Season two of Cobra Kai continues the story of the newly reformed karate dojo of the same name. Whereas season one was all about the life and times of the washed-up Johnny Lawrence, this season begins with him in a more successful light. His dojo has won the All Valley championship and he has acquired more loyal students than ever. What could possibly go wrong?

One of the themes of season one was how meek kids could become stronger through the tough love of Cobra Kai’s teachings. Season two focuses on how the resurgence of this discipline impacts the lives of those around Johnny, including his son Robbie, his star pupil Miguel, and his lifelong rival Daniel Larusso.

Daniel Larusso is still struggling to accept his former adversary’s comeback. It’s hard for him – and Johnny, for that matter – to let go of the past. Much of this season is dedicated to showcasing the rise of Daniel’s competing dojo, which is based on the teachings of his childhood sensei and mentor, Mr. Miyagi. 

Daniel’s love for karate has been reborn thanks to his time training Robbie in season one. Last season left Robbie and Daniel as runners up in the championship, but when Daniel’s own daughter Sam decides to join them, Daniel is encouraged to keep expanding. His goal is to create a safe place for kids to learn the ways of Mr. Miyagi. This translates to a more centered, peaceful style of karate, which lies in complete contrast to the “kick-ass” style of Cobra Kai.

Season two also explores how Daniel’s growing dojo affects other areas of his life. Mr. Miyagi’s teachings are all about balance, but Daniel finds it hard to juggle work, the dojo, and his marriage. The success of his new dojo may come at a price, and it’s a great way to keep the show grounded in reality. Spending so much time in one place is bound to affect other aspects of your life. It also highlights that life always has something to teach us – not just as children or adults, but even for our mentors and teachers.

One of the strongest elements of this show so far is its ability to successfully flesh out multiple characters that the viewer can relate to and care about. Sure, we’re dealing with Daniel and Johnny a lot, but there’s also Miguel and Robbie, Dimitri and Eli, Sam and Tori .. in fact, it seems almost like there’s a Yin for every Yang, which helps heighten the dramatic tension of the series. It’s often difficult to choose a team, once again blurring the lines between “good” and “bad” by using justifications on both sides. It’s certainly an interesting approach to characterization, with many protagonists and antagonists who are interchangeable at times, keeping us loyal viewers engaged and on our toes.

Not only that, but the show manages to showcase storylines that affect the adults and the children in equal measure. Johnny and Daniel’s rivalry is obvious, but it’s also exemplified by their pupils, perhaps subconsciously, creating a dedicated group of kids who believe they stand for what’s right. It’s easy to side with one or the other based on the particular circumstances, but it becomes increasingly obvious that Cobra Kai is the aggressor in most situations. There are elements of Cobra Kai that continue creeping toward the dark side, in particular thanks to another blast from the past, John Krees, Johnny’s former sensei.

Krees is another major part of this season following his surprise return at the end of season one. If Johnny’s outdated approach to teaching seems old-school and stuck in the ‘80s, Krees is working from somewhere in the Middle Ages. His hardcore approach resonates with some students, and his motives are clear from the beginning. Johnny may believe in “no mercy”, but what about honor? 

This theme carries throughout the season as Johnny continues to learn about himself and what it means to be respectful. His satisfying arc highlights how he’s moving on from his past in a positive way. He’s a complicated character; despite his tough-guy approach, he genuinely wants to help his students. It’s quite inspiring and shows us that people can actually change. Sadly, it may not be true for everyone; in fact, Johnny’s belief that Krees can change causes much of the chaos in this season, culminating in a terrific ending.

The end of the season leaves us with not one, but two strong cliffhangers, which won’t be spoiled in this article. It’s all about consequences, and this season’s ten episodes build up to a finale that creates an overwhelming desire to continue watching. Which is exactly what this reviewer intends to do. 

Until season three! 

You can also check out my Cobra Kai season one review.