Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña, who plays Miguel Diaz, explains why Miguel isn’t the show’s version of The Karate Kid. When it first debuted in 2018, it seemed as though Miguel was being positioned as the show’s main protagonist. But as it has progressed, although Miguel plays a key role in the story, he has also taken a more supporting role at times and shared the spotlight with other new characters like Robby, Hawk, Samantha, and Tory.

During Screen Rant‘s set visit to Cobra Kai season 6, Maridueña spoke about why Miguel can’t be thought of as the one and only Karate Kid like in the movies. The Blue Beetle star spoke of the fact that the Netflix show focuses on several underdogs and prioritizes different relationships, such as the bond between Miguel and Johnny. Read the full quote below:

I think the time is maybe what makes them different. I wouldn’t necessarily go as far as to say Miguel’s the Karate Kid. I think that is something very close to Daniel, and that character. I think it’s so nice to see that there are other underdog kids that can rise to the occasion, and for those reasons, I think they’re similar. But their differences, I think, getting to see over the course of these six seasons, the different areas that Miguel was able to operate in with Ralph, with Kreese, with Johnny Lawrence, I think has been really special. And in this last season, just going back to our roots, my favorite dynamic is always the Miguel-Johnny relationship. So, to get to finish strong with that is my only goal, and then outside of that, we’ll just have to see.

Miguel Still Has A Spotlight In Cobra Kai Season 6

Maridueña’s Character Still Has A Long Journey

In a notable departure from previous outings, Cobra Kai‘s season 5 ending wrapped up on a hopeful note by essentially ending all its major rivalries. By the time the finale rolled around, Daniel and Johnny were seemingly friends, Miguel and Robby were joking around as future step-siblings. Even in the case of Tory and Samantha, the former enemies were able to set aside their animosity for the greater good. When it comes to Miguel specifically, he’s left in a good place overall.

Miguel gets back together with Samantha, and the two share a kiss during the season 5 finale. As it prepares to return for Cobra Kai season 6, there are a few major unanswered questions related to John Kreese’s escape from prison. There’s also the confirmation that Cobra Kai season 6 will explore the international Sekai Taikai tournament and Miguel is a natural fit to be a leading contender in the Karate championship.

Even with the centrality of Maridueña’s character, the actor is right to point out that Cobra Kai‘s young cast tends to trade the role of main character. Unlike the Karate Kid movies, which focus on one character, the Netflix show is more of a group effort. With the last fifteen episodes split into three parts, with Part 2 arriving on November 28, there’s a natural avenue to let everyone shine.