Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 review: Is the show starting to lose its edge?

Cobra Kai, the acclaimed sequel to the famous Karate Kid franchise, has returned with the first part of its final season, which will reportedly be divided into three parts. As the last season teased, this one is focused on the coveted Sekai Taikai, the biggest event in the Karate Kid universe, which will now see participation from Miyagi-Do as well as the dreaded Cobra Kai, which has once again risen this season.

As teased in the last scene of the previous season, this season also marks the return of John Kreese (Martin Kove), the big bad of the Karate Kid franchise. The first part, consisting of five episodes, is almost entirely focused on the preparation for the Sekai Taikai, where only six students will make it.

The best parts of this season came with the selection procedure and the many small rivalries spread throughout the five episodes. However, it is fair to say that Cobra Kai season 6 is nowhere close to the show's previous seasons, which had a solid narrative and tension-fueled comedy. This one, instead, seemed to force certain rivalries and put storylines that did not seem to make sense entirely.

However, the ending still served fans something to look forward to. But this season of the show will perhaps only appeal to hardcore fans of the franchise, something we could not say of the previous seasons, which seemed genuinely intent on telling a story.

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Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 has interesting elements but seems to force its way into the story

From the beginning, this show season is far less dramatic and has less tension in the air. This is primarily because the rivalries between Robbie (Tanner Buchanan) and Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) and between Samantha (Mary Mouser) and Tory (Peyton List) have practically disappeared.

Instead, all of it seems like a happy family, with even Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) putting aside their differences. The problem with this season is that it fails to commit to this new dynamic and tries to force the storyline to create a new layer of rivalries between the main characters, ultimately leading to Tory exiting and switching sides once again.

The season also cleverly integrates John Kreese's past in the story, giving the man another round with a new set of Cobra Kai students, and though this should be exhilarating, the amount of times it has been done in the show before makes it rather bland.

Kreese does give this season's first part some of its most memorable moments, with the veteran teacher even proving his worth in a memorable sequence in the cave.

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Cobra Kai season 6 part 1's best phase comes in the selection procedure

Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 is at its best in the fourth episode, which sees some vintage action as the "underdogs" try to get a spot in the team for Sekai Taikai. After an offbeat win, Gianni DeCenzo's Demetri becomes the biggest winner. But the final episode, barring the final twist, falls flat compared to the fourth one.

In fact, there is a bare minimum thrill and stakes in seeing Tory take on Sam and Robbie and Miguel go another round. It is clear at this point that Cobra Kai is not what it used to be and has lost a lot of its edge.

Yet, we are in the first five episodes of the planned 15, so it is too early to judge this entire season. However, the first part of the final season will not appeal to fans like the previous seasons did.

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The first five episodes of Cobra Kai season 6 are now streaming on Netflix.