If you’re a fan of the valley and the endless karate wars, you might think you know everything there is to know about the show that saved the Karate Kid legacy. But honestly, it’s wild to look back at how it all started. It wasn't always a Netflix juggernaut. It didn't start with millions of viewers hitting play on a Friday night.
The Cobra Kai season 1 release date was May 2, 2018.
Back then, the world was a different place. People were skeptical. A sequel to a 30-year-old movie franchise? Starring the original guys who were now in their fifties? It sounded like a recipe for a cringey nostalgia trip. But when those first ten episodes dropped, everything changed.
Where Did Cobra Kai Season 1 Actually Start?
Most people assume the show has always been on Netflix. Wrong. The Cobra Kai season 1 release date of May 2, 2018, took place on a platform called YouTube Red. Remember that?
YouTube was trying to be the next big streaming player. They wanted their own Stranger Things. They poured money into original scripted content, and Cobra Kai was their crown jewel. If you wanted to see Johnny Lawrence try to fix a septic tank or Miguel Diaz get his butt kicked by Kyler’s gang, you had to pay for a YouTube subscription.
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The first episode, "Ace Degenerate," was actually free for everyone to watch. It was a smart move. Millions of people clicked on it out of curiosity, saw Johnny’s run-down Firebird and his sad, Banquet-beer-fueled life, and they were hooked. It wasn't just a reboot. It was a complete subversion of the original "hero" vs "villain" dynamic.
The Magic of the 2018 Debut
Why did it work? It’s simple. The show took Johnny Lawrence, the "jerk" from the 1984 All-Valley Tournament, and made him human. We saw his perspective. We saw how a single crane kick to the face basically ruined his life for three decades.
Meanwhile, Daniel LaRusso—the "hero"—was living the dream as a successful car dealer. He had the beautiful family, the big house, and a billboard with his face on it. But he was also kind of a tool. He used his karate fame to sell cars. He was smug. The Cobra Kai season 1 release date gave us a story where the lines were blurred. There were no "good guys" or "bad guys" anymore. Just people trying to figure out their lives.
The Cast That Made It Happen
The chemistry was instant. You had:
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- William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence (The heart of the show)
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso (The rival)
- Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz (The new kid)
- Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene (Johnny’s estranged son)
- Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso (Daniel’s daughter)
They managed to balance the old-school nostalgia with a fresh, teenage drama that didn't feel like a CW rip-off. It felt real.
The Move from YouTube to Netflix
By 2020, YouTube decided they were done with the scripted TV business. They wanted to focus on unscripted stuff and "creators." This left Cobra Kai in limbo. Fans were terrified the show would die after season two.
Then Netflix stepped in.
In August 2020, Netflix re-released the first two seasons. That’s when the show truly exploded. It went from a "hidden gem" on a niche platform to a global phenomenon. People who missed the original Cobra Kai season 1 release date in 2018 were suddenly binging the whole thing in a weekend. It was the ultimate sleeper hit.
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Why You Should Rewatch Season 1
If you haven’t seen the first season since it first came out, go back. It’s tighter than the later seasons. The stakes feel more personal. There aren't twenty different dojos yet. It’s just Johnny, Miguel, and a dream to bring back the "No Mercy" philosophy—even if Johnny didn't quite realize how toxic that was going to become.
The finale of season 1, "Mercy," is still one of the best episodes in the entire series. The way the tournament plays out, with Miguel winning but losing his soul in the process, set the stage for everything that followed. And that final scene? The return of John Kreese? Absolute chills.
How to Watch Cobra Kai Season 1 Today
Thankfully, you don't need a YouTube Red subscription anymore. All six seasons, including the legendary first ten episodes, are available on Netflix.
If you're looking for that specific 2018 magic, here's what to keep in mind:
- Episode Count: 10 episodes.
- Run Time: About 30 minutes each.
- The Vibe: Gritty, funny, and deeply nostalgic.
Actionable Insight: If you're a newcomer, don't skip to the later seasons. Start with the pilot. Watch how the relationship between Johnny and Miguel develops. It is the emotional anchor of the entire franchise. For the hardcore fans, go back and watch the "Halloween" episode in season 1. It’s a masterclass in how to use callbacks without being annoying.
The Cobra Kai season 1 release date started a revolution in how we handle legacy sequels. It proved that you can respect the past while moving forward. Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy.