Finding out exactly when does Karate Kid Legends take place is like trying to master the crane kick on a wobbly pier. It takes balance. You’ve got decades of history from the original movies, the 2010 reboot with Jackie Chan, and of course, the massive Netflix hit Cobra Kai.
Honest truth? The timeline is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. But it's finally solved.
If you’re sitting there wondering if Daniel LaRusso is still dealing with the fallout of the Sekai Taikai or if Mr. Han has just been chilling in Beijing for fifteen years, I've got the answers. The short version: Karate Kid Legends takes place three years after the events of the Cobra Kai series finale. Let's break down what that actually means for the story, the characters, and why 2023—or maybe even 2024—is the year that changes everything for the Miyagi-verse.
The Three-Year Time Jump: Why It Matters
Ralph Macchio himself basically confirmed the timeline in a Variety interview, noting that there’s a distinct gap. He wanted to make sure Daniel LaRusso’s journey felt earned. In Cobra Kai, we saw Daniel go through the ringer. He dealt with Terry Silver’s return, the global spotlight of the Sekai Taikai, and the constant stress of running a dojo while his kids grew up.
By the time we hit the events of Karate Kid: Legends, Daniel has had a minute to breathe. Or at least, as much as Daniel can breathe without getting sucked into a new rivalry.
Where Does This Put Us in the "Real" World?
Calculating the exact calendar year is where fans usually start arguing on Reddit. Here’s the deal:
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- Cobra Kai Season 6 actually wraps up around late 2020 or early 2021 within the show's internal logic (even though the show aired until 2025).
- If we add the "three-year gap" Macchio mentioned, Karate Kid Legends is set around 2023 or 2024.
This explains why Daniel looks a bit older and has that longer, slightly more "seasoned mentor" haircut. He’s not the hot-headed guy trying to prove a point anymore. He’s a legend.
Linking the Jackie Chan Universe
This is the big one. For years, fans thought the 2010 Karate Kid with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith was a totally separate thing. A "remake" that didn't touch the "Miyagi-verse."
Well, the writers decided to bridge that gap.
Since the 2010 film took place in 2010, there is roughly a 13-to-14-year gap for Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). In Legends, Mr. Han isn't just a maintenance man anymore. He’s built a successful kung fu school. He’s been training Li Fong (played by Ben Wang) in Beijing, and then the story shifts to New York City.
The Connection Nobody Saw Coming
Director Jonathan Entwistle dropped a bombshell: the Han and Miyagi families are actually connected. Apparently, if you look back into the deeper lore of the franchise, there are hints of this. Mr. Miyagi’s ancestor, Shimpo Miyagi, supposedly ended up in China while fishing in the 17th century.
That’s where the "Two Branches, One Tree" philosophy comes from. It isn't just a cool line for the trailer; it's the glue that holds the 1984 timeline and the 2010 timeline together.
Does Cobra Kai Impact the Plot?
Kinda. But also, not really.
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If you haven't watched all six seasons of Cobra Kai, don't panic. You can walk into the theater for Karate Kid: Legends and not be totally lost. The movie is designed to be a "standalone chapter." Think of it like a new graphic novel in a long-running series.
- Johnny Lawrence: He’s mentioned and even makes a quick cameo at the end, but he’s not a main player.
- The Kids: Don't expect Miguel, Robbie, or Sam to show up for a group hug. They’ve moved on with their lives—college, careers, probably trying to forget how many times they almost died in a school hallway fight.
- Miyagi-Do: Daniel is still carrying the torch, but the focus is firmly on Li Fong and his move to New York.
The New York Setting: A Fresh Start
The move to New York City is a huge deal for the timeline. It pulls Daniel away from the Valley, which has been the center of the universe since 1984.
Li Fong is a fish out of water, much like Daniel was in the original. He’s a kung fu prodigy from Beijing who gets bullied by a karate champion named Conor. This sets up the perfect excuse for Mr. Han and Daniel to team up.
One brings the Kung Fu. The other brings the Miyagi-Do Karate.
Why the Timeline Matters for the Fight Scenes
Because the movie takes place a few years after the show, the stakes feel different. This isn't just a tournament between teenagers in a gymnasium. The "Five Boroughs" tournament in NYC has a $50,000 prize. That’s real-world money.
The fighting style is also evolving. Since Li Fong has to merge two very different martial arts styles, the choreography is way more fluid than what we saw in the early Karate Kid movies.
Fact-Checking the Major Dates
To keep it simple, here is how the timeline actually flows:
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- 1984: Daniel wins the All Valley (The original Karate Kid).
- 2010: Mr. Han trains Dre Parker in Beijing (The 2010 Karate Kid).
- 2017-2021: The events of Cobra Kai (Seasons 1 through 6).
- 2023/2024: The setting of Karate Kid: Legends.
Honestly, it’s impressive they made it work. Retconning Jackie Chan’s character into the main Daniel LaRusso universe was a bold move, but it actually fills in some of the "legacy" gaps that Cobra Kai left open.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to be fully prepped for the movie, you don't need to rewatch every single episode of the show. Instead, focus on these three things to understand the context:
- Watch the 2010 Karate Kid: Since Mr. Han is a lead character, knowing his backstory with "Dre" (even though Dre isn't in this one) helps you understand his teaching style.
- Finish Season 6 of Cobra Kai: You need to see where Daniel's head is at. He's at peace with the past, which is why he’s open to working with someone like Mr. Han.
- Look for the "Shimpo Miyagi" references: If you rewatch The Karate Kid Part II, listen closely to the stories about Miyagi's ancestors. It makes the connection in Legends feel way more satisfying.
The most important thing to remember is that Karate Kid: Legends is about the future, not just the past. It’s about taking the lessons from 1984 and 2010 and handing them to a new kid in a new city. Balance restored.