Top 5 differences between Cobra Kai and Karate Kid: Legends

The sixth and concluding season of the immensely popular martial arts series Cobra Kai is out on Netflix with its closing episodes which released on February 13, 2025.

However, soon after, the connecting film series of the Cobra Kai world, the OG Karate Kid, is also slated to be released, with the forthcoming film Karate Kid: Legends (2025).

Karate Kid: Legends is scheduled to be released on May 30, 2025. It follows the plot of Li Fong (essayed by Ben Wang), who is struggling to put his past behind him and is driven into a situation that has led him to partake in a martial arts competition.

As a gifted Kung Fu practitioner, Li Fong, along with the tutelage of Mr. Han (essayed by Jackie Chan), takes training from the earliest Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (essayed by Ralph Macchio) to hone his skills further, after Mr. Han enrolls him into it.

However, the plotline of Cobra Kai follows the events that happen in Daniel LaRusso's life post-Karate Kid, along with his primary nemesis Johnny Lawrence.

Even though both Cobra Kai and Karate Kid are born out of one seed, many aspects are distinct from each other.

Let us explore 5 crucial differences between Cobra Kai and Karate Kid.

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What are the top 5 differences between Cobra Kai and Karate Kid: Legends?

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1) The absence of Johnny Lawrence's character in Karate Kid: Legends

One of the main characters, Johnny Lawrence (essayed by William Zabka) of Cobra Kai, shall not make any appearance in this forthcoming Karate Kid film installment.

In the Cobra Kai series, though, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso are the central characters, as the series highlights their journeys and conflicts.

But in Karate Kid: Legends, the film is based on a different plot and time frame altogether, having no relation with the character of Johnny Lawrence.

Also, according to reports in Variety, the story of Karate Kid: Legends is set three years after the conclusion of Cobra Kai. Karate Kid: Legends rather focuses on Li Fong's personal journey, along with his tutelage under Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso.

It is evident that the objectives of both the film and series are different, even though they are all part of the same world.

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2) Character focal points in Cobra Kai and Karate Kid: Legends

One big distinguishing factor between the two lies in its focal point, when it comes to the narratives of the younger characters in the storyline.

As we know, in Karate Kid: Legends, the upcoming Li Fong is the central point of the whole film.

But that is not the case with Cobra Kai, as the story surrounds not just one youngster taking the center stage, but a group of them. So there are multiple storylines in the series, as opposed to Karate Kid: Legends which focuses on only one from the looks of the trailer.

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3) In Karate Kid: Legends, the student is formally trained, unlike in Cobra Kai

In Cobra Kai, we witness a bunch of young people being given training in martial arts from the basics by their mentors. We see their journey right from the roots. The same happened in the Karate Kid film series when a youngster was shaped into becoming the Karate Kid.

However, this time, in Karate Kid: Legends, it is interesting to notice that, it breaks the usual pattern of an inexperienced youth who is introduced to the world of martial arts through training.

Rather this time, they go to a more advanced level, as Li Fong is already proficient in martial arts.

That is a fascinating area to explore, to witness how an already skilled artist makes way for more learning and unlearning.

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4) Mentor relationship dynamics in Karate Kid: Legends and Cobra Kai

As we learn from the plotline of Karate Kid: Legends, Mr. Han joins hands with Daniel LaRusso, to provide training to Li Fong.

Even in the still from the trailer, they look like people who have immense respect and regard for each other, as they both work together to help Li Fong in honing his skills.

Their relationship dynamics seem healthier as opposed to in Cobra Kai, where the mentors Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence are at loggerheads and have a far more complicated and dysfunctional relationship.

As mentioned earlier, Karate Kid: Legends has a different objective than Cobra Kai, as in the film, we witness Daniel LaRusso mostly in his role as a Sensei. But in Cobra Kai, we also witness his personal journey as well.

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5) Both are set in different geographic locations

In Karate Kid: Legends, New York shall serve as its primary location as Li Fong moves to this city from Beijing, China, as per the synopsis of the film.

However, Cobra Kai is a story set in Los Angeles primarily, but at times, it has also traveled outside the United States, including Japan.

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