The second season of Cobra Kai, stylized as COBRA KAII, was released on YouTube Premium on April 24, 2019, and consisted of 10 episodes. The series is a direct sequel to the original four films in The Karate Kid franchise, focusing on the characters of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence over 30 years after the original film. This is the final season to be originally released on YouTube's streaming service as Netflix would acquire the streaming rights to Cobra Kai following YouTube's decision not to renew the series past a third season.
Picking up immediately where Season 1 left off, the season follows Johnny after his victory at the All-Valley as his success with Cobra Kai is juxtaposed against two new threats: a new karate dojo started by Daniel, as well as the return of Cobra Kai founder John Kreese.
The season had nine starring roles, six of which returned from the first season and the other three consisting of previously recurring and guest cast members, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni DeCenzo, and Martin Kove, all of whom received promotions. Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson composed a soundtrack album to accompany the season. The season received generally positive reviews from critics, although they deemed it to be inferior to the first season. The season also received multiple awards and nominations including an Emmy award, and achieved record setting viewing figures.
Cast and characters
Main
Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso
Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz
Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene
Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso
Jacob Bertrand as Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz
Gianni DeCenzo as Demetri Alexopoulos
Martin Kove as John Kreese
Recurring
Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz
Nichole Brown as Aisha Robinson
Hannah Kepple as Moon
Owen Morgan as Bert
Aedin Mincks as Mitch
Khalil Everage as Chris
Paul Walter Hauser as Raymond "Stingray" Porter
Dan Ahdoot as Anoush
Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso
Peyton List as Tory Nichols
Nathaniel Oh as Nathaniel
Notable guests
Diora Baird as Shannon Keene
Susan Gallagher as Homeless Lynn
Terayle Hill as Trey
Jeff Kaplan as Cruz
Ken Davitian as Armand Zarkarian
Kim Fields as Sandra Robinson
Rob Garrison as Tommy
Ron Thomas as Bobby Brown
Tony O'Dell as Jimmy
Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso
Selah Austria as Piper
Rose Bianco as Rosa
John Cihangir as Doug Rickenberger
Chris Schmidt as Mikey
Tony Vo as Stiven
Episodes
Production
Development
Six days after the first season's release, YouTube renewed the series for a second season in May 2018. Series creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg continued to serve as showrunners, executive producers, writers, and directors for the season. Production began in late that year and the season consists of ten episodes. James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett also returned as executive producers alongside production companies Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television Studios. Following the season's release YouTube renewed the series for a third season.
Casting
Ralph Macchio and William Zabka continued to appear as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, respectively. Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, and Courtney Henggeler were also confirmed to return. Martin Kove, who had guest starred in the first-season finale, joined the season as a series regular, reprising the role John Kreese, from the first three films in the franchise. Jacob Bertrand and Gianni DeCenzo who recurred throughout the first season were also promoted to series regulars. Paul Walter Hauser and Peyton List were cast in recurring roles for the season. Additionally, other actors from the film franchise including Rob Garrison, Ron Thomas, Tony O'Dell, and Randee Haller made guest appearances during the season.