Cobra Kai Finally Has A Subtle Connection With The Upcoming Karate Kid Movie

Warning! Contains spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 1.

Summary Cobra Kai season 6 hints at a connection between Mr. Miyagi's past and the setting of the new Karate Kid movie.

The Chinese currency coin in Mr. Miyagi's box could be a link between the film and the show's narratives.

Daniel's retirement in Cobra Kai season 6 raises questions about his return in the new Karate Kid movie.

Cobra Kai season 6 suggests that the show might finally have a subtle connection with the upcoming Karate Kid movie. When Daniel LaRusso was first announced as one of the leading characters in the upcoming Karate Kid movie, it was hard not to wonder whether the film was a direct sequel to Netflix's Cobra Kai or a one-off standalone installment in the overarching franchise. Since Netflix's Cobra Kai previously established Jackie Chan as an actor in its universe, it also made no narrative sense that Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan's Mr. Miyagi were teaming up for the new film.

The movie's potential links with Cobra Kai became even more confusing when it was confirmed that Daniel LaRusso was the only Cobra Kai character in the film. While only time will tell whether the new Karate Kid movie will retcon Daniel LaRusso's past, one Cobra Kai detail seems to finally bridge the two narratives. This link does not necessarily draw a direct connection between the two, but it could eventually mean something more in the future.

Related How Old Cobra Kai's Cast Is In Each Season Since many actors have remained a part of Cobra Kai's roster since season 1, it may be hard not to wonder how much they have aged over six seasons.

Cobra Kai Season 6 Connects Mr. Miyagi's Past To The New Karate Kid Movie's Setting

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In Cobra Kai season 6's part 1, Daniel, Chozen, and Amanda discover a box that once belonged to Mr. Miyagi. When they open the box, they find many of Mr. Miyagi's belongings, revealing things about his past they never knew. As they skim through the items in the box, they find a pair of boxing gloves, a Chinese currency coin, some scrolls, a newspaper clipping, a passport, and a headband. Of all these items, the Chinese currency coin seems the least important.

Or, the coin could merely be a nod to how Mr. Miyagi's ancestor, Shimpo Miyagi, traveled to China and derived Miyagi-Do karate from Chinese te.

However, given how China has been confirmed to be one of the primary settings for the new Karate Kid film, the coin and Mr. Miyagi's past association with it could be the connective thread between the film and the show. In his pursuit of finding the truth about Mr. Miyagi's history, Daniel could end up in China in the film. This is where he could run into Jackie Chan's Mr. Miyagi, paving the way for their Karate Kid collaboration. Or, the coin could merely be a nod to how Mr. Miyagi's ancestor, Shimpo Miyagi, traveled to China and derived Miyagi-Do karate from Chinese te.

Related Can You Watch Cobra Kai Without Seeing The Karate Kid Movies First? Whether audiences can watch Cobra Kai without having seen the Karate Kid movies is a question that has always followed the popular sequel series.

The New Karate Kid Movie Is Still Confusing After Cobra Kai Season 6

Daniel's Return In The Film Would Seem Strange After His Cobra Kai Season 6 Retirement Announcement

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While the coin seems to draw a semblance of a connection between the two, the new Karate Kid film still seems confusing after one Cobra Kai season 6 scene. In Cobra Kai season 6's first episode, Daniel LaRusso assures his wife Amanda that Sekai Taikai will serve as his swansong from karate. Following his retirement in Cobra Kai season 6, it would make no sense for him to return in the new Karate Kid movie as a sensei.

Considering these potential narrative inconsistencies, it seems likely that the new Karate Kid film will unfold in its own distinct universe, which is something even Cobra Kai's showrunners have hinted at. This new universe will feature Daniel LaRusso as a completely different character, who never lived through the story presented in Cobra Kai. This approach could either work wonders for the new Karate Kid movie or prompt viewers to look down on it for ignoring Daniel's awe-inspiring Cobra Kai journey.