As the release date for Karate Kid: Legends approaches, many fans are questioning whether watching Cobra Kai is essential to fully appreciate the upcoming film. This new installment acts as a continuation of the universe established by the original Karate Kid movies. Notably, Cobra Kai successfully revived interest in the franchise in a way that other reboots have failed to achieve. For instance, the 1994 film, The Next Karate Kid, introduced a new student under Mr. Miyagi’s guidance but did not resonate well with audiences or critics.
Similarly, the 2010 reboot of The Karate Kid, while commercially successful and relatively well-received, struggled to pave the way for further entries in the franchise until Cobra Kai emerged. With its critical reception and fan base, Cobra Kai has certainly set a high bar, leading many to wonder if it’s necessary to watch the series before diving into Karate Kid: Legends.
Karate Kid: Legends Distinguishes Itself from Cobra Kai
The Film Aims for Its Own Unique Identity
Despite the recent conclusion of Cobra Kai, Karate Kid: Legends aims to carve out its own space within the franchise. Though comparisons with the Netflix series are inevitable, the film is produced by a distinct creative team. Notably, the original Cobra Kai creators, Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, are not involved in this project, and director Jonathan Entwistle brings a fresh perspective as he has not previously worked on any Karate Kid films.
Viewers can take solace in knowing that Karate Kid: Legends caters to a new audience, making familiarity with Cobra Kai non-essential. While the movie may contain allusions to both Cobra Kai and the original films, it revolves around a new lead character. Thus, the film appears to reset the franchise, allowing for an engaging experience for those unfamiliar with the prior narrative.
Karate Kid: Legends Exists Within the Same Universe as Cobra Kai
Confirmed Timeline Within the Franchise
During the conclusion of Cobra Kai season 6, Daniel LaRusso, portrayed by Ralph Macchio, grapples with the decision of whether to abandon karate entirely. Ultimately, his wife reinvigorates his passion, setting the stage for his role as a sensei in Karate Kid: Legends, confirming that it takes place after the events of the series.
Further cementing this timeline, Macchio confirmed via Variety that the film unfolds three years after the events of Cobra Kai. While it remains to be seen if it will reference Daniel’s experiences from the series, the acknowledgment of a shared universe suggests that Karate Kid: Legends seeks to enrich the ongoing narrative rather than completely reinvent it.
However, the prospect of retconning previous storylines could introduce inconsistencies, particularly given that the 2010 remake was positioned within a different narrative structure. As long as Karate Kid: Legends respects the essential events of the original trilogy and Cobra Kai, audiences may be willing to overlook these narrative adjustments.
Returning Characters from Cobra Kai in Karate Kid: Legends
Daniel LaRusso is the Sole Confirmed Character
As indicated in the trailers for Karate Kid: Legends, Daniel LaRusso is the only character confirmed to return from Cobra Kai. The narrative will likely focus more on new characters, particularly Li Fong, rather than delving deeply into the younger generation introduced in the Netflix series. This installment also pays homage to the legacy of Mr. Miyagi, ensuring that his values and teachings continue to resonate within the story. Speculations around Daniel’s wife, Amanda, appearing remain, but her role is yet unconfirmed.
The Case for Watching Cobra Kai Before Karate Kid: Legends
Deepening Daniel’s Character Development
While Karate Kid: Legends will seek to establish its own narrative thread, a foundational understanding of Daniel LaRusso’s character arc from Cobra Kai will enrich the viewing experience. Considering the substantial growth Daniel has undergone throughout the series, ignoring this development would be a missed opportunity for those new to the franchise.
|
Cobra Kai Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score |
|
1 |
100% |
|
2 |
91% |
|
3 |
90% |
|
4 |
95% |
|
5 |
98% |
|
6 |
91% |
The series has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, but Cobra Kai has consistently struck an impressive balance between nostalgic elements and fresh storytelling. With a high Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, the series stands as exemplary viewing, regardless of its direct connections to Karate Kid: Legends.