Since premiering in 2018, Cobra Kai's actors being real, trained martial artists.

With former Karate Kid characters like Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence, and John Kreese reuniting, and a newer, younger cast learning the skills from scratch from Cobra Kai actors perform their own stunts and fight themselves.

11 Demetri Alexopoulos

Played by Gianni DeCenzo

This brainy and quirky character starts off the show with little interest in karate or any type of martial arts. He's best friends with Eli Moskowitz (Jacob Bertrand) who later transforms into his alter-ego, Hawk. The two initially the Cobra Kai dojo, after years of being bullied at school, but Johnny's (William Zabka) unorthodox tactics don't appeal to Demetri and he leaves. It's not until he s Miyagi-Do that he finds more joy in the ancient art form.

Under the teaching of Daniel LaRusso, he becomes a more confident fighter who can hold his own in many dangerous situations. As he follows his sensei's moral and ethical principles, his style of fighting reflects that. He showcases restraint, uses his opponents' aggression against them, and focuses more on counter-attacks. By the sixth season, he's good enough to make it to the Sekai Taikai, beating Eli to the last spot.

10 Kenny Payne

Played by Dallas Dupree Young

Another victim of bullying, Kenny starts off as a sweet and kind boy, but is pushed to his limits. He's taken under Robby's (Tanner Buchannan) wing at first, but he later s Cobra Kai under the guidance of Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). His anger and feelings of frustration are channeled into his fighting style, as he very much embraces the aggressive teachings of his sensei. He becomes one of the strongest fighters in his dojo, showcasing the ruthlessness and efficiency instilled by Silver.

He also channels his emotions in his fights, as he seeks revenge and retribution for his torment.

As one of the shorter of the team, he often takes on much taller opponents but uses his nimbleness and agility to outwit them. He also channels his emotions in his fights, as he seeks revenge and retribution for his torment. Once he's able to tame his rage and develops more empathy and restraint, he'll be able to achieve more balance in his currently forceful fighting style.

9 Terry Silver

Played by Thomas Ian Griffith

The character introduced in The Karate Kid Part III was an antagonist who was trained in the way of Tang Soo Do which originally influenced the Cobra Kai collective. He was one of the founders alongside Kreese (Martin Kove) who he knew from their time in the military. His brutality and ruthlessness influence his fighting style as he aims to not only beat his opponents but humiliate them as well. He prays on weaknesses and lacks any empathy whatsoever.

He is the inventor of the "Silver Bullet" move, which attacks the pressure point of his opponent, incapacitating them in the process. He teaches this to his students alongside many other ruthless tactics. His style of fighting is shaped by his violent past and lack of moral com. He's an elegant fighter and a skilled martial artist, but he's also brutal, cruel, and manipulative.

8 Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz

Played by Jacob Bertrand

When Eli is first introduced in season 1, he's into video games and is a great student. Witty but timid, he's constantly bullied at school alongside his friend Demetri. When he s Cobra Kai, the dojo is under the very creative leadership of Johnny Lawrence. He follows the "strike first" philosophy of fighting, which is how he channels his anger and frustrations. With Johnny's overtly toxicly masculine and politically questionable influence, he transforms into Hawk, gaining a new tattoo, Mohawk hairdo and a lot of confidence in the process.

He becomes one of the strongest fighters of the show, often taking down some of the more prominent characters, and gaining prominence on the competition circuit. He even won the All-Valley tournament.

While his initial training is by way of the Cobra Kai, he later s Miyagi-Do which introduces more tactical thinking into his technique. While Johnny is clearly the sensei he connected with the most, even ing the Eagle Fang splinter group at one point, his athleticism, talent, and dedication make him one of the most formidable fighters in the Valley and beyond.

7 Tory Nichols

Played by Peyton List

When Tory Nichols arrives on the scene in season 2, she is tough, and has a chip on her shoulder. She immediately clashes with Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mo), and the two continue their on-and-off rivalry throughout the show's six seasons, with Sam and Tory fighting many times in Cobra Kai. A strong opponent, she uses karate to unleash her many strong emotions, often leading to her taking it too far and causing both emotional and physical damage.

Taught by both Johnny and John Kreese at Cobra Kai, she's relentless and aggressive, always utilizing her street-smart capabilities. He definitely "strikes hard", especially at first, but as she spends time at Miyagi-Do she learns how to control her emotions and use them better. Fueled for a long time by her rivalry with Sam, she feels the need to prove herself to those around her. As one of the strongest fighters in any dojo she's a part of, it's clear her talent and abilities can take her far.

6 John Kreese

Played by Martin Kove

As the complex antagonist of the Karate Kid films as well as Cobra Kai, this imposing figure is the source of a lot of conflict. As one of the founding of the infamous dojo, he teaches his students to show no mercy, and he very much leads by example. Adapting the styles displayed in Tang Soo Do, he mixes precision and fluidity with aggression and a need to dominate. His military background influenced his approach to fighting and combat tactics.

Not averse to using dirty tactics, he even es down these teachings to his proteges over the years. His cruelty is showcased in his fighting style as well as his choices as a sensei. He encourages his students to strike first, and he preys on their weaknesses and insecurities to get them on his side. While he shows glimpses of growth throughout the run of Cobra Kai, especially compared to Silver's overly evil actions, the gruff brutality originally instilled by Captain Turner and Kim remains prevalent throughout his various fights.

5 Samantha LaRusso

Played by Mary Mo

Raised by Daniel LaRusso who ed along Mr. Miyagi's wisdom, Sam's training started early, and, as a result, Sam's fighting style in Cobra Kai emulates his in the earlier seasons. The two spent time together learning the ways of patience and defense. As she's seen utilizing circular movements and a lot of blocking, she avoids direct confrontation and aggression. Her fiercest opponent is Tory Nichols, who awakens a rage and anger that she didn't realize she could even display, much to the surprise of her sensei father.

As she spends more time with Johnny Lawrence, he allows her to channel some of the more visceral parts of her personality. She stands up to Tory and even applies some of his techniques in the All-Valley tournament. This mix of Miyagi-Do wisdom and Cobra Kai edge, make her a very skilled fighter who can use her opponents' weaknesses to her advantage.

4 Robby Keene

Played by Tanner Buchanan

Johnny Lawrence's son develops a close relationship with Daniel LaRusso in season 1 and learns the way of Miyagi-Do karate. He's a talented fighter and great student, with innate natural abilities and physical strength. His journey throughout the series leads him to also Cobra Kai, where he's able to take in the teachings of the rivaling school of fighting. He utilizes the forceful and offensive nature of the dojo which he often uses when fighting.

Robby is probably one of the most well-rounded of all the fighters in the show.

Being able to combine the precision and tactical approach of sensei LaRusso's teachings, as well as the more badass skills showcased by sensei Lawrence, and even the ruthless moves of sensei Kreese, Robby is probably one of the most well-rounded of all the fighters in the show.

3 Miguel Diaz

Played by Xolo Maridueña

Miguel is a very layered character. Ambitious and kind, but very competitive, he forms a deep bond with Johnny Lawrence at the very start of the show that grows even stronger throughout the show's run. He's initially taught by sensei Lawrence, who instills in him the instincts that stay with him for a long time. He's agile, nimble, and strong, with a creative and original fighting technique.

As he inevitably becomes familiar with the teachings of Miyagi-Do, he uses the skills of restraint and tactical thinking to make him one of the best all-round fighters, even winning him the All-Valley trophy. Over the course of the show, he uses sensei Lawrence's and sensei LaRusso's teachings in his fights against Robby, Hawk, and Tory, displaying his adaptability to any opponent. His natural leadership skills and empathy make him someone many of the other students look up to.

2 Johnny Lawrence

Played by William Zabka

As the primary antagonist of The Karate Kid, Johnny Lawrence is an arrogant and petulant young man and displays his impetuousness in his fighting style as well. Trained in the way of the Cobra Kai, their motto, "Strike first. Strike hard. No Mercy.", was instilled in him from a young age. Under the tutelage of sensei John Kreese, he leads with aggression and brute strength. His rivalry with LaRusso lasts decades and even though he's defeated in the All-Valley tournament back in 1984, he brings back the dojo that shaped him to a new generation.

Though initially following the Tang Soo Do techniques brought forth by Kreese and Silver, he undergoes multiple transformations over the course of Cobra Kai. While initially sticking to the no-mercy approach and '80s tough-guy stylings, he eventually becomes much more evolved and empathetic. One of the more experienced fighters and senseis on Cobra Kai, he ed along his ion for karate to so many more people, and even reignited the spark in his formal arch nemesis.