Cobra Kai creators asked for the blessings of Pat Morita’s family for the final season appearance

Regarding Mr. Miyagi, Cobra Kai never treats matters lightly. Before bringing the beloved character back for one last heartbreaking reunion in the last season of the show, the writers of the hit The Karate Kid spinoff made sure they respected the late Pat Morita by getting permission from his family.

---

A dream scenario anchored in great depth

The return of Mr. Miyagi was a turning point in Daniel La Russo's path, not only a sentimental trip back. In Skeletons, episode 13, Daniel questions himself following Miyagi-Do's depressing performance at the Sekai Taikai tournament. His inner conflict shows itself as a dream in which he is attacked by evil figures masquerading as skeletons—a clear homage to his horrific confrontation with Cobra Kai bullies in The Karate Kid.

Just as it looks hopeless, Mr. Miyagi emerges from the darkness. Daniel really needs clarity, and the emotional reunion offers that. Recreated through a mix of artificial intelligence technology and Pat Morita's real voice, the words of his former instructor help him to remember the underlying meaning behind his lessons.

---

Respecting a legacy

The executive producer of the show, Hayden Schlossberg, clarified that they treated Mr. Miyagi's comeback very carefully. He said the crew wanted to make sure Pat Morita's family blessed them before starting the dream run. Ralph Macchio, who personally knows Morita's family, clarified their goals to them.

Hayden said:

"Beyond getting the approvals, Ralph has some connections to his family and wanted to explain to them what our intentions were. We explained there would be this first episode where it is kind of a scary version of Mr. Miyagi where he is fighting Daniel, but that it would culminate in an ultimate dream sequence where Daniel and Mr. Miyagi are fighting together, and it’s a very heartfelt scene," said Schlossberg to Entertainment Weekly. "They were totally behind it and it's just something that Ralph really wanted as well."

Schlossberg noted how the scenario was once written as a dream sequence whereby Mr. Miyagi would start out as a more menacing figure fighting Daniel but would finally result in a touching moment between the two protagonists. After hearing the justification, he claimed, Morita's family approved of the concept.

In order to vividly depict Mr. Miyagi, the production combined body doubles and voice actors with artificial intelligence and Pat Morita's real voice. Schlossberg said the crew saw this as an opportunity to realize their ambition of seeing Daniel and Mr. Miyagi on screen once more.

---

One more course of instruction from Mr. Miyagi

In classic Miyagi style, his last words to Daniel act as a potent reminder of the principles he always stood for—encouraging him to follow the road that feels right, whether it leads to success or failure.

Mr. Miyagi's wisdom still guides Daniel—even in a dream—and Pat Morita's legacy is as strong as ever throughout this well-staged reunion.