Only nine months after season 4 of Cobra Kai premiered on Netflix, the show has premiered its fifth season and is better than ever. The season had plenty of shocking story twists, along with many memorable performances, proving once again that both the writers and the actors haven’t lost any of their momentum.
Season 5 also introduced some new characters and even brought back more familiar faces from The Karate Kid sequels for surprising guest appearances. Every major and supporting character was given their own unique opportunities to shine bright, and with them, came even more memorable lines of dialogue that are sure to resonate with fans.
“There’s A Difference Between Being Heard And Being Listened To. They Heard You, But They Listen To Me.”
Silver Mocks Robby’s Recruitment Attempt (Episode 9)
The end of season 4 found Robby making amends with Johnny after turning his back on Cobra Kai’s brutal teachings, and he spends most of the season 5 making up for his mistakes and even trying to convince others, like Tory and Kenny, to leave as well (to no avail). He makes one final attempt to sway them in episode 9, only to fail once again.
In response, Silver displays his dominance over the class, and while Tory shows further reluctance, it’s clear that Kenny and the rest are too far gone and completely under Silver’s influence. Kreese has had his fair share of memorable quotes and despicably evil moments, but it’s scenes such as this that prove that Silver’s villainy is on a much higher level.
“What Was That Sound? Pain? Pain Does Not Exist!”
Kim-Da-Eun’s Brutal Methods (Episode 6)
One of the new characters introduced this season was Kim Da-Eun, daughter of Silver and Kreese’s former Sensei, Kim Sung-Yang. Her teaching methods are just as cruel and harsh as her personality, and it becomes more than obvious when she forces Tory and Devon to fight each other without holding back, and showing no sympathy for Devon’s physical pain in her defeat.
While it felt like the season was building her up as a major antagonist, Da-Eun isn’t seen again after Silver’s arrest, leaving her fate unknown for now. It seems likely that she’ll return in season 6 however, and will no doubt have even more devilish quotes that will be sure rival the biggest Cobra Kai villains.
“The Only Way You Really Lose Is By Giving Up.”
Devon Quotes Her Mom (Episode 6)
In one of the biggest reveals from the season 5 trailer, Devon was shown to have joined Cobra Kai (much to Johnny’s chagrin) after Eagle Fang’s disbandment. However, she still had reservations about joining and after being questioned by Tory as to why she’s still sticking around despite her doubts, she answers with an old quote her mom used to tell her.
This one quote became the starting point for the development of Tory and Devon’s dynamic, and they eventually realize that they actually have quite a lot in common and manage to gain mutual respect for one another. Despite their initial antagonistic attitudes, Tory empathizes with the loss of Devon’s mother and even becomes something of mentor to her.
“You’ll Get Your Turn. Kyler’s Too Stupid To Ever Learn His Lesson.”
Hawk Hits Kyler With The Truth (Episode 10)
Eli (“Hawk”) went through an incredibly endearing redemption arc in season 4 after leaving Cobra Kai, rekindling his friendship with Demetri, winning Miyagi-Do the Boys Division title at the All-Valley, and finally embracing his true self. His longtime bully, Kyler, on the other hand, hasn’t experienced any growth whatsoever, with even Hawk reminding him, “half of everyone you’ve bullied has kicked your ass by now.”
Demetri had yet to do so, but Hawk assured him he’s get his chance, while directly mocking Kyler with an undeniable fact. The line was a satisfying blow to Kyler’s ego and started a fight that finally allowed Demetri to get his own moment to take him down.
“For What? Mercy?”
Kreese’s Answer To The Doctor “Begging” Him (Episode 10)
After being framed for Stingray’s assault, John Kreese attended therapy sessions in prison where the audience got to see a much more vulnerable side to him that had never been seen before. While it seemed like show was setting up a redemption for him, it was a complete misdirect.
Faking his own death once again and escaping while donning the prison doctor’s uniform, Kreese was given the final line of the season, ending it on one of the most unexpected of cliffhangers. The ending has raised many questions in regard to where the story might go in season 6, but the answer to what exactly Kreese’s endgame is will sadly have to wait.
“And I Am Gasoline. Boom.”
Chozen’s Answer To Silver Telling Daniel He’s “Playing With Fire” (Episode 3)
The season 4 finale showed Daniel having enlisted Chozen to assist him in his takedown of Cobra Kai. Silver became aware of their plan and confronted them at a country club, warning Daniel not to push his plan any further. Chozen, however, refused to be intimidated and responded with a warning of his own.
Several fans have praised Chozen as one of the standout characters of the season, and it’s quotes such as this that have helped establish him as a fan-favorite. He had several great lines of dialogue, but this is one quote that stands as one of the most memorable.
“It Tastes Like Watermelon Took A P*ss.”
Johnny Drinks A White Claw For The First Time (Episode 9)
It’s been a running joke throughout the series just how behind the times Johnny Lawrence really is, but this season showed him making more of an attempt to catch up with the modern world. This included getting a smartphone, a new job doing ride-shares and food deliveries, and even trying new things, such as White Claw hard seltzers.
After their pregnancy is announced, Johnny and Carmen are taken out to a nightclub by the LaRusso’s and Chozen to celebrate, where a certain “badass” sounding beverage piques Johnny’s interest. He spits it out first, resulting in one of the funniest lines of the season, before going back for another sip anyway.
“We’re Not Here To Take A Lesson, We’re Here To Teach You One.”
Johnny And Chozen Take On A Cobra Kai Sensei (Episode 6)
Daniel’s brutal loss to Silver in episode 5 invigorates both Johnny and Chozen in the following episode, as they decide to confront Silver at the Topanga dojo. Silver isn’t there when they walk in, but they instead decide to make an example out of one his newly recruited Sensei’s.
Before the fight, Johnny drops a line that became one of the biggest highlights of the season’s official trailer. There have been many Johnny quotes that are both badass and hilarious throughout the show, but this was one of his best ones to fall into the former category.
“No One Can Take Honor From You. Only You Can Take Honor From Yourself.”
Chozen Trains Tory (Episode 2)
At the beginning of episode 2, Chozen is shown training Tory while posing as a Sensei with a different name to infiltrate Cobra Kai and gain knowledge on Silver. At the same time, Tory had been struggling with the knowledge that her All-Valley win was only due to Silver bribing the referee, and she had no idea how to deal with it.
Even though he was undercover, Chozen still took this moment with Tory seriously, recognizing her struggle and passing on a few Miyagi-esque words of wisdom that she desperately needed to hear. There were several fan theories predicting an interaction between these two characters, and this quotes just goes to show how Chozen is the perfect mentor for Tory.
“It’s Normally Twelve-Hundred, But What The Hell? For You… Two Grand!”
Mike Barnes Sells A Couch To Chozen (Episode 3)
Season 5 also brought back another past villain: Mike Barnes from The Karate Kid Part III. While Daniel had assumed he’d be working with Silver, it turned out that Barnes had become the owner of a furniture store and had turned his life around a long time ago. He even greets Daniel with a heartfelt apology before being attacked by Chozen in a hilarious misunderstanding.
After cooling down from the fight, Chozen takes a liking to a couch and decides to buy it; but Mike, still annoyed about the situation, decides to get even by overcharging him. It was only a matter of time before Mike had showed up on Cobra Kai; and by the time he did, it made for a moment that was just as amusing as it was heartwarming.
