#TheKarateKid Returns (think #AmericanReunion (sequel to #AmericanPie), but with #Karate) in #CobraKai @CobraKaiSeries | @bostockswest @getFANDOM #Cobra #Kai #MiyagiDo #Dojo #Karateka #KarateChop

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I'm 'a child of the '80s,' so of-course I'll be obsessing over this series that picks up from where the classic movie (and its sequels ... which I probably saw, but do not remember much-of).

I start by looking at a few discussions (which you can GET PAID TO REPLY-TO) linked through 'those words' below; but first I want to understand those words better. And I find you understand words better if you look at 'the words at their base' (then going on to look at the words at those words' bases, then the words at those words' bases, etc.-etc. ad infinitum)
The word “Cobra” is built on ancient words that mean Snake, Female Serpent (of the |Hood (referring to the Loose, Expandable Skin about its Neck) ... |Adder, |Distaff-Like). 

Krease mentions that his trauma-filled life made it necessary for him to adopt a process
 the cobra uses---brumation ... a lot like hibernation, except the cobra stays awake for the whole
 duration (months, years ...) 

The word "Kai" ... it is a Japanese word that means Group, Organization; but it was probably used because 'Cobra Kai' sounds cool (and was probably inspired by the martial artists' yell). 
The word "Dojo" (|Hall in which a particular Method of |Judo is Practiced) is built on ancient words that mean "Place of the Way." 
The word "Karate" is built on ancient words that mean "Empty-, Bare Hand." 
LaRusso's Dojo is named Miyagi-Do, meaning 'the Way (Art, Method) of Mr. #Miyagi.' 
The surname "Miyagi" means "|Temple, Shrine, Palace" + |Castle.
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a little background on this worldwide- or maybe nationwide- or maybe (mostly) personal-obsession: In the mid-'80s, single mom Ms. LaRusso and her son Daniel move from 'New Jersey' to Reseda (The Valley), California. He has trouble fitting in, and the bullies at school (students of a local dojo called Cobra Kai) make Daniel seek help from Mr. Miyagi---a war-veteran & martial-arts expert who is currently the custodian of the apartment-complex.

That (with Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel about balance-&-control (ultimately symbolized by the tournament-winning Flying Crane Kick)), and their subsequent rise to win the All-Valley Karate Championship, make up the plot of the film The Karate Kid. 

The movie's sequels go on to show Daniel 'becoming a man' (or something ... it's been years since I've seen them). The last sequel was The Next Karate Kid (I don't even know if Daniel's a character in that one, as it's Mr. Miyagi taking up a new student). There was a 'reboot' recently, starring Jackie Chan & Will Smith's son (as Miyagi & Daniel ... or two characters filling the same roles, with different names)---they really should've called it 'The Kung-Fu Kid,' as that's even what the characters-themselves say they are doing!


Anyway, the series COBRA KAI opens with Johnny Lawrence (the leader of the bullies that terrorized Daniel, never brokered any peace with him except for defeat in the All-Valley Karate Tournaments)--nearly destitute--salvaging what he could of Cobra Kai and restarting the dojo with its old motto: "STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY."

As one element of his destitution, Johnny went and got some girl pregnant, and missed his son Robby's birth and most of his childhood up to this point. When Robby hears about Cobra Kai's reopening, he's even-more compelled to team-up with Daniel & help him (& Daniel's daughter Sam) resurrect Miyagi-Do Karate.

Now seen four seasons of COBRA KAI., waiting on the fifth.  (I don't think it's out yet; but if it is, it'll take me a while to get through it ...

(I'm kind of old-school ... from back in the day where you could only watch one episode (of each hot drama-series) per week---although I do watch at least one episode per day, I DO NOT BINGE! (which would probably be watching full seasons in one sitting))

I 'obsess' (in writing) by the 5W+H method---the Who, What, When, Where, Why & How. Starting with the who; you can find the cast at the above-linked 'source', but I take a few COBRA KAI character quizzes to see who gets my focus:
  • Are You More Cobra Kai Or Miyagi-Do? buzzfeed.com tells me, "You are 100% Miyagi-Do. You're brave, level-headed, and resilient. You're never one to back down from a fight, but you always weigh your options before committing. You're very in tune with your emotions because they're usually what motivate your actions. Some might consider your emotional intelligence weak, but they'd be underestimating you. You don't fight to win, you fight for what's right."
    • Cobra Kai Dojo Quiz (Which COBRA KAI dojo fits you?) buzzfeed.com tells me, "You're loyal to a fault and appreciate the history that comes with karate. The welcoming community and tight-knit group of friends are two big reasons you'd love being part of Miyagi-Do."
    • Who’s Your Cobra Kai Soulmate? buzzfeed.com tells me, "You belong with Sam! You love when you can talk to your partner about anything and everything and never get bored. Like Sam, you sometimes struggle with doing the right thing, but always find the courage to do so. That's why being together will allow you two to bring out your best qualities in each other."
    • Wait a minute! buzzfeed.com tells me I AM Sam! "You're brave, intelligent, and a total sweetheart. People sometimes mistake your kindness as a weakness, but you never fail to show people just how powerful you really are Like Sam, you are loyal, determined, and ambitious. You always try to do the right thing and care a lot about the people you love. People admire you and love having you as a friend."
  • Do you belong in Cobra Kai or Miyagi-do? - Quiz quotev.com tells me, "You belong in Cobra Kai!
    Cobra Kai's can be intimidading,strong,confident,independent,and popular.
    Some can be mean and others kind but you in the other hand can choose
    Do the right Thing!
    You are sassy af and badass af!"
    • Which karate kid dojo are you from? - Quiz (quotev.com) tells me, "Ah so your more of a zen person who repeats tradition! You like to follow Daniel and Mr Miyagi just like many others and you feel that karate should only ever be used in drastic situations. You fit in with Sam and Robby as well as many other late indicates like Demetri and Chris. Miyagi-Do is all about balance and teaching its students defence before attack, you display a calmer energy that is further more tamed by Mr Miyagi's teachings."
  • Quiz: Which Cobra Kai Character Are You? 2021 Version (quizexpo.com) tells me "You are a wise and experienced person. Just like Mr. Miyagi, you don’t believe in violence and hatred. Instead, you always try hard to bring the best in others, helping them achieve peace of mind. You seem to be a caring person whose kind heart leaves a memorable impression on others. Your fighting style as a Cobra Kai character would be Miyagi-Do, for sure. And you would definitely win the All-Valley tournament. By the way, we think your Cobra Kai crush would be either Daniel (if you like boys) or Amanda LaRusso if you are into girls."
  • Which Cobra Kai Character Are You? | Netflix | Cobra Kai | Personality Quiz on Beano.com tells me I'm Johnny Lawrence! "You're Johnny Lawrence! You're a complicated person... You have regrets, but you're trying really hard to be a good person. Your hot temper sometimes gets in the way, but your love for your friends and family keeps you grounded. Good job!"
  • Which 'Cobra Kai' Character Are You? | Geek Bomb agrees that I'm Johnny Lawrence. "You are always nice and very caring, despite being bullied when you were younger. You have developed a tough skin to get your through life."
  • But ProProfs thinks I'm Demitri ... (and yes, that's how ProProfs spells it; tho I know it might actually be 'Dmitri,' and I don't know whether that's the way COBRA KAI spells it). 
  • Which 'Cobra Kai' Character Are You? - Quiz - Zimbio tells me I'm Daniel LaRusso. 
  • The Cobra Kai Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign (looper.com) tells me that--a Cancerian--I'm Robby Keane, "a complicated character. He had a difficult childhood with an absent father, a neglectful mother, and an obligation to look out for himself from a very young age. For all those reasons, he's naturally defensive –- accustomed to taking beatings but strong enough to endure them. He's also a deeply sensitive and emotionally-attuned person, despite occasionally giving in to his more aggressive instincts when matters of honor or self-preservation are on the line.

    "In terms of the zodiac, Robby's sign is all about loyalty, sensitivity, and self-care. Symbolized by the crab, Cancers often feel the need to retreat into emotional shells, but that doesn't stop them from standing up for themselves or their loved ones, just as Robby never backs down from a fight. Like many Cancers, Robby takes some time to get to know, and his fear of being hurt has led him down some dark paths in the story of "Cobra Kai." However, he's generally continued to grow and heal as the show has continued, embodying the spirit of the zodiac's first water sign."
    • The Cobra Kai Dojo You Belong To Based On Your Zodiac Sign (looper.com) says my sign fits best at Miyagi-Do. "Caring but careful, calm but impassioned, discerning but hesitant — these are cornerstones of the Cancer sign, the first water sign of the zodiac, which rules from June 21 to July 22. Symbolized by the crab, Cancers are generally defensive in nature and highly empathetic, but they can be pushed to desperation and intensity just as often as they retreat into their shells. As the one dojo primarily centered on self-defense and emotional attunement, Miyagi-Do is the natural home for those who wear the sign of Cancer.

      The holistic philosophy of Miyagi-Do works perfectly with Cancer's natural sensitivity, compassion, and mind-body connection. The sign's less positive qualities (which include poor self-confidence and fear of betrayal) are aided by the communal and spiritual sides of Miyagi-Do's teachings. Robby Keene is an excellent example of a Cancer-esque personality, benefitting immensely from the dojo's unique style. Calm and patient training and a focus on emotional states helped Robby come to terms with some of his past traumas and actualize a better version of himself, and even though he later left Miyagi-Do Karate, there's no denying that his time there was a period of great growth and healing.


The What (i.e. 'What' the characters seem to think really matters) is ... well, it depends on your focus. From the quizzes above, my focus (though it's very all-over-the-place) is on Johnny Lawrence's perspective---partly based on 'my personality-types,' but mostly because I'm at 'the same place in life' (luckily not 'the same circumstance,' but more like 'the same age-group and relationship-status').

So the 'What' would be "trying to rectify my regrets and (or maybe 'by'?) helping the next generation avoid my mistakes."

The When doesn't really make a difference (except for the several jokes about Johnny's lack of technological experience, and Sensei Kreese's & -Silver's time in the Vietnam War).

That gets me started on Where---Vietnam, way before Now's 'Where' - The Valley (San Fernando Valley ... is that where Reseda is? or am I just 'projecting' that Tom Petty song?)
how HUGE it feels when you're in the midst of it ...

how miniscule it is in the wider scope


And Why ... I think I covered that in the 'What,' unless the question is "'Why' should we watch this?" For me, it's sort of my 'next level of growing up' (now that "finishing school and getting a job and getting married" is less-&-less likely (I don't think I ever liked 'that order' anyway), I'm ... on the loose! but just fine sitting at home and watching to make sure Brother Johnny finds the right way too ☯)



























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