Seasons 1 and 2 of Cobra Kai had already dropped quite a few surprises on longtime Karate Kid fans, but they were nothing compared to the shocking reveals that happened in season 3. The story was greatly expanded to touch on elements from The Karate Kid 2 and 3, rather than simply the first film. That meant familiar faces and references would be featured prominently in the story.
For Karate Kid nuts, this was a dream come true. Those who haven't made it through the whole season yet may wish to turn away and come back later because the article does contain story spoilers. Tread carefully.
10 The Tomi Village Transformation
This was a bittersweet change for fans of the original Karate Kid films, notably the second movie. Mr. Miyagi's Tomi Village was the staging ground for a showdown between him and his old friend-turned-rival, Sato, and their feud threatened its very existence when Sato used it as leverage to get Miyagi to fight him.
Tomi Village seemed locked in time with its traditionalism. Lack of employment meant massive hardships for the simple farmers who lived there, however. Season 3 reveals that Tomi Village has been transformed into a blossoming technopolis, thanks to Sato switching up the business model. Daniel was disappointed to see mass-commercialism swallow up traditionalism, but the villagers themselves were quite happy to have stable and lucrative employment.
9 The Mike Barnes Reference
Samantha's fight with Tory ended up shattering her confidence and inflicting her with post-traumatic stress disorder. Not only did it elevate her anger, but it also pushed her into a very dark place where she froze in the face of a rematch with Tory. Rather than face her hears, she ran away from karate entirely.
Daniel brought her back to the spot of the All Valley tournament, where he shared the story of when he was forced to defend his title against his own better judgment. He told her how his fight with Mike Barnes was terrifying, and he was ready to give up, but Mr. Miyagi's sage advice not to "lose to fear" is what helped him get back up. Those words would help Samantha win the battle against Tory when Cobra Kai came knocking on her door.
8 Kreese's Backstory
Every villain needs a backstory to give exposition as to why they behave the way they do. John Kreese is no different. It's no secret that he's a decorated Vietnam war hero, but fans always wondered if he was born a jerk, or made one through his traumatic experiences during the war.
It seems the issue has finally been put to rest. Kreese didn't start out as a bad guy, but a series of unfortunate events during Vietnam (including the death of his lovely girlfriend) turned him into an unfeeling, unsympathetic brute. The Vietnam flashbacks established how Kreese fell to dark impulses, and just why he was so fascinated with snakes.
7 Mr. Miyagi's Letters
Daniel's life had been thrown completely out of balance for the second time in a row since the series began, and this time, his car dealer business hung in the balance. The violence that took place in the high school which led to Miguel's injuries had sparked enough bad publicity that one of Daniel's biggest clients was about to walk away.
He traveled to Japan to try and save the deal and also sought out Tomi Village in the process, in order to catch up on old times. After Kumiko invited him over, she shared letters left by Mr. Miyagi, one of which he wrote just a week before his death. It was enough to inspire Daniel to try and make things right again.
6 Chozen's Return
Spoiler-adverse viewers never watched the trailers for season 3, and they were better off for it. One of the biggest and most shocking surprises of the entire season occurred when Daniel returned to Tomi Village in Japan. Not only did he bump into his old flame, Kumiko, but he came face-to-face with his old nemesis, Chozen, a man he once fought in a battle to the death.
At first, Chozen seemed upset at the sight of Daniel, but Kumiko convinced the two to go on a sightseeing trip together. Chozen challenged Daniel to a karate match to see what he had learned, giving him an opportunity for payback after being humiliated during their first fight. Rather than kill Daniel, he incapacitated his limbs and gave him the same nose-honk he had suffered years before. It was a cathartic moment for both men. Chozen was revealed to be a changed man, and Daniel put closure on their feud by forgiving him for his actions - truly an astonishing moment in the season.
5 Ali's Big Return
Karate Kid fans went nuts during the final episode of season 2 when it was revealed that Ali Mills attempted to get in contact with Johnny after years of being apart. Speculation as to whether actress Elisabeth Shue would reprise her role set the internet on fire, but fans got their wish in the end.
Cobra Kai is known for paying serious homage and wholehearted respect to the Karate Kid franchise, and it hasn't let fans down one iota since the series began. Seeing Ali reconnect with Johnny Lawrence helped the character escape his dark past and move forward, not just with Carmen Diaz, but Daniel as well.
4 Yuna's Return
As if Cobra Kai didn't surprise Karate Kid fans enough, it decided to go the extra mile to bring back a character that was only present as a plot device in the second film. That character was Yuna, the terrified little girl clinging to an electrical pole during the typhoon near the end of the second Karate Kid film.
This didn't need to happen, but it did. The writers shoehorned Yuna's character into the one person who would be able to save Daniel's business, which felt a bit too convenient, but it was no less amazing to witness, especially for those riveted to this show by nostalgia.
3 Daniel Fights Kreese
This one was a long time in the making, and man fans never thought they'd see the day when Daniel LaRusso would square off against John Kreese. Yet, season 3 proved to be the platform for this small, but no less epic showdown between antagonist and protagonist. It began when Johnny attacked Kreese in the Cobra Kai dojo and was almost choked.
Before he went under, Daniel intervened, and the two finally squared off for the first time. Daniel utilized secret Miyagi-Do karate knowledge gained from his old rival Chozen to incapacitate Kreese's limbs and put a stop to the battle.
2 Daniel & Johnny Team Up
John Kreese's manipulative actions during the course of season 3 would ultimately prove to be a partial downfall. He was able to forge a lethal band of warriors into the ranks of Cobra Kai, but it drove many of his old students straight into Daniel LaRusso's arms. That was just the start of it, however.
The final act of the last episode showed ex-Cobras and Miyagi-Do students standing side by side as Daniel looked on. Before starting their training, Johnny Lawrence walked into Miyagi-Do and stood side by side with Daniel, signaling that the two were finally ready to join forces against Kreese.
1 Hawk Turns On Cobra Kai
Hawk's tempestuous relationship with Cobra Kai was one born of anger. For years, he had been mercilessly bullied at school because of his cleft lip scar, and his karate tutelage helped him overcome by giving him a sense of self-confidence, strength and personal power that made him one of the fiercest Cobra Kai fighters.
Unfortunately, Kreese poisoned the well and turned him into the very thing he hated the most. Much of the season was a "will-he-won't-he" affair, but during the massive brawl at the LaRusso house, Hawk realized that he was on the wrong side. Where his character goes under Daniel's tutelage, however, remains to be seen.
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