History Heartwarming / CobraKai

* What causes Tory to finally decide to get her life together? Prior to this season, some fans questioned if Tory really loved her family. Turns out on top of the shitshow that is her life, it's revealed she's facing a custody battle for her brother against her parasitic aunt (her mom's sister) who, unlike Tory, freely admits she doesn't care about them and is only using them for survivor's benefits. Her aunt points out she knows the system and can easily beat her in a court battle, so Tory decides to do everything in her power, even if she must swallow her pride and beseech Amanda, to stop that from happening.
* Amanda's reason for helping Tory? We learn Amanda had a DarkAndTroubledPast where she took a baseball bat to her math tutor's car while she was inside in retaliation for sleeping with her dad. She admits she knows what it's like to feel like you have nothing to lose and give in to your own hatred and she worked so hard to run away from that past. She wants Tory to be able to not let that define her for the rest of her life like she was able to.

* While it's a bit ambiguous if Terry Silver is really doing this to be manipulative, it's nice to see him establish a deeper connection with his star-pupil, Kenny -- sharing his past as a once pathetic man before turning into the "Way of the First", complementing him on his ascension, and going as far as to teach him the [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique "Silver Bullet"]].

-->'''Chozen:''' But I was fighting against. Your father... was fighting ''for.'' Fighting for friends, for village... for Miyagi-san.
-->'''Sam:''' For my senseis.
-->'''Daniel:''' And for you, Sam. For you.
* [[PapaWolf Johnny taking care]] of Eli after Kenny uses the "silver bullet" on him. He's become fully protective of his former student and holds no ill will against him after they butted heads and he left him for a new Sensei two times. It shows how Miyag-Fang has truly blended into one dojo as well as Johnny not taking the past personally anymore.

* A small moment that gets immediately interrupted by Silver, but Daniel felt so guilty about scaring Stingray that he went back to his apartment to gift him with a brand spanking new PlayStation console after he accidentally broke the first one.

** Lastly, to cheer him up, she shows Miguel her card. It depicts a smiling octopus carrying a [[CardiovascularLove heart]], under the words "You [[IncrediblyLamePun Octopi]] My Thoughts," invoking their relationship mascot (Senor Octopus), and causing Miguel to think back to their first date at Golf 'n Stuff, back before everything became so complicated.

* The reason why Johnny doesn't want to let Miguel compete in the All Valley Tournament is that he's concerned about Miguel returning to competition-level fighting too soon and getting injured again. Bonus points for how Johnny's genuine concern for Miguel earns him further gratitude from Carmen.
* Miguel [[MeetCute bumps into Sam in the hallway]]. When he casually mentions to her that the Cobra Kai guys aren't his friends anymore, Sam is unable to resist the urge to smile in a way that practically says "So deep down he really is the good kid who stood up to Kyler for me." Given that she never really got over her feelings for Miguel during the whole time she was with Robby, it's not much of a surprise that they go from talking once in the morning at school and establishing themselves as friends again to a few days later being back in a relationship again, and a very intimate and comfortable one to boot.
* Even though the school brawl has resulted in the All Valley Tournament being canceled, the other committee members don't blame Daniel at all and understand that the decision is a result of the city council overreacting to what happened. Ron even personally reaches out to Daniel to break the bad news to him and persuade him to make an appeal to convince the council to overturn their decision.

** After Johnny, Daniel, ''and'' Kreese have failed to convince the city officials to un-cancel the tournament (and in fact, [[PersonalHateBeforeCommonGoals their bickering only serves]] [[NotHelpingYourCase to further alienate the council]]), Miguel unexpectedly emerges to give a RousingSpeech about what the tournament (and martial arts) mean to him and his fellow students followed by Sam getting up to support him. The councillors are so moved that they immediately (and unanimously) decide to reinstate the tournament. Miguel and Sam succeeded where three old masters failed, proving that he is indeed the All Valley Karate champion, both on and off the mat, just by speaking from their hearts and personal experience.

'''Sam:''' ''[stands up]'' Yes he does. We're the ones getting hurt. We're the ones fighting! ''[Sam joins Miguel at the podium]'' Our voices should matter the most. And we want a place where we can compete, fairly and safely.\\

*** Most of the bonsais Daniel gives his customers appear to be very very young and simple, however the one he gives Johnny is obviously mature and incredibly well cared for, something ''incredibly'' valuable.

* Robby sharing a friendly SecretHandshake with the owner of the bodega across the street from the Cobra Kai dojo when he drops in to buy something.
* When Sam is confused and angry over Amanda wanting to give Tory a chance, she drives all the way to Santa Barbara and talks with [[TheBusCameBack Aisha]] about what to do. Aisha recalls how, at her new school, a girl in her homeroom gave her a nasty look, but Aisha decided to introduce herself and even compliment her shoes (which Aisha actually hated), and ask the girl to show her around. According to Aisha, she has since become her "new school bestie" and remarks about how her karate training applied to her new life philosophy and encourages Sam to "set her own terms" in trying to make peace with Tory.

** Even after Robby came to resent Daniel and Sam for everything that happened, Robby is still fond enough of Anthony that he's horrified at the realization that he trained Kenny as a Cobra Kai to get back at ''him''.

* Robby volunteers to join a hot-pepper-eating contest in order to win the 400 pesos they need to get their van out of impoundment. Johnny cheers on Robby, at one point calling, "That's my boy!" When Robby reveals that he switched the pepper for a bit of candy, they share a laugh and Johnny calls it "the most badass thing I've ever seen."

* Despite having just suffered a fractured rib and lacerations on her left arm, Sam's immediate instinct when Miguel falls over the railing is to run to his side. When she's in the hospital, all she's concerned about is Miguel's wellbeing.

* Even though Demetri is a borderline pessimistic and neurotic wimp, Daniel taking and keeping him under his tutelage really illustrates his own dedication towards his students. Even when he learns that Demetri joined Cobra Kai and Miyagi-do purely out of peer pressure, rather than dismiss him like most would, Daniel actually changes his approach towards training Demetri by getting on his level and letting him learn at his own pace. When they both discover that they have a shared interest in ''Series/GameOfThrones'', Daniel uses that to both connect with Demetri and expedite his training and teachings with series-related analogies. By Season 4, Demetri steadfastly proclaimed that joining Miyagi-do was the best thing that ever happened to him.

* Daniel and Mike Barnes' reunion. It starts out with Daniel thinking Mike is still Silver's goon, but turns out he, like Chozen, has become a better person. He now owns a furniture business and genuinely felt bad for how he treated Daniel earlier. He is happy that Daniel is doing better and wanted to reach out to him to apologise but was afraid of opening old wounds. The two even have a friendly banter about a rematch, which leads to [[AbuseMistake Chozen believing he is attacking Daniel]] and rush to his rescue... yet despite this violent misunderstanding, Mike's "revenge" is to merely overcharge Chozen for a couch, and the two of them are content to leave it at that.

* Shannon is not at all upset that Johnny "knocked up Carmen," but honestly happy for them, and helps Johnny get set up with some real work. It would be easy for her to resent Johnny getting a second chance to be a decent father, and committing himself to not making the mistakes with Carmen and their baby that he made with Shannon and Robby. But Shannon is instead pleased that Johnny is trying to be a better person, to fix and learn from his mistakes, and she's sincerely proud to support him in that.

* When Daniel gets desperate to stop Silver, he barges into Johnny's house drunk to demand he join the effort and even threatens to fight him when he doesn't want to do it. Johhny's reply? To calmly ask him what's wrong and if he needs help. Daniel quickly concedes and the two demonstrate that they truly have put the past behind them. Johnny then proceeds to give Daniel some sincere encouragement, and Daniel admits that "classic Johnny" started to grow on him.
* After Daniel apologies that he wasted Chozen's time by having him fly out to California, Chozen's only reply is that defending the honor of Miyagi-do is never a waste of time... nor is helping a friend.
** Little fridge heartwarming here. Given how Miyagi-Do was passed down parent to child, it's very heavily implied that Sato was seen as Miyagi's brother. Which means, in turn, that Chozen isn't just helping a friend--he's helping a ''cousin.''

* Terry Silver giving Kenny enough encouragement to shed his meek, submissive personality and finally emerge as a leader amongst his peers. He knows for sure Kenny has way more potential than Kyler has, as such goes all the way to make sure Kenny reaches it, even though he's only molding him to become more and more of a bully.

** Who is it that finally convinces the two that their pasts as "ex-assholes" don't matter now that their on the same side? [[TheHeart Demetri]], who has been a shared MoralityPet for both characters.
** The pair make an effective team when facing off against Chozen with the rest of the dojo, at one point landing a double front kick on him together.

* While it's a bit ambiguous if Terry Silver is really doing this to be manipulative, it's nice to see him establish a deeper connection with his star-pupil, Kenny — sharing his past as a once pathetic man before turning into the "Way of the First", complementing him on his ascension, and going as far as to teach him the [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique "Silver Bullet"]] even if he's only molding him into becoming more of a vicious brute than he already is.

* When Daniel gets desperate to stop Silver, he barges into Johnny's house drunk to demand he join the effort and even threatens to fight him when he doesn't want to do it. Johhny's reply? To calmly ask him what's wrong and if he needs help. Daniel quickly concedes and the two demonstrate that they truly have put the past behind them.

** In particular, seeing Robby and Sam standing side by side is just really wonderful, after everything they've been through.

* While it's a bit ambiguous if Terry Silver is really doing this to be manipulative, it's nice to see him establish a deeper connection with his star-pupil, Kenny — sharing his past as a one pathetic man before turning into the "Way of the First", complementing him on his ascension, and going as far as to teach him the [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique "Silver Bullet"]] even if he's only molding him into becoming more of a vicious brute than he already is.

* Robby gives Sam a big grin of approval when he sees her fighting well against Devon. When she wins, her dad is bursting his buttons with pride, and Chozen gives her a big grin and a hug.

* Johnny's genuine dedication to not only both Robby and Miguel, but his unborn child. He even makes a genuine effort to get a job and refurbishes his apartment. [[TookALevelInKindness He really has learnt from his mistakes]].

* Although he's since passed away, it's incredibly heartwarming to see how much Mr. Miyagi's influence continues to resonate throughout the series. Whether it's Daniel passing on his lessons to his own students, Sam using him as a role model, Chozen and Yukie speaking of him with honor, or even Amanda passing on a bit of his wisdom at a vital moment, it's clear that the lessons he taught have been taken to heart and continue to make other people better even after he's died. Even Johnny Lawrence, for all his problems with Miyagi-Do, never once says anything bad about him, and it's clear that he still remembers how the man went out of his way to save his life from Kreese. Mr. Miyagi may be gone, but he is ''never'' forgotten.

** The gift of the scroll get more heartwarming the more you think about it. Remember how Mr. Miyagi stressed ''his family's'' karate, passed down from father to son. Sato learned it from Miyagi's father because Miyagi considered him a brother, and taught it to Daniel because he came to consider him a son. This makes Daniel and Chozen cousins. With a simple gesture, Chosen honors that bond and gives Daniel a tangible reminder of it.

* It took four seasons, but finally, Sam and Tory are, if not friends, at least no longer enemies. Tory comes clean to Sam about Silver fixing the All-Valley, Sam gets a good look at Tory's home life and finally understands why the girl has so much rage and need to vent it, and the two join forces to bring Silver to justice, fighting side-by-side to see it done. In fact, during the final battle, Sam breaks away from protecting her brother to help Tory against Kim. They may cross fists in the future, but they've achieved a level of respect and understanding for each other.

* Miguel and Sam hanging out with their respective boy/girl posse; Demetri and Eli try to help Miguel figure out how to placate Sam's (imagined) choler while Yasmine and Moon advise Sam on how to come across with Miguel without sounding unapologetic. This is an especial far cry for the girls since Season 1 when they were a very shallowly-connected clique, and even for the boys Miguel, Demetri, and Eli had only stuck together back then because they simply felt the resident losers should stick together. But now the two groups stay together because they legitimately consider each other friends.

* Johnny thanks Demetri (who had arrived at his apartment as his tech assistant) for helping him get set up with a new phone and a tech plan so he can start gig-working. It's a fleeting moment, but Johnny's appreciation is genuine and he seems to be getting over the idea that being a "nerd/geek/dork" is inherently a bad thing.

* Though it's a stupid idea, Mitch cits Mr. Miyagi as his inspiration for his strategy to hide the egg: "Nature's rule, not mine." Even though he ultimately proves to be incredibly petty, it's nice that he took in some of Mr. Miyagi's lessons.

* Johnny and Gunther (the German Sekai Taikai representative) having a CommonalityConnection moment over their passion for ''Film/RockyIV''. Despite being worlds apart, it's a nice reminder that even casual geekdoms can help bond the least likely of pairs.

* The party after the tournament tryouts is one big moment of heartwarming (until Sam sees Miguel making out with another girl, anyway).

[[AC:Trailers]]
* In the official trailer, we see Chozen and Johnny barging into Cobra Kai's turf, ready to "teach a lesson" together. While a fight scene with these two on the same side is already the stuff of dreams, there's just something heartwarming about the fact that two of Daniel's former arch-enemies are carrying the battle against his very ''worst'' nemesis, Terry Silver.