10 Cobra Kai Moments That Prove Robby Keene Is The Show's Best Character (2024)

Cobra Kai features several rivalries, but there are several scenes that reveal Robby Keene as being the show's best character. The sequel to the popular 1980s movies, The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai, picks up where the original trilogy left off. At the heart of the series, the conflict between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence remains the core of the show, but times have changed, and the narrative has expanded to include a new generation of fighters.

While there are now several rivalries, with Daniel and Johnny, Miguel and Robby, Sam and Tory to name a few, there is reason to believe one of these characters is now leading the pack. Not only is Robbie the most interconnected character in the show, as the son of Johnny and the protégé of Daniel, but he has also undergone the most change and growth in the show. Many scenes prove how integral to the show Robby is, and support his position as Cobra Kai's best character.

10 Robby Forgives His Dad

Cobra Kai Season 4, Episode 10

Throughout the entire series, Johnny and Robby have had a rocky relationship. Johnny was not present in Robby's life as he grew up, and when he did appear, it was brief and unmoving. Then, when Johnny begins trying to better himself and create a situation that could welcome his son back into his life, the pair always miss one another's efforts.

Robby came to try and connect with his dad early in the show, but saw him with Miguel and felt betrayed. Later, Johnny went to speak to Daniel about an issue, only to find out his son was training with Daniel in secret. However, after all the hurt and distance, it was a beautiful growing moment for both characters when they hugged and tried to reconcile at the end of Cobra Kai season 4.

9 Robby Teaching Cobra Kai Miyagi Do

Cobra Kai Season 4, Episode 1

While Robby's allegiance appears to be pretty loose, leading to him aligning with several different dojos and sensei's, it has given Robby a distinct advantage in Cobra Kai. Robby is a skilled and naturally talented fighter. In addition, he is also incredibly dedicated and studious when it comes to honing his skills.

This is evidenced when Robby joins the Cobra Kai dojo under sensei Kreese. Kreese is impressed by the young man's abilities, and utilizes him as another trainer. Under his direction, Robby shows how much he learned from Miyagi Do karate, and brings that learning to his new peers. This ability to learn and retain multiple styles, integrate them together, and teach them to others puts him in a strong position ahead of others on the show.

8 Runner-Up In The All-Valley Tournament

Cobra Kai Season 1, Episode 10

While Robby does not win his first All Valley tournament, losing in his fight against Miguel who trained under his father, he does take the moral victory. Miguel chose to use moves that deliberately caused Robby to be injured, which could have had long-term implications. Robby had only recently begun training, but despite his lack of experience, he was able to put up a great fight against Miguel and almost claim the win.

However, it is clearly established that Robby had a sense of honor and respect, as well as incredible talents that did not require him to cheat. Becoming the moral winner, and solidifying his reputation as an honorable fighter made him a superior contestant, despite not officially taking the win. This is also one of the first moments where Johnny makes a real effort to speak to his son and apologize.

7 Mentoring Kenny Payne

Cobra Kai Season 4, Episode 3

Robby went through a short stint in a juvenile correctional facility after his incident with Miguel. While there, he got to know an inmate who initially bullied him, but soon became friends when Robby stood up to him. In season 4, Robby meets his old friend's younger brother, who recommends he go see Robby for help with his own bullying problem.

Initially, Kenny is turned away when he arrives at Kreese's dojo and fails to impress the sensei. However, Robby visits him later in the episode to return a bag. While there, he gives him some advice and encouragement regarding fighting. In addition, Robby recognizes that Kenny struggles to stay locked in a close combat situation, preferring instead to run away. Robby then offers advice on how to use his skills and speed to help him win.

6 Robby Fighting All Of Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai Season 4, Episode 1

Near the end of the premier episode of season 4, Robby has one of his most impressive moments in the series. Having finally decided to join Cobra Kai and try to make a difference in the dojo, he gets ready to train. However, the stubborn Cobras are upset about the idea of Robby joining and want him out. Robby then makes an offer. If any of the Cobras can land a single hit, he will leave and not return.

What follows is one of the best fight sequences in Cobra Kai's series, with Robby managing to block and push back the entire team at once. He is successful for a long period of time, before Tory eventually lands a cheap shot and Robby prepares to leave. However, his skills have impressed the group and earned him the respect and recognition he deserved as an incredibly tough competitor.

5 Bringing Sam Home From The Party

Cobra Kai Season 2, Episode 9

Early in the show, Robby proves how he can be a caring and loyal friend, and look out for the safety and wellbeing of others. When Robby and Sam attend a party, Sam gets drunk after being challenged to a drinking contest by Tory. Sam, due to her stubbornness and determination, manages to push through and win the competition, but she is incredibly waster by the end of the competition. This causes her to be highly worried about what her parents might say, and so she asks Robby to help and take her elsewhere.

Despite Robby having a difficult relationship with his father, he knows that he is another adult who would not cast judgment on him and Sam for attending the party. Bringing Sam to Johnny's place is the best and safest thing for her, but it also means that Robby gets blamed for being reckless by Daniel LaRusso, and then kicked out of their home. Robby keeps his integrity though, protecting a friend and accepting the consequences of his choices.

4 Apologizing To Miguel

Cobra Kai Season 5, Episode 5

One of the pivotal conflicts from early in the show's run existed between Miguel and Robby. Both are connected to Johnny, who tries to be a father to them. Both originally dated Sam LaRusso. And both are incredible fighters. However, when a fight broke out in school between the competing dojos, Robby accidentally kicked Miguel over a railing and into the stairwell below. This caused Miguel serious injuries that could have been permanent.

However, that extent of injury was never Robby's intention, and it led to him having a personal crisis before spending time behind bars. But, when Johnny brings both boys together and pushes them to fight it out, they come to understand each other better. Robby finally apologizes to Miguel for his actions, and notes that it was the worst day of his life too. The pair still may not be best friends, but at least Robby was willing to put himself out there and make an effort.

3 Saving His Dad From Scammers

Cobra Kai Season 5, Episode 1

Cobra Kai season 5 sees a major shift in Robby and Johnny's relationship with the pair driving down to Mexico for road trip. However, Robby is then blindsided by the news that the trip is also to try and get Miguel back home after he left to see his biological father.

However, despite the tension with his dad, Robby chooses to step up and step in when things get out of hand. Johnny meets some scammers who try to steal from him, and he gets into a fight. However, despite his talents, he is outnumbered, and these are grown men. Fortunately, Robby puts his frustrations aside and jumps into the fight to help keep his dad safe and get the information about where Miguel has gone.

2 The Juvenile Prison Brawl With Shawn

Cobra Kai Season 3, Episode 5

In Cobra Kai season 3, Robby has his biggest shift away from the teachings that he received under Daniel LaRusso. Robby felt betrayed when Daniel orchestrated Robby being arrested and carrying out his sentencing for the attack on Miguel. However, he still struggles to adopt a different mentality than the one he learned at Miyagi Do.

As the show progresses, the reality that neither Miyagi Do karate nor Cobra Kai karate are the perfect style, and both can compliment each other, it becomes clear that taking strategies from both is important. With this in mind, Robby's first strike in the prison, after being harassed by Shawn and his followers, is a clear turning point. The outcome is not that he went overboard, or simply tried to destroy the bully, but he proved his strength and earned the respect of his rival, thanks to Cobra Kai teachings.

1 Losing The All Valley Graciously

Cobra Kai Season 4, Episode 10

Finally, one of the clearest examples of Robby's growth and progression comes at the end of season 4. Robby has trained hard for years to progress and become the karate champion at the All Valley. Initially, he trained with Daniel LaRusso, before turning to Cobra Kai and receiving their training. By the time season 4 wraps up, Robby is better than he has ever been. However, just when it looks like he can claim his long-awaited big win, he loses to Hawk.

This could look like weakness on Robby's part, but it highlights something else about his character in the way he handles the loss. He no longer places his personal value on the competition. This positions him in a better place than Daniel and Johnny, as well as the newer students like Tory, Miguel and Hawk. His value is no longer judged by the standards of an arbitrary contest, and Robbie doesn't need to prove himself. All of this combined, Robby Keene is clearly the best character in Cobra Kai, and likely the key to events in the sixth and final season.