. Also, Johnny’s journey from a villainous bully to a sympathetic, if misguided, karate sensei is reminiscent of aspects of the character growth of Daniel’s mentor Mr. Miyagi in the first Karate Kid film.

Furthermore, the show’s exploration of the moral ambiguity of its characters‘ actions and beliefs also mirrors thematic elements in the original movie. In the end, the themes of the first Karate Kid movie are the most prominent in Cobra Kai.

Step 3: Analyze the Visual Aesthetics of Cobra Kai

Finally, you can also look at the visual aesthetics of Cobra Kai to determine which Karate Kid movie the show is based on. While the show obviously has a more modern look and feel than the original movies, there are still visual nods to the first film throughout each episode.

For example, the design and layout of the Cobra Kai dojo is modeled after the gym where the All-Valley Karate Tournament takes place in the first film. Also, the show’s use of music from the original Karate Kid soundtrack further cements the connection between Cobra Kai and the first film.

Overall, there are many clues throughout the show that indicate Cobra Kai is most heavily based on the first Karate Kid movie. By paying attention to the main characters, themes, and visual aesthetics of the show, you too can see the many parallels between the two. Cobra Kai’s creators have done an excellent job of capturing the spirit and heart of the original movie while still creating a unique and compelling story.