Cobra Kai season six part one

Karate Kid sequel series Cobra Kai returns for its sixth and final season, with the first five episodes landing on Netflix. After the events of the previous season, this series opens with a sense of peace across the karate scene in The Valley. Past high school rivals Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) have formed an alliance, merging their dojos into one to impart the teachings of Daniel’s former mentor, Mr Miyagi, to their students. Now, the group have their sights on competing in the Sekai Taikai, the most prestigious karate tournament in the world where only the best can compete. But with Cobra Kai’s old sensei Kreese (Martin Kove) recently escaped from prison, he aims to recruit his own students to participate in the contest.

While the stakes are the highest that they’ve ever been in the show, the first five episodes in what’s set to be a three-part series, act more of an introduction for what’s to come. Consequently, there’s a lot of buildup without much payoff. But there’s still plenty of high school drama happening in the meantime to fill out each episode. When the show isn’t being a Karate Kid sequel, it plays out somewhere between a wholesome family sitcom and melodramatic teen drama. There’s a degree of charm to the unabashed silliness of it all. However, it takes itself far too seriously for viewers to glean much joy from its campy nature.

Macchio and Zabka are still the main highlights: both bring an effortless likeability to proceedings that make it easy for viewers to root for them. Even with five seasons of development, Johnny is still the endearing underdog. Kove is likewise just as enjoyable to watch, as the actor relishes playing the villain in every scene that he’s in with scenery-chewing glee. Less interesting, though, are the subplots surrounding the younger leads that make up the bulk of each episode. From bickering BFFs to college application anxiety, none of these elements are as engaging as the main plotline, especially when a new mystery surrounding Mr Miyagi’s past is brought into the equation.

Although there is some entertainment to be found in the performances from the veteran stars, an overbearing sense of melodrama gets the initial part of the sixth season off to an uneasy start.

Andrew Murray

Cobra Kai season six part one is released on Netflix on 19^th July 2024.

Watch the trailer for Cobra Kai season six part one here: