Almost forty years after Karate Kid, the story continues with Cobra Kai, the fifth season of which has just been released on Netflix. Yesterday’s enemies Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) continue their rivalry through the students of their respective dojos: Miyagi-do and Cobra Kai.
Do you also want to introduce the new generation to the joy of karate and watch the new adventure of karate kids with your children? Here’s everything you need to know about the Cobra Kai series before you consider watching it with the family!
What is it about?
A sequel to The Karate Kid, set in the present day, more than three decades after the events of the film. John, looking for redemption, reopens Cobra Kai’s dojo and deepens his rivalry with Daniel. The two men face the demons of the past and the disappointments of the present.
At what age should you watch this series?
AlloCiné editors recommend this program for ages 10 and up, but with warning Because of the occasional use of foul language, scenes of fights and school bullying, and the repeated consumption of alcohol on screen.
Why do teenagers love it?
- Lots of action scenes that will make them want to wear a yellow belt!
- Series codes for teenagers to strengthen identification with characters.
- You don’t need to have seen the movies to enjoy the series.
Who are the main characters?
- Daniel LaRusso: Protagonist of The Karate Kids Trilogy; An heir to Miyagi’s style, named after his former master, Daniel has nevertheless swapped his kimono for a businessman’s suit, heading up a car dealership with a flourishing turnover.
- Johnny Lawrence: Never recovering from his defeat by LaRusso at the end of The Karate Kid, the former bad guy leads a marginal life with a certain fondness for the bottle. His meeting with Miguel will rekindle the karate fire in him!
- Miguel Diaz: Saved by Johnny Lawrence from a mob attack, Miguel begins to study martial arts, seduced by the offensive philosophy supported by his Cobra Kai dojo!
- Samantha LaRusso: Danielle LaRusso’s daughter has inherited her passion for karate, but also her mother’s more voluble and assertive nature.
- Robbie Keane: Raised by his mother, Robbie maintains a conflicted relationship with his father Johnny Lawrence, particularly blaming him for not raising him. His karate skills will allow him to get closer to his parent… but also to settle scores with him!
An anecdote that will surprise your teenager!
- Fan of the Spider-Man series! Actor Andrew Garfield, who has played Spider-Man on numerous occasions, has revealed that he is a huge fan of the Karate Kid movie, but also of Cobra Kai. In the promotional video, the latter even shed a tear when he discovered a message recorded by two of his idols: Ralph Macchio (Daniel) and William Zabka (John).
- Former NBA star and martial arts fan Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said in an essay published in an American newspaper that his former master Bruce Lee would have appreciated the philosophical values that the series espoused!
Where should you watch this series and how much will it cost?
The series is available on Netflix (from €8.99 per month).
What can you watch with your teen next?
- trilogy Karate kidDiscovering the origin of the series’ plot
- Karate Kid, a remake of the movie with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan
- Kung Fu Panda, an animated saga about the adventures of a martial arts panda.
Source: allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
