Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Series

Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy-drama television series that continues the story of The Karate Kid films.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy-drama series that continues the story of The Karate Kid films, focusing on Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso as their rivalry reignites through competing dojos and a new generation of students.

What it is

Cobra Kai is a sequel series to the first three The Karate Kid films. It premiered in 2018 and concluded in 2025 after six seasons and 65 episodes. The show reinterprets Johnny Lawrence as a central character seeking redemption, while also introducing new younger characters like Miguel Diaz.

Why it matters

The series revisits the original Karate Kid conflict from a fresh perspective, giving depth to Johnny Lawrence's redemption arc. Its popularity renewed interest in the franchise and introduced it to a new audience, making it a shared pop-culture touchstone for Canadian viewers on major streaming platforms.

Key details

William Zabka plays Johnny Lawrence, and Xolo Maridueña plays Miguel Diaz. The show was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. It aired from May 2, 2018, to February 13, 2025.

In short

  • Sequel to The Karate Kid films, focusing on Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso.
  • Premiered in 2018, ended in 2025 after 6 seasons and 65 episodes.
  • Centers on Johnny's redemption and mentoring a new generation.
  • Widely available to Canadian audiences via streaming.
Canadian angle

Cobra Kai has been widely available to Canadian viewers through major streaming platforms, and its global popularity has made it part of the shared pop-culture canon for Canadian audiences.

Quick questions

Who is Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai?
Johnny Lawrence is a central character and co-lead. He is a former Cobra Kai student who reopens the dojo and becomes a sensei to new students.
How many seasons of Cobra Kai are there?
Cobra Kai has 6 seasons.
Is Cobra Kai ending?
Yes. Cobra Kai ended in 2025 after six seasons.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobra_Kai
    Supports: Premiere date, finale date, six seasons, 65 episodes, premise and franchise connection.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Zabka
    Supports: William Zabka portraying Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai.
  3. Simple Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Lawrence
    Supports: Johnny Lawrence as an adult co-protagonist in Cobra Kai and his relationship to Miguel Diaz.