Warning: the following contains SPOILERS for Cobra Kai.
Karate Kid has managed to hook an entirely new generation of fans to the franchise. Underneath the generous layers of cheesiness and anime-like action, Cobra Kai is actually telling a complex story about generational trauma.
Generational trauma occurs when trauma remains unprocessed and ends up affecting subsequent generations. This can be observed in how the respective senseis of Miyagi-Do, Cobra Kai, and Eagle Fang, despite being supposed masters of an art that relies on mental and emotional discipline, always end up putting the kids under their wing in harm's way. Johnny's absence as a father is why Robby (Tanner Buchanan) became a juvenile delinquent, Daniel's over-protectiveness held Sam (Mary Mo) back from developing as a fighter, and Amanda's (Courtney Henggeler) reaction to Cobra Kai's assault only fanned fuel to the rivalry between Sam (Mary Mo) and Tory (Peyton List). Through the lens of Karate Kid nostalgia, Cobra Kai also highlights how the roots of Johnny and Daniel's actions can be traced back to the original rivalry between their dojos, headed by Miyagi-Do's Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and Cobra Kai's John Kreese (Martin Cove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). Although the teenagers from each dojo are not entirely blameless, their reckless actions can almost always be traced back to how they were raised, trained, or treated by the adults around them.
Cobra Kai's overall narrative is hinged on examining how the traumas experienced by previous generations can influence the next. This is the main reason why its story is so compelling and relatable to many viewers. Cobra Kai, at its heart, is a story about how generational trauma works, how it affects the next generation, and how it can be processed and resolved. Here's a closer look at how Cobra Kai brilliantly dissects generational trauma.
Robby & Sam Are The Keys To Johnny & Daniel's Redemption In Cobra Kai Season 5
The fate of Robby in season 4 essentially shows how unprocessed trauma can lead a talented kid with an otherwise bright future into pursuing a pointless quest for revenge. Robby certainly could've handled things better, but the only reason he acts the way that he does is because Johnny was never truly there to guide him in the first place. Although Johnny, who is the perfect caricature of an '80s man-child, wants nothing but to make it up to Robby, he isn't equipped with the tools to do right by his son, as he was essentially raised by the psychopathic teachings of Cobra Kai's John Kreese. As a result, it took Robby two All-Valley championship losses for him to finally realize that he needs to confront instead of run away from his issues with Johnny.
Meanwhile, as John Kreese's villainous influence over their lives.
Tory Opened Amanda's Heart To Breaking The Pattern Of Trauma In Cobra Kai
In Cobra Kai season 4, it was made clear to Amanda that Tory is not inherently a bad kid. Rather, Tory is just acting out from the stress of having no adults in her life to provide her with any – apart from Cobra Kai's senseis, who, themselves, are heavily misguided and driven by past traumas. Ironically, it was Kreese - one of the main causes of the generational trauma throughout Cobra Kai - who helped Amanda realize that some kids aren't as lucky as her own. While Kreese only intervened to ensure that Tory achieves her full potential, this moment revealed some insight into Kreese's genuine intentions of helping his kids. More importantly, this opened the LaRussos to the idea of actively breaking the pattern of trauma, which not only applies to the LaRussos, but essentially to every mentoring relationship formed between the different characters in Cobra Kai season 4. Notably, Amanda and Daniel find the answers to their parenting problems by looking to their past, confronting the traumas that shaped them into who they are now, and choosing to actively try and break identifiable patterns of trauma.
Cobra Kai Co-Founder Terry Silver Taught Kreese, Johnny, & Daniel Valuable Lessons About Trauma
Cobra Kai's Sensei Silver represents the worst effects of unprocessed trauma. The way Kreese controlled Silver with guilt and the Cobra Kai philosophy finally circled back to Kreese when his fellow Cobra Kai sensei framed him for assault. In the end, it was also Silver's actions that led Cobra Kai to victory during the All-Valley tournament. Although Daniel saw this coming a mile away, he failed to act on the problem. Through Silver's actions, Kreese, Johnny, and Daniel come face to face with how generational trauma can manifest in unexpected ways, and how it can balloon into much larger issues for everyone involved.
The Evolution Of Miyagi-Do, Eagle Fang, & Cobra Kai In Season 5
Cobra Kai's finale reveals that Johnny can put an end to Silver's reign remains to be seen. What's clear is that, in order to do right by their own kids as well as everyone else who's gotten roped into their rivalry, the two protagonists will need to process their respective traumas, and hopefully, break the pattern of trauma for the next generation.