Who could have predicted that Cobra Kai, now gearing up for its sixth and final season, would turn into a Netflix sensation? What makes this even more surprising is the fact that the show didn’t start out on Netflix at all. Initially debuting in 2018 on YouTube’s subscription service, YouTube Red, the Karate Kidspin-off found its footing with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) back in the ring of rivalry. Despite an exciting first two seasons, YouTube’s shift in business strategy led to a surprising turn of events.
The series, which quickly became a fan favorite, was poised to continue with a third season, but YouTube’s change in direction meant the future of the show was uncertain. Enter Netflix, which swooped in to save the day after a heated bidding war. With this new platform came a fresh wave of creative freedom, allowing the Cobra Kai creators to expand beyond Johnny and Danny’s storied rivalry.
In 2020, creator Jon Hurwitz shared in an interview with /Film that the show’s team had already been brainstorming potential spin-offs, even before Netflix picked up the series. “We have put thought into spin-off ideas,” Hurwitz explained. “We love just The Karate Kid universe… we have a list of at least five different scenarios that we would pursue.”
Fast forward to 2024, and the show’s sixth season sets up one of these potential spin-offs in a dramatic and emotional way. The digital resurrection of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) in season 6 brings his past into focus, paving the way for even more stories within the Karate Kid world. The creators have hinted at exciting developments, with co-creator Hayden Schlossberg stating, “Now that we’re done, we can actually start getting into this stuff.”
None of this would have been possible without Netflix’s decision to rescue Cobra Kai, proving that sometimes a streaming service’s gamble can turn a cult favorite into a global phenomenon.
