Cobra Kaisets up Sam LaRusso’s future after high school and answers whether she could join her father, Daniel LaRusso, inKarate Kid: Legends. The action-packed series finale of the Netflix hit series opens exciting possibilities for some of its characters that could even be explored in the variousspinoffs set up byCobra Kai. However, up next isKarate Kid: Legends, a feature film that will see Daniel LaRusso team up with Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han, as they blend kung fu and karate to train the next karate kid.
Cobra Kai’s charactershave become a crucial part of the Miyagiverse, and there’s natural interest in whether characters like Miguel Diaz and Sam LaRusso will return. With Daniel LaRusso central to Karate Kid: Legends, there’s a question whether Sam or Anthony LaRusso could appear. However,Cobra Kaiseason 6’s endingjust confirmedSam will be elsewhere during the events ofKarate Kid: Legends,andshe will be far from her home in the San Fernando Valley.
Karate Kid: Legends Happens Two Years After Sam’s Exchange In Okinawa Ends
Actress Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso in Cobra Kai.
Though Sam’s ending didn’t sit well with critics inCobra Kaiseason 6 part 3’s reviews, the show sets up a promising and suitable future for Daniel LaRusso’s eldest child. In the final minutes ofCobra Kai, Samantha goes to a study abroad program in Okinawa, Japan through the University of California. SinceKarate Kid: Legendsis set three years after the Sekai Taikai,Sam will most likely be away in college by the time Mr. Han recruits Daniel, as her cultural exchange is only supposed to last one year.
Karate Kid: Legendswill hit theaters on June 17, 2025.
At the beginning ofCobra Kaiseason 6, it seemed as though Sam would follow her family’s hope that she would attend UCLA and stay close to home. However, Sam has different ideas when she graduates. LaRusso comments on wanting to get out of “the valley bubble,” and gets excited about meeting other cultures. Because of this,Sam will likely be studying in a college away from Los Angeles. There’s no indication Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso willcameo inKarate Kid: Legends.
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Cobra Kai’s ending all but confirms its characters will follow unique and separate paths. Notably, Miguel will be off studying at Stanford, since he only meant to accompany Sam to Okinawa for a couple of weeks before starting his studies. Though there’s a slight possibility that the couple is still together, it’d be complicated if Sam moved far away.
10 Big Differences Between Karate Kid: Legends & Cobra Kai
Karate Kid: Legends already looks very different from Cobra Kai, with several standout elements marking the two as very opposite stories.
For their part,Robby and Tory could still be working together as karate influencers and athletesrepresented by Icon Branding, or could have even saved enough money to attend college after three years. Hawk and Demetri will be roomies at CalTec, while Devon, Anthony, and Kenny might have competed in several tournaments and be on their way to college too. As forwhere Johnny is duringKarate Kid: Legends,Cobra Kaisets up several paths for the sensei.
Karate Kid: Legends Taking Place In New York Means Cobra Kai Connections Should Be Minimal
Karate Kid: Legends Doesn’t Need To Bring Back Cobra Kai Characters To Succeed
Karate Kid: Legends' story is independent ofCobra Kai. The movie is set to take place in New York, and even ifCobra Kaicharacters make a surprise appearance, it wouldn’t amount to more than cameos or callbacks. SinceKarate Kid: Legends' trailer shows Mr. Han travels to Los Angeles to ask for Daniel-san’s help, the movie may merely quickly catch viewers up with him — and could make allusions that he has been teaching at Miyagi-Do and reference Johnny Lawrence.
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Despite minimalconnections betweenCobra KaiandKarate Kid: Legends, Amanda LaRusso could appear to motivate Daniel to join Mr. Han and continue discovering Miyagi’s legacy. However, even an Amanda appearance is not entirely necessary forKarate Kid: Legends,althoughCobra Kaifans would naturally wonder about Daniel’s wife. WithCobra Kaiwrapping up Netflix’s epic karate saga,Karate Kid: Legendsmovie will be another expansion of the Miyagiverse that likely won’t include Samantha LaRusso.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
