Miguel Diaz: The True Karate Kid of Cobra Kai Revealed

I’ve often found myself drawn into the ongoing discussion regarding who could potentially take over Daniel LaRusso’s role as the main character in the Karate Kid franchise, following Ralph Macchio, and while I can see the validity of arguments favoring Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan), there’s a character whose fit seems more spot-on. The unique blend of fresh and familiar faces in Cobra Kai not only propels the series forward but also pays tribute to its roots. As we reach the conclusion of Cobra Kai’s final season, it becomes evident that the spin-off was primarily about William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence all along. However, the storylines of other characters were significant throughout the series.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, stepping into the limelight as Johnny’s forgotten offspring and one of Miyagi-Do’s initial students, “Cobra Kai” initially appeared to be grooming Robby to carry on the mantle left by the original Karate Kid. However, Robby’s journey took unexpected turns that sometimes veered away from, yet also reinforced, his potential as the franchise’s future protagonist. By the series finale, I can see why devoted Robby fans would continue to back him as the character gradually filling Daniel’s shoes. Yet, after careful consideration, I believe they may be misguided in that assumption.

Miguel Diaz Was Cobra Kai’s Only True Karate Kid

The original arc that defined Daniel’s story also applied to Miguel

1984’s “The Karate Kid” initiated the series by establishing a narrative arc for Daniel that has become synonymous with the franchise. As a fresh face in a new neighborhood, Daniel encountered bullies almost immediately. However, an experienced sensei, portrayed by Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, stepped in to protect Daniel and teach him self-defense skills. This plotline was revisited in the 2010 film of the same name featuring Jackie Chan, and it appears that a similar story will be told in “Karate Kid: Legends”. The franchise consistently follows this particular pattern.

In this revised narrative structure, only the character of Miguel Diaz in Cobra Kai seems to embody the archetype so flawlessly. Even when Daniel’s early storyline was reimagined with Miguel as the protagonist, he continued to be the core essence of Cobra Kai. For example, when Miguel began to succumb to the influence of Sensei Kreese (Martin Kove), we could sense that things were taking a turn for the worse. Moreover, each time Miguel regained his footing, so did the audience’s optimism for Johnny and his path towards redemption.

Cobra Kai Had Lots Of “Karate Kids,” But Only Miguel’s Story Mirrored Daniel’s

Robby & Miguel had a lot of other competition

The show “Cobra Kai” wasn’t obligated to mirror Daniel’s story at all; it served as a continuation of the original “Karate Kid” films, yet it also stood independently. Consequently, any of the younger characters could have been the main focus, and they were, on multiple occasions. Thus, the new central character in the franchise could have been any of them – Miguel, Robby, Sam LaRusso (played by Mary Mouser), Tory Nichols (Peyton List), or another talented young fighter from the large pool.

It became evident from the start that Daniel was no longer the central figure, yet his storyline continued through Miguel’s character. Macchio’s role functioned as a mentor to Miguel at times, but their relationship had its ups and downs, raising doubts about whether Maridueña was truly taking on the mantle of “The Karate Kid.” However, this intermittent bond with Daniel could also be seen as cleverly concealing their shared experiences, rather than openly acknowledging the similarities between them.

Robby Didn’t Have To Be The New Karate Kid For Him To Be A Great Character

Tanner Buchanan played an original & compelling Cobra Kai character

In another version, it would have been fantastic if Robby had become the main character of the franchise, but since Miguel got that role instead, it doesn’t diminish the quality of Robby’s story. The uncertainty about Buchanan’s character’s future added an intriguing layer that wasn’t always there for Miguel. Unlike Miguel, who was consistently set to overcome challenges or recover from setbacks, Robby’s success wasn’t a given.

In essence, although Miguel is portrayed as the underdog in Cobra Kai, much like the traditional Karate Kid character, Robby stands out. This is because, unlike Miguel and Daniel, who often seem to lose interest in karate after achieving a certain level of success, Robby’s connection to competitive karate remains strong post-Saikai Taikai. In fact, he demonstrates throughout Cobra Kai that martial arts continue to provide him with a sense of purpose.

2025-05-01 12:37