Cobra Kai spoilers follow.
Cobra Kai has just released its fourth season, leaving fans with some burning questions about what lies ahead for iconic Karate Kid characters Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence.
Played by Ralph Macchio and William Zabka respectively, the two frenemies agreed to bury the hatchet at the end of season four and focus on helping their kids.
Ahead of season five, co-showrunners Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz spoke about what fans should expect from brand new Cobra Kai episodes, including some new tensions between Johnny and Daniel as Johnny gets jealous of Daniel and Miguel's (Xolo Maridueña) relationship.
Related: Cobra Kai bosses explain how surprise season 4 cameo happened
"Ever since that All Valley Tournament in high school where Daniel had the victory over Johnny, he's felt a little less than," Hurwitz explained to TV Line when asked why Daniel and Miguel's relationship triggers Johnny's insecurities.
"He's felt like second best or below that, and then 30-some-odd years of life continued to prove that out as he found himself struggling with having odd jobs, a dysfunctional relationship with his son and no love in his life. Meanwhile, looking at billboards and hearing commercials with his old high school rival who's a massive success, he can't help but feel jealous or less than Daniel in certain ways.
"Even though the two of them have buried the hatchet, in a sense, and they're working together, it's only natural. When Daniel starts making a connection with Miguel — who is one of the most important relationships in Johnny's life and is a surrogate son, of sorts — Johnny starts feeling like this lifetime rival of his is potentially a new, better role model that Miguel is turning to instead of him."
The showrunners also teased more about what's next for Daniel and Chozen (Yuji Okumoto), a villain first introduced in The Karate Kid Part II and who first returned in season three of the Netflix show, before making a comeback in season four.
"We obviously know that Chozen's coming back into the fold, and Daniel, who we find at the ultimate depth of his loss, is feeling defeated and feeling like he made a deal with the devil," Heald added.
"He's realising that to allow Miyagi-Do to be extinguished this way doesn't sit well. There are times where the fight has to change, and what better moment than for Chozen to come back into this story and to lean into that part of Miyagi-Do."
Related: Cobra Kai has a major problem that needs to be fixed
He continued: "Chozen is somebody who ties into the more aggressive past where fighting wasn't about a contest, it was about life and death. He still feels like he owes Daniel some help, and he wants to make amends even though Daniel has forgiven him.
"From that alone, I feel like audiences can infer the energy with which Season 5 is going to begin. There are quite a bit of storylines that start spinning very fast and very aggressively as we enter next season."
Cobra Kai is available to stream now on Netflix.
Netflix/Left Bank Pictures The Crown season 3 with Amazon exclusive box artwork
House of Cards - Season 6
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
![costa mesa, california march 29 xolo maridueña attends north american premiere of ballet like water for chocolate hosted by the american ballet theater at segerstrom center for the arts on march 29, 2023 in costa mesa, california photo by jerod harrisgetty images](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/xolo-mariduena-6429e3aa0b2f6.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.668xh;0,0&resize=360:* "The American Ballet Theater Hosts North American Premiere Of Ballet "Like Water For Chocolate"")
