Warning! Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 3 ahead!
Cobra Kaiseason 6 introduced a new character to parallel Johnny Lawrence’s original villain role, but his ending hints that his story will go much differently. Johnny started as the villain of theKarate Kidfranchise—a bully and experienced fighter whom Daniel had to overcome.Cobra Kaispent six seasons exploring how there was so much more to Johnny’s character than this, all the while allowing otherKarate Kidvillains to earn redemption. Of course, the spinoff also introduced some new young villains, but the ending ofCobra Kaiproved that they didn’t have to follow in Johnny’s footsteps.
Cobra Kaiseason 1 revealed that Johnny Lawrence’s life had really fallen apart sinceThe Karate Kid. After hisAll-Valley loss against Daniel, John Kreese snapped Johnny’s second-place trophy and put him in a chokehold. This led to a downward spiral that was only ended after some toughlessons inCobra Kai. By the show’s finale, Johnny had really turned things around. It took a lot of work, but he finally secured a good life for himself.Cobra Kaiseason 6 also set up a new version of Johnny’s character, but it looks as if he will have an easier time following his big Sekai Taikai loss.
Axel & Sensei Wolf Parallel Johnny & John Kreese In Cobra Kai Season 6
The Iron Dragons Are The Next Generation Of Cobra Kais
Cobra Kaiseason 6 introduced the character Axel Kovacevic, star student of the Iron Dragon dojo. It quickly became apparent that he was the one to beat at the Sekai Taikai, but there was a terrible truth behind this greatly powerful character.Axel was being abused by his Iron Dragon teacher, Sensei Wolf, and it was clear that loss or weakness wasn’t an option. This became a problem for Miguel inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 2 since Axel’s interest in Sam inspired a violent rivalry between Axel and Miguel, which carried over into their final Sekai Taikai championship match.
Axel developed feelings for Sam inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 2, and became embarrassed and angry when he learned she already had a boyfriend.
Axel’sCobra Kaistory is awfully similar to Johnny’s inThe Karate Kid.Like Axel, Johnny was the star student of Cobra Kai, and John Kreese put an immense amount of violent pressure on him. Additionally, the rivalry between Johnny and Daniel got its start because of their shared affection for Ali Mills. Axel was clearly set up to be the next Johnny, foreshadowing a dark story for him going forward. However, when it came to theend ofCobra Kaiseason 6, Axel made a different decision from Johnny that ultimately set him apart.
Axel Chose To Ignore His Sensei’s Order To Fight Dirty (Unlike Johnny)
Axel Broke The Cycle
Axel’s fight with Miguel at the Sekai Taikai paralleled Johnny’s All-Valley match with Daniel inThe Karate Kid. In the 1984 movie, John Kreese told Johnny to fight dirty and go after Daniel’s leg in their final match, and it was clear by the star student’s face that he didn’t want to. However,Johnny obediently followed Kreese’s orders. Of course, it still wasn’t enough. This made Johnny’s loss even worse since, even by cheating, he didn’t beat Daniel.
Axel was faced with a similar decision inCobra Kaiseason 6. Sensei Wolf instructed him to illegally attack Miguel’s weak point. Axel argued, stating that he could win without taking such measures, but Wolf insisted. During the match, Axel saw the opening Wolf had mentioned but chose not to take it. Unlike Johnny, the Iron Dragon student played fair. Though both lost their respectiveKarate KidandCobra Kaifights, the fact thatAxel chose the high road implies that this is where the similarities in their stories end. He wouldn’t have the same downward spiral as Johnny did after the 1984 All-Valley.
Axel Leaving Iron Dragon By Choice Corrects Johnny’s Karate Kid Spiral
His Story Won’t Take The Same Dark Turn
Axel choosing to ignore Sensei Wolf’s instructions to fight dirty was only the first step in changing the direction of his story. When Johnny lost inThe Karate Kid, he accepted it with excellent sportsmanship, going as far as to give Daniel the trophy himself. However, John Kreese was far less gracious. He smashed Johnny’s second-place trophy and nearly killed his student as a punishment. Wolf would likely have done something similar after Axel lost to Miguel at the Sekai Taikai, but, unlike Johnny, the star Iron Dragon student didn’t give his sensei a chance.
It’s unclear what would happen next for Axel, but the fact that he chose to separate himself from Wolf’s toxic influence is a great sign.
Immediately after his loss inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, Axel told Sensei Wolf that he was done.He quit theIron Dragon’s dojo, and this was the last he was seen on screen. It’s unclear what would happen next for Axel, but the fact that he chose to separate himself from Wolf’s toxic influence is a great sign. It implies that, rather than allowing the loss to send him into a downward spiral, Axel would lead his own life in a different direction. It’s a sign that the next generation of fighters inCobra Kaiwon’t repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.
