Ralph Macchio has weighed in on the impending series finale ofCobra Kai. The actor, who originated the character of Daniel LaRusso in the original 1984 movieThe Karate Kid, is one of many legacy stars to be part of the Netflix sequel series, which follows the continued rivalry between Daniel and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and their respective students. TheupcomingCobra Kaiseason 6 part 3, which will see the conclusion of the Sekai Taikai tournament, is set to end the series after seven years on the air.
While speaking withThe New York Timesabout the impending end of the streaming series,Ralph Macchio reflected on howCobra Kaiis going to end. He reveals that, in his opinion, the show’s finale will capture the “‘80s movie feels” evoked by the original theatrical franchise, but it will still apply the “Cobra Kai kind of lens,” blending the old with the new in a way that promises plenty of emotional highs and lows. Read Macchio’s full quote below:
It ends in a way that has all those ’80s movie feels and cheers and tears, and yet sees it through a Cobra Kai kind of lens.
What This Means For Cobra Kai
The Show’s Legacy Remains Intact
From what Macchio is saying, it seems that the series will end the way it began, byhonoring the legacy of the originalKarate Kidmovies. This has already been teased by theCobra Kaiseason 6 part 3 trailer, which brings back the original movie’s iconic Joe Esposito song “You’re the Best” while teasing that, to move forward, the characters will have to go to the beginning.
The trailer also features a solemn visit to the grave of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), the mentor figure who was a fixture of the original fourKarate Kidmovies.
The legacy of the franchise has always been at the center of the show, as theCobra Kaicasthas featured many returning players including Martin Kove as John Kreese, Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver, Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi, and Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko. However, Macchio’s comments reveal that the show will not ignore the new elements that it has brought in, asthe interconnected lives of the younger cast of characters are just as important to the ongoing story.
Our Take On Ralph Macchio’s Cobra Kai Comments
The Finale May Not Be The End
It is very important forCobra Kaito blend its new elements with its legacy elements very carefully, becausethe series finale will not be the end of the franchise. Theupcoming movieKarate Kid: Legends, which unites Daniel LaRusso with Jackie Chan’s 2010 reboot character Mr. Han for the first time, is already set to expand the universe of the franchise. While no other characters from the Netflix series are currently set to appear in the movie, future installments could very well continue their stories, which is why it is important to stick the landing for all of them.
Cobra Kaiseason 6 part 3 premieres on Netflix on February 13.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
