Summary
Kenny Payne has really gotten the short end of the stick inCobra Kai, and season 6 has only made his situation worse. Going into the Netflix series' final season, it looked for a time that Kenny would finally have a chance to join Team Heroes. The negative influences were gone from his life, and the rivalry with Anthony LaRusso had died down. However,Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 1, only dumped more misfortune on Kenny, then made things even worse by ignoring his character entirely. He will surely come back into play in future episodes, but is there any hope he will get a happy ending?
At theend ofCobra Kaiseason 5, Kenny’s world came crashing down when he learned that Terry Silver had been using his wealth to secure wins for Cobra Kai’s students. It meant that his success as a fighter might not have been legitimate, and this was a significant blow. Kenny really needed the confidence boost that karate had given him since he had been horribly bullied by Anthony LaRusso after moving to the Valley. Of course, the way of Cobra Kai turned Kenny into the bully instead. Still, with Silver out of the way,it seemed there was hope that this character could do better.
Cobra Kai: New Cast & Returning Karate Kid Characters Guide
Cobra Kai has the perfect mix of classic Karate Kid legends and all-new characters. Here’s everyone you need to know in the hit Netflix series.
Kenny Just Can’t Catch A Break In Cobra Kai
Season 6 Continued To Make Things Worse For Kenny
For a while,Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 1, tricked audiences into believing Kenny was finally done getting the short end of the stick. Though he was a bit of a jerk there for a while, he was easy enough to sympathize with, what with his father being deployed, older brother being in juvie, and Anthony’s torment. Then, with Cobra Kai dojo out of the way, Anthony eager to make amends, and Robby ready to take Kenny under his wing again, things seemed to work out. For a little while, poor Kenny had some much-needed peace and happiness.
This fell apart pretty quickly. Kenny was a prime candidate for Miyago-Do’s six-person Sekai Taikai team, and he was good-naturedly participating in all the challenges given byMike Barnes inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 1. However,Devon Lee, desperate to be chosen to go to Spain, puts laxatives into Kenny’s water bottle, causing him to have an accident in front of everyone. This was among the most uncomfortable things to happen to aCorba Kaicharacter—almost difficult to watch. Naturally, it led Kenny to ditch Miyagi-Do, returning to his villain arc despite having come so close to a happy ending.
Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 2, releases on Netflix on August 02, 2025.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Ignored Kenny After His Big “Accident”
Kenny’s Story Was Put On Hold
Going intoCobra Kaiseason 6, things could have gone several ways for Kenny. He could lean further into being a villain, buckling down on his rage even with Terry Silver gone, or join Miyagi-Do and the Netflix series' long list of redeemed villains. After tricking audiences into believing it was the latter option,Cobra Kaiprovided the character with even more misfortune, but what’s worse than this is thathe was entirely ignored in the remaining episodes of season 6, part 1.
Though he’s sure to return in season 6, part 2, it’s frustrating that Kenny’s character was treated so poorly in this batch of episodes only to be ignored after that.
After the laxatives caused Kenny to have an accident right in front of everyone, he angrily told Devon (who was actually responsible for the whole thing) that it must have been Anthony who put the stuff in his drink. Then, he stormed off, stating that he was done with Miyagi-Do. This was the last he was seen inCobra Kai. It was assumed that, like Tory, he would be revealed as one ofJohn Kreese’s South Korean team, but he was nowhere to be seen. Though he’s sure to return in season 6, part 2, it’s frustrating that Kenny’s character was treated so poorly in this batch of episodes only to be ignored after that.
Can Kenny Still Get A Happy Ending In Cobra Kai?
Kenny Is Sure To Return In Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2
Cobra Kaihas a lot to wrap up in its final season, and the necessity to release the episodes in three parts only made this harder. Kenny wasn’t the only character who was ignored for the majority of part 1 since Chozen was left hanging as well, disappearing from the show without even a comment from the other characters about it. It’s likely that both Kenny andChozen will be brought back inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 2, and that their stories will be continued. However, in the case of Kenny, is there any repairing that has been done to him?
Between Anthony’s bullying, Terry Silver’s cheating, Devon’s sabotage, and Miyagi-Do’s lack of care when he left the dojo, it’s difficult to imagine Kenny bouncing back.
Between Anthony’s bullying, Terry Silver’s cheating, Devon’s sabotage, and Miyagi-Do’s lack of care when he left the dojo, it’s difficult to imagine Kenny bouncing back. This could be what finally pushes him toward being an all-out bad guy. Of course, the fact that a significant theme ofCobra Kaiis villain redemption could mean that there is no such thing as goingtoofar.Perhaps it will only take Devon apologizing for what she did and relinquishing her position on the Sekai Taikai teamfor things get fixed up. Kenny could have a happy ending if that were the case, but only time will tell.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
