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Cobra Kai season 4’s trailer hyped the return of the All Valley Karate Tournament, and here are 20 story points and Easter eggs in the action-packed clip. Netflix’s wildly popular continuation of The Karate Kid movie saga returns for season 4 in December 2021, nearly a full year after Cobra Kai season 3 dropped on New Year’s Day.
Cobra Kai season 4 picks up where season 3 left off: Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) put an end to their lifelong rivalry and they agreed to combine their respective dojos and their students. With Senseis Lawrence and LaRusso pooling their skills and wisdom, they hope that the pupils of Eagle Fang Karate and Miyagi-Do will be able to defeat Cobra Kai in the 2019 All Valley Karate Championships. John Kreese (Martin Kove) pledged that he will finally leave the San Fernando Valley if Cobra Kai loses the tournament. But little do Daniel and Johnny know that Kreese called in Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), his lifelong friend who was the villain in The Karate Kid Part III, to ensure Cobra Kai beats Lawrence and LaRusso.
On the line in Cobra Kai season 4 is the soul of the Valley and the futures of all of the kids who call Cobra Kai, Miyagi-Do, and Eagle Fang Karate their dojos at the All Valley Championships. Cobra Kai‘s massive cast will be back for season 4 and there are bound to be some surprises as well, but Cobra Kai’s season 4 trailer gave fans plenty to sink an eagle’s fangs into.
20. The All Valley Karate Championship Logo
Cobra Kai season 4’s teaser opens with the promise that « karate is coming to the world’s biggest stage »: the All Valley Karate Championship. The All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament has occurred three times in the franchise: In The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid Part III, both of which were won by Daniel LaRusso, and in Cobra Kai season 1, which was won by Miguel Diaz. However, the new logo may hint at a rebranding to « The All Valley Karate Championship. » Eliminating the « Under 18 » category could mean that adults may compete in their own division for the first time, which could result in a payoff of Daniel, Johnny, and Kreese’s rivalry.
19. « Where Legends Are Born »
Cobra Kai season 4’s trailer reminds us that the All Valley Tournament is « where legends are born » and the most iconic moment in the competition’s history is still Daniel beating Johnny with a crane kick in 1984. This moment was repeatedly referenced in The Karate Kid movies and in Cobra Kai. Johnny even had Miguel use the crane kick to taunt Daniel en route to winning the championship in Cobra Kai season 1. Will one of their students unleash the crane kick again in Cobra Kai season 4?
18. Demetri Is Ready To Compete
Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo) is one of Miyagi-Do’s unlikeliest success stories and Cobra Kai fans have watched the loquacious nerd gradually gain self-confidence as well as karate skills. Demetri even got the hottest girl at West Valley, Yasmine (Annalisa Cochrane), as his girlfriend. It looks like Demetri improves to the point where he’s ready to compete in the All Valley in Cobra Kai season 4. Could Demetri be a dark horse to win the whole tournament?
17. Miguel Has Longer Hair And Is In Fighting Shape
Miguel Diaz (Xolo Mariduena) is the defending All Valley Champion and he not only looks like he grew his hair out but he’s back in fighting trim in Cobra Kai season 4. Just months after he became champion, Miguel was nearly killed in the West Valley High Brawl. Johnny helped Miguel walk again thanks to his unorthodox rehab methods in Cobra Kai season 3 but he was still recovering physically and he wasn’t competition-ready. It looks like Miguel’s miraculous healing continues and he’s ready to become a two-time All Valley Champion like Johnny and Daniel.
16. Sam Is Carrying The LaRusso All Valley Tournament Legacy
Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser) is the first LaRusso to enter the All Valley Tournament since her father Daniel won his second championship in The Karate Kid Part III. Sam is not only carrying the LaRusso family legacy into the All Valley but also Miyagi-Do’s reputation as their top student. If that isn’t enough pressure, Sam is bound to face off against her arch-enemy Tory Nichols (Peyton List). Will Sam and Tory finally settle their differences in the tournament?
15. Daniel In His Miyagi-Do Gi
Daniel LaRusso is back in his classic Miyagi-Do attire of white gi and headband. LaRusso closed down Miyagi-Do in Cobra Kai season 3 but he regained his inspiration after a visit to Okinawa where he reunited with Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita) and his old rival Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). Daniel also brought back new secrets of Miyagi-Do karate that he can impart to his students. Daniel also finally buried the hatchet with Johnny and it remains to be seen how long their alliance can last.
14. Johnny Is Back In Black
Johnny founded a new dojo, Eagle Fang Karate, in Cobra Kai season 3 and took red as his color, but it looks like Sensei Lawrence is back in black in Cobra Kai season 4. Johnny must have decided black is more badass and he won’t allow John Kreese’s Cobra Kai to have a monopoly on his favorite color. The fact that Johnny is wearing black could also be a hint that he could regain control of the Cobra Kai dojo in season 4 after Kreese stole it from him in season 2.
13. Kreese Returns To The All Valley (& Laughs)
John Kreese is smiling doesn’t bode well since the dangerous old schemer usually knows something the others don’t. Kreese’s backstory was revealed and John consolidated his control over Cobra Kai in season 3 and his goal is to take over the Valley and teach his brand of « no mercy » karate to the « snowflake generation » of Gen-Z kids. Kreese also agreed that he would leave the Valley for good if Cobra Kai loses the All Valley Tournament in season 4. Of course, what Johnny and Daniel don’t yet know is that Kreese called for backup and his old war buddy Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) will be back at his side in Cobra Kai season 4.
12. Tory Has Come To Fight
Tory is probably Kreese’s favorite student and the evil sensei even ensured that Nichols returned to Cobra Kai in season 3. Tory hates Sam LaRusso with a passion and their paths are sure to collide again in Cobra Kai season 4. Tory may also be the most naturally gifted fighter in Cobra Kai so she is a favorite to win the All Valley Tournament. Cobra Kai season 4 may also explore more of Tory’s troubled home life as well as her relationship with Robby.
11. Robby Has A New Haircut
It looks like Johnny’s prodigal son, Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan), has a new haircut in Cobra Kai season 4. Robby infamously had long hair in Cobra Kai seasons 1 and 2 and his hairstyle improved in season 3. Robby also spent time in juvie and was finally seduced by Kreese to join the black and gold dojo, which allows Robby to reject his father. Robby also lost to Miguel in Cobra Kai season 1’s All Valley and he’s got an excellent shot of bringing the championship back to Cobra Kai in season 4.
10. Hawk Is Still A Madman (& Bloody)
Eli « Hawk » Moskowitz flipped the switch again when he rejected John Kreese and Cobra Kai and decided to join Miguel at Eagle Fang Karate. Hawk was turned into a violent sociopath by Kreese but he began a road to redemption in the Cobra Kai season 3 finale. But even though Hawk reunited with his original gang of friends, Miguel and Demetri, it doesn’t seem like he’s lost his edge but he may become a better fighter thanks to Johnny and Daniel.
9. The All Valley Blue Mats Are Back
The All Valley Championship’s blue mats and signature fist logo return in Cobra Kai season 4. The blue mats were actually a minor plot point in Cobra Kai season 1 since it was part of a facelift for the Valley’s beloved karate competition that the organizers were proud of. The mats were red and white in The Karate Kid movies but the blue mats and gold fist insignia in Cobra Kai are definitely a snazzy upgrade.
8. Tory And Robby Get Aggressively Closer
The Cobra Kai season 4 trailer shows a brief shot of Tory flipping above Robby in the Cobra Kai dojo before mounting him, ready to strike. This moment echoes how Tory first joined the dojo when she sparred with Miguel and put Diaz in a similarly compromising position in Cobra Kai season 2. Initially, Tory and Robby’s attraction was born from being rejected by their exes, Miguel and Sam, but obviously, Kreese’s top students are getting closer.
7. Daniel Trains With Miguel
Daniel and Miguel are shown doing a Miyagi-Do kata in unison while Hawk trains alongside Mitch (Aidan Mincks) in the background at the Miyagi dojo. Daniel began to bond with Miguel in Cobra Kai season 3 and he explained the events of The Karate Kid from his point of view (which is the opposite of what Johnny told Miguel in season 1). Miguel also began learning about who Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki « Pat » Morita) was. Sam worried that Miyagi-Do and Johnny’s style of karate wouldn’t be compatible but it seems like Miguel is adopting Daniel’s teachings as well as he does Johnny’s.
6. Daniel & Johnny Unite With A Fist Bump
Daniel and Johnny fist bump in Cobra Kai season 4’s trailer, which is a shocking bit of camaraderie considering their 35-year rivalry. When they reunited with Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue) in Cobra Kai season 3, Ali made Johnny and Daniel grudgingly admit that they are more alike than different. Soon after, Lawrence and LaRusso agreed to combine their dojos to fight Kreese’s Cobra Kai and they nodded at each other as a sign of mutual respect as they prepared to teach their assembled students. It looks like Daniel and Johnny escalate to a full-fledged bromance in Cobra Kai season 4, which will be delightfully weird to see for however long their alliance lasts.
5. Johnny Breaks Cinderblocks
Johnny is shown smashing cinderblocks in Cobra Kai season 4’s trailer. No doubt, Johnny considers cinderblocks more badass than the ice Daniel broke to win a bet in Okinawa in The Karate Kid Part II. Johnny is also wearing headphones while he works out. No doubt Lawrence is jamming out to his favorite hard rock ’80s tunes. The warehouse Johnny is in also seems familiar; it could even be the same location that Daniel and Mr. Miyagi used for his bonsai tree store, Mr. Miyagi’s Little Trees. That Karate Kid Part III location may be making a Cobra Kai season 4 comeback.
4. Sam Jumps Across Rooftops
Samantha is seen death-defyingly leaping across two rooftops in the Cobra Kai season 4 trailer. LaRusso could be running from Cobra Kai chasing her, which would continue the street violence the kids have escalated throughout Cobra Kai. But Sam could also just be testing her courage and agility. Either way, Sam’s daredevil stunt shows how far she’s come in her karate skills. Hopefully, she made it to the other side and doesn’t suffer a terrible injury like Miguel did in Cobra Kai season 2.
3. Terry Silver Returns (& So Does His Ponytail)
Terry Silver got his own Cobra Kai season 4 trailer announcing that John Kreese’s villainous Vietnam war buddy is finally joining the series. The shot of Terry tying his trademark ponytail is a sneaky and subtle way for Silver to be in Cobra Kai season 4’s teaser. Terry is roughly the same age as Kreese so his trademark long hair is now grey instead of jet black but The Karate Kid Part III fans are excited to see Terry Silver return to plague Daniel LaRusso once again.
2. Cobra Kai IV’s Rocky-Style Logo
Cobra Kai season 4 debuted its new logo that proudly shortens the title to « Cobra Kai IV ». Just as The Karate Kid was modeled after Rocky, Cobra Kai has adopted Rocky‘s Roman numerals in its titling to give the show the feel of an epic saga. Cobra Kai began this practice last season by billing the show as « Cobra Kai III » and it’s a nice touch that helps separate the hit series from the rest of Netflix’s fare.
« Man Boys Fighting For The Soul Of The Valley »
The Cobra Kai season 4 trailer ends with a humorous clip from the season 3 finale Christmas party when Amanda LaRusso (Courtney Henggeler) asked Ali, « Have the man boys filled you on on the whole ‘mortal enemies, karate dojo, battling for the soul of the valley thing? » Amanda’s quip is more than an excellent burn on her husband and his high school rival. It also conveys the greater story of Cobra Kai, which is bigger than Johnny and Daniel. Cobra Kai is really about the kids and the battle for their souls between John Kreese’s violent extremism and Miyagi-Do’s philosophy of karate used only for self-defense and to build confidence. The soul of the Valley is on the line in Cobra Kai season 4 and it remains to be seen who will be victorious in the All Valley Championships.
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