The first film “Karate Kid” introduced us to the slogan of Cobra Kai “strike first strike hard no mercy“. There is depth in this slogan, which seems excessive. Recently I watched the third season of Cobra Kai. We both loved it and we can’t wait for the fourth season! This show is very entertaining and appeals to those who grew up in the 1980s. Nice to see this slogan again at Johnny Lawrence’s dojo.
Let’s start with strike First:
Remember the famous quote by Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern karate: “There is no first attack in karate.” I believe the two quotes are related. From a self-defense point of view, you should never attack first but should attack first. The moment a robber attacks you, you must avoid this attack and strike first. If you dodge the attack and let the attacker strike first, you are in trouble.
h2>What’s next?
Strike hard! This should be self-evident, especially in a self-defense situation. Fast forward to 2:05 of this video to see a girl strike hard! Ooh boy! She almost drove me into the office behind me.
Striking hard increases the likelihood that a self-defense situation will end quickly. If a hard blow with the palm of the hand to the face sends an assailant to the ground, great! On the other hand, a weak strike can only enrage an attacker. The more you screw up in self-defense, the more likely it will end badly for you. Read more about Jotaro Kujo.
No mercy:
The Cobra Kai version of this is acting in a cruel and ruthless manner. Sensei John Kreese is the epithet of “No Mercy”. Remember, however, that this is entirely in the context of tournament fighting and the philosophy of life. “No mercy” in the context of self-defense means something else entirely. In defending yourself, you must do so cruelly and with all your emotional energy until you have created an opening for an exit or escape.
However, “strike first strike hard no mercy “is NOT an endorsement of going from self-defense to attacking and beating. Moreover, it does not mean the use of force inappropriate for the situation. Your self-defense methods should not be underestimated. You must fully commit yourself to the cause until you succeed and remove yourself from the situation.
Not everyone is thrilled with the return of Cobra Kai. Daniel knows that Cobra Kai’s teaching encourages students to act devious and ruthless. In response, Daniel opens the Miyagi dojo to teach students how to defend themselves, as Mr. Miyagi taught him.
Moreover, Daniel teaches his disciples how to control their anger and self-doubt and how to rise above their adversity. The wisdom of Mr. Miyagi’s wax-and-wax teaching is that daily humble tasks that require discipline and care add up to prepare people for greater challenges.
About Cobra Kai and Its Motto
Cobra Kai is an American TV series. It is a sequel to the Karate Kid films. The first Karate Kid film came out in 1984. It introduced the Cobra Kai dojo and its slogan, ‘strike first, strike hard, no mercy’. The TV series Cobra Kai started in 2018. It follows Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso as adults. Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai dojo. Daniel opens the Miyagi-Do dojo. The show ran for six seasons. The final season ended in 2025. The motto belongs to John Kreese. Kreese is the founder of Cobra Kai. He is the epitome of ‘No Mercy’. His teaching encourages students to act in a cruel and ruthless manner. The motto is a philosophy of tournament fighting. It is not a guide for real life. In real karate, the founder of modern karate, Gichin Funakoshi, said, ‘There is no first attack in karate.’ This means a karate student should not attack first. They should defend themselves. The two quotes seem to be related. But they point in opposite directions. Cobra Kai says attack first. Real karate says do not attack first. The show uses this contrast. Johnny learns that the motto has a cost. His students become aggressive. They hurt others. They hurt themselves. Daniel teaches a different way. He teaches his students how to control their anger and self-doubt. He teaches them to defend themselves, as Mr Miyagi taught him. Mr Miyagi’s wax-on, wax-off teaching is that daily humble tasks that require discipline and care add up to prepare people for greater challenges.
Cobra Kai vs Miyagi-Do
| Dojo | Philosophy | Teacher |
|---|---|---|
| Cobra Kai | Strike first, strike hard, no mercy; attack before the enemy attacks | John Kreese, later Johnny Lawrence |
| Miyagi-Do | Karate is for defence only; balance, patience, and control | Mr Miyagi, later Daniel LaRusso |
| Eagle Fang | Johnny’s later dojo; a mix of attack and heart | Johnny Lawrence |
In the show, the two dojos teach opposite lessons. Cobra Kai teaches offence. Miyagi-Do teaches defence. Cobra Kai students learn to hit first. They learn to hit hard. They learn to show no mercy. This wins tournaments. But it also causes trouble. The students fight in school. They hurt each other. They lose friends. Miyagi-Do students learn balance. They learn to breathe. They learn to wait. They learn to use karate only to defend. Daniel opens the Miyagi-Do dojo in response to Cobra Kai. He wants to teach students how to defend themselves without becoming bullies. The show is about more than karate. It is about fathers and sons. It is about second chances. Johnny was a bully in the first film. In the show, he tries to change. Daniel was the hero. In the show, he learns he is not perfect. The show is very entertaining and appeals to those who grew up in the 1980s. It also appeals to new fans. It has action, comedy, and drama. It is available on Netflix. The final season ended in 2025. The show has won fans around the world. It has also brought new interest to karate. Many people have started karate classes after watching it. If you want to learn karate, find a licensed school. A good teacher will teach you defence, discipline, and respect. Karate is a sport. It is not about hurting people. It is about control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘strike first, strike hard, no mercy’ mean?
It is the motto of the Cobra Kai dojo from The Karate Kid and the Cobra Kai TV series. It means to attack first, hit hard, and show no mercy. In the show, it is a philosophy of tournament fighting, not a guide for real life.
Who created the Cobra Kai motto?
The motto belongs to John Kreese, the founder of the Cobra Kai dojo. Sensei John Kreese is the epitome of ‘No Mercy’. His teaching encourages students to act in a cruel and ruthless manner.
What did Gichin Funakoshi say about attacking first?
Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern karate, said, ‘There is no first attack in karate.’ This means a karate student should not attack first. They should defend themselves.
What is the difference between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do?
Cobra Kai teaches offence: strike first, strike hard, no mercy. Miyagi-Do teaches defence: karate is for defence only, with balance, patience, and control. Daniel teaches his students how to control their anger and self-doubt.
Where can I watch Cobra Kai?
Cobra Kai is available on Netflix. The series started in 2018 and ran for six seasons, with the final season ending in 2025.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general information about the Cobra Kai TV series and the Karate Kid films. The motto ‘strike first, strike hard, no mercy’ is a fictional philosophy. It is not an endorsement of violence. Karate is a sport and a martial art for defence, discipline, and respect. Learn it only from a licensed teacher.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026