Cobra Kai to explore Karate Kid characters 34 years later

Karate Kid has had a lot of sequels but Cobra Kai is unique in a few ways.  First its going to focus its attention more on the villain of original Karate Kid in Johnny Lawrence.  What happened to Daniel what happened to Johnny?  What kind of adults are they?  Perhaps more importantly can a person who was a bully in Highschool be redeemed as an adult.  The other unique thing about Cobra Kai is the fact that the series will be distributed through Youtube Red.  This is one of the largest projects I have seen go to that platform. This is Karate Kid having fun with its characters and its history and doing so in a smart way.

In some ways this is the story of the Bad Karate Kid trying to become the Good Karate Kid, but can he?

I also am going to flat out say that in a world where Dodge Ball has become banned because its too mean I kind of like the idea of an old bad guy returning to teach the world about toughness.  I think the world could use a little more grit.


Synopsis:
In the highly-anticipated return of two iconic characters, the arch-rivals from the legendary Karate Kid film series reunite over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Now living in the affluent hills of Encino, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) leads an enviable life with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships throughout the valley.

Meanwhile, his high school adversary, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Their lives inevitably become intertwined and the rivalry is reignited, setting forth the next generation of “karate kids” in COBRA KAI, a YouTube Red Original Series.

COBRA KAI also stars Courtney Henggeler (Mom, Fixed) as Daniel’s wife, Amanda; Vanessa Rubio (How to Be Single) as Carmen, single mother and Johnny’s girlfriend; Xolo Maridueña as Carmen’s son, Miguel; and Tanner Buchanan (Designated Survivor) as Robby, Cobra Kai recruit with an agenda of his own.