- "The arch-rivals from the legendary Karate Kid film face off 30 years later."
- ―YouTube Description
The first season of Cobra Kai is an American comedy-drama web television series based on The Karate Kid film series created by Robert Mark Kamen that premiered on May 2, 2018 on YouTube Red and was re-released on August 27, 2020 on Netflix.
The series was created by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald and stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, reprising their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence from the films. The first season became wildly popular with fans and critics alike, receiving universal acclaim. On May 10, 2018, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season of ten episodes that is set to premiere in 2019.
Plot[]
The television series takes place thirty-three years after the original film and follows the reopening of the Cobra Kai dojo by Johnny Lawrence and the rekindling of his old rivalry with Daniel LaRusso.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
- William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
- Courtney Hengeller as Amanda LaRusso
- Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz
- Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso
- Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene
Recurring Cast[]
- Nichole Brown as Aisha Robinson
- Hannah Kepple as Moon Taylor
- Gianni Decenzo as Demetri Alexopoulos
- Jacob Bertrand as Eli Moskowitz
- Joe Seo as Kyler
- Bo Mitchell as Brucks
- Terayle Hill as Trey
- Jeff Kaplan as Cruz
- Susan Gallagher as Lynn
- Owen Morgan as Bert
- Dan Ahdoot as Anoush Norouzi
- Bret Ernst as Louie LaRusso, Jr.
- Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz
- Annalisa Cochrane as Yasmine
- Rosa Bianco as Rosa Diaz
- Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso
Special Guest Cast[]
- David Shatraw as Tom Cole
- Ken Davitian as Armand Zarkarian
- Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso
- Martin Kove as John Kreese
Episode List[]
| No. in Series | Image | Title | YouTube Red Airdate | Netflix Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |   |
"Ace Degenerate" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Thirty-three years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, Johnny Lawrence's life has taken a rocky turn as he tries to forget a past that constantly haunts him. He seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. But the LaRusso-Lawrence rivalry of yesteryear is reignited when their lives become intertwined with the next generation of “karate kids". | ||||
| 2 |   |
"Strike First" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Present day Daniel LaRusso lives a charmed life. That is, until he sees that the Cobra Kai dojo, the source of his teenage angst and rivalry, has been re-established by Johnny Lawrence. Struggling to launch the business, Johnny starts teaching karate to his teenage neighbor Miguel. Daniel faces his former opponent and old offenses are quickly reignited. | ||||
| 3 |   |
"Esqueleto" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Johnny tries to recruit more students to join the dojo. Troubled by his daughter's friends, Daniel chaperones her high school costume dance. Johnny takes Miguel's training seriously and starts creating a badass. | ||||
| 4 |   |
"Cobra Kai Never Dies" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| When Daniel's car dealership billboard is sprayed with lewd graffiti, it consumes Daniel and escalates tensions against a rival. Robby, Johnny's delinquent son, is embarrassed about his father and his new dojo. The bullying escalates against Miguel and motivates Johnny in a surprising way. | ||||
| 5 |   |
"Counterbalance" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Daniel tries to strike a shady deal to undermine Johnny's dojo and struggles to find the balance in his life again by visiting an old friend. Meanwhile, Johnny expands his enrollment ranks in the dojo. Miguel puts his karate practice into reality as Samantha faces rejection in school. | ||||
| 6 |   |
"Quiver" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Johnny's dojo class attracts a group of misfits while his son Robby, who harbors ulterior motives, lands a new job. Samantha makes a new friend in science class. Daniel inspires interest in karate from an unlikely person. | ||||
| 7 |   |
"All-Valley" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Daniel takes on teaching his new pupil using the unconventional techniques from Mr. Miyagi. Robby is tempted to return to his delinquent ways. Johnny helps Miguel with his first date. | ||||
| 8 |   |
"Molting" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Johnny prepares his Cobra Kai students for the next All Valley Karate Tournament and in turn, he is inspired to clean up his life. Daniel is still unaware of his new pupil's background. But as events unfold, it seems nothing has changed between Daniel and Johnny in 30 years. | ||||
| 9 |   |
"Different but Same" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| Despite Johnny's efforts to move forward, he confronts Daniel about the assault on his property. An attempt to appease Johnny makes them revisit the past together. Miguel senses Sam is lying to him. The dojo students try to intimidate the popular kids at a party. | ||||
| 10 |   |
"Mercy" | May 2, 2018 | August 27, 2020 |
| The highly anticipated All Valley Karate Tournament brings Johnny and Daniel on opposite sides again, except this time, the new generation of karate students are the combatants. Who will pay the price for ultimate victory? | ||||
Soundtrack[]
Awards and Nominations[]
- All awards are from 2018.
| Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Summer TV Show | Cobra Kai | Nominated |
| Choice Summer TV Star | Xolo Maridueña | Nominated | |
| Imagen Awards | Best Young Actor - Television | Xolo Maridueña | Nominated |
| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Stun Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program | Hiro Koda | Nominated |
| Rotten Tomatoes | Golden Tomato (Best TV Drama) | Cobra Kai | Won |
Trivia[]
- Cobra Kai was released on YouTube Premium with the first two episodes being available for free.
- In 2019, YouTube announced that all Cobra Kai episodes would now be available for free with ads.
- In 2020, it was announced that YouTube had dropped Cobra Kai and the rights were bought by Netflix.
- This season was filmed from October 4, 2017 to December 23, 2017. [[1]]
- This is the only season in which Tory Nichols did not appear.
Gallery[]
