History Heartwarming / CobraKai

* While he's initially furious with Miguel for his dirty tactics injuring Robby during the tournament, he tells him after that there is a difference between having no mercy in karate and having no honour outside it, and while he might not have appreciated it he sees Miguel as having the potential to be be better than he ever was. Miguel's little smile and bowing to his sensei afterwards confirms he did indeed appreciate the lesson. Crosses into {{Tearjerker}} in the finale, when this specific conversation inspires Miguel to show mercy to a defeated Robby during the school brawl. Unfortunately an enraged Robby attacks him while his guard is down, resulting in Miguel being severely injured in a fall.

* While he's initially furious with Miguel for his dirty tactics injuring Robby during the tournament, he tells him after that there is a difference between having no mercy in karate and having no honour outside it, and while he might not have appreciated it he sees Miguel as having the potential to be be better than he ever was. Miguel's little smile and bowing to his sensei afterwards confirms he did indeed appreciate the lesson. Crosses into {{Tearjerker}} in the finale, when this specific conversation inspires Miguel to [show mercy to a defeated Robby during the school brawl. Unfortunately an enraged Robby attacks him while his guard is down, resulting in Miguel being severely injured in a fall.

* While he's initially furious with Miguel for his dirty tactics injuring Robby during the tournament, he tells him after that there is a difference between having no mercy in karate and having no honour outside it, and while he might not have appreciated it he sees Miguel as having the potential to be be better than he ever was. Miguel's little smile and bowing to his sensei afterwards confirms he did indeed appreciate the lesson. Crosses into {{Tearjerker}} in the finale, when this specific conversation inspires Miguel to [[spoiler:show mercy to a defeated Robby during the school brawl. Unfortunately an enraged Robby attacks him while his guard is down, resulting in Miguel being severely injured in a fall.]]

* Miguel's family cheering for him during the tournament is quite sweet. Carmen says with enormous pride to one of the spectators when Miguel makes it to the Finals, [[SoProudOfYou "That's my son."]] Any proud parent can relate to this.

* While Robby is disappointed that he came in second place, Daniel assures him that he's still proud of his performance and that Robby is the true winner because he fought with honor unlike the Cobra Kai. Robby accepts the loss without further incident.

** In fact, Miguel's and Johnny's relationship is in many ways quite heartwarming. Johnny is in a way getting a second chance at being a father figure after screwing up with [[AntagonisticOffspring Robby]], and Miguel is getting a father figure he never had. This is nowhere more apparent than the scene where Johnny is begging Miguel's mother to allow him to keep training - one gets the definite sense that these words are exactly what Johnny wishes he could say about Robby. The fact Johnny got through to her is sweet as well.

* On tournament day, we see Johnny making his most sincere efforts to encourage his Cobra Kai students. Not only does he deliver a crass RousingSpeech to them and give them all the iconic black sleveless Cobra Kai gi's, but during the matches themselves, we hear him cheering them on almost like a real coach - no longer is he even calling them by his usual degrading nicknames. He wasn't blowing smoke up Daniel's ass when he told the tournament committee that his students were making a difference in his life.

* The moment doubles as a TearJerker, but at the bitter end, when Johnny has watched his best students turn into the same jerkass bullies he and his Cobra Kai friends used to be, does he celebrate their brutal victory? Does he rub it in the face of his arch-rival Daniel? No, he goes and sincerely apologizes to his own defeated son, who in turn even seems to accept his apology. Even though his students are going down a bad path - and he knows it - Johnny has come a long way from the adolescent bully who almost killed Daniel.

** [[TookALevelInJerkass Even when Miguel starts to go down a bad path]], Johnny still cares for Miguel like he is a son to him. This is obvious by the encouragement during the tournament, and desperate pleas Johnny gives to Miguel not to fight dirty. He does not want his protege to go down the road he went down.
** He probably won't have to worry about his own son returning down that road, however.

* While most people who watched the original film pegged Johnny Lawrence as little more than a jerkass bully, his actor William Zabka --who it must be noted is a fine example of MeanCharacterNiceActor-- actually felt enough sympathy for Johnny to come up with a backstory that explained how he came to be such a jerk in the first place, and believed that deep down, there was a decent guy hiding underneath that unpleasant exterior. 34 years later, his personal {{Fanon}} would become official canon, and Zabka would have a chance to show the fans a nobler side of Johnny that they got only the smallest glimpses of in the movie.

** In fact, Miguel's and Johnny's relationship is in many ways quite heartwarming. Johnny is in a way getting a second chance at being a father figure after screwing up with [[AntagonisticOffspring Robby]], and Miguel is getting a father figure he never had. This is nowhere more apparent than the scene where Johnny is begging Miguel's mother to allow him to keep training - one gets the definite sense that these words are exactly what Johnny wishes he could say about/to Robby. The fact Johnny got through to her is sweet as well.

* While Robby is disappointed that he came in second place, Daniel assures him that he's still proud of his performance and that Robby is the true winner because he fought with honor unlike the Cobra Kai. Robby accepts the loss without further incident.

** Proof? Watch him don his signature gi and headband and practice some of his moves with no one else around.

* While Robby is disappointed that he came in second place, Daniel assures him that he's still proud of his performance and that Robby is the true winner because he fought with honor unlike the Cobra Kai.

* Daniel introducing Robby to [[PacifistDojo Miyagi-do Karate]]. The original Karate Kid has well and truly [[PassingTheTorch held on to his sensei's torch.]]

* Daniel introducing Robby to the [[PacifistDojo Miyagi-do]]. The original Karate Kid has well and truly [[PassingTheTorch taken his sensei's torch.]]

* Daniel introducing Robby to the [[PacifistDojo Miyagi-do]]. The original Karate Kid has well and truly taken his sensei's torch.

* The entire show is a labor of love for both Zabka and Maccio. Their friendship and love of making the original movies is what started it. They executive co-produced it, meaning they're putting in time and money in behind the camera as well as infront. And it shows in both the nostalgia and thought put into the show.

* Daniel's locker room speech to Robby about his father, encouraging the boy to understand and forgive him. Daniel describes his nemesis not as pure evil, but simply a man with a lot of demons who was led down a bad path. It means a lot that even with all the bad blood between them, the thing he learned about Johnny during the bonding session in episode nine stuck with him and Daniel is still willing to recognize Johnny's humanity.

* The overwhelmingly positive reaction the series has gotten for being a great example of a modern take on a classic piece of beloved nostalgia, and how do it ''right'' when so many revived [=IPs=] have been getting it wrong. Instead of depicting Johnny and Daniel as out of focus, past their prime, and/or making them the butt of numerous "Haha, they're ''old'' now!" jokes, it shows that both of them still have room to change and grow as individuals and both of them still have a lot to offer the younger generation that has put trust in them. The showrunners' love for the original films is readily apparent with the way it treats the story and characters with utmost respect (without coming off as overt pandering), and it succeeds grandly in getting old fans and brand-new viewers alike to care equally about the main characters.

* While most people who watched the original film pegged Johnny Lawrence as little more than a jerkass bully, his actor William Zabka --who it must be noted is a fine example of MeanCharacterNiceActor-- actually felt enough sympathy for Johnny to come up with a backstory that explained how he came to be such a jerk in the first place, and believed that deep down, there was a decent guy hiding underneath that unpleasant exterior. 34 years later, his personal {{Fanon}} would become official canon, and Zabka would have a chance to show the fans a nobler side of Johnny that they got only the smallest glimpses of in the movie.

* Even if it doubles as a TearJerker, Miguel sincerely regrets hitting Sam while drunk at the beach party and apologizes to her. Despite everything, he still has feelings for Sam. There is still some of the old Miguel Sam was originally to attracted left, even if most of it has been taken over by [[NoNonsenseNemesis a ruthless martial artist]] [[CombatPragmatist who will do anything to win.]]

* Johnny giving Miguel his old gi after hearing about the fight in the cafeteria. [[BeAllMySinsRemembered Miguel asks him if he's sure he wants to give it to him]] and Johnny tells him he's earned it.

* Daniel's locker room speech to Robby about his father, encouraging the boy to understand and forgive him. Daniel describes his nemesis not as pure evil, but simply a man with a lot of demons who was led down a bad path. It means a lot that even with all the bad blood between them, Daniel is still willing to recognize Johnny's humanity.

--->Johnny: Please don't close the door. Look, I know I wasn't there for him when it mattered. I let him down. I guess I let you down too. And I know there's no do-overs, but that kid... is the only person in the world who hasn't given up on me. And I don't want to give up on him. I know I messed up big time, but if you let him come back... I won't fail him again. I promise. All right? Please, just think about it.
*** In fact, Miguel turning to Johnny for advice on topics that boys see as father figures turn to on, such as dating girls, dealing with people, and how to navigate the world is touching on many levels.

* Most of Episode Seven qualifies, as Miguel goes on a wonderful date with Sam, and Johnny's committee meeting goes exceptionally well. The way they both greet each other back at the Dojo says it all, as does the toast.