John Kreese’s redemption is much more difficult thanks to Cobra Kai season 5. As the first and most important villain in the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai universe, John Kreese has returned from the dead three times now. After faking his death during and after Karate Kid 3, Kreese has used his old trick to escape prison at the end of Cobra Kai season 5. Following a Terry Silver-focused narrative in season 5, Kreese's jailbreak sets him up as the main villain for Cobra Kai season 6.
Kreese had a limited role in Cobra Kai season 5, with the villain spending most of the season in prison while Terry Silver took over the Cobra Kai dojo. Given how Kreese had been the main antagonist for the previous three Cobra Kai seasons, it made sense for the original Karate Kid villain to take a background role in season 5. Cobra Kai season 5’s final scene reveals that Kreese’s story is far from over, but also indicates that a redemption arc is not especially likely.
Cobra Kai Season 5 Hinted At Kreese’s Redemption (But Went Back On It)
Cobra Kai season 5 suggested that John Kreese would receive a redemption arc, yet Kreese faking his death to escape prison shows that the sensei is still far from being absolved of his sins. Kreese’s therapy sessions in Cobra Kai season 5 appeared to have a significant impact on the character, especially in the session where Kreese confronted important people in his life - or at least the memories he had of them. The CGI young Johnny Lawrence, for example, was a reminder of how Kreese had failed his best Cobra Kai student. From memories of his younger self to the new generation's Tory Nichols, Kreese faced all his fears.
Cobra Kai's emotional John Kreese therapy scene would have been enough to trigger a redemption arc for the character, yet it lost most of its impact once season 5 revealed that Kreese was already plotting his escape. Although there may have been some truth to Kreese’s words, his main goal was always to steal a key card. If Kreese is still not ready to deal with the consequences of his actions, not even after thinking of Johnny and Tory, then the Cobra Kai sensei is not ready for redemption yet. With Terry Silver in jail, everything points to Kreese going back to his old ways as the Cobra Kai season 6 villain.
How Kreese Can Still Be Redeemed In Cobra Kai Season 6
Redemption arcs are never impossible in Cobra Kai. From Hawk in Cobra Kai season 3 to Tory in Cobra Kai season 5, the show has seen several characters learn from their mistakes and become better versions of themselves. Other important Cobra Kai redemption arcs have occurred off-screen, such as Chozen between Karate Kid 2 and Cobra Kai, and Mike Barnes after Karate Kid 3. As such, a John Kreese redemption story in Cobra Kai can never be ruled out, even after Kreese’s prison break in Cobra Kai season 5. Still, Kreese is not making it easy.
After Cobra Kai went to the trouble of having Kreese escape prison, it would be a waste if the Karate Kid villain was not among the antagonists for Cobra Kai season 6. As such, Kreese still needs one last arc as a villain before redemption becomes possible. How exactly Kreese’s story will connect with Johnny and Daniel is difficult to say, as Cobra Kai season 6 will likely focus upon the global karate tournament Sekai Taikai. Most likely, Kreese’s redemption is tied to Cobra Kai’s eventual ending. Whenever Cobra Kai comes to its conclusion, Kreese’s moral epiphany should happen.