Warning: Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6 part 1
Summary
The selection of the six fighters for the Sekai Taikai revealed the true “Karate Kid” ofCobra Kai. With the inclusion of theSekai Taikai tournament, Netfix’sKarate Kidsequel series has risen far above the scale of the original trilogy. For the first time, the characters associated withThe Karate Kidtrilogy are taking part in a competition at an event at international level, which is a far cry from the competitions Daniel participated in duringThe Karate KidandThe Karate Kid Part III.
Given the size ofCobra Kai’scast of characters, the show has long been bigger and more complex than Daniel LaRusso’s movies, but elements of the original movie’s formula have long been prevalent regardless. At different moments in the story, Miguel, Robby, and Kenny have all adopted different aspects of Daniel’s journey as a teenager. That said,Cobra Kaihas avoided having a clear-cut replacement for Daniel, with Miguel arguably being the closest character to filling that role. But by the end ofCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1, it’s actually Demetri that deserves that title.
Demetri Is The Sekai Taikai’s True Underdog Fighter
None of the characters on Johnny and Daniel’s Sekai Taikai team is a bigger underdog in the upcoming tournament than Demetri. Despite Miguel’s loss to Robby, it’s still hard to see Johnny’s top student and the winner of Cobra Kai’s first tournament as an unlikely contender for the championship. Something similar can be said of Hawk, Sam, and Tory, who have all had their fair share of standout moments and wins inCobra Kai. None of the three, plusRobby and Miguel, were the subject of much speculation regarding whether or not they’d be competing, and that’s an idea the show itself was quick to acknowledge.
As Demetri noted, there was only one spot on the team that felt as if it was up for grabs, as Miguel, Hawk, Sam, Tory, and Robby are all consideredCobra Kai’stop teenage fighters. There was no question that they’d be on hand in some capacity, which is exactly how things turned out, despite Tory turning on Miyagi-do inCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1’s ending. As for Demetri, the uncertainty of his path to being in the Sekai Taikai speaks to his nature as an underdog in a way that doesn’t accurately describe any of the other characters.
Out of all six, there were only two whose Sekai Taikai’s statuses weren’t assured. Devon Lee was one, but she cheated to secure her spot, making her an illegitimate contender and clearly not a heroic figure going into the tournament. Demetri admittedly used questionable tactics as well, but did beat Hawk to join the team and didn’t outright cheat to get where he is inCobra Kaiseason 6.
Demetri’s Cobra Kai Journey Makes Him The Show’s True Karate Kid
Demetri Perfectly Fits The Spirit Of The Karate Kid
It’s not just Demetri’s story inCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1 that draws comparisons to Daniel inThe Karate Kid. Rather, it’s his arc as a whole that makes that case for him. Many characters in the series have benefited from having karate experts like Johnny and Daniel in their lives, but Demetri’s situation is particularly special. InCobra Kaiseason 2,Daniel had several students, but none of them seemed to struggle as much as Demetri. For all his good qualities as a teacher, even Daniel seemed to have doubts at times about Demetri succeeding at Miyagi-do. But the character pressed forward and showed admirable resilience.
Like Daniel,Demetri committed to learning karate and used his newfound skills to defeat his bully in a one-on-one fight. During the high school brawl, Demetri got the best of Hawk in a battle that echoed the results ofDaniel’s big fight with Johnny inThe Karate Kid. InThe Karate Kid, Johnny was a returning All Valley Karate Tournament champion, whereas Daniel was very new to karate, having only trained with Mr. Miyagi over a period of a few weeks. Similarly, new Miyagi-do student Demetri appeared to be greatly outmatched with the more experienced and vicious Hawk as his opponent, but won regardless.
Can Demetri Actually Win The Sekai Taikai?
Demetri Winning Is Unlikely, But Not Unfeasible
In all fairness, Demetri’s chances of winning the Sekai Taikai aren’t good, but that’s ultimately what makes him the show’s “Karate Kid.” Realistically, Daniel didn’t seem like someone with a real shot at winning the All Valley, not when he was up against people more physically fit and experienced. And when keeping in mind that he did need an underhanded attack to overcome Hawk in the woods, it appears thatwhile his rise is genuinely impressive, he’s not ready to win the Sekai Taikai.But in trueKarate Kidfashion, Demetri could surprise his peers and get further than anyone expects.
