What [SPOILER]Death could mean for the finale

Key conclusions

• In the sixth season of Cobra Kai, there is a tournament-wide brawl at the Sekai Taikai that leads to the character's tragic death.
• The cancellation of Sekai Taikai could serve as a reboot of Cobra Kai, focusing on character portrayal.
• Kwon's death may be connected to Miyagi's past, potentially revealing more about his karate philosophy.

If there is one thing Cobra Kai love, it's a total karate fight. Season 2 culminated in a school-wide brawl that left Miguel seriously injured. In Season 3, the students from Cobra Kai attacked Lorus' residence, and Eli stepped in to defend Demeter. Season 5 featured a surprising reunion of all of Daniel's former rivals teaming up to take on Terry Silver and his team of bad sensei. Cobra Kai uses these hilarious and re-watched not only to showcase action, but also to mark turning points in the series. Season 6 Part 2 introduced the biggest brawl of all, with the brawl of the entire tournament unfolding in the Sekai Taikai. Her tragic, character-killing ending is the most important ending to any of these battles.

Cobra Kaiin true sports anime fashion, revolves entirely around karate, from teenage rivalries to tournaments to the soul-training philosophy of the entire San Fernando Valley. Daniel's wife, Amanda, has pointed out throughout the series how things have gone too far with the karate wars. In the past, feelings have been hurt, homes destroyed, and bones broken. However, Kwon Jae-sung, the hot star of the newly revived dojo Cobra Kai, is the karateka's first victim in the series.

During the chaos of the fight at Sekai Taikai, Kwon finds John Crease's injangdo. He tries to use it to fight Axel Kovacevich, one of the captains of the ferocious Iron Dragons, but instead accidentally stabs himself fatally. Kwon's life is cut short, now more than ever, by the characters Cobra Kai will have to rethink the way they look at karate as well as each other.

Sekai Takai may be cancelled

The tension was very high during Axel and Robbie's match. Axel, frustrated with Robbie's defense strategy, asked if he was going to fight and pushed him towards where some Cobra Kai fighters were standing. Kwon elbowed Robbie in the side, causing Miguel to defend him. Axel, who had a crush on Sam, jumped in, eager for a chance to wrestle Miguel. The host of Sekai Takai, Gunter Braun, was about to stop the fight, but was knocked out by Sensei Ivanov with Tiger Strike.

Team Tiger Strike got disqualified for doping and came back for revenge. When Gunther came out, no one could stop the ensuing chaos. Students fought with students. Sensei fought sensei. Kwon went to attack Axel, but ended up stabbing Axel in his own body, resulting in his death. Gunther woke up just in time to see what had happened and ask for the cameras to be turned off.

While this season has revealed that a surprising death can occur during these tournaments, there's a chance there's never been a televised death like this before. Also, the lack of sportsmanship during an international tournament that aims to celebrate the skill of competitors around the world will undoubtedly cause families and news agencies to question the ethics of Sekai Taikai.

While it may seem anticlimactic, the cancellation of Sekai Taikai could serve as a reset for Cobra Kai. Instead of competing, the rest of the episodes could focus on the characters saying their goodbyes and reflecting on what learning karate means to them. Trophies were never discussed. It was always about the bonds that formed between these characters.

Old enemies can make amends

At its core, Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid films about the relationship between fathers and sons. Daniel, whose father died before the events of the first The Karate Kid film, found a positive father figure in Mr. Miyagi. U Cobra KaiJohnny explains that his father left when he was in kindergarten and his mother married Sid Weinberg, who didn't want to be a real stepfather. Johnny became who he is under the tight tutelage of John Crease. While Daniel prospered largely thanks to Mr. Miyagi, Johnny wasn't so lucky, living as a down-on-his-luck handyman at the start of the series.

While Daniel and Johnny have grown as parents and fathers to their biological children over the course of the series, their relationships with their teachers continue to have a strong influence on them. In Season 6 Episode 2, Johnny gives a less-than-stellar pep talk to the Miyagi-Do students, which comes from him projecting his past. For all his height, he still worries that his students will end up like him, and uses the same harsh rhetoric as Croesus out of fear.

Cobra Kai may have great antagonists, including the wonderfully diabolical Terry Silver, but John Crease always seemed like the series' arch nemesis. Chris himself struggled with his affection for Johnny, calling it a “weakness” and trying to eradicate it. Despite this, Johnny proves to be the bigger man when he defends Chris from Silver. This act may finally begin the reconciliation between these two people. Despite their efforts, they mean a lot to each other and are family just like Daniel and Mr. Miyagi.

Kwon's death will tie into Miyagi's past

Kwon's death was foreshadowed by the revelation earlier this season that Mr. Miyagi, the franchise's most beloved teacher, once killed another competitor in the Sekai Taikai. (This is not uncommon in the martial arts genre.) Daniel is understandably shocked by this, but you can't tell the whole story just by looking at the contest report.

After all, Axel wasn't going to kill Kwon; Kwon accidentally stabbed himself. Perhaps Miyagi's situation was similar. Or perhaps Miyagi actually killed a competitor in an accident that caused him to change his karate philosophy and decide to teach Daniel a defense-oriented approach. Perhaps the only reason he agreed to prepare Daniel for the tournament the first time The Karate Kid film because he recognized Croesus' relentless approach as similar to the one he once shared. ​​​​​​While Daniel was unable to get answers during this part of the season, there is a chance that he will get some answers before the finale.

It's hard to say goodbye Cobra Kai. It's the rare continuation of a series that not only dominates the ratings, but also has received praise from critics. Not only does it evoke nostalgia, but it builds on it with great action and a big heart. Now that the show has thrown down its biggest drama gauntlet, the stakes are higher than ever. However, with the love these creators and actors have for their characters, it's sure to end with a bang.