"You're alright LaRusso, great match!"
— Johnny Lawrence
- At the beginning of the film, Daniel brings a bowl of water for the old lady's dog to drink, establishing him immediately as a Nice Guy. Bonus points since Ralph Macchio is a dog lover in real life.
- The beach party scene:
- When Ali sees Johnny and the Cobra Kais arriving at the beach, she kicks away the ball she and Daniel were playing with so he'll go away to fetch it, knowing that Johnny's jealousy is going to cause trouble and wanting to get Daniel as far away from him as possible.
- Daniel steps in to defend Ali, who he has only just met, when he sees Johnny harassing her and taking her radio.
- Although Freddy and his friends abandon Daniel for getting beaten up by Johnny, Ali tries to comfort him and later thanks him for standing up for her.
- When Daniel asks what kind of belt Mr Miyagi has, the old man makes a joke about it being "Canvas, JC Penney, $3.19" and how "In Okinawa belt mean no need rope to hold up pants" and laughs. Then...Mr Miyagi: Daniel-san. Karate here [taps his head]. Karate here [taps his heart]. Karate never here [gestures to his belt]. You understand?
- Daniel's birthday celebration at Mr. Miyagi's home shows that Daniel is much more to Mr. Miyagi than just a student. When he takes him to the driveway where he keeps his collection of cars and simply says, "choose", the look on Daniel's face is nothing short of amazing.Daniel: You know, you're the best friend I've ever had.Miyagi: You... pretty okay too.
- The relationship between Daniel and Ali. Their first date at Golf n'Stuff (shown in a romantic montage) and how she serves as his cheerleader in the tournament.
- At the All Valley Tournament:
- Bobby desperately and sincerely apologizing to Daniel for injuring him after Kreese orders him to. A Deleted Scene shows that Bobby is so disgusted by this that he quits Cobra Kai on the spot.
- Mr. Miyagi cradling and soothing Daniel after Bobby injures him. If you listen carefully, you can hear Miyagi telling Daniel "Daniel-san, Miyagi here, okay?!" as a way of comforting him.
- When Daniel convinces Mr. Miyagi of his need to face Johnny in the final, Miyagi pulls out his famous Healing Hands to give Daniel his shot at the final. He also confirms his belief in Daniel's chances of winning, despite Johnny's massive advantage in experience, and of course he is ultimately proven right.Daniel: Mr. Miyagi, you think I had a chance of winning?
Miyagi: Win, lose, no matter.
Daniel: That's not what I mean.
Miyagi: Hai. Had good chance. - When the tournament announcer mispronounces Mr. Miyagi's name, Daniel makes sure to correct him, in stark contrast to how Daniel himself had mispronounced it earlier.
- After spending most of the film acting like a total Jerk Jock, Johnny makes a Heel–Face Turn, first by his obviously upset reaction to Kreese ordering him to attack Daniel's injury, then by humbly presenting the trophy to Daniel himself and hoisting him up along with the others. He proves Mr. Miyagi's philosophy 100% right: "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher".Johnny: You're alright LaRusso, great match!
- After Daniel wins the tournament, he yells "Mr. Miyagi, we did it!", giving his mentor equal credit for his victory.
- Miyagi beaming at his student's triumph is all the real reward Daniel needs and the perfect final image for the audience. Director John G. Avildsen considered it so heartwarming that the moment they were finished filming, he decided to simply end the movie on that note, not bothering to film the originally planned ending which would later be used as the opening of Part II.
