Warning: spoilers ahead for Cobra Kai Season 6, part 2!Cobra Kai season 6 reveals something huge about Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi, and explains a specific trait of Daniel LaRusso’s late sensei that dates back to the franchise’s inaugural installment – 1984 The Karate Kid. Morita appeared in almost all Karate Kid film, with only the 2010 Jackie Chan remake missing. It remains to be seen whether Miyagi will somehow be included in the 2025 story Karate Kid: Legendsbut Morita’s posthumous return for Miyagi’s final lesson in Cobra Kai season 6 means it’s possible he could appear in some capacity during the Legacy sequel.
Morita’s iconic Karate Kid character has haunted the Netflix spinoff’s narrative since its inception. The actor’s death in 2005 meant he was unable to reprise his role when Cobra Kai premiered in 2018. However, the show still managed to find creative ways to flesh out the character, like revealing how old Mr. Miyagi was when he died. Cobra KaiMiyagi’s final season made the boldest additions to Miyagi loreand they send ripples back and forth across the franchise’s timeline.
Miyagi killing his opponent in Sekai Taikai probably made him turn away from competitive karate
Daniel’s sensei was processing immense pain when he ended his opponent’s life
In addition to revealing that Miyagi competed in Sekai Taikai when he was younger, Cobra Kai Season 6 also brings with it the shocking twist that he killed his opponent on the mat. The reason for the act appears to be Miyagi’s anger and sadness that he harbored due to the recent loss of his wife and son. The unfortunate recipient of Mr. Miyagi’s burning sadness met his endbut it is very unlikely that Morita’s character would not feel regret for his actions.
Mr. Miyagi has made his views very clear previously Karate Kid films, that winning or losing is not important and that Miyagi-do Karate is about balance, respect and other everyday values.
Mr. Miyagi has made his views very clear previously Karate Kid films, that winning or losing is not important and that Miyagi-do Karate is about balance, respect and other everyday values. This stance doesn’t lend itself to competitive fights, so it makes sense that Miyagi hid his story in Ralph Macchio’s character’s Sekai Taikai. Retroactively, the knowledge that Miyagi killed a man within a competition explains his aversion when it comes to tournaments. After ending someone else’s life, probably by accident, Miyagi would understandably like to fight as little as possible.
Miyagi Twist from Cobra Kai also explains why he allowed Daniel to enter All-Valley in the first Karate Kid film
Macchio’s character was trained by Mr. Miyagi for the end of the first film
Miyagi was an isolated man at the beginning of the first Karate Kid film. Since the death of his wife and son and subsequent murder in Sekai Taikai, the 1984 franchise starter heavily implies that Mr. Miyagi has been content to keep himself company ever since. When Daniel comes into your life, Miyagi has the opportunity to act like the father he never had the chance to be all those years ago.
Fulfilling this role could have easily opened Pat Morita’s character once again to the benefits of competitive Karate, instead of focusing on his own dark past with tournaments. Accepting that what he did all those years ago was not necessarily representative of everyone’s potential, Miyagi allowed Daniel to enter All-Valley and define the future of Karate Kid/Cobra Kai franchise on the go.