The Dojo is open for business again as the final season of Netflix's top-rated "Cobra Kai" series starts with its first five episodes. When we last left, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) had successfully defeated Terry Silver and ridden the Valley of Cobra Kai. The dup is ready to take their students to compete in the Sekai Taikai—the world karate championships.
Enthusiasts of the series can find comfort in the return of the original teenage characters, including Miguel Diaz (Xolo Maridueña), Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan), Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser), Tory (Peyton List), Demetri (Gianni Decenzo), Hawk (Jacob Bertrand), and Anthony (Griffin Santopietro). Additionally, the later additions Kenny (Dallas Dupree Young) and Devon (Oona O'Brien) will be making a comeback.
The returning adult characters include Amanda LaRusso (Courtney Henggeler), Carmen (Vanessa Rubio), Chozen (Yuji Okumoto), and Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan). The villainous Sensei Kim Dae-Un (Hannah Kepple) and John Kreese (Martin Kove) are back, with a few surprises I won't reveal.
One of the strengths of season six is the deep character development and engaging storylines. The writers briefly and skillfully shift the focus away from Daniel, allowing his arc to come full circle as he finds balance. The Sekai Taika is the final piece of his puzzle. As the trailers have revealed, Daniel discovers a chest containing secrets about his sensei and father figure, Mr. Miyagi. This revelation is handled organically, allowing Macchio to flex his dramatic muscles. William Zabka also shines as he navigates the challenges of providing for his growing family while staying true to his character as the same old Johnny.
The remaining adults expand on their previous arc. Barnes and Chozen are still alpha males, ready to lend a hand to their former foe, while the ladies in Daniel's and Johnny's lives are still supportive. Getting some backstory on Kreese and Sensei Kim Dae-Un was also excellent. The actors quickly bring all of the previously mentioned characters to life.
As someone who grew up with the original trilogy, I naturally feel strongly for those characters. Nonetheless, I commend the writers for crafting compelling storylines for the younger characters. The six central characters are all entering their senior year, signaling the inevitable pursuit of college for some while others contemplate alternative paths. The writers adeptly navigated this narrative, establishing relatability for individuals who came of age in the eighties and nineties. The resolution of the Kenny and Anthony storylines, along with that of Sam and Tory, was particularly noteworthy.
Although there is some martial arts action, the first portion of season six mainly focuses on training, so it's somewhat toned down from last season's brutality. Nevertheless, the writers are kicking up something big for the remaining episodes, where they will go all out regarding the fight choreography.
Finally, while the cliffhanger may upset some fans, the first quintet episodes of "Cobra Kai's "culminating season set up an engaging storyline that I look forward to seeing wrapped up.
Final Grade: B+
Season 6 of "Cobra Kai" is available to stream now at http://www.netflix.com/cobrakai
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