Karate Kid sequel TV series... with Macchio! "Cobra Kai"

[Andrew NDB]

http://www.darkhorizons.com/original-karate-kid-gets-a-sequel-series/

This could be awesome!

[newfan]

hmmm not sure how that will turn out but I will take a look, I did like the movie as a child

[CyberCubed]

The only Karate Kid I've seen is the one with Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son from 2010. Funny how that never got a sequel, but that's because his son became "whack" when he got older.

[newfan]

I didn't bother watching the new one, which is unusual for me as I usually watch the remakes to compare/see the different take on it.

[Andrew NDB]

I didn't bother watching the new one, which is unusual for me as I usually watch the remakes to compare/see the different take on it.

It wasn't a remake. It was supposed to be called "The Kung Fu Kid" until they lost their nerve.

[newfan]

It wasn't a remake. It was supposed to be called "The Kung Fu Kid" until they lost their nerve.

Oh, so a totally different movie?

[Andrew NDB]

Oh, so a totally different movie?

Similar in some ways, but it wasn't made as a remake or a stealth sequel or anything pertaining to the original Karate Kid movies.

[newfan]

Similar in some ways, but it wasn't made as a remake or a stealth sequel or anything pertaining to the original Karate Kid movies.

Thanks, not sorry about not watching it then :)

[CyberCubed]

It's worth watching for Jackie Chan alone.

https://martialartsactionmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Jackie-Chan.jpg

The movie came out in 2010, 7 years ago, so Jackie was still in his mid 50's at the time. A lot more active than he is now, although he doesn't do much more than train in the movie. He does get a good fight scene with some punk kids early on though.

[newfan]

It's worth watching for Jackie Chan alone.

https://martialartsactionmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Jackie-Chan.jpg

The movie came out in 2010, 7 years ago, so Jackie was still in his mid 50's at the time. A lot more active than he is now, although he doesn't do much more than train in the movie. He does get a good fight scene with some punk kids early on though.

That's a point, Chan I mean.

[Andrew NDB]

Is it bad that I hope that Hillary Swank returns in this?

[newfan]

Is it bad that I hope that Hillary Swank returns in this?

Lol, I didn't like 'The Next Karate Kid' as a movie, but sure why not have her in it :)

[Andrew NDB]

Lol, I didn't like 'The Next Karate Kid' as a movie, but sure why not have her in it :)

Would be a neat twist if her character is married to Johnny. The "rivalry" would be even more interesting.

I wonder if Old Daniel-san will be with Elisabeth Shue or Robyn Lively.

[newfan]

Would be a neat twist if her character is married to Johnny. The "rivalry" would be even more interesting.

I wonder if Old Daniel-san will be with Elisabeth Shue or Robyn Lively.

Is Shue still in CSI? If it's still running... stopped watching a few years back. He had a different girlfriend in each movie so who knows but really it would be Shue. I wonder if they will bring anyone (even just character) back.

[Andrew NDB]

Man, it's been a long time... I don't remember Karate Kid II's climactic scene being this lame.

5whE6r-lreE

Quick cuts to pretend Daniel-san is hitting that guy.

[chrisdude]

Is Shue still in CSI? If it's still running... stopped watching a few years back. He had a different girlfriend in each movie so who knows but really it would be Shue. I wonder if they will bring anyone (even just character) back.It'll open with one line of dialogue about why she's gone.

I always imagined a fourth Karate Kid movie where Kreese and Silver open that chain of Cobra Kai dojo's they were talking about, and all those kids grow into a legit street gang.

But this could be fun, I guess. Looking at the series, as a whole, I don't consider Johnny a big important character. I'm sure the actor is half the reason this show is happening, I just don't care a whole lot where Johnny is in his life.

[sdp]

This is awesome news if true but I don't know if I trust that site. the fact that its a continuation is just awesome. The Jayden remake was pretty good and I think the sequel is still in development hell but could happen.

I believe he is mocked in one scene as the "karate kid" for knowing kung fu, hence the title. I always wanted the sequel to feature Ralph Macchio to formally put it "in continuity" with the other Karate Kid films. It tells a new story basically and doesn't re-use any one character, only concepts.

I watched and reviewed all the movies and cartoon on a karate kid thread here but I need to find it.

Hillary Swank just got fit recently so she'd be perfect to return, I'd like to see her.
https://la-confidential-magazine.com/get/files/image/galleries/Hillary-Swank.jpg

[newfan]

Yeah that clip was awful :) I don't think Martial Artists liked those movies much.

Johnny and Daniel are probably the only characters young enough still to bring back still.

[Andrew NDB]

Is Shue still in CSI? If it's still running... stopped watching a few years back. He had a different girlfriend in each movie so who knows but really it would be Shue. I wonder if they will bring anyone (even just character) back.

No idea about CSI. Maybe they should really throw us for a loop, and bring back Kumiko. Tamlyn Tomita still looks great!

https://pics.wikifeet.com/Tamlyn-Tomita-Feet-1648639.jpg

[Storm Eagle]

Is Shue still in CSI? If it's still running...

It's not. It ended in 2015.

[Faster and Cheaper]

I love that a near 50 years old Daniel is still a loser who can't get by without Me Miyagi lol

[DestronMirage22]

This'll be interesting. Never thought they'd bring back Karate Kid with the old characters, but I'm down for it.
I love that a near 50 years old Daniel is still a loser who can't get by without Me Miyagi lol

So true. Wonder if he'll get a girl in this series only to lose her after his big victory. Again. :roll:

[sdp]

He always got the girl during the movie, he just somehow lost her before the next movie. :lol:

[newfan]

Sorry to revive this, they've been filming... I'll watch it but I don't think this is going to be good :lol:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4961472/Ralph-Macchio-William-Zabka-film-Karate-Kid-reboot.html

[Andrew NDB]

Sorry to revive this, they've been filming... I'll watch it but I don't think this is going to be good :lol:

Why not?

I do worry they might be trying too hard for comedy in this. It can be funny without beating us over the head.

[newfan]

Why not?

I do worry they might be trying too hard for comedy in this. It can be funny without beating us over the head.

It was the comedy description and that it's only on youtube that kind of put me off but as I said, still gotta watch it :)

[TigerClaw]

Here's the Teaser for the series.

xLtYmhj-0Kg

[Andrew NDB]

The full trailer.

xCwwxNbtK6Y

Looks fantastic. I see my worries about them calling it just a straight up "comedy" are unfounded.

[Powder]

I can't believe this is even a real thing. :tlol: I'll check it out, despite how cornball it looks.

[PApagreg]

This looks interesting

"On Youtube Red"

Whelp won't be watching that anytime soon

[sdp]

This is all I would've ever wanted form a Karate Kid sequel three decades later. I hope it's a success and we not only get a second season but we get more high quality shows on youtube red instead of the giving "content creators" a budget that they don't know how to use properly because at the end of the day they're still amateurs even if they're making money.

I'd love to see Jayden and Hillary Swank in a second season.

[Roseangelo]

My karate instructor is so excited for this. :lol:

And, honestly, so am I. :D

[Andrew NDB]

It's like the best thing ever. Potentially. This is, like, an example of nostalgia utilized... the correct way. Taking something that connected with an entire generation and don't attempt recreate it... but stay within its spirit and grow it up.

The early press stuff mentioned that this is a Daniel that has become lost without Miyagi to guide him. I wonder if we'll see Miyagi family members showing up? I saw some blurry pictures in the trailers that look like they could be Miyagi... I wonder if they hit a wall on likeness rights.

[sdp]

So, apparently this is great, anyone watch it? I don't have youtube red but I might just for this. The first two episodes are free but I don't want to be hooked if I won't get to watch it :lol:

[Andrew NDB]

Saw the first three. Yeah, they're totally making Daniel the bad guy (though they're clearly building an arc for him). It's great. Highly entertaining.

[newfan]

I need to get a bit more in touch with things, I don't know what youtube red is other than guessing it's something you subscribe to.

Interesting take to make Daniel the bad guy

[Andrew NDB]

It's definitely not "Comedy™" like I feared. It's totally filmed like as if it's Daniel and Johnny's story is in 2018, with very real, very believable new high school kids in 2018 coming into the picture.

I love this.

[Sage Ninja]

was kind of afraid they would make Daniel the bad guy (he has gotten way too big for his britches and is stupid cocky now apparently) because I think that is kind of a cliche move, but someone who has seen the first two episodes says that yeah he is but it's a bit more nuanced than that. So maybe I will give this a try. I just hope that Daniel does not get totally sh*t on through out this and he has his redemption. I would be pissed if he is just a cocky Sh*t and nothing more in this series.

[oldmanwinters]

I am curious how much of a local celebrity a kid can become after winning a high school karate tournament.

I do love the poetic justice that Daniel LaRuso wanted Miyagi's car so bad in the first movie, won college tuition money in the 2nd movie, blew said tuition money by going into a bonsai tree business with him in the third movie, and eventually became a high-end car sale mogul who still held onto that bonsai tree fixation.

Bonus cameo from an old NASCAR commercial:
pPDp4PDwCAQ

[Roseangelo]

Watched all the eps.

The character arcs are all very interesting and I like how everything builds throughout the episodes. The end obviously sets up season 2, so I hope to see that confirmed soon.

The karate aspects are kinda cringe-y, although the original movies weren't a whole lot better. When someone starts karate, their movements are generally stiff and awkward, because they haven't yet learned how to control their bodies to be able to do all of these new things. Basically all of the actors have this stiffness and awkwardness, especially Daniel and Johnny.

The real-world karate scene has also changed A LOT from the 80s, so it was kind of interesting to see this be completely ignored.

I am curious how much of a local celebrity a kid can become after winning a high school karate tournament.

Yeah, you can't. If you are in a school/organization that actively competes, you might get known within your school/organization, but no one outside the group is going to give a flying flip. And honestly, the larger organizations are kind of pseudo cults that position students to compete a lot and earn a lot of trophies, all while their actual skills are pretty crap.

[sdp]

Watched the first two episodes and man now I'm hooked, it's easily the most entertaining show I've ever watched. Not nostalgia either since I hadn't watched the Karate Kid until like 3 years ago. I'm glad they played with the Daniel was the bad guy meme but didn't over do it since the original video was for comedic purposes but some things mentioned fit perfectly with this show.

This show just gets things so right, it's new/fresh and yet respects the source material, why can't other revivals do the same?

I was sure they were going to retcon the sequels since they're kinda out there but they already referenced the second movie. I wonder if they reference the third, I mean wouldn't the sensei and his vietnam buddy own the name of Cobra Kai?



I am curious how much of a local celebrity a kid can become after winning a high school karate tournament.


I mean, he won with an injured leg and a flashy movie, I can see a video tape of this thing becoming an early viral video online in the early 2000's. Also the show doesn't imply that because he got famous from the karate tournament he became successful.

This is especially true if we count the films in continuity where he isn't famous and already failed at a business. He seems to love Japanese culture as seen in the movies and this show so when he started his used car sales business he just used his karate gimmick in commercials and it worked. The free bonsai is a tribute to Mr. Miyagi who you can tell he still really loves.

[Andrew NDB]

I'm going to discontinue watching episodes (again, I finished 3) until I rewatch Karate Kid 1-4.

I heard there's some nods to "The Next Karate Kid." Is that true? And wasn't there something in that movie about Larusso having moved away from California?

[Andrew NDB]

Finally saw the entirety of "Cobra Kai." I can say nothing but great things about this. The reviews are right... it's absolutely the best thing we never knew we wanted. It's awesome beyond all measure, more entertaining, moving, funny, and with more heart than I had any idea it would have. I can't say a single bad thing about it, not one. Not even nitpicks (OK, maybe just one: since KK2 and KK3 are obviously in canon in this and mentioned at various times... why does Johnny get a worse rap as a Cobra Kai over, say, Mike Barnes from 3? that guy didn't give a f**k, he was going to drop Daniel off a mountain and punched women in the stomach for no reason).

Also, to prepare for "Cobra Kai," I rewatched all 4 of the movies which I literally haven't seen in about 20 years...

Karate Kid: Still awesome! I forgot many scenes in this, and I can tell a lot of the deeper stuff went over my head as a kid. Miyagi's drunken breakdown about his deceased, pregnant wife was particularly wrenching this time out.

Karate Kid: Part II: Also good. I dig the Japanese vibe and the raised stakes. For some reason the lighting in this really bothered me, at least at night. No matter which way anyone is facing in the movie, there's this flat, yellow light right in their face.

Karate Kid: Part III: I think I watched this more than any of the other ones as a kid. For some reason, part 3 was always on HBO/Cinemax/Showtime and never part 1 or 2. Maybe 1 sometimes.

The Next Karate Kid: Oh, man... so terrible. Even some pretty good Miyagi scenes can't save this one. There is no plot... the bad guys' motivations are nonexistent. Apparently the main guy really, really wants to rape Hillary Swank and doesn't like her sort-of boyfriend because... no reason? With Michael Ironside around to hate on Miyagi because... no reason? And did Miyagi really yank Swank's character out of high school mid-year for a few weeks? He'd never do that. Paper thin. But I'd love to see Swank return in a new season of Cobra Kai, particularly as one of the only two known, living students of Miyagi.

[Andrew NDB]

Mike Barnes from Karate Kid 3 is confirmed for season 2.

https://youtu.be/kPaBrd1F6tY

[sdp]

I guess if the show gets a season 3 then Swank may get some role for an extra "umph" in marketing it "oh remember her? She's back in the popular Cobra Kai series". And if it gets like a season 4 or whatever then even Jaden Smith might be shoved in there, I mean that remake was well received IIRC and even though it follows the same theme of the original movie it doesn't use any of the characters names or exact situations.

[Andrew NDB]

And if it gets like a season 4 or whatever then even Jaden Smith might be shoved in there, I mean that remake was well received IIRC and even though it follows the same theme of the original movie it doesn't use any of the characters names or exact situations.

Or any karate (there's a reason it was titled "Kung Fu Kid" in other countries). But yeah... there's technically no reason the events of the remake couldn't have happened in the KK universe.

[Roseangelo]

I finished season 2 last night and it was pretty amazing. I thought the whole season arc was great, but the last episode really blew me away. The fight at the school was just really well put together from a film-making perspective and then delivered some serious consequences for all of the characters.

Like season 1, the end leaves you hanging for what happens next. Pretty sure we'll hear an announcement for season 3 within the next week or so.

[Andrew NDB]

I finished season 2 last night

It's already out???? F*#*!!!!

[Andrew NDB]

Finished season 2. So fantastic. This is the best show ever. I don't even have one complaint about it.

[Allio]

Not really feeling the fight scenes with this show. I mean I wasn't exactly high quality choreography from a youtube series, but still...

[Andrew NDB]

Not really feeling the fight scenes with this show. I mean I wasn't exactly high quality choreography from a youtube series, but still...

There was plenty of dodgy moments in the big high school fight at the end... but mostly it's serviceable.

[Andrew NDB]

They're going back to Okinawa for season 3!

https://geektyrant.com/news/cobra-kai-exclusive-interview-highlights-including-season-3-teaser-info?fbclid=IwAR3lM3hGXcxrkFQsF4B-OkTrinosziZaooiguqAd77La8hE-jwzk6BraHI0

[Leo656]

Thanks to Andrew for helping me find this thread. Much obliged, cuz!

SO, I picked up the DVD set of the first two Seasons a few weeks ago (It comes with a reversible Cobra Kai/Miyagi-Do headband! GET SOME! :tgrin:), and finally binged the whole thing over the weekend.

Up front, a few things:
- I'm a huge Karate Kid fan and I've seen them all a million times, minus the remake, which I skipped on principle.
- I'm fiercely over-protective of my favorite things, especially things that impacted me greatly growing up.
- I don't generally like Nostalgic Fan-Wank.
- I don't like kid/teen actors.
- I'm cynical to a fault but give credit where it's due. I don't impress easy but if you win me over, I'm your biggest fan.

I put it off for a while because while I'd been reading about it here and there, I had serious doubts that it would be able to uphold the integrity of the franchise and/or revisit the story while moving it forward in a meaningful, satisfying way. Every single thing about it sounded like, "Could be cool, COULD be completely cheesy and terrible." The idea of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, in their 50s, putting their gear on and engaging in a "karate war" using their respective students as proxies while passive-aggressively "bonding" from time to time in their social lives just sounded like a Saturday Night Live Skit that didn't know when to end.

At best, I thought it would be good for a few laughs and some cheeky nostalgia, that I might like it but it would probably be nothing special.

Imagine my surprise when halfway through Season 1, it was already one of the BEST f*cking shows I've EVER seen, full-stop, no smoke. By the end of Episode 20, it was etched in stone. I can NOT say enough good things about it. It not only succeeds, but excels, in just about every area. I look at stuff that gets 100% on this or that ratings website, and I wonder who's sucking who off, because c'mon, nothing is THAT good. But this show just goes and shatters all expectations. It's sooooo good.

My wife and I got through 15 episodes on Saturday, and only stopped because it was getting late and she totally didn't want to start to doze off and miss a second of it, so we did the last 5 on Sunday. It was convenient, because there had just been a Karate Kid marathon on TV a few days ago, so everything was still very fresh in our minds. About five minutes into the first episode, we knew we'd struck gold; after that, it was just a question of, "Can the entire series sustain this level of quality over 20 episodes?" Yes, yes, YES it can. I never once got bored, never checked what time it was, and got annoyed whenever we had to switch discs because we were on such a roll.

- The Writing: This show is smart, clever, nostalgic, AND funny, and plays with your expectations the entire time, sometimes giving you what you expect but NEVER in the way you expect it to go, and other times completely turning your expectations upside-down. Like many others, I was terrified that they'd give in to temptation and make it super-cheesy and silly, but it's NOT like that at all. It knows when to be serious, it knows when to go for drama, it knows when to lean into full-blown nostalgia, it knows when to be funny, AND it knows how to seamlessly shift gears between ALL those things, turning from one to another on a dime. This is an incredibly well-written show, and that might be the last thing I ever expected from it.

Every moment, even ones that sound ridiculous on paper, feel earned. When Daniel finally puts on the gi, and the classic music plays, it doesn't feel hokey, it feels triumphant. That's quite a feat, and it encompasses the show as a whole: in a lesser hand, everything about this could be Just The Worst. But it's NOT, and that's amazing. Likewise, a full on "Karate War" between rival dojos that takes over the entire school? Sounds terrible on paper, but it's somehow F*cking Amazing. Everything that happens from one beat to the next feels like the logical extension of everything else that has happened before it; the Big Moments, the Small Moments, the in-between, all flowing parallel to each other, occasionally intertwining before splitting off in other, new directions, with every character getting their own little arc and journey... it's really, really, REALLY well-done. All 20 episodes felt absolutely integral and were all a lot of fun to watch.

- The Cast: Love it. First off, I didn't know any of these people aside from Macchio and Zabka (and Kove), and haven't seen them in too many non-Karate Kid roles to begin with. I was, let's say, mildly curious to see what might have become of Jonnny since he got choked out by Kreese in that parking lot, but I never felt like I HAD to know. Lo and behold, he manages to somehow position himself as the "Rocky" of the saga and completely pulls it off. And I was hearing that Daniel was the heel of the show, more or less, but to my pleasant surprise, he's more of an Accidental Dick, which feels completely organic to the character as we know him. Not only do they comfortably step back into their familiar roles, 30+ years later, they manage to inject way more growth and personality into them than the movies could have ever allowed. Same goes for Kove as John Kreese. You almost start to occasionally feel a drop of sympathy for him, but he never quite comes off as trustworthy, and with good reason, but the ambiguity is occasionally there, even though everyone knows you should Never trust a snake...

I'm on record as not being a fan of younger actors, but this group did a fantastic job all around. I'll get into more detail below, but I was a big fan of absolutely everyone. I really enjoy big, ensemble casts but it can be tough to balance everyone's stories and make everyone in an ensemble feel important, but despite the 30-minute running time, this show gives everyone plenty to do, and none of it feels like filler. I was never really wondering, "Hey, where's ______?" because every time I might, they'd immediately show up and do something cool. The kids playing Miguel and Hawk were the two stand-outs, for me, among the younger cast. But everyone was good.

I really enjoyed seeing how they got back as many of the original actors as they could, like Daniel's mom and the original Cobra Kai members. The episode with them was a real gem.

- The Acting: This is a YouTube show?

Seriously, there were plenty of times when I felt like I was watching a new film in the series, rather than a show. Nobody half-asses it, nobody phones it in... Stingray has a few moments that are a bit over-the-top but for the most part, everybody in it is fantastic. Zabka nails it, making Johnny mostly-sympathetic but not TOO sympathetic - he's still a prick, just a more honorable one - and his deadpan humor and stuck-in-the-past gimmick never wears itself out. It probably helps that I know a million Johnny's in real life. This is a thing that happens, people! :lol: But yeah, he's great. I had doubts about him as the protagonist but it's great.

You can tell Macchio is having the time of his life (Zabka, too). Just like back in the day, there's times you root for Daniel completely, and times you're like, "Ugh, REALLY dude?" He was never as smooth as he tried to come off, was always a bit of a dork and an Accidental Douchebag despite being the hero of the saga, and it's like literally seeing the exact same guy, 30+ years later, not just an actor revisiting a role. And he's just so completely into it and clearly having a blast. It's a lot of fun to watch. He's in it a lot more than I expected; it's really both of their show despite Johnny getting a bit more focus, and I'm fine with that. It all feels very fair and balanced in its presentation, neither one is completely Good or Bad, and they flip it a lot between them, sometimes within the same episode. Very skillful execution.

As mentioned, I pretty much liked everyone, including the younger cast. I was really pleasantly surprised at the transformation everyone went through over the 20 episodes. A lot of these kids were practically different people, by the end, and it was cool seeing them "evolve". Miguel and Hawk impressed me the most in how they were able to play polar-opposite personalities so believably, going from Super-Nerds to Alpha-Warriors in a completely organic fashion. It's in a lot of little things like posture, facial expressions, vocal inflections; Hawk, particularly, has tons of little cracks in his facade even early on that betray all his pomp and bravado is a desperate attempt to bury his real personality. He does a lot of acting with his eyes, it's really cool. I was really impressed with everyone, especially when they had to get physical. You could tell everyone really put a lot of work in.

(Cont.)

[Leo656]

- The Action: This REALLY blew me away. Things definitely got better as they went along, but all the while it was way better than I thought. I originally expected there'd be tons of cutting to wide-shots to constantly hide the stunt-fighters, y'know, cheesy B-movie stuff, and I wouldn't have even been mad at it, but WOW, these people did work! Towards the end, especially, as the fights get bigger and there's more single-shot scenes with lots of complicated choreography and fewer edits... it was really impressive. Once again, Hawk and Miguel really blew me away with some of the stuff they got to do, Robby too. But everything was really good, from everyone. Lots of brutal hits and throws, and the choreography of the moves always made sense, or at least looked like it did.

- Music: Perfection. Not just in choice of music, but use of music, as in placement and meaning. They use the music from the original film in just the right ways, but also "remix" and reinterpret some of it at times in some creative ways as well. They always know exactly which song to use where in order to get the perfect emotional reaction, whether it be to reinforce a joke or set up a somber moment, or whatever. Really great job, here.

- Humor: I gotta admit, I laughed way more than I expected to, but it always felt earned. Even the lowbrow stuff was perfectly-executed; I never thought "dick-in-the-mouth" jokes had any place in this franchise, BUT, apparently it can be done skillfully and actually be hilarious. :lol: But it's not TOO over-the-top; Some of the funniest bits are just Johnny being such a brick, or so unbelievably deadpan. "Nice shirt." "Thanks!" "I'm joking, it sucks." It's definitely funnier than the movies ever tried to be, but not in a bad way. Some of Stingray's antics in the Season 2 finale were a bit much, but I feel like that was a producers' suggestion as a way to balance out the violence and super-dark ending of the episode.

I laughed a lot, but I never felt bad about it. It's legitimately funny.

- Production Values: They don't try to do too much, but it's definitely of a far higher quality than I ever expected. There's a reasonably grand sense of scale to it all, and it doesn't feel like it's "cramped" or anything; they do a great job with multiple settings and set pieces and making everything feel organic and real. It feels much "bigger" than it ought to, given what it is. The visuals and music tie everything together. These people put a LOT of work into this show.
---------------

All in all... I really have NO complaints whatsoever... other than the wait for Season 3 is gonna KILL me! Worse than that, I'm definitely gonna want to own the disc for that, but they'll probably wait until after Season 4 to release that! Aaaaargh!

I really can't say enough good things. A+ all-around, one of the best shows I've ever seen. And it could have been terrible! That's what really kills me. By rights, it should have been lame. At best, it could have been Pretty Good. But GREAT? Dude, I love Karate Kid, but I never in a million years thought we'd get such a gift as this. This should not be possible.

Execution Is Everything.

[Andrew NDB]

Shesus, where is even a trailer for season 3? I'm dyin' over here.

[Andrew NDB]

Imagine my surprise when halfway through Season 1, it was already one of the BEST f*cking shows I've EVER seen, full-stop, no smoke. By the end of Episode 20, it was etched in stone. I can NOT say enough good things about it. It not only succeeds, but excels, in just about every area. I look at stuff that gets 100% on this or that ratings website, and I wonder who's sucking who off, because c'mon, nothing is THAT good. But this show just goes and shatters all expectations. It's sooooo good.

It IMMEDIATELY shatters expectations. My daughter right now is blown away by it, and even confirms this is how kids kind of talk nowadays (the sewing circle and whatnot). Yeesh!

- The Writing: This show is smart, clever, nostalgic, AND funny, and plays with your expectations the entire time, sometimes giving you what you expect but NEVER in the way you expect it to go, and other times completely turning your expectations upside-down. Like many others, I was terrified that they'd give in to temptation and make it super-cheesy and silly, but it's NOT like that at all. It knows when to be serious, it knows when to go for drama, it knows when to lean into full-blown nostalgia, it knows when to be funny, AND it knows how to seamlessly shift gears between ALL those things, turning from one to another on a dime. This is an incredibly well-written show, and that might be the last thing I ever expected from it.

It can easily gear change from dating stuff to funny stuff to punching people in the face to Daniel suddenly reflecting on Miyagi very soulfully. And it never feels manufactured. Nor is there an ounce of agenda at work here.

Every moment, even ones that sound ridiculous on paper, feel earned. When Daniel finally puts on the gi, and the classic music plays, it doesn't feel hokey, it feels triumphant. That's quite a feat, and it encompasses the show as a whole: in a lesser hand, everything about this could be Just The Worst. But it's NOT, and that's amazing. Likewise, a full on "Karate War" between rival dojos that takes over the entire school? Sounds terrible on paper, but it's somehow F*cking Amazing. Everything that happens from one beat to the next feels like the logical extension of everything else that has happened before it; the Big Moments, the Small Moments, the in-between, all flowing parallel to each other, occasionally intertwining before splitting off in other, new directions, with every character getting their own little arc and journey... it's really, really, REALLY well-done. All 20 episodes felt absolutely integral and were all a lot of fun to watch.

Absolutely! Like, I meant to just show my daughter maybe 2 at a time... but it's impossible. "No way, Dad! Let's keep going!" Etc..

I'm on record as not being a fan of younger actors, but this group did a fantastic job all around. I'll get into more detail below, but I was a big fan of absolutely everyone. I really enjoy big, ensemble casts but it can be tough to balance everyone's stories and make everyone in an ensemble feel important, but despite the 30-minute running time, this show gives everyone plenty to do, and none of it feels like filler. I was never really wondering, "Hey, where's ______?" because every time I might, they'd immediately show up and do something cool. The kids playing Miguel and Hawk were the two stand-outs, for me, among the younger cast. But everyone was good.

Right? I went in fully expecting to get a little bit of Rocky 6-like nostaglia, with maybe half annoying kids and some OK ones.... they're ALL good. All of them. Every single one.

Except for the older guy who joins Cobra Kai in season 2. I don't think that hit the mark, and wasn't needed.

You can tell Macchio is having the time of his life (Zabka, too).

Moreso Zabka (who as I vaguely understand was a big pushing factor in what made this happen at all). What I admire about Macchio is how he's able to sell the douchery, and dive into it. At the beginning, at least. I just love that almost everyone in this is damaged and changes so much, yet it's so organic.

The Action: This REALLY blew me away. Things definitely got better as they went along, but all the while it was way better than I thought. I originally expected there'd be tons of cutting to wide-shots to constantly hide the stunt-fighters, y'know, cheesy B-movie stuff, and I wouldn't have even been mad at it, but WOW, these people did work! Towards the end, especially, as the fights get bigger and there's more single-shot scenes with lots of complicated choreography and fewer edits... it was really impressive. Once again, Hawk and Miguel really blew me away with some of the stuff they got to do, Robby too. But everything was really good, from everyone. Lots of brutal hits and throws, and the choreography of the moves always made sense, or at least looked like it did.

AMAZING choreography. Some hits were a little off, but far and wide GREAT! Way better than in the actual films.

[Leo656]

Yeah, "Stingray" in Season 2 was the one bit that felt like "studio interference". But he was barely in it so he didn't bother me much. Definitely a "lesser" element though.

Yeah, I'm nervous because Season 3 was supposed to be out by now, I think, or at least originally. And like you said... no news. I automatically assumed back in March that it wasn't going to come out on time due to the pandemic, since literally nothing else is either, but now since we've heard nothing at all I'm concerned that there was a lot of last-minute type work that needed to be done and they didn't get to do it in time, and might not be able to do it at all until Question Mark. That would suck. But I think that's the case. And I think they're just not making a lot of noise about it because the show's been so popular they don't want to dishearten anyone until they know for sure whether they can proceed or not, and when.

I'm sure it'll be out before TOO long, though. What I'm REALLY concerned about, now, is Season 4. Whatever they might have had planned for that, well... they;ll almost definitely have to change those plans, now. And that could be another reason for the hold-up on Season 3.

I'unno. We'll see, I guess. I'm dying for Season 3 myself.

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

This show is great!

Hopefully, they get Chozen's character for season 3 and I know the actor for Terry Silver is retired but gotta get him somehow because he's Terry feaking Silver!

[Leo656]

You don't "retire" from acting, you just hold out for more money.

[Andrew NDB]

I'm sure it'll be out before TOO long, though. What I'm REALLY concerned about, now, is Season 4. Whatever they might have had planned for that, well... they;ll almost definitely have to change those plans, now. And that could be another reason for the hold-up on Season 3.

And those kids are going to quickly become grown adults, if they haven't already. A dojo full of 20-somethings is far less interesting than a dojo full of kids.

This show is great!

Hopefully, they get Chozen's character for season 3 and I know the actor for Terry Silver is retired but gotta get him somehow because he's Terry feaking Silver!

Chozen is confirmed for season 3 (he was seen on set filming) but what's not for sure is Kumiko. She's probably in it, though. I read over the actress' reddit she did a few days ago and of course people were bombarding her with "Are you in Cobra Kai season 3???" questions. The way she was answering them and, to other unrelated questions even encouraging people to check out Cobra Kai makes me pretty sure she is.

Though it sounds like the trip to Okinawa may not be as big of a deal as we might hope. It might just be one episode.

[sdp]

Hilary Swank in Season 4 plox

[oldmanwinters]

Cobra Kai to settle the "Hot or Not?" debate!
KW9V0P0JIQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW9V0P0JIQk

[Leo656]

I'd do 'er.

[Andrew NDB]

So, looks like this is the reason there hasn't been any Cobra Kai season 3 trailer. The reason is because it's left YouTube and now there's a bidding war between Netflix and Hulu as to who becomes the new home for the show with the new season:

https://www.darkhorizons.com/cobra-kai-s3-will-find-a-new-home/

Makes sense. Kind of hard to cut a trailer when you don't know what to put on it as far as where it's going to premiere.

[Turo602]

That's really great news for me. I had absolutely no interest in YouTube Red and I thought a show like that being there would have surely hurt it in the long run. The only reason I got to see it was because they made the first 2 seasons free for limited time late last year and it was actually pretty damn good.

The new characters are interesting but the old cast are really still the driving force of the series and it's really respectful of the films as well even though the characters are a lot more gray instead of clear cut good vs bad. If only Star Wars was treated with this much care.

[Leo656]

If only everything was.

I had a feeling something was up, it was supposed to be out by now.

Hope it gets a home and a disc release very soon.

[Andrew NDB]

Bidding war is over. It's going to Netflix. Season 3 should be any day now.

[Leo656]

Most of their stuff seems to get a disc release, so that's good news, I guess. At least it'll come out, and maybe they'll have more money to spend on Season 4? Hope so! I need my fiiiiiiiiiix!

[newfan]

Late to the party but into it so far, I'm in the early eps of season 2. Like the character set up and exploring their different perspectives. Nice to have gotten a little nostalgia too.

[cammy85]

I only just started too, so don't feel bad. I don't have the time to watch a lot, so I've only managed two episodes. :( But it will be easy to get hooked for sure!!

[Andrew NDB]

The RLM guys talk about it.

IuhKIW2FLaA

[Andrew NDB]

A trailer with more footage in it:

YkadyuliPSs

Also, season 4 not surprisingly is greenlit. Which, sh**, I'm surprised they haven't been already filming.

[sdp]

By the time season 4 premiers people will be over Cobra Kai and it'll be swiftly cancelled by Netflix, so it might be our last chance for:

Hilary Swank in Season 4 plox

[Roseangelo]

Also, season 4 not surprisingly is greenlit. Which, sh**, I'm surprised they haven't been already filming.

They probably only got greenlit within the last month, as the show dominated the Netflix top 10. And then, you know, there's a pandemic.

Good news, though.

[NinjaPug]

Season 4 was a part of the negotiations when the creators were shopping it. That was a requirement for Netflix to acquire it. Otherwise another streamer would’ve picked it up.

[Andrew NDB]

They probably only got greenlit within the last month, as the show dominated the Netflix top 10. And then, you know, there's a pandemic.

Stuff has been (resuming) filming for months now. And I don't think Cobra Kai is shot in Canada.

[Andrew NDB]

A proper season 3 trailer:

LcDQqGJG8pA

A big KK 2 reunion. :) Guaranteed they're just hiding Ali for now.

[Leo656]

F*ck yeah, can't wait. Looks awesome.

There's a lot to love about this show, but the Daniel/Johnny dynamic is one of my very favorite things. I was a bit worried after the Season 2 finale that they'd contrive a way to keep them at each others' throats even longer, and I admit that would make sense from a certain standpoint, but given how the entire show is about personal growth and learning from mistakes it's good to see them try to work together for the better of the kids and everything.

The show is really great at telling the story in a way that makes perfect logical sense but at the same time subverts expectations and never feels predictable.

Can't wait!

[Andrew NDB]

Two things:

1) Season 4 still hasn't even started filming yet. They're still writing the damn thing, which means we won't get anything after 3 until... yeesh. A while, again. The wait between 2 and 3 will probably be the same as the wait between 3 and 4.

2) Did you realize that Aisha (the black chick) from Cobra Kai was fired between seasons 2 and 3? She won't be in season 3 at all, apparently. I dug into this and the only explanation offered -- which seems like B.S. -- is that the writers apparently said they couldn't find a place for her in the season. Lame. She was like one of my favorites.

And I BET they'll get Swank, if they want Swank. She's reduced to doing bad original Netflix stuff now... surely she will be down to do GOOD original Netflix stuff.

[Leo656]

Ah, sh*t, I didn't hear that they let her go. That sucks. I know there's like 30 goddamn characters on the show now, but like, you cut her and keep "Stingray" (probably)? That's some bullsh*t.

Like, I liked that she was committed. Rather than just "acting", she really seemed like she was getting in better shape and everything as the show went on, which made her character more believable.

Bummer.

And I'd love to see Hillary Swank back. I know she's not everyone's cup'a tea but she is a handsome woman. That cutoff shirt in "Next Karate Kid" and those tight little abs'a hers... mmmf. MMMFFF. I had a bad feeling that movie wasn't gonna be good, but I bought a ticket just because I thought she was hot. No shame. :lol:

[Andrew NDB]

And I'd love to see Hillary Swank back. I know she's not everyone's cup'a tea but she is a handsome woman. That cutoff shirt in "Next Karate Kid" and those tight little abs'a hers... mmmf. MMMFFF. I had a bad feeling that movie wasn't gonna be good, but I bought a ticket just because I thought she was hot. No shame. :lol:

She's always been OK in my book, acting-wise and looks wise. She's kind of like... Jennifer Garner's less attractive big sister, or something.

Hypothetically, I wonder how they'd figure her into something like Cobra Kai? I don't see them making her a romantic interest for anybody unless Johnny somehow completely futzes things with both Miguel's mom AND Ali. It'd be kind of cool if in the time between The Next Karate Kid and now, Swank's character kind of struck it rich, or became well-off? And maybe becomes like the corporate head honcho of Miyagi-Do?

[newfan]

Two things:
Did you realize that Aisha (the black chick) from Cobra Kai was fired between seasons 2 and 3? She won't be in season 3 at all, apparently. I dug into this and the only explanation offered -- which seems like B.S. -- is that the writers apparently said they couldn't find a place for her in the season. Lame. She was like one of my favorites.

.

How can there be no place for her? but there is for everyone else, wonder if it was something else. Shame.

Liking the trailer, obviously we could see a team up coming with Johnny and Daniel, they had a few good moments previously until misunderstandings came along and set them back again. It should be good however long it lasts.

[Andrew NDB]

How can there be no place for her? but there is for everyone else, wonder if it was something else. Shame.

Has to be her not getting along with some peeps (whether the other actors or crew). Or maybe that Gofundme she did embarrassed the show people a little, maybe even got them in trouble.

[Leo656]

I actually think Swank is prettier than Garner.

Garner is pretty, but damn, she got a lotta forehead.

Swank's also got an awesome rack, and... man. I respect that.

[newfan]

I remember when this thread first started I was light heartedly thinking 'this might be bad but I gotta see what they do' one of my sisters pretty much said the same thing when I was talking to her about it. Anyway, I was very wrong about it being bad. Lot of good character focus.

[Andrew NDB]

The plan is for 6 seasons. They start shooting season 4 in 4 weeks.

https://www.darkhorizons.com/cobra-kai-has-a-six-season-plan/

Also, showrunner insists nothing bad happened with the Aisha actress, stressing she will return in a later season:

https://screenrant.com/cobra-kai-season-3-aisha-leaving-explained/

[NinjaPug]

Just give me a season with Terry Silver and Mike Barnes returning and I'll be happy.

[Andrew NDB]

BTW: seeing a few rumors that the blond woman we see in the trailer (we only see her back and back of her head) that Daniel's wife is reacting to is Ali. Soon we'll see if that's true.

So this is correct! She's in the last couple of episodes. The Okinawa stuff appears to be only 1.5 episodes, as suggested earlier. No Terry Silver appearances in the PRESENT... but he is seen being rescued by Kreese in Vietnam in the past AND it seems like Kreese calls him on the phone at the end of the season, presumably to call in a favor. Looks like no Stingray, thankfully, but I can't be sure. The way it touches them and moves on from them I doubt we'll ever see Ali or Kumiko again... really all we're left to see in the final seasons 4-6 as "Whoa!" kind of stuff are Terry Silver, Mike Barnes, and Julie Pierce (Swank's character). I guess Michael Ironside could come back to play Dugan from KK4 if he maintains some kind of grudge against Miyagi's legacy, I guess.

[Andrew NDB]

One big bad thing about season 3, at least to me. In season 1 and 2 they recaptured a lot of the musical themes from the KK movies (which really sold the feels)... yet in season 3 it seems like they decided to stop paying money for that, so now the nostalgic bits just have boring stock music to accompany them. Lame!!!

[NinjaPug]

One big bad thing about season 3, at least to me. In season 1 and 2 they recaptured a lot of the musical themes from the KK movies (which really sold the feels)... yet in season 3 it seems like they decided to stop paying money for that, so now the nostalgic bits just have boring stock music to accompany them. Lame!!!

That sucks. Conti’s scores are some of my all time favorites. Blending them into Cobra Kai is one of the best parts of the show.

Hopefully they get a bigger budget from Netflix going forward so they don’t cut costs like this.

[Andrew NDB]

Hopefully they get a bigger budget from Netflix going forward so they don’t cut costs like this.

That brings up a good point. Season 3 was completed for YouTube before the pandemic, with whatever budget Youtube gave them. So we actually won't see what a Netflix-budgeted Cobra Kai show looks (and sounds) like until season 4.

[Andrew NDB]

Stumbled on this somewhat old Hilary Swank interview where she's asked about Cobra Kai:

https://uproxx.com/movies/hilary-swank-interview-i-am-mother-cobra-kai/

Also, the Cobra Kai writers briefly addressing her:

https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2560541/cobra-kais-writers-have-spoken-about-hilary-swanks-julie-pierce-coming-to-the-show

I'm pretty sure they're going to bring Swank back in by the end of it. By the way season 3 ends and as best as we can figure, we're going to get Kreese, Terry Silver, and Mike Barnes all front and center next season and onward against just LaRusso and Johnny. Those are uneven odds. We need Swank's Julie to even it out.

[Leo656]

Hope so! She's still a looker, I'd be down for that.

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

Stumbled on this somewhat old Hilary Swank interview where she's asked about Cobra Kai:

https://uproxx.com/movies/hilary-swank-interview-i-am-mother-cobra-kai/

Also, the Cobra Kai writers briefly addressing her:

https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2560541/cobra-kais-writers-have-spoken-about-hilary-swanks-julie-pierce-coming-to-the-show

I'm pretty sure they're going to bring Swank back in by the end of it. By the way season 3 ends and as best as we can figure, we're going to get Kreese, Terry Silver, and Mike Barnes all front and center next season and onward against just LaRusso and Johnny. Those are uneven odds. We need Swank's Julie to even it out.


That sounds good but I want Chozen back!

Johnny, LaRusso and Chozen v Kreese, Terry Silver and Mike Barnes

Let’s go!

[Andrew NDB]

Shooting wrapped on season 4!

https://collider.com/cobra-kai-season-4-filming-wraps/

[Leo656]

I still gotta see Season Three. Hopefully there'll be a disc release like Seasons 1 & 2; I don't have NetFlix.

[NinjaPug]

Hell yeah!

zIxKKv8q5W0

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

Now the real pain begins, Danny boy!

[Leo656]

Awesome! Can't wait.

[Andrew NDB]

Very much liking this.

[FrederikWolferson]

This should be good.

[Andrew NDB]

Season 4 hitting this December.

x8eRMQtjCBE

[Roseangelo]

So ready. Hoping it hits around Christmas.

[Andrew NDB]

It's a good sign they were able to completely put this together within almost precisely 1 year. That bodes well for season 5 and 6 (they DID say they imagine 3 more seasons after 3 hit).

[Roseangelo]

It's a good sign they were able to completely put this together within almost precisely 1 year. That bodes well for season 5 and 6 (they DID say they imagine 3 more seasons after 3 hit).

Pulling it all together in a year during COVID is especially impressive. I'm still waiting for season 3 of The Orville... :trazz:

And yeah, I think they have outlines for two more seasons if Netflix green lights them. I would guess this is a cheaper show to produce, so that might actually be able to happen?

[Andrew NDB]

I'm still pulling for Hillary Swank before the show ends. New Mr. Miyagi flashbacks with a deepfake Pat Morita would be awesome as well.

I only watched the first few episodes of season 1, I'm guessing it hasn't lowered in quality than those first few episodes based on the hype.

Smart money is on Swank before the curtain call. They won't rule it out.

And the exciting part is that season 4 is the first time we'll see what kind of budget improvements Netflix afforded. Season 3 was already filmed by the time Netflix bought it.

Pulling it all together in a year during COVID is especially impressive. I'm still waiting for season 3 of The Orville... :trazz:

And yeah, I think they have outlines for two more seasons if Netflix green lights them. I would guess this is a cheaper show to produce, so that might actually be able to happen?

No way Netflix won that bidding war just to do 1 new season.

[NinjaPug]

Renewed for Season 5. Production starts before S4 is released so shouldn't be a long wait between seasons.

https://deadline.com/2021/08/cobra-kai-renewed-season-5-netflix-1234823289/

[Andrew NDB]

KfQ3EQl_W98

[sdp]

How would you guys feel with Mr Miyagi making a comeback in flashbacks done through deepfakes? Helping set up any ending that the show might have? We have the tech, it doesn't need to be faked for just a little bit, it can now be done for entire speeches and interactions with others.


I still need a deep fake Miyagi as a flashback in wish list as well. I only watched the first two episodes of Cobra Kai, waiting for it to finish before I start it. My first karate kid was actually the Jackie Chan one, i didn't watch the original movies until like 5 years ago lol

[Andrew NDB]

Full trailer for season 4:

I3uX4uwrAaY

How would you guys feel with Mr Miyagi making a comeback in flashbacks done through deepfakes? Helping set up any ending that the show might have? We have the tech, it doesn't need to be faked for just a little bit, it can now be done for entire speeches and interactions with others.

I'm fine with that.

[Zulithe]

Can't wait for the new season. That season 3 cliffhanger still gets me. Was such an epic moment.

[Andrew NDB]

This Friday!

Also, smart money says Aisha does come back this season.

https://heavy.com/entertainment/cobra-kai/nichole-brown-aisha-season-4/

I bet she'll have a surprise return just in time for the tournament. If I had to guess... Silver/Kreese will find her and bring her in, for their side.

[sdp]

I read an interview that said that "anyone that interacted with Mr. Miyagi can be in the show". I read that as "HILARY SWANK CONFIRMED!". Sadly that specifically said that Jackie Chan/Jaden would not be appearing because they never met Miyagi and it is just a remake of the karate kid in another continuity. That's untrue, they were clearly different characters with different names, set in a different location and while the theme was the same the events were different and have nothing to do with the original movie so they very well could appear the only thing they're right is there is no connection with Mr Miyagi. No, loss it's still a good movie and better than Karate Kid 2 & 3.

[Andrew NDB]

Swank will definitely be in it. Not sure if at the end of this one, but the next for sure.

Because they don't really have many more rabbits to pull out of their hat. We're getting Silver, we already know Mike Barnes is coming back. Who's left, other than Swank? The not-girlfriend from 3? That's all they've got.

[sdp]

Well you still have from the Karate Kid cartoon Taki Tamurai (https://miscrave.com/articles/karate-kid-sequels/), it won't happen since one of the writers tweeted that the cartoon was non-canon despite Mr. Miyagi being in it and that the episodes are narrated by Pat Morita as Miyagi. There's apparently an easter egg of the cartoon in season 3, I wonder what it is. The cartoon is pretty ridiculous since it involves a magic shrine they try to recover and they travel around the world for it. No real way for it to be "canon". But still some nods to the cartoon would be cool.

https://dg31sz3gwrwan.cloudfront.net/screen/1809211/1_iphone.jpg

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

They never showed Tory’s mom so it would be wild if they do, it would be Hilary Swank’s character all grown up.


If not then does she show up to give Daniel and Johnny’s team the edge they need since it feels like Kreese an Silver will have the upperhand open on them in the new season….just my guesses.


And throwing this out there. Terry Silver probably will know a counter to the pressure points attack that Chozen thought Daniel that he used on Kreese because he’s freaking Terry Silver. And potentially that Sato thought karate to Silver coming out of the army.

[Andrew NDB]

They never showed Tory’s mom so it would be wild if they do, it would be Hilary Swank’s character all grown up.

They kind of allude to Tory's mom being a loser in an earlier season, though, don't they? Or sick and dying, or both? It's not impossible that that's Julie but it seems like... a weird and disappointing way to bring her in. Plus Julie didn't live in California, she lived in Boston. A more likely choice might be Daniel's non-girlfriend from Karate Kid III, Jessica. Though she was supposedly moving away after that movie she still might have moved back. Julie has no ties to California at all.

Which isn't to say there aren't ways to bring in Julie. Could be the anniversary of Miyagi's death, she comes to his grave and meets Daniel. Maybe she already knows Daniel from that, over the years.

[Andrew NDB]

I still need a deep fake Miyagi as a flashback in wish list as well.

If they haven't done that yet, I don't see it happening to come. Still, surely between FOUR Karate Kid movies there has to be at least one decent deleted scene with him that could be dusted off as a new flashback, though, no?

[Andrew NDB]

Well? Is nobody binging this yet?

Silver's reintroduction was definitely not what I was expecting! Brilliant. And what a perfect way to explain his behavior in KK3.

[Roseangelo]

I'm halfway through. Will probably watch the rest with a friend on Saturday.

The tournament is going to get pretty wild, I think.:shifty:

[IMJ]

I watched the first few episodes sometime back and thought it was a good watch, but for whatever reason I didn't make it through the first season.

I've been meaning to though.

[NinjaPug]

Do they use any of the Bill Conti score in the new season? Hated that it went away last season.

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

When Tori’s dad was mentioned as a hothead, I only had one thought….Mike Barnes will be revealed as her father whenever they bring him in. As for that ending….yes, more Chozen. Silver won’t no what hit him when he meets him.


As for Kreese, yeah, definitely headed for a redemption path for him but going to be hard to pull off considering no one will trust him and rightfully so.

[Andrew NDB]

Do they use any of the Bill Conti score in the new season? Hated that it went away last season.

I'm only a couple into it since far... but yes! I heard some cues here and there so far.

[oldmanwinters]

When Tori’s dad was mentioned as a hothead, I only had one thought….Mike Barnes will be revealed as her father whenever they bring him in. As for that ending….yes, more Chozen. Silver won’t no what hit him when he meets him.

I was among those who always assumed "T. Nichols" was the biological daughter of "T. Silver" since it just seemed like it would be such a natural fit (cuz the money, honey), but I'm guessing that ship has probably sailed. You might be right.

Also, Peyton List rocked that oh-so-inappropriate prom dress. I'm surprised she's "only 23," because I always assumed her to be mid-to-late 20s for the whole series. (Dang, I feel old.) Who knew she and Robby had such intense dance skills worthy of Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones?

[Andrew NDB]

Yeah, Mike Barnes as her dad would make sense. I bet that's it. Murkier, though, is who the mom is. It's either "just some lady" or it's the non-girlfriend of Daniel's from KK3, or like... some random supporting actress/walk on lady from KK1 or 3.

Also... here's a thought. Imagine we get Michael Ironside's character/villain from KK4 in this somehow, and he's given the Cobra Kai deconstruction treatment. That'd also explain in Julie's intro to the show.

[oldmanwinters]

Yeah, Mike Barnes as her dad would make sense. I bet that's it. Murkier, though, is who the mom is. It's either "just some lady" or it's the non-girlfriend of Daniel's from KK3, or like... some random supporting actress/walk on lady from KK1 or 3.

Also... here's a thought. Imagine we get Michael Ironside's character/villain from KK4 in this somehow, and he's given the Cobra Kai deconstruction treatment. That'd also explain in Julie's intro to the show.

I am 100% of brining in Next Karate Kid lore... it could actually make some sense connecting them to Silver and his franchising plan. I mean... how much more insane can it get than "Alpha Elite?" That's just the sort of pet project I could see Silver bankrolling.

Man, I can't imagine making Tori's mom into an already established character. Seems like it could be really twisted, but... I can't even remember the name of the girlfriend (or is it just a girl-friend?) from KK3... sad.

Amazingly, after watching this season, I'm inclined to give KK3 more credit than I ever did. The whole movie just seemed so ridiculous and beyond my limit for suspension of disbelief. But after knowing more about the degree of crazy that Kreese and Silver will go to, it now has some internal logic to it.

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

When Silver told Kreese he could find a few buddies to run Cobra Kai with him…Barnes is one. I was wonder if the others would be Snake and Dennis from the III or heck….Dutch. Dutch to me feels like the only former Kreese student that would still be a bad boy to this day and not turn over a new leaf, like Johnny and the rest of his buddies did .

[Andrew NDB]

When Silver told Kreese he could find a few buddies to run Cobra Kai with him…Barnes is one. I was wonder if the others would be Snake and Dennis from the III or heck….Dutch. Dutch to me feels like the only former Kreese student that would still be a bad boy to this day and not turn over a new leaf, like Johnny and the rest of his buddies did .

They've been trying to get him since season 1. Too busy.

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

Let’s assume that once Johnny figures out things with his son and helps find Miguel and his dad, joins Daniel and Chozen in their fight against Silver, Barnes….who could be their big Number 3? I’m not including Kreese because I feel like after getting betrayed by Silver, he’s done with him and could go his own way or really try this time to be in the good with Johnny who will obviously deny him.

[oldmanwinters]

I found the “Kicks Get Chicks” episode especially hilarious with Johnny being simultaneously oblivious (to looking like a creeper on a school campus) and brilliantly devious (putting on the "woke" facade), but always reverting back to himself with the "a sexual" and "fluids" responses:
Johnny: Sensei John Lawrence of Eagle Fang Karate. Let me tell you why my dojo is perfect for a modern young woman like yourself. We live in a world where you gotta be an alpha to survive. You're either a killer or your dead meat. You gotta be a man. At Eagle Fang, we confront that phrase and we make it empowering for all. We teach anyone who identifies as female to embrace their queenly strength and tear down the neo-masculine hierarchy to confront internalized sexism.
Piper: Sounds inclusive. But what about non-binary and gender-fluid?
Johnny: Yes, fluids are crucial, if you don't hydrate, it affects performance.

[Andrew NDB]

Saw the ending. Decent. Well-written and played. Nothing really makes you go "whoa, no way!" like most of the other 3 season enders did, but that's fine.

Also, I guess how big of a part Mike Barnes plays in 5 may be a test of just how non-woke the series showrunners are...

SEgYGeBeeAA

If it's just going to amount to basically a cameo, then you'll know.

[Andrew NDB]

Mike Barnes from Karate Kid 3 is confirmed for season 2.

kPaBrd1F6tY

Again. So it wasn't season 2. But clearly he got some kind of confirmation he'd be in it. Way back.

[oldmanwinters]

Also, I guess how big of a part Mike Barnes plays in 5 may be a test of just how non-woke the series showrunners are...

If it's just going to amount to basically a cameo, then you'll know.

I mean... OF COURSE Mike Barnes and 90% of Cobra Kai would be Trump supporters in-universe, right? :tlol:

[oldmanwinters]

I know it means nothing since he doesn't make the decisions and it's not like he has many offers but the actor of Daniel mentioned he'd do a new karate kid movie. Would anyone actually want that ?
I don't think it would work unless it's a full reboot like the Jackie Chan one.

I'd just prefer sticking to the show.

[Andrew NDB]

I know it means nothing since he doesn't make the decisions and it's not like he has many offers but the actor of Daniel mentioned he'd do a new karate kid movie. Would anyone actually want that ?
I don't think it would work unless it's a full reboot like the Jackie Chan one.

I think that now, at the end of season 4, we can have some idea of how things will go in season 5 and 6 which -- they've told us -- would end out the series, barring any spinoffs or what-have-you. Which is to say, by the end of season 6, they would have definitely "blown their wad." We'll get more Cobra Kai dojos, the return of Mike Barnes, the return of Julie Pierce, and the culmination of a giant "karate war."

There really isn't anywhere to go from that, certainly not in a movie. But that's OK. Who ever thought we'd get to see a brand new All Valley Tournament with Kreese AND Silver there?

[oldmanwinters]

I think that now, at the end of season 4, we can have some idea of how things will go in season 5 and 6 which -- they've told us -- would end out the series, barring any spinoffs or what-have-you. Which is to say, by the end of season 6, they would have definitely "blown their wad." We'll get more Cobra Kai dojos, the return of Mike Barnes, the return of Julie Pierce, and the culmination of a giant "karate war."

There really isn't anywhere to go from that, certainly not in a movie. But that's OK. Who ever thought we'd get to see a brand new All Valley Tournament with Kreese AND Silver there?

I guess they could always expand upon the Jackie Chan/Jaden Smith film... but who really wants that?

[Andrew NDB]

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I guess they could always expand upon the Jackie Chan/Jaden Smith film... but who really wants that?

No, they can't. They've repeatedly said they can't do that. At best, maybe some kids will walk by a "The Karate Kid" poster for the Jaden Smith movie and make a joke, but I doubt they'd even bother at this point.

https://www.cbr.com/cobra-kai-no-jaden-smith-jackie-chan-cameos/

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/cobra-kai-will-jaden-smith-and-jackie-chan-make-cameos-in-season-4.html/

[Andrew NDB]

So "a few more" seasons are planned beyond even season 6, which is still being written.

https://www.darkhorizons.com/more-cobra-kai-seasons-planned-out/

So I guess forget about that 6 season general idea they spoke of before season 4 came out.

[Andrew NDB]

Season 5 trailer. More or less.

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[oldmanwinters]

Glad I don’t have to wait till Christmas!

[Andrew NDB]

Netflix needs a hit more sooner than later, given their recent challenges. Cobra Kai season 5 is a sure thing.

[Andrew NDB]

Pictures are up on the Cobra Kai FB of Mike Barnes in the new season.

https://i.ibb.co/dKzz8Tp/298701441-3186208121592911-4221336185045589439-n.jpg

[Andrew NDB]

I'm betting Jessica is Tori's mom:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cobrakai/comments/sro9mu/how_would_you_bring_back_jessica_andrews_into/

[Andrew NDB]

Season 5 is out now. 3 episodes in. Not bad, really. I notice we haven't seen a ton of the existing characters yet. First thing that bothered me was when Miguel arrives in Mexico he is robbed by... a roving pack of Australian thieves? We couldn't just have Miguel get robbed by Mexican thieves in Mexico?

[Andrew NDB]

I'm betting Jessica is Tori's mom:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cobrakai/comments/sro9mu/how_would_you_bring_back_jessica_andrews_into/

Well, NOPE. Jessica did show up this season and as Daniel's wife's cousin. It explains that Jessica is who introduced him to his wife. Pretty neat way to include her. Though now... I have no guesses for who could be Tori's mom anymore that is anybody from the KK movies. There's nobody left.

[Leo656]

We couldn't just have Miguel get robbed by Mexican thieves in Mexico?

Obviously not, that would be spectacularly racist.

[Xav]

Well, NOPE. Jessica did show up this season and as Daniel's wife's cousin. It explains that Jessica is who introduced him to his wife. Pretty neat way to include her. Though now... I have no guesses for who could be Tori's mom anymore that is anybody from the KK movies. There's nobody left.
What about Hilary Swank/Julie Pierce?

[Andrew NDB]

What about Hilary Swank/Julie Pierce?

She lives in Boston, nowhere near CA.

[mrmaczaps]

She lives in Boston, nowhere near CA.

She could visit.... not too difficult. Or maybe in 30 years time, she moved from one cesspool to another. Lol

[Andrew NDB]

She could visit.... not too difficult. Or maybe in 30 years time, she moved from one cesspool to another. Lol

Way too random and unlikely she'd travel across the country just to be a bedridden mom of Tori's coincidentally in the same city as Daniel.

Which is not to say they couldn't concoct something convoluted and make it work. Like, maybe Julie was taking care of Miyagi during his last days when she met someone, had a kid, and fell ill. Julie didn't look like she was coming from a poor family, though. It's hard to believe she'd end up in a sh**hole like Tori's.

[mrmaczaps]

Way too random and unlikely she'd travel across the country just to be a bedridden mom of Tori's coincidentally in the same city as Daniel.

Which is not to say they couldn't concoct something convoluted and make it work. Like, maybe Julie was taking care of Miyagi during his last days when she met someone, had a kid, and fell ill. Julie didn't look like she was coming from a poor family, though. It's hard to believe she'd end up in a sh**hole like Tori's.

She could be an unrelated character to any of the existing cast but have heard about the dojo or maybe this new contest... and being that she was a student of Miyagi's too... So, maybe it starts out as a phone call to Daniel & then she shows up in another episode later. Or maybe Tori's Mom is her cousin.

[Andrew NDB]

She could be an unrelated character to any of the existing cast but have heard about the dojo or maybe this new contest... and being that she was a student of Miyagi's too... So, maybe it starts out as a phone call to Daniel & then she shows up in another episode later. Or maybe Tori's Mom is her cousin.

Too coincidental, given she already has a huge shared connection with Daniel. Like, one of the kids is closely related to her even though she lives on the other side of the country AND she also shared being a pupil of Miyagi?

Tori's mom as her cousin, maybe. It just seems like there are so many more organic ways to bring her around. Like, Daniel is already friends with her and has been for years (surely they'd have met during Miyagi's funeral if not sooner and at least chatted) so he calls her in for some help.

[mrmaczaps]

Too coincidental, given she already has a huge shared connection with Daniel. Like, one of the kids is closely related to her even though she lives on the other side of the country AND she also shared being a pupil of Miyagi?

Tori's mom as her cousin, maybe. It just seems like there are so many more organic ways to bring her around. Like, Daniel is already friends with her and has been for years (surely they'd have met during Miyagi's funeral if not sooner and at least chatted) so he calls her in for some help.

However they bring her in, if/when they do, it will be cool and hopefully organic to the flow of everything else happening.

[Andrew NDB]

I saw the rest of the season.

Wowzers. In many ways it feels like the whole season is about growing up, both for the characters in the show and even the show itself. Things get pretty bleak and we end up with sword fights (sai vs. katana, so the TMNT comparisons are obvious) and blood.

I generally think the ending is largely going to prove to be a fakeout when we get season 6. i.e, it looks like they have Silver dead to rights and he's going to jail but he'll find a way to get out of it. The whole thing at his house was kind of a mass-trespassing, after all, and also whatever footage Tori got from the computer might be thrown out since it was after hours and that would've been trespassing, too. Also, that footage is fairly circumstantial. Stingray could possibly damn him on the other front but it's not like he's actually taken the stand yet... and a lot could happen to him before that happens.

Plus, if Silver is in jail/prison, who even would Kreese have to strike down?

And wtf... c'mon Netflix, they cheaped out on not getting even a single couple of notes from the Karate Kid movies' score again. How could season 1 and 2 on Youtube Red afford to get that but Netflix can't?

[joe-eyeball]

Plus didn’t we get the show’s first and second F-Bombs? They definitely have allowed the series to become more mature in many ways.

[Andrew NDB]

Plus didn’t we get the show’s first and second F-Bombs? They definitely have allowed the series to become more mature in many ways.

Yeah! Forgot to mention. Out of nowhere, bam, at least like 5 F-bombs sprinkled throughout. Even Daniel gets one or two. I don't think they're absolutely needed but it worked for shock value. Like, "Did I just hear Daniel say...? Oh dang!"

[oldmanwinters]

Yeah! Forgot to mention. Out of nowhere, bam, at least like 5 F-bombs sprinkled throughout. Even Daniel gets one or two. I don't think they're absolutely needed but it worked for shock value. Like, "Did I just hear Daniel say...? Oh dang!"

Like in a single episode scene?

[Andrew NDB]

Like in a single episode scene?

Oh no, spread out over the season. There might be one episode with 2 but I'm not sure now.

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

Great season 5 but honestly if it ended how it did then I would be more than happy. I felt like they wrapped pretty much everything up. But season 6 is coming so I will watch. I mean with Kreese faking his death and out, he obviously isn’t a big threat unless he literally stabs them in the back. Cobra Kai is literally done so no rival dojo to feud with…..I just wonder outside of the Kreese arc, what else they have in store for season 6. I don’t want to sound negative because I would love more Daniel, Johnny and Chozen team ups but it just feels done to me.


I was pleasantly surprised to see Mike Barnes reformed and not join up with Terry Silver. Even when he in good with Daniel and Chozen, I was still expecting to join Silver lol but like Johnny and Chozen, they’ve changed for the better.

And great to see Daniel use the Quicksilver method against Terry Silver and beat him!

[Andrew NDB]

Great season 5 but honestly if it ended how it did then I would be more than happy. I felt like they wrapped pretty much everything up. But season 6 is coming so I will watch. I mean with Kreese faking his death and out, he obviously isn’t a big threat unless he literally stabs them in the back. Cobra Kai is literally done so no rival dojo to feud with…..I just wonder outside of the Kreese arc, what else they have in store for season 6. I don’t want to sound negative because I would love more Daniel, Johnny and Chozen team ups but it just feels done to me.


I was pleasantly surprised to see Mike Barnes reformed and not join up with Terry Silver. Even when he in good with Daniel and Chozen, I was still expecting to join Silver lol but like Johnny and Chozen, they’ve changed for the better.

And great to see Daniel use the Quicksilver method against Terry Silver and beat him!

If there was like an epilogue with bars shutting on Silver and all the Cobra Kais actually shuttering, then yeah, there'd definitely be some finality. But as is, this is literally a cliffhanger. Also, there's still that super martial arts competition both Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do/Eagle Fang are going to... a huge gun they've shown us that needs to actually go off/pay off in the next act (season 6). Because even if Cobra Kai dissolves, Miyagi-Do/Eagle Fang are still set to go to it regardless. And if Cobra Kai does dissolve before the competition, there really wouldn't be any emotional resonance to anyone Miyagi-Do/Eagle Fang would be fighting, because they'd just be random new characters from random dojos we've never heard of before.

The general way I think it will go, and these writers are excellent about not subverting expectations, but dodging around them a bit: Silver either almost immediately gets out of the charges, or at least they're all left pending while his lawyers fend it all off for now. Maybe Silver even straight up has Stingray killed. The super, international karate competition is trained for and maybe Silver does little tricks to make everyone's lives miserable while they do. Maybe a time skip during the training, after which we see the birth of Johnny's kid. At some point Daniel decides they need a hand and calls in Julie Pierce (Hilary Swank). Kreese either throws in with Miyagi-Do/Eagle Fang as a changed man or somehow outsmarts and manages to oust Silver for good, then leading Cobra Kai to the competition himself (maybe we get Eagle Fang re-merging back into Cobra Kai at this point?). Some kind of bittersweet end to the competition. And we're going to finally learn who Tori's mom is and it's ________. No clue there. Maybe they've been hiding her from the camera not because she's supposed to be a pre-existing character, but because they're going to cast a "name" for her for a big cameo. Like, Drew Barrymore or Kate Winslet or something.

Oh, and we're totally going to see Julie fight that new female Asian sensei of Cobra Kai. I almost immediately figured that's one of the reasons they brought her in.

[CyberCubed]

So I watched all 5 seasons for the first time after hearing about this for years. This show is great. I was hooked from the first episode. And every time I got to an end of an episode I didn't want to stop and wanted to watch the next one. I think I finished all 50 episodes in about 3-4 days.

Besides everything that has been said about the main cast and most of the kids being great, I really do like how Johnny is the main character and its about his redemption, but also Daniel, Miguel, Samantha, Robbie, etc. are also main characters so it feels like you have an everchanging 5+ man band here. There's no singular lead. Tory is great for obvious reasons.

I'm shocked how much this works as both a sequel to the original movies and a new show with a fresh cast. I just can't believe how they brought back every old character from the movies and made it work in a believeable way and everyone is great.

What I also love is how the show starts off realistically and then continually escalates to become more crazy almost like an anime or videogame type of way. Seriously the "evil Sensei's" they introduced in Season 5 that Silver worked with looked straight out of the Yakuza videogames or something out of Final Fantasy or an anime. One guy even had an evil eyepatch! This show is going full anime, isn't it? At this point characters shooting energy beams out of their hands in a few seasons would be believeable.

I also really like the kids constantly changing sides, it's easy to forget this is all about a bunch of high school kids in silly fighting dojo's and they all take this so seriously like it's "good vs evil" or Cobra Kai trying to take over the world, lol.

I heard Season 6 is the last but this show can go on 10 seasons if it remains this good.

[Leo656]

Yeah, I'm personally way behind but there really is no logical way this show can be as good as it is. It defies all logic and reason. Literally nothing else works as well at what it tries to do as this show does. Especially all the "20+ years too late sequels" and whatnot. Almost all of them are varying degrees of "acceptable" to "worthless", but hardly any are actually "good".

And yet, somehow, this show exists and it's better than it has any right to be. It's nuts.

It kind of annoys me, really, because EVERY time I start ranting about how things past their expiration date are lame and how every years-after-the-fact sequel is a junky waste of time... I stop and remember Cobra Kai, and then I have to quantify everything I just said about all the other stuff.

Even the stuff that would be super cringe and annoying in other shows/movies comes off way more palatable here. All the same stuff we all whine about in other stuff, the "Girl Power" or "representation" and "inclusion" and whatnot... it's all in there, but it's not as hamfisted or preachy or downright insufferable as it's been done in everything else. It's just very plain and matter-of-fact. "Oh, there's girls that can kick as much or more ass than the guys, that's cool." "The fat kids are also good at karate, how very good for them." "The main leading character for the young cast is a POC, alright, moving on." I confess, I rant and rave about that sh*t a LOT in other stuff because it's so very often done very, very badly. This show, somehow, manages to be one of the only positive examples of "diversity, inclusion and representation" in a sequel/reboot, rather than a show about checking boxes to make a point... which is what everything else does and has done.

Basically, it's one of the few things in all existence that gives me hope for the future. No joke. This show SHOULD have been terrible but it's sincerely one of the best things EVER made. That means that anything's possible.

[Roseangelo]

Watched it a few days ago. Still super solid. I really like how all the characters are becoming a bit more grounded instead of jumping to conclusions (and karate fights).

And super excited to be meeting Ralph Macchio next month with a friend when he's on his book tour! He's going to like 8 locations, 3 of which are in New York, and one of the locations is an easy drive from where we are.

And I had a random encounter with William Zabka at Comic-Con. That was pretty awesome.

[Leo656]

Hey, that's cool. There's not a ton of people I'd mark out over or pay to meet anymore but either or both of them would be cool, for sure. They both seem like really cool, humble guys from everything I've ever heard about either. Like I forever hear people mention how Zabka is such a convincing dick on TV that they're overwhelmed by him in real life because he's such a swell fella. That's always neat to hear about.

But I mean, in either of their cases, if your main claim to fame is/was "a hit tween movie from almost 40 years ago that has been a joke pop culture meme since 1987", I guess there's not much to be uppity about. :lol: Still, you hear about plenty of divas in the business who have no valid reason to be divas, yet they are. So it's refreshing that these cats apparently are not. Thumbs up from me on that.

And yeah, early on this show was absolutely filthy with "Convenient And Easily-Explained Misunderstanding Leads To Impromptu Karate Fight Rather Than A 30-Second Conversation Which Would Solve Literally Everything". :lol: But I mean, it's a show, stuff needs to happen and contrivance is a bit par for the course. Still nice that it's become a bit less contrived in that sense, though.

[Andrew NDB]

And super excited to be meeting Ralph Macchio next month with a friend when he's on his book tour!

Oh sh**, I'm glad you said something! Looks like he's coming here next month.

https://allevents.in/seattle/university-book-store-presents-ralph-macchio/10000388278530537?ref=footer-up-eventlist

Definitely going.

[Leo656]

Not coming to NJ, of course. Boooo! I'd definitely wanna meet the guy but I'm not going to f*cking New York City for it. With my luck they'd cut it short when I was next in line, just like they did at the Hulk Hogan signing I went to Times Square for back in 2002. Bad things happen to me whenever I'm in that state, and specifically that godforsaken cesspool of a city. So I guess I'll have to keep waiting.

Real bummer, we have an awesome Bookends not far from where I live and we've had a ton of celebrities come through there for book signings. Olympians, former Presidents, etc. You'd think they could nail down f*cking Macchio. Maybe he doesn't wanna mess with the turnpike; can't blame him. Still sucks for me, though.

[Roseangelo]

Oh sh**, I'm glad you said something! Looks like he's coming here next month.

https://allevents.in/seattle/university-book-store-presents-ralph-macchio/10000388278530537?ref=footer-up-eventlist

Definitely going.

Oh cool! Yeah, it should be great. Basically for the price of the book you get a signed book, a panel, and a photo opportunity. I'm so excited we get to meet him this way instead of at a Comic-Con. Karate Kid is literally my friend's favorite movie, so this is kinda a big deal.

[Andrew NDB]

Oh cool! Yeah, it should be great. Basically for the price of the book you get a signed book, a panel, and a photo opportunity. I'm so excited we get to meet him this way instead of at a Comic-Con. Karate Kid is literally my friend's favorite movie, so this is kinda a big deal.

I'm a little confused... it doesn't actually say anything about the signed book and photo opportunity on the University Bookstore/Seattle panel. In the info it just says it's him with the Chozen actor (who actually lives here and has a restaurant I've been meaning to check out) having a panel about it. I do see some other cities it implicitly mentions those items, but not this one.

[Roseangelo]

I'm a little confused... it doesn't actually say anything about the signed book and photo opportunity on the University Bookstore/Seattle panel. In the info it just says it's him with the Chozen actor (who actually lives here and has a restaurant I've been meaning to check out) having a panel about it. I do see some other cities it implicitly mentions those items, but not this one.

I would call the host bookstore to be sure, but I suspect it'll be the same. For some reason it looks like the Seattle store just copy/pasted the press release for the book. The pricing reflects that you should get the book. And hopefully also the picture.

[Leo656]

If one or both of you makes it a point to tell him "Nothing Gold Can Stay" I will find a way to give you one (1) dollar.

[Andrew NDB]

And how is he not coming to NJ? That's like right next to where he lives, basically.

[Leo656]

F*ckin' roundabouts, man. They scare the sh*t outta people from outta town.

I'll live. Who knows? Might be another day.

[CyberCubed]

It's weird that fat black girl from the first two seasons never did return to the series (besides a short cameo in season 4). I still don't know the full story of why she was written out when all the other kids stuck around. I can also assume her weight made it very difficult to write fight scenes for, because her stubby legs can't really do kicks well and they'd have to use a stunt double that is equally fat. Apparently the actress was also annoying to the showrunners or something?

I guess we'll never know but it's kinda weird.

[Andrew NDB]

It's weird that fat black girl from the first two seasons never did return to the series (besides a short cameo in season 4). I still don't know the full story of why she was written out when all the other kids stuck around. I can also assume her weight made it very difficult to write fight scenes for, because her stubby legs can't really do kicks well and they'd have to use a stunt double that is equally fat. Apparently the actress was also annoying to the showrunners or something?

I guess we'll never know but it's kinda weird.

I suspect a combination of her not taking direction well and becoming increasingly difficult to work with. Around the time she vanished from the show she seemed to have been going through something IRL with emancipating from her parents, and asking fans to donate money to her to survive.

[CyberCubed]

I suppose so. It only sticks out because she was Johnny's second student in Cobra Kai after Miguel, so she was one of the "originals" and there from the start.

And also her "type" fits the demographic of what the showrunners would want:

1. Female (now there's really only two main girls, Samantha and Tory)
2. Black
3. Fat/overweight (everyone else is skinny or fit)

She also has short hair making her look like a lesbian, so that would have been another incentive to keep her around.

[Andrew NDB]

Not coming to NJ, of course. Boooo!

Actually, I looked and he IS coming to NJ on 10/26 for the book tour (at the "Bookends Bookstore"). BUT... it's sold out.

https://i.ibb.co/3Cz9np7/Screenshot-20220916-155435-Instagram.jpg

[Leo656]

Ahhhhhhh F*CK. Ah well.

That'll teach me to check my email more often, guarantee they sent me some notice about that sh*t at some point but it probably went to my Spam folder.

[IMJ]

Wow. That book, the book cover is all very.... Galaxy Quest. But I've got to admit, the Cobra Kai series isn't awful. It's good, punctuated with awful here or there, but not all awful

[CyberCubed]

I pretty much like all of it. Even some of the less interesting parts like Daniel's Italian "cousins" at the car dealership are good for a laugh or two. I also don't really care for Daniel's son, in the first few seasons he was a minor character who barely appeared so it didn't matter, but they increased his screentime into Seasons 4 and 5. He's kinda uninteresting, but whatever.

Also Miguel searching for his father in Mexico kinda feels like filler unless they bring him back next season or something. It didn't really tie into anything other than letting Johnny and Robbie go on a road trip together, and his father just felt like a generic guy dealing in something (and we never found out what, either drugs or gambling...? We don't know), just that he's afraid of the FBI. It was also only the first two episodes of Season 5 so they didn't even spend much time on it. Definitely feels like filler unless his father comes to the valley.

Just a few things I thought of.

[IMJ]

I'm taken out of it when the kids square off against each other in their karate fights. It's all very "Power Rangers" in execution.

[Roseangelo]

I'm taken out of it when the kids square off against each other in their karate fights. It's all very "Power Rangers" in execution.

It has to be, because none of them are actually good at martial arts.

[CyberCubed]

The only time you have to hold your disbelief in the show is when 60 year old men are somehow beating 3-4+ 30 year old guys in their prime.

Probably the biggest example of this is when Kreese was running the Cobra Kai dojo, the landlord comes in with two 6 foot tall muscle bound guys to try and bully him out. And then the scene cuts to something else and we go back and see these two guys on the floor. So off-screen a 60+ year old Kreese managed to take down two 30 year old guys who were twice his size and without a scratch either. He had no blood or bruises on his face at all. They writers knew to make that fight off-screen because there was no way in hell that would have been believeable.

That's why I said the show is starting to embrace being less realistic and going more toward a videogame/anime approach of power levels, where Johnny can beat 5 evil sensei's beating him up at the same time when he's a 50+ year old man and they're all in their 30's and all attacking him at once.

[IMJ]

It has to be, because none of them are actually good at martial arts.

:lol: Right, right. Like all of those sort of awkward kicks and weird tucked in fighting stances :lol::lol::lol:

It's like watching that kid on your baseball team who was a goof and always chopped at the ball with the bat rather than swung at it.....

[TMNTFanatic4Life]

The only time you have to hold your disbelief in the show is when 60 year old men are somehow beating 3-4+ 30 year old guys in their prime.

Probably the biggest example of this is when Kreese was running the Cobra Kai dojo, the landlord comes in with two 6 foot tall muscle bound guys to try and bully him out. And then the scene cuts to something else and we go back and see these two guys on the floor. So off-screen a 60+ year old Kreese managed to take down two 30 year old guys who were twice his size and without a scratch either. He had no blood or bruises on his face at all. They writers knew to make that fight off-screen because there was no way in hell that would have been believeable.

That's why I said the show is starting to embrace being less realistic and going more toward a videogame/anime approach of power levels, where Johnny can beat 5 evil sensei's beating him up at the same time when he's a 50+ year old man and they're all in their 30's and all attacking him at once.

TBF, Johnny couldn’t beat a skilled and young MMA Fighter down in Mexico cleanly….he needed to fight dirty to barely win but at least in that instance they made realistic that a karate fighter in his 50’s stood no chance against a much younger MMA fighter.

I get what everyone is saying but at least there are examples of realistic fights in the show

[Andrew NDB]

TBF, Johnny couldn’t beat a skilled and young MMA Fighter down in Mexico cleanly….he needed to fight dirty to barely win but at least in that instance they made realistic that a karate fighter in his 50’s stood no chance against a much younger MMA fighter.

I get what everyone is saying but at least there are examples of realistic fights in the show

Forget about being in his 50s. Karate doesn't beat MMA ever, period.

[Leo656]

I've actually never seen a "karate guy" ever win a legit fight.

ONE time, technically, Senior year of high school, but I kinda don't count it because the kid who got his ass beat was a big fat slob who anyone could've beaten up so long as they didn't get caught in a bearhug, and the kid who knew karate didn't actually use any of it, he basically just kept pelting the fatso with left/right combos until someone broke it up.

Same kid used to always try and "horse around" or play fight, like he'd throw some phantom jabs and then a fancy kick and I'd always just snatch his leg outta the air, scoop then other one to knock him on his ass and then either scissor his leg or stick my knee on his chest, whatever, and be like "Alright, now what?" And he'd always be like, "Well... we're just messing around, if I were REALLY trying that would'a taken your head off." And I'm like "Sure it would've."

It's great for cardio, conditioning, and flexibility, as well as the basic "mechanics" of like, how to properly throw a punch or kick so it'll hurt the other person more than you (which is what happens when an untrained person tries to punch someone, they end up breaking their hand/wrist), but otherwise karate is pretty useless in a real fight. Unless the other guy is a REAL scrub and basically just walks right into whatever. Trying anything "fancy" in a fight is just gonna get you hurt.

Personally, I long ago trained myself to just ignore or not feel getting hit in the face/head and just snatching someone by the windpipe. So far, it's undefeated. I mean, it's not fun and it's not fancy, but if you can block it out, are quick enough, and actually dig your fingers in quick enough, they'll stop whatever they're doing in a hurry. Works a lot better than punch/kick. Although I guess it won't work for a person who can't take a punch because that's kind of the whole idea, just drive through the attack and choke them out; by design you're gonna take at least 3-4 hard shots, but if you can get through that and cinch into the throat, it's over, you win.

So yeah I'unno, like I said, I "appreciate" karate but in my experience it's not much good on the streets.

[IMJ]

Yeah. Karate only wins in a tournament where both fighters are constrained by the style of fighting or in situations when a defending fighter knows Karate and the aggressor is unsure. I'd say the "technique" closest to "use in reality" is wing chun. Note I said closest.

[Leo656]

That's what I like about MMA (even though I don't really pay attention to it) is that's it's adaptable and hybridized. I never really liked the idea of a person mastering one specific "style" because that seems to really box someone in to only being able to fight one way, when in real life fighting is not a dance and it doesn't make much sense to try and stick to a playbook.

Like back in the day, people would always try and put over boxing as a supreme skill, and I'd always argue that it really wouldn't be much good against a wrestler or grappler who knew enough not to stand around getting pelted; anyone with any sense or presence of mind would just take the guy's arm mid-swing and do whatever they wanted with it. And people would be like "Noooooo boxers are murder machines" but then UFC happened and as we've seen often, my theory was pretty much correct.

I wasn't surprised to see MMA become a big deal because in my mind taking bits of This and That rather than only learning how to do things One Way is just common sense. I would've loved to get into it if it had been a thing when I was younger; by the time they had MMA gyms I had a broken neck and messed-up joints, but if I'd been born ten years later it would've been fun to get into, for sure. Some of my buddies do it but they're not as banged up as I am; I'm not even supposed to be wrestling anymore, I know my limits. They do alright with it, though.

[CyberCubed]

I think TV and movies really make people feel knowing karate can let you take on 5-6 guys coming at you at once. Just do some roundhouse kicks, throw a guy over your shoulder, karate chop some people in the neck...and you can take on 5+ people.

We know in real life it wouldn't work this way, but literally decades of movies and TV shows have ingrained into our minds that being a karate master makes you an ultimate fighter.

[Leo656]

I mean it's not even physically possible for anyone to win a fight where they're outnumbered, no mater how "well-trained", because in Real Life the "extras" don't stand around waiting for their turn to attack one at a time. Maaaaaaaybe someone who's REALLY good could take on two guys at once, but three or more and you're simply not walking away. This is why movie fight scenes piss me off. Like they make Batman look invincible when anybody would be able to take down 20 guys if 19 of them were standing still and you only had to worry about one guy at a time.

Kicks are also just about the dumbest thing to ever attempt in a real fight, because now you're off-balance. You better hope you snap a rib and send it into the guy's liver, or else they're immediately gonna dump you on your ass. Aiming a kick at a guy's head and hoping to "knock them out" is stupid, because they're gonna see that sh*t coming from like ten miles away and either dodge or catch, and either way you're paying for it.

Basically, "martial arts" are kinda bullsh*t unless both you and the other guy are fighting fair. I mean having technique HELPS, sure, and it can keep you from getting hurt worse. But it's not of much use offensively. Almost every real fight devolves in seconds into a spastic flailing of limbs and one guy trying to choke out the other guy. Figure you may as well skip right to trying to apply a choke and not waste time on the fancy sh*t that's just gonna get you hurt anyway.

[Andrew NDB]

Karate is useful if you know it and the guy you're fighting doesn't know ANY martial arts. But that's about it.

[oldmanwinters]

I’ve learned to appreciate martial arts are art first, martial skills secondly. I could never hold my own in a real fight with a belligerent with nothing to lose but my aikido experience taught me various ways of safe falling and a little bit about the human body’s pain tolerances.

[CyberCubed]

Also the size of a person makes the difference. If you're going up against a 6 foot tall muscle bound meathead, of course striking the guy is going to cause less impact than if you were fighting a 5 foot tall skinnier guy.

Some people are just mountains of muscle, you're not going to be able to flip them over your shoulder or kick them back with one hit. But you'd be able to do that with a smaller guy or someone who weighs less.

[oldmanwinters]

Just discovered this:
https://www.facebook.com/martialartmovement/videos/730610134883615/
https://fb.watch/fD96gx9gxt/

[Andrew NDB]

I just realized something pretty conclusive for how Julie can't be Tory's mom. Simple: remember Tory's aunt, the sister of her mom, looking for money? Julie was an only child in The Next Karate Kid.

[Andrew NDB]

http://www.highlander-community.com/inz.jpg

Today, in Seattle. At a church, of all things. And I know Ms. Roseangelo met Macchio yesterday, too!

Macchio was really awesome to meet, honestly. He seemed super genuine and humble.

[Leo656]

Haha, hey that's awesome man. Good for you.

[Andrew NDB]

There was a whole "you need to stay 6 feet from him, and absolutely no shaking hands or anything" edict in place (even though COVID has been proven not to spread that way for eons now), and I don't know if that was a Seattle thing, a University Bookstore thing, or what-have-you. But it was what it was. And there was a "oh god, he's seen like 300 people before me, what do I say that's not going to make him roll his eyes or want to, at this point" thing going on in my head but I said what I said and he was super genuine and responded super heartfelt. He genuinely seemed to appreciate my words and thanked me.

[Leo656]

I can't f*cking believe that some people are still playing Covid Game as if it's a real thing. Jesus Christ, that honestly would've ruined the entire thing for me, especially because I'm hard of hearing so from 6 feet away we would have had to be awkwardly shouting at each other just to say hello.

I worked a street festival with hundreds of people on Saturday and I'll be doing another one Sunday, plenty of tables and booths and people shaking hands. I saw 4 people wearing masks and they were all REALLY fat so like okay whatever, you're at risk because your blood type is Oreo, I get it. Everybody else? Nah, nah. Sh*t is fine, man, these people are nuts.

I mean I'm glad you got to have a moment and that he was so great, but yeah, man, I don't know... if I were told that those were the parameters in advance I'd probably say nah and not even go.

[Andrew NDB]

He had not one but two, eh, let's call them "clearly activist types" probably employed by the Seattle University Bookstore who brought him and Yuji out who professed their worry about our and their "safety" a few times.

Ugh.

[Leo656]

That sh*t's so gay it's f*ckin' fruity.

I have no idea what the protocol was over the one here in NJ at Bookends, I don't think I still have the email. Still, it's Jersey, which despite being a Blue State is most definitely NOT full of scaredy-cat re-re's. I swear man this entire state was all "compliance" for a few weeks early on and then was like "Eh, nah" and after that Business As Usual.

As it should've been everywhere. But hey, as Daniel LaRusso himself would probably tell ya, no place is actually as cool as NJ. We're super ahead of the curve, over here. :trazz:

[Andrew NDB]

It's the people in power in these little places. Like bookstores. They get to continue the scare/theatre because where else is he going to show up on a book tour. In Seattle.

[Andrew NDB]

All the news places are billing this as "Cobra Kai is cancelled at season 6!" But a few things:

* We didn't even KNOW season 6 was picked up until this announcement. So this is GOOD news.

* After season 3 came out the writers said, "I think there's 3 seasons left of story to tell." And here we are, things ending with season 6.

* They've already said there will be spinoffs.

https://www.cbr.com/cobra-kai-canceled-netflix-six-seasons/?utm_medium=Social-Distribution&utm_campaign=Echobox-CBR&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3RSGVEzJMr7ozpeL4np-pxlTssd0TwutCzfgyMW09pxtr6dbjJ2Xi-39I#Echobox=1674235935

[Andrew NDB]

We're going to see a "team up" that has never been seen before on the show. And fans are going to "go nuts."

https://screenrant.com/cobra-kai-season-6-fight-scene-jon-hurwitz/

Given the Karate Kid movie announcement, would it really be too surprising if Jackie Chan is going to show up? I just hope it's not at the expense of Swank showing up. And I didn't even really want to see Jackie Chan in this universe.

[CyberCubed]

Can they even afford Jackie Chan for a cameo?

[Andrew NDB]

m0aa_JaA-c8

[XERO]

I'm ready. "Cobra Kai" has been one of my surprise favorites over the years.

[CyberCubed]

They're only airing 5 episodes. The last season is 15 episodes and they're splitting it up between 5 eps chunks over months. Absurd. The last 5 eps won't come till early 2025.

[ResidentEvil7]

They're only airing 5 episodes. The last season is 15 episodes and they're splitting it up between 5 eps chunks over months. Absurd. The last 5 eps won't come till early 2025.

Look at the bright side; you have 3 times between now and then to look forward to. I know I am. I can't wait until July 18th when they start up the first part, because by the looks of the trailer, Daniel, Chozen, and Johnny have teamed up to train the kids into getting ready for something big and exciting.

[Andrew NDB]

They're only airing 5 episodes. The last season is 15 episodes and they're splitting it up between 5 eps chunks over months. Absurd. The last 5 eps won't come till early 2025.

It would be less absurd if the episodes were longer than 30 minutes.

[neatoman]

Will Cobra Kai be considered canon in the upcoming Karate Kid movie?

[Andrew NDB]

Will Cobra Kai be considered canon in the upcoming Karate Kid movie?

Yes. All of the Cobra Kai writers have been "unofficially" helping the Karate Kid writers. Going over scripts giving notes, etc., and sitting in the editing room.

[sdp]

The ending of Cobra Kai sets up the movie, it's pretty obvious at this point. Doesn't have to be explicit but there'll at least be some connection. Obviously the movie will mostly work for people who have never watched any of the movies, or baguely remember the original and or the reboot.

I read an interview that said that "anyone that interacted with Mr. Miyagi can be in the show". I read that as "HILARY SWANK CONFIRMED!". Sadly that specifically said that Jackie Chan/Jayden would not be appearing because they never met Miyagi and it is just a remake of the karate kid in another continuity. That's untrue, they were clearly different characters with different names, set in a different location and while the theme was the same the events were different and have nothing to do with the original movie so they very well could appear the only thing they're right is there is no connection with Mr Miyagi. No, loss it's still a good movie and better than Karate Kid 2 & 3.

Awesome that my theory of how the Karate Kid reboot got memed into reality, now the newmovie is the only hope Hillary Swank has of coming back since it's basically confirmed she's not in the show.

How would you guys feel with Mr Miyagi making a comeback in flashbacks done through deepfakes? Helping set up any ending that the show might have? We have the tech, it doesn't need to be faked for just a little bit, it can now be done for entire speeches and interactions with others.

I still need a deep fake Miyagi as a flashback in wish list as well. I only watched the first two episodes of Cobra Kai, waiting for it to finish before I start it. My first karate kid was actually the Jackie Chan one, i didn't watch the original movies until like 5 years ago lol

I still want my Mr. Miyagi Deep fake. Maybe in the movie since they'll have a larger budget.

Well you still have from the Karate Kid cartoon Taki Tamurai (https://miscrave.com/articles/karate-kid-sequels/), it won't happen since one of the writers tweeted that the cartoon was non-canon despite Mr. Miyagi being in it and that the episodes are narrated by Pat Morita as Miyagi. There's apparently an easter egg of the cartoon in season 3, I wonder what it is. The cartoon is pretty ridiculous since it involves a magic shrine they try to recover and they travel around the world for it. No real way for it to be "canon". But still some nods to the cartoon would be cool.


I still want a reference to the cartoon.

[Andrew NDB]

They've openly said that nothing in Cobra Kai sets up anything or pays off in the movie. But yeah, this will be a Daniel who is pretty fresh from the events of Cobra Kai... but that's it. You may get some vague mentions of his students and rivals from Cobra Kai or there having been a "karate war," at best. Now, it might be possible Jackie Chan shows up at the end of season 6 to help out, to establish Daniel already knows him by the time of the movie.

I'd be OK with a deepfake Mr. Miyagi if done right.

[Iroh]

I finished all five episodes of season 6 today. I'm disappointed that all episodes weren't released to finally finish it off. I guess they have to milk the series dry and keep fans in suspense until Thanksgiving. It's great that the majority of the OG cast is still alive. It makes my heart happy to see my childhood being replayed when I look into the eyes of Chousen, LaRusso, and Laurence.

[CyberCubed]

The "kids" in this show are now all in their mid-20's. It's hilarious how they're trying to pretend they're still High School students. :lol:

Even the younger ones, like the short black kid and the mixed Asian (?) girl Devon introduced later on had a HUGE growth spurt, both of them now look as old as the others. I'm surprised how old they look. We're supposed to suspend our disbelief that a bunch of mid-20 year olds are still young kids.

[Iroh]

The "kids" in this show are now all in their mid-20's. It's hilarious how they're trying to pretend they're still High School students. :lol:

Even the younger ones, like the short black kid and the mixed Asian (?) girl Devon introduced later on had a HUGE growth spurt, both of them now look as old as the others. I'm surprised how old they look. We're supposed to suspend our disbelief that a bunch of mid-20 year olds are still young kids.

Well everyone is different. In the 80s, we as young men were more manly with our growth spurts before the FDA started giving us ingredients that became detrimental to our health in our food. I was five foot nine with broad shoulders in the fifth grade. I towered over my classmates. Now, kids look more feminine and goofy looking due to the junk they eat. Some kids look younger than twelve and they are in high school. So, to each their own. I think the mid 20s looks of those kids are capturing that 80s motif of when young men were men and young women were women. It's totally believable to me.

[CyberCubed]

I doubt it's any of that, many kids these days and back then look like kids. But most of the actors are in their mid-20's now in real life, but they're still playing 17-18 year olds. Has nothing to do with any real life conspiracy theory, I didn't look old at all when I was a teen or even in my early 20's.

Also Daniel's obsession with Mr. Miyagi has gotten old. He basically treats him like some kind of God who can do no wrong and glad to see the other characters calling him out on it finally.

[Iroh]

Well, that's your opinion. In my schools, my classmates and I looked old and that was considered the norm in the 80s. I saw many virtual scrapbook videos on YouTube where people filmed their classmates and themselves during those glorious times. Some young men had huge muscles and were tall with beards in those videos. The young ladies were shapely and beautiful with their Ally Sheedy hairstyles. lol Like I said, to each their own. Puberty works differently with everyone. You were probably just a late bloomer. In this season, I like the plot twist of Miyagi's tainted past. I like Daniel's infatuation with Miyagi also. It shows his remorse of how he acted towards him when he was alive in KK 1-3. Now, the final season of Stranger Things will be a dumpster fire. lol

[CyberCubed]

Well, that's your opinion. In my schools, my classmates and I looked old and that was considered the norm in the 80s. I saw many virtual scrapbook videos on YouTube where people filmed their classmates and themselves during those glorious times. Some young men had huge muscles and were tall with beards in those videos. The young ladies were shapely and beautiful with their Ally Sheedy hairstyles. lol Like I said, to each their own. Puberty works differently with everyone.

Most people back then looked older because they dressed older, and the old 80's hairstyle (long curly hair), made people look a lot older than they were. I was born in the 80's but was in high school in the late 90's and early 2000's and we didn't look like that....and that was 25 years ago. Sure there were some kids who looked old for their age, but that wasn't really the norm. Most high school kids really do look like kids, it's the same reason a lot of college students get mistaken for younger than they are or in bars, people over 21 still get asked for ID because they think they're underage.

[Iroh]

Now, if you look back at all that stuff you wrote and read it thoroughly, you will see that you have contradicted yourself with your current post. Back to that conspiracy statement you've mentioned earlier. If you really paid attention, food was real and had natural ingredients in the 80s. That's the reason why we were able to eat an entire box of corn flakes without suffering any repercussions from our gluttony. Now, everything is fake with the red#40 and yellow#5 and "natural flavorings". There's no conspiracy in facts.

[CyberCubed]

That's literally not the reason some people in the 80's look older and kids look like kids. There is no major conspiracy going on.

[Iroh]

Hahahaha! OK. If you say so. Facts show that the artificial things that are being eaten now are giving people birth defects and other health issues. The information is free so there's no need for me to go into detail. Anyway, to be back on topic; I can't wait until Thanksgiving to see how this season is going to end.

[Andrew NDB]

As long as we get Swank I'll be happy. And that missing OG Cobra Kai guy that they said was in prison. There's no other "big surprises" left to reveal in the series short of a Jackie Chan appearance.

[CyberCubed]

There's no reason why you think today's teens look "girly," it has nothing to do with what they eat. It's how they are brought up or how they choose to live or whatever.

Most teens definitely do not look like 25-30+ year olds, they look like kids. You can ask anyone with a teenage son/daughter or a teacher. That's why when you watch shows like Cobra Kai and you notice most of the "kids" are really 25 year olds.

[Iroh]

As long as we get Swank I'll be happy. And that missing OG Cobra Kai guy that they said was in prison. There's no other "big surprises" left to reveal in the series short of a Jackie Chan appearance.

The Swank and Chan versions were the disappointments bearing the Karate Kid name. They are not considered as canon. So, I highly doubt that we'll see Swank and Chan at the end of this series. They gotta keep it OG.

[IMJ]

Can't wait to see Hilary Swank make an appearance in this show. It would be great universe building as well. It's a great idea.

[Andrew NDB]

The Swank and Chan versions were the disappointments bearing the Karate Kid name. They are not considered as canon. So, I highly doubt that we'll see Swank and Chan at the end of this series. They gotta keep it OG.

We literally know both are canon. The showrunners and writers have said Next Karate Kid is absolutely canon and Swank could show up. And we know the Jackie Chan movie has been folded into canon because of the next movie with him reprising the part next to Larusso.

[Roseangelo]

I've been wondering if the two splits in the release of this season might have to do with timing it in conjunction with the new movie.

[Iroh]

I've been wondering if the two splits in the release of this season might have to do with timing it in conjunction with the new movie.

It might be. Since Chan and Macchio are still looking for their new star to be their student, it just might tie in to the final five episodes of this last season. It kind of sucks that they are only looking for a Chinese person with a background of martial arts and gymnastics to fulfill the new role for the upcoming movie. I was hoping for a Japanese person to fulfill this role. Since Karate is from Okinawa, it's only befitting to have a Japanese star to carry on Miyagi's legacy for the new generation. Chan's version should've been named the "Gung Fu Kid". After all, Jaden Smith and everyone else was doing Gungfu in that movie. Having Karate being plastered on a Chinese fighting movie kind of screams racism to me.

[Andrew NDB]

It might be. Since Chan and Macchio are still looking for their new star to be their student,

No they're not. They already finished filming the movie.

[IMJ]

I've been wondering if the two splits in the release of this season might have to do with timing it in conjunction with the new movie.

Forbes best argument for why is that Netflix did it to stop people from binge watching the new season and then cancelling after a month.

[Storm Eagle]

The second part of season 6 will premiere on November 15th now.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/cobra-kai-season-6-part-2-release-date-on-netflix-when-to-watch-cobra-kai-season-6-episode-6/articleshow/111865773.cms?from=mdr

[Iroh]

The second part of season 6 will premiere on November 15th now.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/cobra-kai-season-6-part-2-release-date-on-netflix-when-to-watch-cobra-kai-season-6-episode-6/articleshow/111865773.cms?from=mdr

Sweet. They had it set for Thanksgiving day at first.

[Storm Eagle]

A prequel series focusing on Mr. Miyagi's past is being considered.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/cobra-kai-mr-miyagi-prequel-spinoff-season-6-interview-1235963071/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

[Andrew NDB]

A prequel series focusing on Mr. Miyagi's past is being considered.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/cobra-kai-mr-miyagi-prequel-spinoff-season-6-interview-1235963071/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

I mean, that was sort of the hope of the new Karate Kid movie. I'm assuming that when the smoke settles on all of this, though, we will still ultimately see some kind of a "normal" Cobra Kai spinoff with new kids in the valley and all, with old favorites showing up.

[Andrew NDB]

So part II has been out. Has anyone watched it?

Apparently we got this:

YvLUOFKlqKU

[Roseangelo]

I watched it. The ending is gloriously insane.

[XERO]

I watched it. The ending is gloriously insane.

I concur. I haven't been on edge since the school brawl in season 2. Haha.

Part 3 comes out on February 13.

[CyberCubed]

:lol:

Also how old are the kids supposed to be at this point? They're referred to as "teenagers," yet they're shown drinking in bars and there's implied off-screen sex? WTF?

I know all the actors in real life are in their mid-20's now, but in-universe aren't they all in High School still...?

[Andrew NDB]

Same as the Karate Kid movies, really. Karate Kid 3 was like the day after Karate Kid 2 (which began literally the same day as KK ended) but he's like a full grown man already.

[CyberCubed]

Yeah just remembered they're talking about going to MIT next year or other colleges, so they must still be in their last year of High School. But the show is writing them as if they're the same ages as the actors in real life, around 25 year olds.

It's easy to forget they're all still minors since they also all look much older this season. I mean most of them are in their mid or late 20's so we are basically watching adults.

[Roseangelo]

The drinking age is lower in Europe. That's why they're at the bars.

[Andrew NDB]

I watched it. The ending is gloriously insane.

It certainly was. Though it would have been nice to actually see a winner before the craziness.

My guess is Julie/Hilary Swank will show up in part 3 as a part of the "Miyagi's secret past" story, though I was hoping she was going to turn out to be a sensei or a dojo owner at the tournament.

[Andrew NDB]

Yeah, she'll be in it. Look at his tells here.

1rt4C2ipxZA

[sdp]

I didn't watch any Karate Kid movie until the mid 2010s they were before my time but as a little kid I always associated the Karate Kid with Hillary Swank since i would always see the VHS on Blockbuster, so I'd be happy to see her, it's likely my favorite movie after the original.

I do think Jackie Chan is almost guaranteed to make some type of cameo. I mean if not him then what can they do to promote the upcoming movie? I'd love to see Jayden make a cameo but probably won't happen. In my mind I'd love to see Jayden run into Daniel and mention something about his sensei.


All my wishlists are happening:
We're getting a deepfaked Miyagi
Jackie Chan's Karate Kid is in continuity
Hillary Swank is likely in it

[Andrew NDB]

Jackie Chan cameo is definitely on the table, though I guess it's been said that the movie takes place 3 years after Cobra Kai and reports of the trailer shown say we see Jackie Chan introducing himself to Daniel and saying he used to know Miyagi.

[CyberCubed]

A Jackie Chan cameo may be too expensive. Even if it's just for a minute.

[Andrew NDB]

A Jackie Chan cameo may be too expensive. Even if it's just for a minute.

This isn't, like, the early 2000s. Rush Hour 3 almost came out 20 years ago and even then he was "playing old." They can get him if they really want to.