Cobra Kai may be packed with flying kicks and fierce rivalries, but what keeps us hooked is the character growth—messy, meaningful, and sometimes surprisingly emotional. Now that the show has wrapped after six seasons of dojo drama, it’s time to rank the ten most unforgettable characters to ever throw a punch (or take one). From under-the-radar allies to the beating heart of the series, here’s our definitive lineup of Cobra Kai’s finest and not-so-finest.
10. Mitch
Mitch has always existed as more of a supporting character, from time to time delivering a punchline or a shock punch. But during Season 5, he shook things up with an out-of-nowhere betrayal that surprised his friends. Though it served to spice up the storyline, Mitch never truly gained the emotional traction necessary to make that shock stick. He’s great for a laugh, sure—but more functional to the story than vital to the dojo.
9. Aisha
Aisha possessed grand potential. As one of the earliest Cobra Kai students, she employed karate to combat bullies and regain her strength. Sadly, after two solid seasons, she was prematurely written out. Her short comeback in a subsequent season provided some relief, but it’s difficult not to wonder how much richer her character could have been if she’d remained in play.
8. Moon
In appearance, Moon was the typical “popular girl,” but she proved to be wiser than anticipated. She fostered Hawk’s development and would not stand for cruelty, even from those she liked. Her zen demeanor and emotional intelligence calmed the storm—but too often was she pushed to the background by more militant personas.
7. Kenny
Kenny’s trajectory is the most tragic. Bullied and belittled, he turned to Cobra Kai to fight back—but soon crossed a line and became what he feared becoming. His development as a tough fighter is a testament to how quickly one can fall into the revenge cycle. His ultimate return with Anthony gives hope to his narrative, but getting there was a long and dark one.
6. Devon Lee
Devon came into the series late, but she made her presence known. Fierce, focused, and always ready to compete, she bounced between dojos in search of a challenge. While she flirted with Cobra Kai’s darker methods, she ultimately returned to the right path. Her development is still a work in progress, but she’s shown she has what it takes to be a future leader.
5. Anthony LaRusso
Anthony began life as a small annoyance—a wealthy, technology-addicted kid more concerned with playing video games than doing karate. But his trajectory took a darker path when he turned into a bully, presenting a stark contrast to his father’s honor. His path toward accountability and manhood didn’t endear him as a star fighter, but it provided the show with a realistic vision of redemption and growth.
4. Samantha LaRusso
Sam’s path hasn’t been an easy one. Trapped in endless turmoil—romantic, private, and physical—she spent most of the show attempting to meet everyone’s needs. Her growth peaked in leaving behind everyone else’s agendas to find herself. It was a choice, maybe more than any victory in a tournament, that constituted her true triumph.
3. Tory Nichols
Tory’s entry provided raw energy and high-stakes tension. Fiery in battle and fiery in devotion, her troubled home life provided depth to an otherwise adversarial character. Her path from rage to responsibility—quelling her family by fighting for them, discovering a mentor, and ultimately earning her title without skipping any steps—made her arc one of the most poignant in the series.
2. Robby Keene
Robby’s journey is an ongoing tug-of-war: right and wrong, father and son, dojo to dojo. His tough background and emotional conflicts made him the most conflicted character on the show. By the series conclusion, his humility, growth, and acceptance of his past showed that redemption isn’t only possible—it’s powerful.
1. Miguel Diaz
Miguel has been the emotional core of Cobra Kai from the very beginning. From bullied adolescent to champion, he’s overcome gigantic challenges: a near-paralyzing injury, an intense quest for his origins, and the burden of living up to two vastly different saviors. In the face of it all, Miguel remained humble, compassionate, and unbreakable. His arc is the essence of the show—learning to get up, fall, and get up again, stronger and wiser.
Cobra Kai took us on a crazy ride with plenty of kicks, comebacks, and endless confrontations—but it’s the characters that made it unforgettable. Whether you were hoping for redemption, cheering on chaos, or just enjoying the drama, these ten fighters injected the Valley with a soul—and a reason to keep watching.