There has long been a debate about whichCobra Kaicharacter is the replacement for Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso as theKarate Kidfranchise’s title character, and althoughI understand the various arguments for Robby Keene(Tanner Buchanan), there’s another character who fits the profile more accurately. TheCobra Kaicharactersare a blend of new and old faces, which helps push the franchise forward while constantly honoring its past. By theend ofCobra Kai’s final season, it’s clear thatthe sequel show was about William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence all along, but the other characters' plots were prominent throughout.
Entering the fray as Johnny’s neglected son and one of Daniel’s first Miyagi-Do students,Cobra Kaiseemed to be setting up Robby to inherit the “Karate Kid” title from his first sensei. However,Robby’s story took several twists and turns that both strayed from and reaffirmed his claim to the roleas the franchise’s heir apparent. By the end of the show, I understand why Robby fans would still champion him as the character who was quietly replacing Daniel, but I’m also convinced they’re wrong in thinking that.
Miguel Diaz Was Cobra Kai’s Only True Karate Kid
The original arc that defined Daniel’s story also applied to Miguel
1984’sThe Karate Kidkickstarted the franchise with an arc for Daniel that would go on to define the series. He was an underdog kid who was new to the area, and he immediately found himself dealing with bullies. At this point, an experienced sensei,Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi, steps in to defend Daniel and also teaches him how to defend himself. This storyline was replicated in the 2010 movie of the same name starring Jackie Chan, and looks to also be theplot for the upcomingKarate Kid: Legends. So, the franchise clearly values this pattern.
Whenever Miguel managed to get back on his feet, the hope the audience also had for Johnny and his redemption also surged.
Taking this narrative framework and holding it up againstCobra Kaiand Xolo Maridueña’s Miguel Diaz is the only character who fits the mold so perfectly. Even afterthe earliest stages of Daniel’s story had been replicated with Miguel in the role instead, he remained the heart and soul ofCobra Kai. For instance, whenever he started to become corrupted by Sensei Kreese (Martin Kove), we really knew things were getting bad. Plus, whenever Miguel managed to get back on his feet, the hope the audience also had for Johnny and his redemption also surged.
Cobra Kaihad no requirement to replicate Daniel’s story at all. The show was simultaneously a legacy sequel to the originalKarate Kidmovieswhile also being its own standalone project. So, pretty much any of the younger characters could have taken to the spotlight, and they did - numerous times. As such, the franchise’s new lead figure could have been anyone from Miguel, Robby, Sam LaRusso (Mary Mouser), Tory Nichols (Peyton List), or someone else from the huge crop of young fighters.
The only thing that was initially clear was thatDaniel was no longer the main character, but his story was still replicated with Miguel. Macchio’s character served as an on-again/off-again mentor to Miguel, but the fact that they had such an uneven dynamic arguably made it questionable that Maridueña was becoming the new “Karate Kid” at all. That said, this sporadic connection to Daniel could also be said to have brilliantly masked their similarities, rather than openly admitting that what they experienced was so similar.
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
Sure, Robby actually being the franchise’s new title character would have been a great plaudit for him, but just because that honor went to Miguel instead, that doesn’t mean Robby’s story wasn’t great in its own right. Not knowing what was going to happen to Buchanan’s character next actually added an extra dimension to him that wasn’t always present in Miguel. WhereasMiguel was pretty much always destined to either thrive or bounce back from adversity, that wasn’t always a guarantee for Robby.
In many ways, Robby was more of an underdog than Miguel, regardless of the latter fulfilling the traditionalKarate Kidunderdog role throughout most ofCobra Kai.
In many ways, Robby was more of an underdog than Miguel, regardless of the latter fulfilling the traditionalKarate Kidunderdog role throughout most ofCobra Kai. Ultimately, what sets Robby apart from Miguel and Daniel is thatBuchanan’s character maintains a solid connection to competitive karateafter the Saikai Taikai, whereas a traditionalKarate Kidcharacter often fights until they feel they don’t have to anymore, but Robby proved inCobra Kaithat martial arts are what will continue to give him purpose.
