We may know the Karate Kid from the 1980’s. But, what about Cobra Kai?
Picking up nearly 30 years after Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) was last seen on screen in 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III, the Netflix streaming series is very loved.
What is Cobra Kai? In summary, Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy and drama show or television series. It has become a huge success by 2020, and is now a big Netflix sensation.
For karate and 80s movie fans, Cobra Kai has managed to bridge the gap between the young and the old. And, as well as fans of this series story and drama action movie that began with 1984's The Karate Kid.Today in 2024, Cobra Kai has inspired martial arts obsessed teenagers.
The show is a hit that connects karate, rivalries, 80s movie fans, and much more. It is the embodiment of everything now including even elements of good vs. evil.
Read more and discover more about the hit show Cobra Kai and discover some facts!
1.Cobra Kai Can be defined and traced back to Japan
Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy-drama television series. But, it has its roots in Japan. So, it did exist at one point, Cobra Kai. But, what is it? A long time ago there existed of course the movie, The Karate Kid, and there was a real Cobra Kai. Was it real? Yes, Cobra Kai was at one point a respected and controversial hardcore martial arts school that was full contact and aggressive.
In summary, it can best be described that the Cobra Kai Karate style has its roots in Okinawan Karate. In theory, Okinawan martial arts refers to martial arts that are best described as karate, tegumi and kobudō. In theory, it came about from the native and indigenous people of Okinawa Island in Japan.
Many have defined Cobra Kai as more of a style or simply a school for martial arts.
Also, in terms of the name Cobra it could simply be a name or school mascot as well. In Japanese, Kai means “assembly” or “meeting”. Also Karate enthusiasts, have stated in general, that Kai refers to a form of group or organization.
2. Cobra Kai originally was intended and aired as a Youtube show
Not many would realize that Cobra Kai would have gotten its Start as a YouTube show, but it did indeed in 2019. BeforeCobra Kai moved to Netflix, what made the move permanent was the instant popularity and buzz surrounding this show.
Amazingly, this show was not meant for streaming services but it was so popular on YouTube Premium that it was promoted to a bigger audience quickly. Co-creator Jon Hurwitz of Cobra Kai had initially announced the show and pitch for Youtube. It was intended for Youtube because it had a guarantee for a season and full support before going to Netflix.
The rise on YouTube was immediate and fun for the cast as premieres were promoted and the numbers for views kept rising on the Cobra Kai YouTube page. So, in general, Cobra Kai originally premiered on YouTube, actually running for two seasons before being acquired and bought by Netflix in 2020.
3. There would be no Cobra Kai without Karate Kid first
The Cobra Kai TV series expands and takes the original inspiration from what is Karate Kid. Why and how? Basically, TheKarate Kid timeline is considerably better in bringing more aspects to the table with what it shows in regard to the TV series and American karate world. Karate Kid is not required to watch before Cobra Kai but recommended.
In general, the original Karate Kid trilogy was based on the close and emotional sensei and student relationship between the character of Daniel LaRusso, older character mentor Mr. Miyagi. Right off the bat, Cobra Kai starts with season 1 set in 2017, which is supposed to be 33 years after the first Karate Kid movie had last happened.
In general, throughout five seasons, Cobra Kai continues and expands the Karate Kid story all the way up until the summer of 2019.One of the main parts of the show is the rivalry between Daniel and Johnny's characters. There is a personal animosity now almost four decades old that is continuously unfolding on camera for Cobra Kai.
4. Celebrity Actor, Will Smith, is a producer of the Cobra Kai TV series
Many may not associate this actor with Cobra Kai, but he is an actor involved with this ever popular show. Of course, both main actors William Zabka and Ralph Macchio got executive producer credits on the Cobra Kai TV series as well.
This involvement with big actor Will Smith is more related to Smith’s involvement in Cobra Kai stems from the 2010 Karate Kid reboot. The prior reboot or remake of Karate Kid had starred Jackie Chan and Will Smith’s son, Jaden Smith. But, also there is a clear love for this series and Karate Kid in general.
Will Smith got another production credit along with his brother in law as well, Caleeb Pinkett. Interesting enough, the production comes from the issue of rights and ownership of the Karate Kid brand. For instance, Overbrook Entertainment, the production company that Will Smith created and controlled had also taken a part of the rights to The Karate Kid.The company headed by Will Smith, Overbrook, were big fans of Cobra Kai.
5. Cobra Kai approached and exposes various deep issues and vital themes
It may not be discussed, but Cobra Kai tries to approach and discuss important themes about society and youth in today’s world. The show has been able to bridge the generational gap as well.
The show had many positive and fulfilling messages for youth. It was popular with a younger audience as well. As many would say, Cobra Kai gave a chance to show worthy role models and representations for self respect and self defense.
Moreover, there were strong and relatable themes of family, friendship, bravery, and even trying to work past rivalries and petty differences.
A more vital theme is energy and not being black or white with how you feel about things.
Some of the bigger characters like Kreese have a black and white or Yin and Yang vibe to them. However, you also have characters like Mr. Miyagi that exude pure light and positivity or understanding. As well, there are shades of Silver that are pure dark. Even Johnny, as played by William Zabka, states how life isn’t black and white and may be more gray than anything else. In Cobra Kai, the main characters are flawed and not perfect in character as good people.
In the end, it raises thought-provoking questions about the blurred lines between being a hero or a villain.
6. Cobra Kai could have only been about Johnny Lawrence, William Zabka, instead of the Karate Kid
However, this never happened since there are two clear main characters on the show, which are Johnny Lawrence and Daniel Larusso, the original Karate Kid. The show did feature the secondary character, Johnny Lawrence, more than many would have imagined to really showcase how things had developed since the original time of the Karate Kid in the 1980s.
Before Cobra Kai had been created, the creators had studied the original Karate Kid. These writers were big fans of The Karate Kid and its legacy. The initial urge to want to show off and reveal more about Johnny as a character was inspired by writer Jon Hurwitz.
The script and ideas had taken shape by the early 2000s for Cobra Kai where Johnny Lawrence would be the center character. The initial idea had Johnny Lawrence being a bully in his adult life but the script writers never felt it was right. By 2018-209, a new idea and a fuller idea finally happened for Cobra Kai.
7. The Karate Kid, aka Ralph Macchio had never considered doing the role again before Cobra Kai
It is shocking to think that Cobra Kai may have never been made. But, when Cobra Kai was created by its writers and producers, there were doubts about even continuing. However, as soon as Ralph Macchio, the actor who plays Daniel Larusso, saw the script things started to change.
By a certain point in time since the decades since Karate Kid, it was the best time to reboot and return to making Karate Kid again. Essentially, Cobra Kai started the Karate Kid revival after nearly three decades after not considering roles.
Apparently, Macchio had gotten many pitches over many decades, so he never thought to return to the Karate Kid. However, it was the script of showcasing a show through the eyes of Johnny Lawrence aka William Zapka. This had gone ahead and convinced Macchio to do Cobra Kai.
8. One of the characters in Cobra Kai has Karate Roots
Of all of the characters on Cobra Kai, only one had a family or parent with a karate background. On Cobra Kai, it was Tanner Buchanan who plays Robby Keene with a family background with karate. The two main characters Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, Daniel and Johnny respectively, had no karate background.
In some interviews, it has been revealed that one of the characters, Tanner Buchanan, has a mother who was a black belt in karate. This would have been more common than expected but is not on Cobra Kai. Moreover, with this same actor, Buchanan who plays Robby Keene was introduced to Karate Kid early on by his mother.
Lastly, another odd reference was how the main character and Karate Kid ended up calling this actor that he got the part. Moreover, Ralph Macchio aka the Karate Kid informed him he had the part while watching 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II.
9. The Karate and Fighting Action on Cobra Kai is Real
Not many would think the stunts are real but they are indeed. It may seem violent and a bit too much to realize at first with especially older actors like Ralph Macchio and William Zabka. Some of the actors like Peyton List had little or no prior training and needed to learn a lot on the job from professional stunt trainers and karate teachers.
Lots of training and preparation went into scenes and every season of Cobra Kai. As well, not like many other action films, Cobra Kai actors mostly do their own stunts, and practice in general a lot. There are body doubles on the show, but many of the stars on Cobra Kai are trained in martial arts.
Many of the Cobra Kai fight scenes are long, complex, and feature what would be deemed as specialized fight choreography. More often than not, the actors would be learning their karate moves just a few days before they're expected to fight on the series.
10. Cobra Kai writers and creators were inspired by show plotline of “How I Met Your Mother”
Many would not think this comedy that is more about family and friends would have anything to do with Cobra Kai or let alone Karate Kid. There are fan theories that Daniel LaRusso, the Karate Kid, is actually the bad guy. This has been discussed many times, but Cobra Kai actually went in this direction after the comedy show, How I met Your Mother, would expose this exact theory over and over again.
One of the main characters of “How I met Your Mother” Barney Stinson makes a lot of reference to The Karate Kid. This character would continually explain how much he idolizes one of the characters of the movie.
Moreover, in one of the episodes of “How I Met Your Mother” Stinson is very adamant in saying that he thinks Johnny Lawrence is the real Karate Kid, not Daniel LaRusso. In this show, the Karate Kid aka Ralph Macchio congratulates Barney Stinson on his engagement. This creates quite a reaction until William Zabka aka Johnny Lawrence shows up. This show had a major impact in helping to create what Cobra Kai is today.
