Cobra Kai Season 6 Interview: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka & Yuji Okumoto

Ralph Macchio has been playing Daniel LaRusso since The Karate Kid began filming in October 1983. He’s now played the character in three feature films and five seasons of Cobra Kai, with the sixth set to kick off on Netflix on July 18th. Yes, Daniel’s gone through a significant and compelling evolution each step of the way, but how do you continue to keep that up? Even Macchio himself admits he’s wondered, “What can we do to unearth something with this guy that he's not just working at the dealership and being a pain in the ass to Johnny, and loving his family?” Turns out, Cobra Kai Season 6 found a character-changing, and franchise-changing way to do just that.

When Season 6 begins, there’s peace in the valley. Cobra Kai is out of the picture and Daniel, Johnny (William Zabka), and Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) are able to join forces and focus on getting their students ready for the Sekai Taikai — for the most part. Not only are Daniel and Johnny still butting heads about teaching methods, but Johnny also has a baby on the way, and Daniel has his world rocked when shocking information is unearthed by his longtime teacher, mentor and idol, Pat Mortia’s Mr. Miyagi. 

With the release of Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 1 right around the corner, I got the chance to sit down with Macchio, Zabka, and Okumoto to discuss what’s coming their way this time around. The trio reminisced about especially memorable moments from filming Season 6, Zabka discussed the pressure Johnny is under heading into the Sekai Taikai, Macchio addressed how this new Mr. Miyagi information will crack open the character of Daniel LaRusso like never before, and more.

#cobrakai #netflix #interview #karatekid #ralphmacchio

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[zaandarbrow]

Hearing chozen's real voice shook me as much ad Miyagi

[hassanmasood]

It’s crazy that Daniel has all 3 of his former arch rivals in the same dojo

[Qabaqosain_mix]

Bro billy js casually admitted he’ll be working at larusso auto😭😭

[ChristianKrogh-Denmark]

Seeing these three badass dudes, sitting next to one another, talking about the 6th and final season to a show, that’ll put a bow on what began 40 years ago, is sooo f’ing surreal!! As a life-long fan, with Karate Kid being the first film I vividly remember seeing as a little kid, I feel so blessed! It’s truly a fan’s dream, how they’ve handled this whole thing 🫶🥲 And now BARNES will too be back alongside them.. Mind_blowing 🤯 This shouldn’t have worked.. But it DID! 🙏🥰

[JamalBernardPulliam]

Great interview! As always, Perri is a fantastic interviewer! Can't wait for the final season of Cobra Kai!!! 🙂

[resurekt]

I'm not ready for this show to end, but if it's what it needs then I fully respect that ❤

[Ostro]

All the Karate Kid movies end with the "Final Fight" and they all delivered. Cobra Kai has to do the same. Reach back into the Bill Conti music here and bring it home!

[thisme]

Johnny just revealed he’s working at Larusso auto🌚

[cupchamp]

Mike Barnes should have been at this interview. The four horsemen. Daniel, Johnny, Chozen and Mike

[ataylor]

I love that they give this show so much depth….it’s a refreshing take

[cmstrike]

Always enjoy Perri's Cobra Kai interviews!

[iTzYoMasterXX]

I'm hoping Chozen or Daniel says, "Small price to pay for honor!"

[augustinensang]

Ok, NO ONE pay any attention to Alan Chamberlain's toxicity and recycling of stupid complaints about the actors and the show's legacy. The cast and crew have been doing a fine job with the show and I would love to see how they finish this show with it's last season.

[tonyschannel]

Honestly I was kind of hoping that Yuji's real voice would sound more like Howard Cosell

[AUClay]

Yuji Okumoto was amazing in Real Genius and Better off Dead!!! Two forgotten 80’s classics!!!

[grudgematch]

I can’t believe the actor of chozen sounds completely different!!

[bigogarland]

Medal of Honor winner Mr Miyagi… Fled Japan in dishonor… He was always a layered but balanced character.

[MegaLucifer]

Love the new Chozen. Though they made his English fade, to resemble Mr miyagi❤

[PhantomFilmAustralia]

Chozen's been practicing his American accent. He's gotten pretty good.

[severedskull]

yk watching this makes me wonder if there'll be a little teaser at the end of ck for the new movie