Despite defining the Sekai Taikai as an international karate competition, Cobra Kai ended its world tournament in the stomping grounds of its main characters. After holding the vast majority of the events pertaining to the 16 Sekai Tekai teams in Barcelona, the tournament was abruptly adjourned - only for it to be resumed in the Valley. The decision made the final episode the third instance in Cobra Kai's six-season run where a competition was held in this particular venue.
The change in location was striking, considering the Sekai Taikai's history. Though the tournament isn't tied down to one place, it was established early on that the Sekai Taikai is associated primarily with Asia. But as Gunther explained in season 5, an increase in interest from the West resulted in an expanded focus. That set the stage for season 6 to mark the first time the Sekai Taikai was held in a European country. Its lack of any sort of presence in the West prior to that highlighted the unprecedented nature of the finals taking place in the Valley. But, this did occur under extenuating circumstances.
Terry Silver Let Daniel And Johnny Pick The Sekai Taikai’s Location If They Agreed To Resume The Tournament
The Continuation Of The Tournament Depended On Daniel's Participation
Since the Valley hasn't been depicted as a major metropolitan area in The Karate Kid franchise, it's hard to imagine the Valley being picked to serve this role in any other situation. The selection of the Valley wasn't made onscreen, but it was the clear choice of Daniel LaRusso, who received full control over this decision. Normally, one of the competing dojos' senseis wouldn't have anywhere near kind of power, but as Sekai Taikai chairman Gunther Braun laid out in episode 11, every sensei had to agree to participate in order for the tournament to be resumed.
It's no surprise he'd go with a location that was not only close to home, but also the place where he won both of his championships.
All the others were quick to cooperate, leaving Daniel as the only one who had to be swayed. That inadvertently gave Daniel a great deal of leverage, as it pushed Terry Silver into making some sizable concessions. In addition to picking the referees, Daniel could also choose the venue. It's no surprise he'd go with a location that was not only close to home, but also the place where he won both of his championships. Plus, it was a familiar venue for Johnny and Daniel's students in Cobra Kai.
Why Terry Silver Got To Arrange Where The Sekai Taikai Finals Would Be Fought
Gunther Braun Gave Terry Silver The Authority To Make Decisions On Behalf Of The Sekai Taikai
Of course, Daniel wouldn't have had this level of authority if Terry Silver hadn't been similarly empowered by the Sekai Taikai committee. The tragic death of Kwon in Cobra Kai season 6 part 2 naturally culiminated in the immediate cancellation of the Sekai Taikai, and it made sense to do so given that a competitor had been killed. The threat of controversy kept the Sekai Taikai from continuing, but Terry Silver made a persuasive push to Gunther Braun to reverse course. Because of Silver's connections and influence, Gunther had an incentive to trust him with the task of arranging the tournament's continuation.
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As Terry Silver explained, he could utilize the publicity of the situation - regardless of the blowback from resuming it in the wake of Kwon's death - to make the Sekai Taikai bigger than ever. Believing that Silver might be capable of pulling this off, it would seem that Gunter authorized Terry Silver to negotiate various conditions, all in the interest of obtaining the support of all the senseis. After all, it couldn't happen without everyone being on board.
Why Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 3 Really Brought The Sekai Taikai To The Valley
The Story Needed To Be Brought Full Circle
While Cobra Kai did much to justify the Valley hosting the final rounds of the Sekai Taikai, it's apparent that there were other reasons for the relocation that go beyond the narrative. Along with Mr. Miyagi's home, the All Valley Sports Arena is one of the two most significant locations in The Karate Kid franchise, so it was fitting for the series to find a way to bring the story back there for its conclusion. Due to this decision, Johnny was able to beat Wolf in the same place where he famously lost to Daniel in 1984, the moment that ultimately kicked off his Cobra Kai journey to begin with.
Revisiting All Valley Sports Arena was also necessary for the story of the show itself, not just that of its wider universe. It's important to note that the All Valley Sports Arena was the venue for two of the show's previous tournaments, including its first. The series was clearly honoring that history as well, hence the decision to let the original announcer from season 1 and 4 - Keith Arthur Bolden's Daryl - call the final match between Wolf and Johnny in Cobra Kai's series finale.
Cobra Kai
5/10
Release Date 2018 - 2024
Network Netflix, YouTube Premium
Showrunner Jon Hurwitz
Directors Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, Joel Novoa, Jennifer Celotta, Steven K. Tsuchida, Sherwin Shilati, Marielle Woods, Steve Pink, Lin Oeding, Michael Grossman
Writers Josh Heald, Ashley Darnall, Chris Rafferty, Bill Posley
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Ralph Macchio
Daniel LaRusso
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English (US) ·