Warning: MAJOR spoilers ahead forCobra Kaiseason 6, episode 10, “Eunjangdo.“I was pretty sure I’d seen every fight inCobra Kaithat I could have imagined, but the Netflix show’s final season completely caught me by surprise with its shocking face-off between two characters I would never have expected to meet on the mat.Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 2’s castgained a new member that genuinely made me gasp when they showed up, and for more reasons than one. While it ticked a box for me that I didn’t even know existed, I still have mixed feelings about the scene in question.
TheKarate Kidsequel show hasn’t restricted itself to fights between its original characters. Forevery fight between Robbie and Miguel inCobra Kai, there’s also the coming together of two or more franchise legends trying to settle old scores with their fists. Although almost every key actor from theKarate Kidmovieshas shown up inCobra Kai, there has long been one glaring absence. While this has been understandable, the show finally found a way to include them, and it pitted them against a very unexpected opponent.
Daniel LaRusso Vs. Mr. Miyagi Is One Of Cobra Kai’s Biggest Ever Surprises
Cobra Kai finally made the bold move of recasting Daniel’s late sensei
The death of Pat Morita in 2005 meant he was never able to reprise the role of Mr. Miyagi whenCobra Kaidebuted in 2018. Instead, the show respectfully killed off Morita’s character, but not before providing an offscreen extension of his story and revealing he lived with the LaRussos for a long while. AlthoughMiyagi’s legacy has loomed large over the narrative ofCobra Kai, the show has understandably never shown him.Cobra Kaiseason 6, episode 10, “Eunjangdo,” changes all that, allowing Daniel to fight his late sensei in a trippy dream sequence.
WithCobra Kaiseason 6 set to end the show for good, it makes sense why the writers would make the decision to include Miyagi now.
WithCobra Kaiseason 6 set to end the show for good, it makes sense why the writers would make the decision to include Miyagi now. The show’s obvious lack of supernatural elements meansa dream sequence is one of the only ways Miyagi’s franchise comeback can be achieved. So, it’s not really a massive surprise that this is the avenueCobra Kaiwould take when exploring the possibility. However,having him fight Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRussois certainly the most unexpected facet of the scene.
How Old Mr. Miyagi Was In Karate Kid (& When He Died)
Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi served as the old and wise mentor figure in Daniel’s life, but exactly how old was he in the Karate Kid movies?
Although Daniel’s relationship with Mr. Miyagi wasn’t always perfect in theKarate Kidmovies, it never degraded to the point of them exchanging blows. Instead, Miyagi was also portrayed as a tranquil man who only resorted to violence in scenarios that called for self-defense or the protection of another - and the person he was usually saving was Daniel. Seeing a younger, more ferocious version of the character is very interesting.The character is simply a figment of Daniel’s unconscious mind, but it’s informed by the upsetting knowledge that Miyagi killed a man at the Sekai Taikai.
I Don’t Know How I Feel About Cobra Kai’s Pat Morita Miyagi Deepfake
I’m not sure if the coolness of Morita’s posthumous comeback was worth it
Seeing Mr. Miyagi being recast felt very strange at first, butI quickly found Brian Takahashi to be an incredible choice to replace Pat Morita. I fully bought into his performance as a younger version of the iconic persona originated by Morita in 1984. Then, Takahashi vanished and was replaced by a deepfake of Pat Morita himself, and that’s when I found myself caught between two different mindsets.
Mr. Miyagi easily wins the battle against Daniel during the dream.
I’ve seen Morita play veryMiyagi-esque roles outside the franchiseafter 1994’sThe Next Karate Kid, but nothing that could be considered part of theKarate Kid/CobraKaicanon. So, initially, I was thrilled to see Morita as Mr. Miyagi again, especially as he hadn’t officially played the part in 30 years. As the shot lingered,it made me feel a little uneasy seeing Morita’s Miyagi being brought back to life via CGI. I know it’s not an unheard-of occurrence in the modern age, but this particular instance just didn’t sit right with me.
Not only did the deepfake look a little cheap the longer it went on, but it also begged the question of why Takahashi was even cast in the first place.
Not only did the deepfake look a little cheap the longer it went on, but it also begged the question of why Takahashi was even cast in the first place. The actor did a stunning job, and the shock return of Morita’s face from beyond the grave somewhat undercut Takahashi’s efforts. Overall,I thinkCobra Kaishould have either committed to using Takahashior just used the Morita deepfake throughout a much shorter dream sequence. Having said that, I generally enjoyed the whole scene.
Mr. Miyagi’s Brief Comeback May Not Be The Last We See Of Daniel’s Late Sensei In Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai’s final season could still feature a genuine Mr. Miyagi flashback
A dream sequence wasn’t the only optionCobra Kaihad when it came to how they could pull off a Mr. Miyagi comeback. Flashbacks were also a possibility, and they remain in play whenCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, airs in February 2025.Cobra Kaihas included several flashbacks throughout its run, so it’s very possible that Mr. Miyagi could show up again beforeCobra Kaiconcludes. It would, however, cheapen the dream sequence from “Eunjangdo” if something too similar to that happened again.
Cobra Kai: What Happened With Mr. Miyagi & The Sekai Taikai In The 1940s
Cobra Kai gradually resolves all the mysteries surrounding what happened with Mr. Miyagi and the Sekai Taikai international tournament in the 1940s.
The potential issue I see arising with a Miyagi flashback is that previous glimpses into characters' pre-Karate Kidpasts are usually reserved for those who are still alive. For instance,Kreese’s time in the military could only really be shown because Martin Kove’s character is still alive- even if he is played by Barrett Carnahan in the flashbacks. However, the upside to suspending this rule would be thatCobra Kaiwould be able to bring back Brian Takahashi again for a slightly more substantial appearance as Mr. Miyagi.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
Cobra Kai has done flashbacks before, so it’s possible we’ll get to see what happened on the mat in Miyagi’s fatal fight, which would mean the return of Brian Takahashi’s version of the character.
