- Justin Lee Ford
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 17
When you think of The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, what comes to mind?
The legendary crane kick?
The clash between aggressive violence and peaceful philosophies?
Or maybe the “old-school” training techniques, like waxing cars?
The Karate Kid franchise has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring generations with its messages of discipline, perseverance, and self-defense. Martial arts schools worldwide saw a boost in interest after the film’s release, and when Cobra Kai reintroduced the series in 2018, it reignited those same themes—plus some epic fight scenes.
While the franchise delivers plenty of drama and flashy moves, it also draws from authentic martial arts techniques to bring its action to life.
So, what real martial arts are at play in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai?
The Roots of The Karate Kid: Where It All Began
Before diving into Cobra Kai, it's essential to revisit the martial arts foundation of The Karate Kid (1984).
In the original film, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) teaches Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) a fictionalized version of Okinawan goju-ryu karate, blending hard and soft techniques. Goju-ryu emphasizes powerful strikes, joint locks, and controlled breathing, mixing strength with fluidity.
While the film stays true to goju-ryu's basics, it also incorporates creative liberties, blending elements from other martial arts. Mr. Miyagi’s unconventional teaching method—using everyday tasks like waxing cars—embodies core martial arts values like patience, balance, and focus.
Fun fact: The founder of goju-ryu was Chōjun Miyagi. Does that name sound familiar?
Martial Arts Diversity in Cobra Kai
As Cobra Kai has evolved, so has its representation of martial arts.
The characters’ growth is mirrored in the diverse fighting styles introduced on-screen. While karate remains central to the story, new styles reflect different characters' philosophies and development.
Johnny Lawrence’s aggressive Cobra Kai methods directly clash with Daniel’s balanced Miyagi-Do Karate, providing a compelling exploration of varying martial arts approaches. One major style that has taken center stage is tang soo do.
Tang Soo Do: From the 1940s to Cobra Kai
Tang soo do, created in the 1940s, merges elements from Okinawan Karate and kung fu. Though it contributed to the creation of taekwondo in the 1950s, it remains practiced today, particularly in the United States, to preserve traditional Korean martial arts.
In Cobra Kai, tang soo do is portrayed as a fast-paced, offensive art, with powerful kicks and strikes. But at its core, it focuses on self-defense, respect, and personal growth—principles deeply tied to what one might actually experience training with Mr. Miyagi.
Martial Artists Behind the Action: Experts Who Shaped the Franchise
The iconic fight scenes in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai wouldn’t be what they are without the martial artists who brought their expertise to the project.
From Darryl Vidal and Pat Johnson to Fumio Demura and Jackie Chan, martial arts veterans have ensured the franchise “walked the walk” when it came to martial arts.
Let’s dive into two stories of those who helped the film franchise get its roots established.
Pat Johnson: The Choreographer Behind the Action
Pat Johnson, a martial artist with black belts in Tang Soo Do and Shotokan Karate, shaped the fight choreography for The Karate Kid. His work on the film’s tournament scenes, particularly Daniel’s final battle with Johnny, became legendary.
Johnson also made a cameo as the referee in the All Valley Karate Tournament, cementing his connection to the franchise.
His deep martial arts knowledge helped ensure that the action was both thrilling and authentic to karate.
Fumio Demura: The Martial Arts Consultant
Fumio Demura, a world-renowned shito-ryu karate master, played a pivotal role as the martial arts consultant for The Karate Kid. He worked closely with Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi) to train him in Karate’s movements and philosophies.
Many of the film’s most memorable scenes, like the iconic "wax on, wax off" training sequence, were inspired by Demura’s real-life teachings.
Demura also served as Morita’s stunt double in certain scenes, adding extra realism to the film’s fight sequences.
A Legacy of Martial Arts and Cinema
Pat Johnson and Fumio Demura’s contributions helped shape how karate was portrayed on screen, blending tradition with mainstream appeal. Their expertise influenced the choreography and reinforced the deeper themes of personal growth and discipline that martial arts instills.
In modern times, The Karate Kid franchise continues to thrive, carrying their legacies forward while introducing a new generation of martial artists to the franchise.
Real-life black belts and world champions like Justin Ortiz, Rayna Vallandingham, and Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz in the Cobra Kai series help preserve the spirit of The Karate Kid, ensuring the authenticity of martial arts remains alive and relevant in today’s world.
Whether you're team Cobra Kai, Miyagi-Do, or even Eagle Fang Karate, one thing is certain—The Karate Kid will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
