Concluding its seven-year-long journey, Cobra Kai completed the second major arc of the overarching The Karate Kid universe in the most epic way fans could have imagined. Even though the tragic death of Kwon in the final moments of part two of the sixth season proved to be a major setback that nearly caused the end of the Sekai Takai tournament, the international karate championship resumes once again in the final part, after the senseis of the participating dojos agree to let their students have a chance to get a sense of closure. However, the equation changes massively this time around, affecting the relationship dynamics and perspectives of the teenage participants, and also redefining the trajectory of Johnny’s life significantly. The secrets of Mr. Miyagi’s past also come to light, which allows Daniel to finally make peace with his recently emerged conflicted feelings towards his late sensei.
Spoilers Ahead
Who Won The Sekai Taikai Tournament?
As the remainder of the Sekai Taikai events resumed in the San Fernando Valley, Robby squared off against the Iron Dragons’ Axel in the semi-finals, and after initial difficulties, managed to put up a good fight. But Terry Silver’s machinations resulted in Robby getting his leg broken during the fight, resulting in Axel qualifying for the finals. On the other hand, after Sam decided to withdraw from the tournament, with her father’s approval, her semi-finals opponent, Tory, who has rejoined her old team despite being the sole Cobra Kai participant at this point, directly qualifies for the final, where she will face Iron Dragons’ Zara Malik. However, in the male division, Axel is nearly crowned as winner, given the other finalist, Cobra Kai member Yoon, is absent, as Kreese had sent them away following his change of heart after Kwon’s death.
In a dramatic turn of events, a remorseful John Kreese makes amends with Johnny and returns his old dojo, Cobra Kai, to him. Miguel, the OG member of Johnny’s revamped Cobra Kai, represents his old team and defeats Axel in the final round. Sam obliterates Zara and is crowned a champion in the female division, but despite Cobra Kai winning both the divisions, a definite winner can’t be selected as there is a points tie between the Iron Dragons and Cobra Kai. As a tiebreaker, a fight between the senseis of each of the dojos is conducted, where Johnny faces off against Iron Dragons’ Sensei Wolf. Initially overwhelmed with a fear of failure and uncertainty, as memories of his past defeat come flooding into his mind, Johnny finally finds the resolve to fight after Daniel motivates him to remember the Cobra Kai mantra of never giving up. Johnny defeats Sensei Wolf, and Cobra Kai becomes this iteration’s Sekai Taikai champion.Â
What Happened To Kreese And Terry Silver?
Kreese had begun his redemption arc of sorts after becoming wracked with guilt following Kwon’s death and totally detached himself from the tournament, everything related to karate, and his past life. A hard-boiled veteran who promoted the no-mercy philosophy all his life, he had finally seen the error in his ways and went on to make amends with his former students—Johnny and Tory, knowing full well that he didn’t deserve their forgiveness. On the other hand, Terry Silver, unbeknownst to anyone, is revealed to be terminally ill and is months away from meeting his end. Which is why he became desperate to have his team, the Iron Dragons, win the tournament at any cost—as this was the only thing in his lonesome life that could have given him a sense of fulfillment.
After the match between Johnny and Wolf was set to determine the final victor, Silver planned to blackmail Johnny by threatening his family. After all, Johnny had recently proposed to his girlfriend/Miguel’s mother, Carmen, and the duo had welcomed their daughter, Laura. Silver was psychotic and petty enough to use Johnny’s family to blackmail him, and Kreese had a preemptive idea that Silver would try to pull off something like that. Kreese foiled Silver’s plan to protect his former student/son figure, Johnny, and engaged in a final showdown with Silver on his yacht. At the end, the yacht blew up following a fire breakout caused by Kreese, which presumably killed both Kreese and Silver. Surely fans might have wished for a better send-off to the two best antagonistic characters of the series, but they have to make do with this ending.
What Happened To Kim Da-eun?
Kim Da-eun shared a strong bond with John Kreese, whom she considered to be her protective elder brother. When Kreese decided to break up Cobra Kai after Kwon’s death, she found herself caught between choosing Kreese’s side or that of her brutal, cruel grandfather, Master Kim. The old school sensei wanted to avenge Kwon’s death by forcing the students of the dojo to go down an even darker path, even to be prepared to take lives to settle the scores. Kim Da-eun never really subscribed to her grandpa’s methods, and she was forced to obey his command most of the time as she lacked the courage to stand up to him. However, when Master Kim instructs her to kill Kreese to punish him for insubordination, she fails to do so. As Kreese decides to leave, he advises Kim Da-eun to follow her instincts and shape Cobra Kai according to her own ideals. This granted her enough courage to finally stand up to Master Kim, and following a brief battle between the duo, Kim Da-eun killed her grandpa using the same killer methods he had tried to inculcate in the students of the dojo.
On the other hand, Chozen’s arc in the final part of the final season didn’t really shape up properly and mostly revolved around his love life. He is still having a hard time getting over his feelings for Kumiko; Daniel and Amanda’s efforts to set him up with their friend proved to be ineffectual as well. At the end, Chozen decided to rekindle his relationship with Kim Da-eun; after all, the duo had a brief, romantic fling when Sekai Taikai was being held in Barcelona. In a sense, they are perfect for each other, given both are experienced, world-weary fighters—and have a commonality and understanding of their principles thanks to shared expertise in martial arts.
Mr. Miyagi’s Past Is Unearthed At Last
Daniel’s disillusionment after learning Mr. Miyagi’s secret, dark past—one that he had hidden from his only disciple—grew in the final part, making it tough for him to keep his head in the game despite having his students compete in Sekai Taikai at the same time. After Robby and Sam, two of Miyagi-do’s best students, withdrew from the fight—either by choice or circumstance—Daniel was able to appreciate the teachings of Mr. Miyagi with more reverence. After all, the aim of learning karate from Mr. Miyagi was always about not having to fight; it was always about finding balance and a greater sense of purpose in life. It didn’t matter whether Miyagi-do dojo became world champions or not; what mattered was that the ideals upheld by the dojo helped the vulnerable in times of need.
On one occasion, Daniel’s mother, Lucille, gifts a pearl necklace to Samantha to celebrate her graduating high school, which was given to her by Mr. Miyagi. Lucille reveals that the necklace belonged to Mr. Miyagi’s mother, who lost her life in an internment camp. Mr. Miyagi’s father had given the necklace to him so that he could sell it to make ends meet while moving to the States. Mr. Miyagi held on to that, as it had much sentimental value for him, and when a guard had stolen it, Mr. Miyagi had no other option but to track him down and take it back following a much-deserved beatdown. Daniel finally realizes the truth behind the old article where Mr. Miyagi is reported to have assaulted someone and taken their belongings and understands the misunderstanding on his part. His sensei didn’t choose a life of crime after all, although the instance of Miyagi killing a participant in Sekai Taikai remains a mystery still.
A Happy Ending
Cobra Kai was Johnny’s story through and through, and this time, beginning as the underdog who got trampled by life following the fateful defeat in the All Valley Karate Tournament back in 1984, Johnny finally achieved everything he could have dreamed of. He found a family with Carmen and their daughter, Laura; Cobra Kai reopened with its past glory and got international recognition, and this time, Johnny decided to suggest new students train in the disciplines of Miyagi-do karate as well, with Daniel’s help.
Robby and Tory saw a change in fortune as they found brands and merchandising companies swooning over them; Miguel was accepted at Stanford, while Sam decided to explore her life by opting to study in Okinawa, Mr. Miyagi’s hometown. Binary Brothers Hawk and Eli decided to opt for Caltech and, putting their past differences aside, prioritized their partnership over everything. Daniel continued to train new and old students in Miyagi-do, as being a sensei provided the much-needed balance in his life. The series ends with a cheeky reference to Daniel’s fly-catching technique using chopsticks in The Karate Kid, which a grown-up Daniel tries to recreate in a diner while having lunch with Johnny, only for Johnny to crush the fly—indicating it is his story after all.
We will see Daniel LaRusso return once again in the 2025 film in the franchise, Karate Kid: Legends. The upcoming film will take place almost 3 years after the events of season 6 of Netflix’s Cobra Kai. This time, two martial art legend of the franchise, Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the rebooted The Karate Kid (2010) will meet each other for the first time, as the legacy of the franchise continues for a new generation.Â
