“Cobra Kai never dies” has always been the show’s rallying cry, and as the series returns for its sixth and final season, there’s a sense that it’s both true and slightly tested. After five seasons of rivalries, reconciliations, and repeat showdowns, Season 6 Part 1 arrives with something to prove, especially following a fifth season that could easily have worked as a finale. Picking up after Terry Silver’s arrest, the Valley is, at least briefly, at peace. Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) are finally on the same side, combining Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang into one dojo, while the students try to move forward. Of course, peace doesn’t last long. With Kreese (Martin Kove) back on the loose and the global Sekai Taikai tournament looming, the show quickly finds its next battleground.
Familiar beats, but still effective
By this point, Cobra Kai knows exactly what it is. The rivalries, the shifting loyalties, the constant question of which dojo you belong to, it’s all still here. At times, it does feel repetitive. There are only so many ways Johnny and Daniel can clash before it starts to feel like ground already covered, and some of the long-running arcs, particularly around Kreese, feel like they’ve been stretched further than they needed to be. And yet, it still works more often than not. The show leans into its own self-awareness, finding humour in its more over-the-top elements. Johnny remains the standout in that regard, still stuck somewhere between the 1980s and now, delivering some of the funniest moments of the season through his completely unfiltered take on the world.
A bigger stage with the Sekai Taikai
The introduction of the Sekai Taikai, a global karate tournament treated with near-mythic importance, gives the season a clear direction. It raises the stakes beyond the familiar All-Valley setting and pushes the characters into something bigger, even if the internal tensions between the students feel just as important as the competition itself. With only a limited number of spots available, the pressure builds quickly, creating friction within the group. Alliances shift, rivalries resurface, and the sense that not everyone will make it through unscathed adds some needed tension.
Performances that keep it grounded
William Zabka continues to be the heart of the show. What started as a redemption arc has evolved into something more layered, balancing humour with a genuine sense of growth. Johnny’s storyline this season, particularly around family and responsibility, adds a welcome layer beyond the constant karate conflicts. Tory (Peyton List) arguably emerges as the standout among the younger cast this time around. Her storyline carries more emotional weight, and List handles it with a confidence that elevates the material. There’s a shift here that feels meaningful, and it leads into one of the season’s most effective final moments. Elsewhere, Daniel still feels slightly underused, often falling back into familiar territory, while the wider ensemble remains solid, even if not every character gets the depth they deserve.
Still leaning on the past
Part of Cobra Kai’s charm has always been its connection to The Karate Kid, and that nostalgia is still very much present. From the soundtrack to the callbacks, the show continues to honour its roots, even as it occasionally struggles to move beyond them. Some storylines, particularly those exploring backstories we’ve already spent time with, feel less essential at this stage. As the final season begins, there’s a sense that the show is juggling both ending its story and holding onto what made it work in the first place.
CultureCues Final thoughts
The final episode delivers the kind of moment Cobra Kai has built its reputation on. Just as things begin to feel like they might be heading towards resolution, the show pulls the rug out from under its characters, setting up a major shift going into Part 2. Tory’s storyline comes to a head in a way that feels both surprising and earned, giving the season its strongest emotional beat. It’s a reminder that, for all its familiar patterns, the show can still find ways to keep things interesting when it leans into character rather than spectacle.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 1 doesn’t completely reinvent the formula, and at times it does feel like it’s circling ideas we’ve seen before. But it still has enough energy, humour, and character-driven moments to keep it engaging. It may not be the strongest the series has ever been, but it proves there’s still life in it. And with a cliffhanger that leaves things wide open, it’s clear the show isn’t done just yet.
The first five episodes of Cobra Kai Season 6 are now streaming on Netflix.