Cobra Kai's unique brand of teenage karate dramedy has proven to be a hit with audiences. However, for context's sake, series co-creator Jon Hurwitz unveiled how eventful Miguel and the rest of the kids’ high school years have been over the past few seasons.
After the Karate Kid spinoff moved from YouTube streaming to Netflix, Cobra Kai has proven to be one of the company’s shrewdest acquisitions because each new season has dominated the streaming charts whenever it comes out. Since New Year’s Day 2021, Netflix has released three seasons in less than two years. While that makes it seem like time flies for Cobra Kai, the reality is even more startling inside the Miyagiverse.
Showrunner Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) noted how, similar to the original Karate Kid saga, Cobra Kai seasons three through six take place roughly within one year after the sophomore season’s high school brawl that resulted in Miguel being temporarily paralyzed. Hurwitz's statement came in response to another tweet by author and comic book writer Bryan Edward Hill. The latter shared the fun fact that Daniel LaRusso's karate ballad in the trilogy developed between 1984 and 1985, so definitely a lot to handle for a 17-year-old.
What Hurwitz's comment means is that within the span of a single calendar year, Miguel overcame his paralysis; he went from dating Sam to having a brief fling with Tory and then making up with Sam again; John Kreese and Terry Silver rose to power and fell; Miguel found his long-lost father south of the border; and the LaRusso's had their home wrecked by some angry teens — so yes, quite a lot. More impressively, these are just the main events following Miguel, with each character having a substantial story arc across these three seasons.
Perhaps more interestingly, Hurwitz's words clarify the Cobra Kai timeline, as many fans have tried to determine at what stage of high school the show’s protagonists are. Now, all signs point to season 6 being Miguel and Sam's senior year at West Valley. Cobra Kai's story has always been somewhat vague about the timeline, with only select moments like the junior prom episode hinting at the cast’s academic progress.
In any case, Cobra Kai season five delivered its biggest, most daring plots yet, so season six has a high wall to climb as these kids finish high school and begin preparing for college. Cobra Kai season six is expected to premiere between late 2023 and early 2024.
Cobra Kai seasons 1-5 are now available on Netflix.
Source: @jonhurwitz | Twitter
