If you grew up in the eighties, the name Chozen Toguchi probably triggers a very specific memory. You likely remember him as the terrifying antagonist in The Karate Kid Part II, the guy who literally tried to kill Daniel LaRusso during a thunderstorm in Okinawa. He was cold. He was lethal. He was the definition of a "bad guy" who had no redeeming qualities. Fast forward three decades, and the internet is collectively obsessed with his return. So, who plays Chozen in Cobra Kai? That would be the incredibly talented Yuji Okumoto.
But honestly, just knowing his name isn't the whole story. What Okumoto has done with this character in the Netflix revival is nothing short of a masterclass in acting. He didn't just show up for a paycheck or a quick nostalgia hit. He took a two-dimensional villain from 1986 and turned him into the most lovable, socially awkward, and fiercely loyal "honky" (as he jokingly calls himself) on the show. It’s rare to see an actor get a second chance to fix a character’s legacy, but Yuji ran with it.
The man behind the gi: Yuji Okumoto's journey
Yuji Okumoto wasn't just some random actor they found for the sequel back in the day. He’s a Hollywood veteran who has been working consistently for forty years. Born in Los Angeles, he’s a third-generation Japanese American who actually grew up with a background in martial arts. That’s why his moves look so polished; he isn't just faking it for the cameras.
He studied Chito-ryu karate, which gave him that grounded, powerful stance you see when he’s facing off against Silver or Kreese. Before Cobra Kai brought him back into the mainstream spotlight, you might have spotted him in Christopher Nolan’s Inception, or perhaps The Truman Show. He’s been everywhere. Yet, for most of the world, he will always be Chozen.
It’s funny how life works. For years, fans would see him on the street and probably feel a slight twinge of fear because he played that villainous role so convincingly. Now? People just want to grab a beer with him and talk about "the drum technique."
Breaking the villain mold
When the creators of Cobra Kai—Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg—reached out to Yuji, he was reportedly hesitant. He didn't want Chozen to be a joke, and he certainly didn't want him to be the same angry guy he was in high school.
Instead, they gave him depth.
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In Season 3, when Daniel travels to Okinawa, we find out that Chozen spent years in shame. He contemplated ending his life because of the disgrace he brought to his uncle, Sato. This bit of backstory changed everything. It transformed him from a "boss fight" into a human being. Yuji plays this with such a quiet, simmering regret that you can't help but root for him.
Why Chozen became the MVP of the later seasons
By the time Season 5 rolled around, Yuji Okumoto basically stole the show. There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when you put a deadly assassin in a suburban backyard in the Valley.
Seeing Chozen navigate modern American life—drinking "Long Island Iced Teas" and trying to understand Tinder—is peak comedy. But Yuji never loses the edge. One minute he’s making a joke about his "little friend" (his sai), and the next, he’s taking on five Senseis in a bloody brawl.
The range required for that is immense.
- The Comedy: His deadpan delivery is perfect.
- The Pathos: His unrequited love for Kumiko adds a layer of sadness.
- The Action: At nearly 65 years old, his physicality is still top-tier.
Most actors would lean too hard into the "funny foreigner" trope, but Yuji keeps Chozen’s dignity intact. He’s still a master. He’s still dangerous. He just happens to be a little out of his element when he isn't fighting for his life.
Real martial arts vs. screen fighting
It's worth noting that Yuji’s real-life experience makes the choreography in Cobra Kai much easier for the stunt team. While Ralph Macchio and William Zabka have become very proficient over the years, Yuji came into the franchise with a foundation. This allows the directors to use fewer cuts when Chozen is on screen.
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When you see Chozen teaching the Miyagi-Do students the "pressure point" strikes, that isn't just movie magic. The intensity Yuji brings to those scenes comes from a place of respect for the craft. He has often mentioned in interviews that he wanted to ensure the Okinawan style of karate was represented with more nuance than it was in the eighties.
What happened to Chozen after the 1986 movie?
For a long time, the fate of Chozen was a mystery. In the original script for The Karate Kid Part II, there were rumors of a much darker ending. But in the Cobra Kai canon, Chozen’s defeat at the hands of Daniel LaRusso was the catalyst for a total life overhaul.
He didn't just disappear. He went through a "redemption arc" long before Zuko from Avatar made it cool. He spent decades training under Sato, learning the "internal" side of Miyagi-Do—the parts Mr. Miyagi didn't teach Daniel because he wanted to spare him the violence. This lore-building is why fans are so attached to the character now.
Yuji Okumoto plays this "burden of knowledge" perfectly. He carries the weight of the Miyagi family secrets, and you can see it in his eyes every time he looks at Daniel. He isn't just a friend; he’s a protector.
The impact of Yuji Okumoto on AAPI representation
We need to talk about why this matters beyond just "cool karate fights." For a long time, Asian characters in action movies were either the silent sidekick or the irredeemable villain.
By returning as Chozen, Yuji Okumoto has helped craft one of the most complex Asian characters on television. Chozen is allowed to be funny. He’s allowed to be romantic. He’s allowed to be vulnerable and cry. He’s a fully realized human being who happens to be a lethal weapon.
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In the episodes where he visits Daniel in the States, we see him as an equal. He isn't subservient. In many ways, he's actually a better martial artist than Daniel or Johnny. That shift in power dynamics is a huge win for representation, and Yuji’s charisma is the engine driving it.
Surprising facts about the actor
- He’s a restaurateur: When he isn't beating people up on screen, Yuji and his family run a restaurant called Kona Kitchen in Seattle. It’s a Hawaiian-themed spot, and fans often drop by hoping to see the man who played Chozen.
- He almost wasn't in Season 3: The producers had to work hard to make sure the Okinawan storyline felt authentic before he agreed to come back.
- The "Live or Die" scene: Yuji has stated that the iconic "honk" scene from the movie was something he and Ralph Macchio discussed at length before recreating it in the show.
How to appreciate Yuji's performance in the final season
As Cobra Kai moves toward its series finale (Season 6), Chozen has become a central pillar of the story. If you’re watching closely, pay attention to his "quiet" moments. Yuji does a lot of acting with just his posture. When he’s around the kids, he’s stiff and formal. When he’s with Daniel, he relaxes just a fraction.
It’s these tiny details that make a performance feel "human-quality" rather than just a caricature.
If you want to dive deeper into his work, check out some of his earlier indie films like American Yokai or his guest spots on shows like The Mentalist. You’ll see that the intensity he brings to Chozen has been his trademark for decades.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Okinawan Arc: Re-watch Season 3, Episodes 4 and 5, to see the subtle transition from the Chozen of the past to the Chozen of the present.
- Support the Actor: Check out Kona Kitchen if you're ever in Seattle or Lynnwood; it's a great way to see the "real" man behind the character.
- Analyze the Style: Look up "Chito-ryu" karate videos on YouTube to see the real-world inspiration for Chozen’s striking patterns.
- Follow the Cast: Yuji is active on social media and often shares behind-the-scenes looks at the grueling training sessions the cast goes through.
The answer to who plays Chozen in Cobra Kai is Yuji Okumoto, but the legacy he’s building is much bigger than a single role. He’s turned a ghost from Daniel LaRusso’s past into the heart and soul of the show’s future.