I can’t emphasize enough how much I enjoyed the latest installment in the Karate Kid franchise. Cobra Kai is well-written with fun nods to our favorite bits from the movies and well-acted, with Ralph Macchio and William Zabka turning in great performances.

Shea Serrano, writing for The Ringer, provides a great overview of the series, explaining the nostalgia while also how the creators turned The Karate Kid upside down.

I think the real star of the series is Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz. His story arc is what the entire season is about. From nerdy kid to “strike first, strike hard,” he anchors the the Johnny and Daniel story viewers thought they were getting. In fact, it provided way more of a generational feel than, say, another nostalgic trip looking to add new, younger characters to the fold like Star Wars Episode 7 and 8.

If you have ever crane-kicked off the side of your bed, Cobra Kai should adequately pull at the appropriate nostalgia strings.