Cobra Kai Test

The Cobra Kai Test is inspired by psychometric methodology and based on research into the characters of the film. The test provides feedback such as the following:

Johnny Lawrence

Johnny Lawrence is a rough-edged, big-hearted fallen golden boy turned scrappy mentor, the reformed bully who becomes the emotional center of Cobra Kai. Once the rich top student of the original Cobra Kai and Daniel’s tormentor, he is now a down-on-his-luck handyman battling regret until training Miguel gives him purpose. He is impulsive, confrontational, and intensely competitive, often choosing to fight rather than talk. Under his macho, stuck-in-the-eighties exterior is a deeply wounded man shaped by an abusive past. He struggles to outgrow his toxic identity, representing the difficult, ongoing journey of redemption and the attempt to become a better man.

John Kreese

John Kreese is the traumatized war veteran turned militant sensei who built Cobra Kai around the uncompromising creed of no mercy. He is a master manipulator who recruits vulnerable, insecure teenagers and transforms them into disciplined soldiers by exploiting their fears and past hardships. While he views himself as a mentor preparing his students for a cruel world, his rigid adherence to a war-time mentality blinds him to the humanity of his rivals. He is defined by his deep-seated paranoia and a desperate need for control, often repeating the cycle of abuse that shaped his own life.

Robby Keene

Robby Keene is the wounded prodigal son and morally conflicted ronin, an abandoned kid bouncing between father figures and philosophies while trying to decide who he wants to be. He begins as a small-time delinquent, acting out to spite his absent father, Johnny. After finding work at LaRusso Auto, he becomes Daniel’s first student, revealing natural talent and an eagerness to prove his worth. His path is marked by a tragic accident that leaves him guilt-ridden and vulnerable to manipulation. He constantly oscillates between extreme worldviews, searching for a stable identity and a sense of belonging in a world that often feels like it has failed him.

Tory Nichols

Tory Nichols is a hyper-aggressive survivor and tragic anti-heroine who uses her fierce combativeness as a shield against a world that has often failed her. Faced with the crushing responsibilities of caring for an ill mother and a younger brother, she adopts a ruthless exterior to protect her autonomy. While her reliance on violence and her loyalty to mentors like Kreese often lead her into destructive cycles, she possesses a deeply vulnerable core. She is capable of profound growth, eventually choosing to dismantle the corrupt systems she once served. Her journey reflects the difficult, ongoing work of learning to trust others and finding peace.

Terry Silver

Terry Silver is the sophisticated super-villain and corrupted idealist who attempts to leave his past behind before ultimately embracing a ruthless, expansive vision of power. A wealthy, charismatic patron of Cobra Kai, he initially presents as a reformed gourmet who has moved past his history of terrorizing teenagers. However, when pulled back into the dojo wars, he weaponizes his vast resources to manipulate, bribe, and gaslight his rivals. While he occasionally displays a desire for a peaceful, reflective life, his fear of insignificance and devotion to his legacy drive him to double down on a worldview where life is a competitive sport.

Daniel LaRusso

Daniel LaRusso is a principled but hot-headed hero grown up, a successful businessman and idealistic sensei trying to live up to the teachings of Mr. Miyagi. He is loyal, didactic, and deeply attached to the philosophy of balance and defense. He reopens his dojo to counter rival philosophies and prevent a new generation of bullies. He is also stubborn and self-righteous; his obsession with stopping his enemies often makes him neglect his business and strain his marriage. Beneath his calm exterior lies a temper and an ego that frequently drive him to act on impulse, creating a poignant struggle between his values and his actions.

Miguel Diaz

Miguel Diaz is the earnest underdog-turned-champion, a modern-day hero who finds his footing through martial arts. Initially a bullied teenager seeking protection, he transforms into a skilled fighter under Johnny Lawrence’s guidance. His journey is defined by a constant struggle to balance his natural compassion with the aggressive "no mercy" philosophy he once adopted. After a near-fatal injury forces him to confront his own mortality, he matures into a reflective young man who prioritizes his own integrity over winning. Ultimately, he represents the adolescent search for identity, proving that one can rise above their circumstances without losing their moral center.

Samantha LaRusso

Samantha LaRusso is the pressured legacy student and conflicted heroine who struggles to define herself beyond her father’s shadow. As Daniel LaRusso’s daughter, she is caught between the privilege of her upbringing and the recurring trauma of the Valley’s ongoing dojo wars. She is brave and reactive, often initiating confrontations when she feels a moral line has been crossed, yet she frequently wrestles with the guilt of escalating these conflicts. Beneath her composed exterior, she faces anxiety and PTSD, making her one of the few characters who openly processes her emotional burdens. She ultimately seeks autonomy, striving to forge a personal identity that balances her family’s legacy with her own developing sense of justice.