Thirty years after their final confrontation at the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament Johnny Lawrence is at rock-bottom as an unemployed handyman haunted by his wasted life. However when Johnny rescues a bullied kid Miguel from bullies he is inspired to restart the notorious Cobra Kai dojo. However this revitalization of his life and related misunderstandings find Johnny restarting his old rivalry with Daniel LaRousso a successful businessman who may be happily married but is missing an essential balance in life since the death of his mentor Mr. Miyagi. Meanwhile even as this antipathy festers it finds itself reflected in their protegees as Miguel and his comrades are gradually poisoned by Cobra Kai's thuggish philosophy. Meanwhile while Daniel's daughter Samantha finds herself in the middle of this conflict amidst false friends Johnny's estranged miscreant son Robby finds himself inadvertently coming under Daniel's wing and flourishes in ways worthy of Mr. Miyagi.