As the Karate Kid sequel no one realized they wanted, Cobra Kai is filled to the brim with subtle callbacks to the character moments and martial arts scenes from the iconic '80s film trilogy. Netflix, who recently bought the show's rights from YouTube Premium, was kind enough to create a video compilation of these many, many Easter eggs.
In a nearly 13-minute supercut, the compilation counts 80 hidden Easter eggs in total across Seasons 1 and 2 of Cobra Kai. For Johnny Lawrence, these callbacks range from the obvious, like dressing Miguel in his old iconic skeleton costume for a high school Halloween party, to the more obscure, like driving a red Firebird in the pilot episode that resembles his high school ride. He even gives a "menacing fist" gesture to his students at the All Valley Karate Tournament the way John Kreese gave him one in the original Karate Kid.
Likewise, Daniel LaRusso gets his fair share of callbacks, both classic and obscure. These include putting Johnny's son, Robby, through the same "wax on wax off" car washing routine amidst the proliferation of bonsai trees in his auto dealer business, highlighting a connection to Mr. Miyagi even after his death. One notable, rather humorous joke sees him attempting to heal Robby's shoulder with Miyagi's hand-rubbing technique in the Season 1 finale, only to instead do the logical thing and call for a medic.
Alongside the dialogue, music and iconography references, the video also showcases a number of Karate Kid actors who reprise their roles from the original trilogy. Alongside Martin Rove as John Kreese, Randee Heller returns as Daniel's mom, while the episode "Take a Right" sees Johnny reunite with his former Cobra Kai buddies, all played by their original actors. Whether Elisabeth Shue will similarly return as Ali Mills in Season 3 is still unknown, though Season 2's final shot indicates this as a possibility.
Cobra Kai stars William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan and Martin Kove. Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix, with Season 3 slated to premiere in 2021.