The Miyagiverse is real: This is how ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ connects to Netflix’s ‘Cobra Kai’ series.

Mr. Miyagi would be proud to see the legacy continue.

How does Cobra Kai connect to Karate Kid Legends?
How does Cobra Kai connect to Karate Kid Legends?

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With Cobra Kai ending in February 2025 and The Karate Kid: Legends premiering on May 8, fans of the series are wondering if the two stories are connected or if the 2010 reboot remains a separate universe. The short answer: yes, they are connected, and it’s all part of the so-called “Miyagiverse . “

While the YouTube and Netflix series expanded the original story with a contemporary look at the rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, Legends acts as a bridge between the classic films, the Netflix series, and the reboot starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith .

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Ralph Macchio confirms: ‘Karate Kid Legends’ and ‘Cobra Kai’ are in the same universe.

In an interview with Variety , Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) confirmed that The Karate Kid: Legends is set three years after the end of Cobra Kai , which places the events of the film around 2023 or 2024 in canon. This implies that the Daniel from Legends is the same sensei we saw grow and evolve in the series .

Jonathan Entwistle, director of Legends , also confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he worked closely with the creators of Cobra Kai to maintain narrative consistency. According to him, they even consulted Macchio as a “canon guardian” to avoid contradictions. So yes: the shared universe is more than confirmed.

The clearest connection between the series and Legends is the collaboration between Daniel and Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), the mentor from the 2010 reboot. In Legends , the two train a new martial arts prodigy, Li Fong (Ben Wang), together in New York.

A scene from the trailer shows Mr. Han visiting the Miyagi-Do dojo , suggesting that Daniel is still active as a sensei. And according to Macchio, this alliance honors Mr. Miyagi’s teachings while paving the way for a new generation of fighters.

Additionally, the director revealed that Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi’s families have been connected since ancient times , and that the kung fu of Han’s ancestors influenced the Miyagi-Do style. This revelation—briefly mentioned in Karate Kid II —serves as narrative justification for tying the 2010 reboot back to the original.

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And what happened at the end of Cobra Kai ?

While Cobra Kai doesn’t include a post-credits scene that directly links to Legends , it does set the stage. In the season six finale, Daniel fully embraces his role as sensei, and Johnny regains control of his beloved dojo, but with a new, more balanced vision . The two are at peace, and the path is clear for new stories, like the one we see in Legends .

A curious detail: in episode 3 of the final season, a coin associated with Mr. Han appears in a box of Mr. Miyagi’s memories, suggesting that both mentors knew each other or at least were connected before.

Legends is not a direct sequel, but it is canon.

While The Karate Kid: Legends doesn’t directly mention Johnny or the rest of the Cobra Kai cast , or vice versa, the two series are intended as standalone stories that share a shared universe . The series’ creators describe it as a “separate ecosystem” within the Miyagiverse.

This allows Legends to focus on its own narrative without relying on fan service or immediate continuity, but without breaking with what has been established in the series .

Before Legends , the 2010 reboot wasn’t part of the official canon due to production differences. But now, thanks to this film, it’s all united : the four original films, the reboot, and all six seasons of the Netflix show. As the film’s tagline goes: “Two branches, one tree . “