About Cobra Kai in a few words:

Cobra Kai is a thrilling and nostalgic TV series that serves as a continuation of the iconic Karate Kid franchise. Set decades after the events of the original movies, it reignites the fierce rivalry between Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), as they mentor a new generation of karate students. Filled with intense martial arts action, complex character dynamics, and unexpected twists, Cobra Kai strikes a perfect balance between honoring the past and exploring the challenges of the present. This compelling series explores themes of redemption, friendship, and the power of second chances, captivating audiences with its blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling.

Meet the characters from Cobra Kai

Daniel LaRusso

Daniel is the kind of calm, nostalgic mentor who can karate-chop your doubts and then make you wax on about patience for ten minutes. He runs a business, gives sage advice, and still gets inexplicably competitive at tournaments — classic dad energy but also ancient-zen sensei vibes. He can be stubborn, moralistic, and a little stuck in the past (yes, he still believes in the original Miyagi lessons even when it’s inconvenient). Also he has this weird habit of humming old commercials to himself sometimes, which is adorable and slightly creepy. He genuinely cares, even when his advice comes out as a lecture.

Johnny Lawrence

Johnny is loud, brash, and everything you want in a redeemed bad-boy but also more complicated than that — he’ll throw a punch and then apologise with a beer. He builds dojos, teaches kids discipline with a slap-on-the-back style, and keeps getting tripped up by his own pride and past mistakes. He’s gruff and stubborn, but shockingly sentimental about things like old trophies and bad 80s music (he swears it’s still great). Sometimes he’s a mess and sometimes he’s a hero; it’s the inconsistency that makes him fun. Also he probably owns too many motorcycles and eats tuna straight from the can, which I love.

Amanda LaRusso

Amanda is the practical, often exasperated center of the LaRusso household — diplomatic, stylish, and not afraid to lay down the law. She keeps people grounded, runs the school-parenting chaos like a general, and can cut through nonsense with a single look. Don’t mistake her calm for weakness; she stands firm and has a surprisingly mischievous side (she once pranked Daniel, I’m certain). She collects succulents and has an alarming number of throw pillows.

Miguel Diaz

Miguel is pure heart with a black belt; scrappy, loyal, and absolutely ferocious when he’s pushed. He started as an underdog and kept clawing up, which makes him equal parts humble and quietly proud — like he’ll shrug off compliments but secretly replay fights in his head. He loves his friends fiercely, sometimes to his own detriment, and oscillates between zen focus and teenage chaos (late-night gaming or ancient warrior mind-set, pick one). Also he probably doodles fight moves in the margins of his notebooks and hums while he trains, which is both cute and weird.

Robby Keene

Robby is the messy redemption arc personified — sarcastic, prickly, and somehow magnetic even when he’s not trying. He’s got this whole ‘I’m too cool for feelings but secretly devastated’ vibe, and he makes bad choices that feel almost inevitable (because trauma, ugh). He can flip between being a loyal protector and a runaway, which keeps things interesting, and he has surprisingly soft spots — like a soft spot for kids and gardens? Maybe, I’m not sure. Also he probably listens to sad indie rock and has an old cassette of his dad he can’t bring himself to throw away.

Samantha LaRusso

Samantha is fierce, type-A, and impossibly stylish while doing a flying kick — like fashion meets dojo. She wants to win and will strategize her way through a friendship or a tournament, which is both impressive and exhausting for the people around her. She’s complicated though; under the confidence there are real teenage doubts and occasional softness that peek out at weird times. She definitely bakes cupcakes when she’s stressed and deletes the evidence, but that’s just a rumor.

Eli Moskowitz

Eli — Hawk — is the dramatic glow-up that went hard and then kept going: shy kid turned mohawked storm of rage and loyalty. He’s intense, sometimes terrifyingly focused on justice (his version), and has this whole overcompensation thing where the exterior is loud but the inside is actually tender. He loves his crew fiercely, draws hard lines, and then cracks them in ways that make you feel for him. Also he might own a tiny kitten plush that he pretends not to sleep with, but I have receipts in my head.

Demetri

Demetri is the best friend you want in every montage — steady, funny, and morally solid even if his jokes are cringe sometimes. He’s the grounding voice, the reliable counter to chaos, and also quietly brave when things go sideways. He studies, he plans, and he shows up, but he also has an embarrassing love for spreadsheets or fantasy football, I can’t decide. He gives the most sincere pep talks, possibly with a snack in hand.