Cobra Kai Concludes After Six Seasons with Satisfying Finale

LOS ANGELES, CA — After six action-packed seasons, Netflix’s popular series “Cobra Kai” has officially wrapped up its story with the release of the final five episodes on February 13, 2025. The karate action drama, which first premiered in 2018 on YouTube Red, has captivated audiences throughout its run, surviving multiple Hollywood strikes and transitioning to Netflix.

In the concluding episodes, the narrative culminates in the much-anticipated Sekai Taikai tournament. The tournament, which had been interrupted, resumes, allowing fan-favorite characters such as Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) to take center stage once more. Daniel and Johnny’s journey reaches a satisfying conclusion amidst their ongoing rivalry.

The championship is fiercely contested among rival dojos, with the Iron Dragons, led by Sensei Wolf (Lewis Tan), squaring off against Cobra Kai, now under Johnny’s leadership. In thrilling match-ups, Tory (Peyton List) secures the girls’ championship, while the boys’ final pits Axel (Patrick Luwis) against Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), who steps in for the injured Robby (Tanner Buchanan). Miguel claims victory, but a tie in overall tournament points leads to a showdown between the senseis.

In an emotional climax, Johnny defeats Wolf, achieving a long-awaited victory that echoes his past loss to Daniel in the original “The Karate Kid” movie. The finale sees Johnny featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and sets the stage for new beginnings for the characters, including Johnny and Daniel’s newfound friendship and mentorship of a new generation of students.

Creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg reflect on the series’ closing moments in an interview with Variety. Heald stated, “This is the ending we wanted to build up to… we decided to end this the way that we always intended.” Schlossberg added, “Seeing Johnny’s emotional evolution has been incredibly rewarding—especially his scene with Kreese.”

Schlossberg emphasized the significance of the relationship between Johnny and Kreese throughout the series, highlighting their complex dynamics: “You see Johnny crying, and the teenager in him comes out. It feels so real.” Hurwitz noted that Johnny remains a “badass” character while showcasing growth, establishing a deeper connection with the show’s fanbase.

The creators also discussed the challenges of recreating the beloved character Mr. Miyagi for the standout episode titled “Skeletons.” Utilizing advanced technology, they paid homage to Pat Morita while ensuring the essence of the character remained intact.

Looking toward the future, Heald mentioned ongoing discussions with both Sony and Netflix regarding potential expansions of the “Cobra Kai” universe, ensuring that while the series is concluding, the storylines could continue in different formats.

As “Cobra Kai” bids farewell, the closing of this chapter leaves fans thrilled yet hopeful for new stories set in the nostalgic universe. The series will continue to resonate with its loyal audience as it transitions from screen to legacy.