'Cobra Kai' renewed just after 8 episodes as 'Karate Kid' lives on
It's been only eight days since the premiere of Cobra Kai and YouTube announced that it would be renewing the series for the second run on May 10.
Mr Miyagi would have been proud as the movie spin-off centers around the former bully trying to rebuild his life. Set thirty years after the events of 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, the series focuses on the reopening of the Cobra Kai studio by Lawrence, which reignites old teenage rivalries.
In this reboot series, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. We see LaRusso struggling a bit without Mr Miyagi to guide him.
YouTube's Susanne Daniels announced in a statement, "This series had all of the right elements from the very beginning — compelling characters, a storied rivalry and the talented original stars."
She further stated that "The way viewers have embraced the new twist on this beloved franchise has been nothing short of amazing, and we're thrilled to partner with Sony TV, Overbrook and the extraordinary creative team led by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg to create a second season."
Cobra Kai has already become one of the most notable series in YouTube's ad-free subscription arm launched four years ago to rival streaming giants such as Netflix and Hulu in the US.
The success of the show has been reflected on numbers as YouTube revealed that the first episode had over 20 million views and the season currently has a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The first season was written, produced and directed by Hot Tub Time Machine's Josh Heald and Harold and Kumar writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. The three will also write, produce and direct season two.
The production of season2 will begin later this year and is scheduled to premiere on YouTube Red in 2019. "Continuing the Karate Kidsaga with YouTube Red has been a dream come true," Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg said in a statement. "We are grateful to all our creative partners for giving us the freedom to revisit and expand the LaRusso/Lawrence rivalry. And we are truly exhilarated by the tidal wave of support from fans of this story, both old and new."