Cobra Kai Has A New Top Fighter (Replacing Chozen)

Warning: Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6 part 2

After Cobra Kai season 6 part 2, the Netflix appears to have a new top fighter. In terms of the wider franchise, it’s commonly accepted that Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi possesses unparalleled skills. His reputation remains largely undisputed, but when it comes to Cobra Kai’s cast of characters, the consensus has been that Chozen Toguchi is the best out of all its martial artists. However, it looks like that may no longer be the case now that Sensei Wolf has been introduced.

Played by Mortal Kombat star Lewis Tan, Sensei Wolf made his debut in The Karate Kid universe in Cobra Kai season 6 part 2 as Wolf, the head of the Iron Dragons dojo. A competent fighter, Sensei Wolf emerged as yet another antagonist to Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso when it was discovered that he was engaged in secret alliance with Terry Silver, whom he encountered sometime after Cobra Kai season 5’s ending. From the looks of things, he may very well have the best team in the Sekai Taikai, which can be fairly attributed to his own skill level.

Sensei Wolf Is Cobra Kai’s Most Dangerous Martial Artist

It Took A Johnny & Daniel Team-Up For Them To Have A Chance Against Sensei Wolf

Over the years, Cobra Kai’s story has featured a number of talented fighters as major characters, but none seem as formidable as Lewis Tan’s Sensei Wolf. What he brings to the table as a fighter was on full display in Cobra Kai season 6, episode 10 when he fought Johnny Lawrence. Johnny, who himself had beaten a handful of Kim Sun-Yung’s adult students (not to mention Mike Barnes), barely held his own against Wolf in a one-on-one fight. Johnny was clearly outmatched, and had to be assisted by Daniel. This fight didn’t receive a definitive winner, but Wolf’s ability to still lands blows on Johnny is a strong testament to his skills.

The clear distance between Wolf and Johnny says a lot about where he stands in the show’s power structure. While there was once an impression that Chozen too was far above the likes of Johnny and Daniel, that’s not been the situation for quite some time, as he fought evenly with Mike Barnes in season 5 and his performance in battle against Terry Silver is comparable to how Daniel and Johnny fared against him in their respective rematches. Based on this, Chozen may indeed be better than both, but the gap is not significant – not like it is with Sensei Wolf.

Why Sensei Wolf Being Stronger Than Karate Kid’s Legacy Characters Makes Sense

Sensei Wolf Is Younger And Trains Harder

The idea of the franchise letting a non-legacy character overtake Johnny, Daniel, and presumably even Chozen may be surprising, but makes a lot of sense. After all, most of the returning characters, such as Daniel, Johnny, Kreese, Silver, and Barnes, were all presented as fighters who became lax in their training at some point or another. Most had to rediscover their fighting prowess. Like Kreese and Johnny, Wolf faced a slump in his career, but the difference between them is that Wolf didn’t stop fighting. As Terry Silver’s flashback confirmed, even when he was at his lowest point, Wolf was still active as a martial artist.

His lifetime commitment to fighting is shared by Chozen, but despite that, Sensei Wolf still comes across as the superior fighter. One advantage that Wolf holds over all the legacy Karate Kid characters (including Chozen) is his relative youth. Wolf is still in his prime, and therefore naturally stronger and more agile, whereas the other senseis are decades older. Wolf’s healthy living, as described in his first conversation with Johnny, is further evidence that the character is simply in better fighting shape than his contemporaries in Cobra Kai.

Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.

Cast

Ralph Macchio , William Zabka , Courtney Henggeler , Xolo Mariduena , Tanner Buchanan , Mary Mouser , Peyton List , Jacob Bertrand , Gianni DeCenzo , Dallas Dupree Young , Vanessa Rubio , Thomas Ian Griffith , Martin Kove , Cameron Markeles , Talin Chat , Samuel Goergen , Rob Garrison , Brandon Gibson , Alan Heckner , Kristin Brock , Randee Heller , Lara Silva , David Kronawitter , Dominick Racano , Tony Bravado

Character(s)

Daniel LaRusso , Johnny Lawrence , Amanda LaRusso , Miguel Diaz , Robby Keene , Samantha LaRusso , Tory Nichols , Eli ‘Hawk’ Moskowitz , Demetri Alexopoulos , Kenny Payne , Carmen Diaz , Terry Silver , John Kreese , Frank (uncredited) , Xander , Corey , Tommy , Dentist , Difficult Customer , Waitress , Lucille LaRusso , Customer , Tow Truck Driver , Cop #1

Release Date

May 2, 2018

Seasons

6

Network

Netflix , YouTube Premium

Writers

Josh Heald , Ashley Darnall , Chris Rafferty , Bill Posley

Showrunner

Jon Hurwitz

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