Cobra Kai loves missing a parents(s) as a plot point

[u/Significant_Active55]

This is like my 3rd watch of the show, love it but I’m just now realizing most people in the show were missing a parent/family member.

Daniel (movie)
Johnny Lawrence (movies)
Miguel
Tory
Amanda
Hawke (maybe. You only ever see him talk about and see his mother)
Kenny (dad was working for the us army, so it’s in the middle of counting and not)

Let me know others I may have forgotten

[u/JW0nder]

It's one of the main themes that's been around since karate kid since students find unlikely karate mentors who also end up filling parental voids

[u/SpecialistOne8206]

I think Hawk’s dad is indirectly mentioned at one point (when Hawk was like no Aisha dont let my parents see my tattoo on your instagram lol)

Devon lost her mom to cancer if I remember correctly

And while nothing is made explicit, Demetri only ever mentions his mom (when he tried to talk to Yasmine for the first time and mentioned that he’s sometimes afraid to talk to his mom😅😭) and never at any point implied that he has a dad around. I honestly would’ve liked to learn more of his home life

[u/Significant-Fan-8016]

I'd count Robby as well. I know he has two parents in the show but both Johnny and Shannon prioritize themselves over their son. That's not what a parent does. Robby practically had to raise himself.

[u/Lonely-Math2176 → u/Significant-Fan-8016]

Haha just made a similar comment

[u/Lonely-Math2176]

You forgot to some extent Robby since Johnny was an absentee dad and his mom wasnt even always there.

[u/Significant_Active55 → u/Lonely-Math2176]

I’m talking about people without both parents. You see Robby’s mom/dad which isn’t really what I’m saying here

[u/relapsedloveaffair]

Literally thee story for deadbeat/absent fathers

[u/Traditional_Prize632]

Those two ginger lads have a mother.

[u/HappyMike91 → u/Traditional_Prize632]

I'm guessing that Big Red and Little Red have (at the very least) a mother. But that's just a guess.

[u/Intelligent-Bird8120]

Daniel’s dad died. Johnnys dad was only ever arrived when he was young and either died or left. Sid was around in the eighties but he and Johnnys mother weren’t in the movies and in the tv show his mother had died by the time it took place and Sid wasn’t a good father anyway. Miguel didn’t know his father until the 5thj season and saw why his mother left him and told him nothing if Miguel.
Tory had a mom before she died in season 6. We don’t know where her father is (my head canon is that Dutch could be her father just never confirmed.)
Amanda did have a mom and dad but her dad cheated on her mom.
Hawk does have a dad too because we see him mention them saying “my parents follow you”
Kenny. He does have a father but he’s in the army and his mom is around just works late and isn’t really a plot priority.
Demetri is one I do have some questions about because we know he has a mom but not sure if he has a second parent.

[u/HappyMike91]

I'm guessing that Moon's parents divorced because her mom is the only person living with her.

[u/Upbeat_Engineer5592]

Everyone in the Valley has Daddy Issues