With the final season of Cobra Kai beginning today, we had the pleasure of chatting with the series’ brilliant minds: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg.
The trio opened up about the journey, the creative process, and what fans can expect from the epic conclusion of this beloved series.
From YouTube Red to Netflix Glory
The journey of Cobra Kai began with a simple yet ambitious dream. “It was our original plan,” Jon Hurwitz revealed with a hint of disbelief still lingering in his voice. “When we envisioned the show from the beginning, the fantasy was six seasons on Netflix.”
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The show’s journey started at YouTube Red, where, in what was supposed to be a practice pitch, the team received an unexpected green light for a full season with minimal creative oversight.
“They told us, ‘We’ll make a full season. Let’s just go, and you guys can do what you like creatively,’” Jon recounted.
Creative Freedom as the Secret Sauce
The freedom given to the creators proved to be pivotal.
“This was just a show that wouldn’t catch fire the way it did if it didn’t come from people who had such a love and affinity and a point of view about the original franchise,” Josh Heald explained.
Rather than rehashing old tropes with new faces, the team aimed to capture the authentic essence of the characters 35 years later.
“We were really digging into what we felt as the honesty of these characters,” Josh added, emphasizing the importance of exploring how time had affected their lives and relationships.
An Epic Season Five Finale and What Lies Ahead
Season five of Cobra Kai ended with a bang, setting high expectations for the final season. Hayden Schlossberg teased that the major shift in dynamics would surprise viewers.
“The big change from season six to season five is it’s the first season where everyone is pretty much on the same side,” he said.
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While past seasons thrived on rivalries, the upcoming season will explore the internal conflicts within newfound alliances.
“It’s going to be fun for the audience to see characters that weren’t hanging out before suddenly walking down the hallway together and laughing, but it’s all leading up to the biggest conflict they’ve ever faced,” Hayden elaborated.
Senior Year, Friendships, and the Road to Sekai Taikai
As the characters enter their senior year, the stakes are higher than ever.
Jon highlighted the significance of this period in their lives: “Our kids are entering their senior year of high school, and that’s just a big turning point. You’re trying to figure out what’s next while you have this very high-stakes international karate tournament.”
This dual pressure of impending adulthood and the allure of the Sekai Taikai tournament creates a fertile ground for drama and growth.
“It’s figuring out where each of the kids are and why this tournament would be meaningful to them,” Jon noted.
Exploring New Depths of Mr. Miyagi’s Legacy
The final season promises to delve deeper into the legacy of Mr. Miyagi, challenging Daniel’s long-held beliefs.
“As you get older, you start to see your parental figures as three-dimensional human beings,” Jon mused.
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This new exploration of Mr. Miyagi’s past will test Daniel in unprecedented ways. “It was about humanizing Mr. Miyagi in a bigger way,” Jon explained, adding that this would bring a new layer of complexity to Daniel’s journey.
Cameos and Surprises
Fans can look forward to more nostalgic moments as the showrunners hinted at exciting cameos.
“There are going to be people you haven’t seen yet from the original franchise in season six of Cobra Kai,” Josh teased, ensuring that the final season would be packed with surprises and callbacks to the original Karate Kid films.
A Bittersweet Farewell
As they near the end of their Cobra Kai journey, the showrunners reflected on what they hope fans will take away.
“The Karate Kid is an awesome movie, and every theme that it touches, we try to touch on our show,” Hayden said.
Jon added, “Everyone has a story to tell. Whether you are the guy who won the tournament or the guy who lost the tournament, life continues to be an evolution for everyone.”
In essence, Cobra Kai has always been about more than just karate; it’s a story of growth, redemption, and understanding different perspectives.
As we prepare to say goodbye to these beloved characters, we can be sure that the final season will deliver the same heart, humor, and kick-ass action that has made Cobra Kai a cultural phenomenon.
The first five episodes of Cobra Kai Season 6 are available today. The next five will be released in November, and the final five will be released in 2025.
