In its first two seasons, Cobra Kai has done a masterful job of revitalizing The Karate Kid for a new generation while also preserving what we know about the mythos. The upcoming third season, however, seems primed to shake things up a bit as it appears that Daniel LaRusso will be returning to Okinawa, the former home of his late teacher, Mr. Miyagi. And from what we’ve seen, it would appear that Daniel is set to learn a few things about his father figure. Now, Ralph Macchio has shed a bit of light on why Okinawa’s inclusion in the show is going to be important.
Ralph Macchio recently confirmed that he did indeed return to Okinawa to shoot portions of Cobra Kai Season 3 and, according to the actor, viewers and his character, Daniel LaRusso, should be prepared to learn a secret or two:
I have been to Okinawa for some shooting of Cobra Kai Season 3, which I cannot talk too much about. But I can say it dives into the origin of Miyagi Do Karate. We learn a little bit, some secrets of past history that is new to the audience, and to LaRusso, my character, and we actually went to Okinawa to shoot.
These recent statements, which Ralph Macchio made during an appearance on Conan, are sure to fill fans with excitement and curiosity. The actor was careful about not going into specifics, but it certainly looks like Daniel’s latest trip to Okinawa is going to be vital for the show.
While it was first referenced to in The Karate Kid, the location truly came into play in the 1986 sequel, The Karate Kid Part II, in which Daniel accompanies Mr. Miyagi to see his dying father. During their stay, the pair would encounter trouble in the form of Mr. Miyagi’s friend-turned Rival Sato and his nephew, Chozen. But ultimately, the trip would grow the relationship between Daniel and Miyagi, both as sensei and pupil and as surrogate father and son.
As far as Cobra Kai is concerned, there are a number of possibilities for Okinawa’s return to the franchise. Because he’s set to learn more about Miyagi Do Karate, it seems like a given that Daniel will return to the Miyagi home. But there’s also the possibility that he could cross paths with old faces like Chozen, who may or may not be the person Daniel is seen fighting with in the Season 3 teaser. There’s also a chance that Daniel and ex-flame Kumikio could reunite. And should either character return, both would be capable of revealing things about Miyagi.
Mr. Miyagi’s memory has served as somewhat of a guiding light and a source of comfort for Daniel in the midst of Cobra Kai. Needless to say, should he learn a devastating secret about his teacher in Season 3, it could have serious ramifications for him as a character moving forward.
Cobra Kai Season 3 is scheduled to arrive on Netflix in 2021.
