Cobra Kai is gearing up for its sixth and final season. While the show’s ending is bittersweet, viewers can rest assured it will end with a bang as season 6 will be its longest season yet.
On January 20, 2023, Cobra Kai fans got bittersweet news when Netflix announced that the original hit series had been renewed for a sixth—and final—season. Cobra Kai first hit the steaming platform in 2018 and has aired five seasons so far, all of which have received stellar reviews and viewership. The series is a spinoff/sequel to the Karate Kid franchise that takes place 34 years after Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) defeated Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) at the All-Valley Karate Tournament in the first Karate Kid film.
Now, LaRusso and Lawrence are adults who have gone down very different paths in life. LaRusso is a family man and successful car dealership owner, while Lawrence has spent decades in and out of work, struggling with alcoholism and becoming alienated from his teenage son. Desperate to find a purpose, Lawrence decides to reopen the Cobra Kai dojo. His decision has dire consequences when LaRusso starts a dojo, and they set the next generation against each other. Meanwhile, villains like John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) also return, desperate to gain control of the Valley.
Despite season 6 being confirmed a year ago, progress on the new season has been a little slower than usual. However, viewers recently received an exciting new update.
Cobra Kai co-creator confirms season 6 episode count and runtime
Cobra Kai co-creator Hayden Schlossberg took to X, formerly Twitter, to answer one fan’s question about season 6’s episode count. He confirmed that, like each past season, season 6 will consist of 10 episodes. However, despite boasting the same episode count, Schlossberg teased that this season’s total runtime is longer than past seasons.
Cobra Kai‘s episodes typically are around 30-38 minutes long, while the season finale is usually slightly longer at 40-50 minutes. It’s unclear how the new season will increase its runtime. For example, it’s possible it could have an hour-long finale, or perhaps its episodes will all be in the 40- to 50-minute range. Regardless of how it’s done, it’s exciting that the final season will boast an expanded runtime.
Cobra Kai season 6 has faced delays
While Netflix has confirmed Cobra Kai season 6, an official release date has not yet been set by the platform. Since its seasons typically release a year apart, viewers were initially hopeful it would arrive by fall or winter 2023. However, then the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes broke out because studios failed to compensate their workers fairly, thus delaying the new season. Filming still has yet to get underway for season 6, but it is reportedly slated to start in January 2024. If things go smoothly, the season may be able to make a late 2024 premiere.
Who’s returning for season 6?
Cobra Kai‘s main original ensemble cast is expected to return for season 6. LaRusso and Lawrence, the stars of the show, will definitely be back for the final season. The show’s young cast members are also expected to return, including Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Robby (Tanner Buchanan), Tory (Peyton List), Sam (Mary Mouser), Hawk (Jacob Bertrand), and Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo). Danny’s wife Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) and son Anthony (Griffin Santopietro) will likely be back, as will Johnny’s love interest Carmen (Vanessa Rubio), who is expecting a baby. These characters have made up Cobra Kai‘s main cast since the beginning and are all almost sure to return for the final season.
Other characters likely to return are Dallas Dupree Young’s Kenny Payne and Yuji Okumoto’s Chozen. Young joined the cast in season 4, while Okumoto joined in season 3, but both were elevated to main roles in season 5. Joe Seo, who has had a recurring role as Kyler since season 1, is also likely to return. Meanwhile, Martin Kove’s John Kreese, who has appeared as a villain/anti-hero since season 2, will also probably return in season 6 after it was revealed he faked his death to escape prison in season 5. Danny’s uncle Louie (Bret Ernst) and karate students Chris (Khalil Everage), Mitch (Aedin Mincks), Nathaniel (Nathaniel Oh), and Bert (Owen Morgan) will also likely return in recurring or guest roles.
While Griffith’s Terry Silver was the major villain of season 5, the season ended in his defeat and arrest for assaulting Stingray (Paul Walter Hauser). His defeat seemed pretty final, but given how cunning and ruthless he is, there’s still a chance he may figure into season 6, too. The future of Silver’s second in command, Kim Da-Eun (Alicia Hannah-Kim), is also uncertain. Since she was the second biggest advocate for Cobra Kai’s rise to power, she may take over in his absence and play a major villain role in season 6.
Stingray is another character whose return is uncertain. He has appeared in the series sporadically since season 2 and may return as a recurring character for season 6. Lastly, Robyn Lively and Sean Kanan may also return as Jessica and Mike Barnes, respectively. The Karate Kid II stars only appeared briefly as guests in season 5, but Lively has teased their return for season 6.
What is the final season about?
So far, details of Cobra Kai‘s season 6 plot have been kept tightly under wraps. However, season 5 featured many loose ends that need tying up in season 6. The major question the season needs to answer is whether Cobra Kai has been defeated for good. Season 5 seemed to hint that it was, with the students throwing their t-shirts at Silver and leaving the dojo after realizing the true nature of Cobra Kai. However, with Kreese and De-Eun still out there, Cobra Kai could still regroup. Kreese’s season 6 storyline will be exciting as he’s escaped prison, and his motives are now unclear.
Another major plot point in season 6 will likely be the Sekai Takai. This karate tournament is far grander than the All-Valley Tournament and is considered the “Super Bowl” of karate. In season 5, both Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do qualified for the tournament. As a result, season 6 will likely see Miyagi-Do prepare to win the Sekai Takai under the joint leadership of Johnny, Danny, and (presumably) Chozen.
A couple of smaller subplots will also need to be tied up in season 5. Hopefully, season 6 will see the birth of Johnny and Carmen’s baby, and the couple’s engagement/marriage. Johnny has had the most growth of any character in Cobra Kai, and it will be nice to see his story come full circle with a happy ending for him, Carmen, Miguel, and Robby. Meanwhile, Miguel, Robby, Sam, Tory, and Kenny all have to figure out their relationships. While they all seemed to be on the road to mending their feuds and relationships, season 6 will see if they have truly moved on from their pasts and can work on the same team.
Is there a trailer for Cobra Kai season 6?
Cobra Kai season 6 does not have an official trailer just yet, but Netflix did release an announcement/teaser, confirming the renewal and end of the series. The video largely consists of flashbacks from prior series, but does promise that season 6 will be the biggest, baddest season of Cobra Kai yet.
(featured image: Netflix)
