As Cobra Kai season 5 inches closer, fans of the Netflix show prepare to watch as loyalties shift and dojos shake among their favorite karate kids. When the new season premieres on September 9, the two warring dojos will be further apart than ever thanks to the outcome of the All Valley Tournament. Some will relish their win while others will wallow in defeat, and a few may help Terry Silver expand his empire as their friends cling to Daniel LaRusso's Miyagi-inspired ways.
Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) is riding high after his All Valley victory, while Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo) continues to learn under Daniel despite his recent loss. Tory (Peyton List) may be feeling betrayed by her mentor, but remains at the Cobra Kai dojo, just as Sam (Mary Mo) gets back into the swing of things after trickery caused her to lose. Finally, Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) is off to Mexico for some family bonding and self-reflection, but he's sure to be back sooner rather than later.
Screen Rant spoke to Maridueña, Bertrand, DeCenzo, Mo, and List about the emotional journeys each of them will embark on in Cobra Kai season 5, and which fights they're most prepared for—or unprepared, as it were.
Screen Rant: Xolo, last we see Miguel, he's headed to Mexico to find his father. What would you say his biggest hurdles are going into the season?
Xolo Maridueña: Probably being broke. That's probably one of the bigger hurdles. And I think, also, he doesn't know what his dad looks like. [Laughs] He can't drive.
He doesn't really have a plan going down there.
Xolo Maridueña: Yeah, no, he didn't really have a plan. But he made it happen. So, I think if anything, he deserves some respect.
Mary, what would you say Sam is dealing with this season? We've seen her face a lot of trauma lately. How is she doing?
Mary Mo: The ending of season 4 and feeling like she disappointed more than just herself. She's disappointing her dad and disappointing her senseis. Feeling the weight of that going into season 5, that's a lot to carry at any age—but especially as a teenager coming out of her first big tournament like that.
I think Sam's got a lot to learn, in of how to manage that. I think a lot of times that she manages it through karate, but I think something interesting going into the season is that the trauma is so involved with karate. What does that mean for her next?
Peyton, I Love Tory. I want her to have her hero moment. But I can't help but appreciate Tory and Kreese's relationship. How does him being locked up affect her this season?
Peyton List: I love my relationship with Kreese and getting to act with Marty. But I think Kreese is a parental figure to Tory, and she doesn't really have much guidance. So, for him to be locked up and to be away, it takes a major toll on her. And it's probably one of the hardest thing she's ever been through.
Jacob, what is Hawk's struggle this season?
Jacob Bertrand: I think [he's] getting his ass kicked a little bit. He gets beat up a little bit. No, he's fresh off a huge win. I think he's a little overly confident. He's got a lot of eyes looking at him. Winning the All Valley in the Cobra Kai universe is like winning the Super Bowl.
You're famous in the Valley.
Jacob Bertrand: Yeah, famous in the Valley! So, I think he feels a lot of pressure, and I think that definitely leads into him being a little overconfident and naive.
Gianni, is there anybody that Demetri has not gone toe-to-toe with that you would love to see?
Gianni DeCenzo: God. There's not a lot of people that haven't kicked his ass. [Laughs]. [Xolo], we haven't fought. I could probably take him. I didn't fall down down a flight of stairs.
Xolo Maridueña: Didn't your best friend break your arm?
Gianni DeCenzo: Yeah... That happened. No, I don't want to see Demetri go to toe-to-toe with anyone. He just got confident again. I don't want him to lose that. He needs a break.
Cobra Kai Season 5 Synopsis
Cobra Kai takes place over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament with the continuation of the inescapable conflict between Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).
Following the shocking results of the All Valley Tournament, Season 5 finds Terry Silver expanding the Cobra Kai empire and trying to make his "No Mercy" style of karate the only game in town. With Kreese behind bars and Johnny Lawrence setting karate aside to focus on repairing the damage he’s caused, Daniel LaRusso must call on an old friend for help.
Check out our other interviews with Cobra Kai stars:
- Ralph Macchio & William Zabka
- Thomas Ian Griffith & Yuji Okumoto
- Dallas Dupree Young, Oona O'Brien & Griffin Santopietro
All episodes of Cobra Kai season 5 will be available to stream September 9 on Netflix.